A Handmaiden of the Lord

The Knots Prayer

2012-02-23T12:37:00.004-05:00

The Math of Lent

2012-02-23T08:04:00.001-05:00

February 22, 2012

Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:12-17a CEB

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 CEB

As we enter this time of Lent, we remember that it is a time of self-reflection, a time when our hearts turn towards the journey to the cross, a time when we ponder on the gift that God so freely gives to you and to me…the gift of redemption and forgiveness wrapped in a cross on top of a hill from so long ago. As I reflect on my life and walk with God I am reminded by the reading from Joel that it is not the outside that God is concerned with, it is not my outward appearance but the appearance of my heart…how is it really with my soul. God is waiting for the day when all of His creation turns back to Him as He had planned for it to be from the very beginning.

There is sort of a Math having to do with Lent. There is a letting go…a subtraction of the things that bind us and there is a picking up of…an addition of the things and practices that bring us closer to God. It’s like packing for a trip…you see sometimes we pack too much for the journey…we get a little carried away with the just in case stuff that there is either no room for the important or we are so waited down that we are too tired for the journey. So…we decide to let go of what we feel we need to let go of but that in itself can be a problem. Let me read to you about some subtraction and addition…listen to what can happen if we get too much of this addition and subtraction math…the scripture is found in Matthew 6:1-6 and 16-21…

There is a danger of adding too much and we want to show how religious we are to those who are around us…all this addition and subtraction can make our heads explode…but then you have to add in the multiplying that we may feel we need to do…take on more projects, do more than our share of different new and improved things that will make us super Lenten warriors , and the like, only to wind up frustrated and overtired and not even sure what this whole Lent thing is about…It becomes all about us and what we do and less about what God did and continues to do…

How fitting it is that we begin our Lenten journey in ashes…the thought brings us back to the reality it’s not about us…Titus tells us that it is not by what we do that we are saved but by God’s grace we are redeemed. There may be reasons why we need to unpack or add in our spiritual life and that’s OK…as long as we don’t lose sight of what the Lenten journey is…it’s our journey of reflection and hope…it’s the road…our means of access…we travel to the destination at the end of our 40 day journey. The place where God showed His greatest compassion and mercy…the place where He gave His Son to die in our stead so that we may have life renewed and redeemed…the foot of the Cross of Calvary. It is good that we begin in ashes for it is by ashes we were made and to ashes we will return. Wednesday’s ashes…God transformed into the beauty of the cross for me and for you.

Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

Forgiving God, full of compassion and redemption, as we enter this season of Lent we pray that we would emerge renewed by your Grace. As we search our lives and our hearts, help us to see the changes we need to make to walk closer to and with you. Create in us a clean heart, O Lord, and a steadfast Spirit within us so that we may be a light that shines in the darkness of the world in which we live. May we focus on the eternal and not the external things in our lives. Speak to us in new ways and may we have a new revelation of your love that was shown on the cross…the love that came down in the form of your Son, Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

How Good of God!

2012-02-19T16:03:00.000-05:00

February 19, 2012

Seventh Sunday of Epiphany

Transfiguration Sunday

Worship Theme: God’s Healing Mercy

Psalm 41:1-4, 13 NRSV Bible

Isaiah 43:18-25 NRSV Bible

2 Corinthians 1:18-22NRSV Bible

Mark 2:1-12 NRSV Bible

Lately I have been seeing the Ad on TV about the Susan G. Komen 3 day walk for cancer. Now the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Walks are challenging and exciting events held in multiple US cities each year to benefit breast cancer causes. Walkers are challenged to walk approximately 20 miles a day for 3 days. They camp out each night in a tent city. All meals, snacks, and trail support are provided. Each walker must raise a minimum of $2300 in donations to participate. These participants are out there doing what they can to make money for the cure for cancer. I have thought about doing the walk myself but I don’t really think I am in shape enough for it but maybe someday I will be.

Humanity has for years been trying to find cures for many diseases and ailments. There are so many different sicknesses that affect humanity it can be mind boggling. We hear many stories in the bible about diseases. We hear about people with leprosy…a woman who hemorrhaged for many years…demon possession and many more. Disease has been around for a long time. There is also sickness that we have within our souls. Sicknesses like prejudice, hate, ego, tyranny, the list just goes on. The sickness we have on the outside we can go and see a doctor for but those sicknesses within our souls…where do we find healing…who can give us restoration…who can we trust to heal us from our inward infirmities?

Last week we talked about it being “Soul Cleaning Time”. It is time to reflect on our souls and to clean out the clutter that is there. But what happens as we clean out our souls? How are we restored to “good health” again? This morning, we heard God speak to the relationship He had with the Israelites and it holds true for you and for me to this day. We find our restoration of the relationship with God through the new thing He was doing. God was making a way for restoration. The way is found through our relationship with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. How good and awesome of God to love us so much that He wanted to restore humanities relationship with Him? Humanity was created to be relational with Him and with others. Now that’s something to shout about. It is through His Mercy we are healed…through the wounds of Christ we are restored…

The 2 Corinthians this morning tells us about who or in what we can trust. God’s word is as sure today as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow. It is there where we find answers…it is where we find hope…it is where we find peace…it is where we can read about…reflect on the mercy that God has shown in the past and will continue to show now and into the future. God said it so it shall be done! How good and awesome and loving of God to give us a guide book in life. One that will not lead astray but keeps us right on track. One that we can trust will tell us the truth…whether or not we want to hear it. One that will help us turn from the byways of the world to the highway of God…

I want to read a healing story found in Mark Chapter 2. It’s found on page yes 911 in the pew bible. Listen to God’s goodness and love shown through Jesus…we will be reading verses 1-12…read from the NRSV Bible…

These men had heard about Jesus and His compassion for others. They knew that their friend could only be healed by the One who came to bring life eternal. They knew that their friend would be healed by mercy and compassion. Jesus not only healed His outer self but healed His broken inward self. He was forgiven of His sins and made whole again. It was mercy that healed this man.

Beloved child of the Most High God…as we enter the season of Lent this Wednesday, let us take stock of our soul. Is there healing that needs to take place? Is there a way in us that we need to change? Have we gotten off the Highway and turned to the byways? Let us take our souls to the foot of the Cross and receive healing and wholeness there. Let us shed the world and put on Christ. Let us trust in God’s eternal word to get us through the day. How good of God to show us mercy and forgiveness. How god of God to redeem us and love us. How good of God to send His Son to show us the way. How good of God to make a way in the wilderness through the blood of the Lamb, our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, spilt on Calvary’s cross for you and for me. How good it is to receive God’s healing mercy and peace.

AMEN

How Good of God!

2012-02-19T16:02:00.001-05:00

February 19, 2012

Seventh Sunday of Epiphany

Transfiguration Sunday

Worship Theme: God’s Healing Mercy

Psalm 41:1-4, 13 NRSV Bible

Isaiah 43:18-25 NRSV Bible

2 Corinthians 1:18-22NRSV Bible

Mark 2:1-12 NRSV Bible

AMEN

Soul Cleaning Time!

2012-02-12T15:08:00.001-05:00

February 12, 2012

Sixth Sunday of Epiphany

Worship Theme: God’s glory manifested in cleansing

2 Kings 5:1-14 NRSV Bible

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Mark 1:40-45

As the days are getting longer with more light than dark, I am beginning to think more about spring and less about the winter. I am looking forward to when the flowers start blooming again, the warm weather starts becoming a reality instead of a thought and a more variety of birds start coming back to the bird feeders. I also am beginning to think about how it’s just about time to open the windows and getting rid of all that winter dust and getting that nice spring scent in the house. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait to clean the house of all its winter doldrums an welcoming in the newness of spring… There’s something about a clean, fresh smelling house that just lifts my spirit. A new, fresh start…

At this same time of year I also think about my soul…does it need some cleaning, does it need to have the freshness restored to it? We can tend to get ourselves spiritually stale and need some type of renewed freshness in our spiritual life. The world around us is full of dirt and grime and sometimes this dirt and grime comes “under the door of our spirits” and makes it dull and lifeless instead of the luster and shine God intended it to have. But how, when and where can we find this healing…this cleansing that is so needed for our spirits?

In the 2 Kings Scripture from this morning, we heard about a man named Naaman. Now he was a big and important guy but he had one drawback that caused him to be an outcast. He had leprosy. Now Leprosy was a disease thought as a symbol of sin. We hear in the bible about Moses sisters Miriam being struck with leprosy by God because she plotted against Moses because of his marriage to an “outsider”. It was her punishment from God. But how was Naaman cleansed from this disease. It was through the waters…through the word of God given by Elisha who told him what to do. Reluctantly he followed this word to him and he was made clean. Through the water of God’s word…through baptism we are made clean. This is one way how we are cleansed…

In the 1 Corinthians we heard, we are told that our cleansed life demands discipline. We are to run the race with integrity and with purpose. We keep our spirits clean by following that discipline of running the race to win. I like how the Message Translation puts this scripture…

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Message (MSG)

You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

We need to run hard…run for the eternal not the things that fade away…stay alert and in top condition…The cleansed life demands discipline…the when in the equation, when we run the race that is set before us the way God would have us run, we can live with and in that cleansed life…

So…where do find that cleansing? I would like to read for you a story of cleansing…of Jesus’ healing touch. It is found in Mark chapter 1 verses 40-45. It is found on page 911 in the pew bible. Read along with me and hear the Good News…

(Read from Mark 1)

It was Jesus’ touch that healed this leper…It was the lepers faith and trust in Jesus that healed him…This man was told not to say anything to anyone…to go straight to the priest in the temple but this man could not keep quiet…this man needed to shout it from the roof tops…I have been healed by the touch of Jesus! I am no longer and outcast! I no longer ashamed! It was at the feet of Jesus I found healing and wholeness! Where do we find healing and wholeness…where are we cleansed? At the feet of Jesus…at the foot of the cross…in Holy Communion with Christ! Each time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper…Communion…we are healed by the compassion and love of Christ…

It’s soul cleaning time. We are about to enter one of the most important times in the Christian life. We are about to enter the time of Lent…the time when Jesus completed His mission on earth…the time when we were made whole and cleansed by the foot of Calvary’s Cross. Last week, we talked about how life isn’t a bowl of cherries but we have hope…life is about coming up with those who are weak and being that healing balm for them…sharing the Good News with them. But we ourselves need to be made whole before we can help others who are broken. Beloved…are you in need of some soul cleaning…do you need to hear a word from God to be cleansed…is it time to “get back on track” and continue the race? My invitation to you and to me is this…come to the cross…come to Jesus’ feet and be healed. Then too we may be able to leap for joy and give the Lord a shout! We to can shout from the roof tops I have been healed by the touch of Jesus! I am no longer and outcast! I no longer ashamed! It was at the feet of Jesus I found healing and wholeness! Let us run with perseverance the race set before us…let us run as athletes for the prize…a prize not of this world but the next. Let us be the healing balm to the nations in Jesus’ name.

Amen!

Bulletin for this Service:

*Centering Song: “Spirit Song” #347 UMH *Call to Worship:

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me.

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.

O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.

(Psalm 30:1-4 NRSV Bible)

*Hymn: “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy” #340 UMH

*Unison Prayer:

We praise you with joy, loving God, for your grace is better than life itself. You have sustained us through the darkness, and you bless us with life in this new day. In the shadow of your wings we sing for joy and bless your holy name. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: 2 Kings 5:1-14 NRSV

“The Sharing Of Our Journey”

Concerns /Joy’s and Celebrations Invitation to silent prayer followed by Pastoral Prayer, the Lord’s Prayer (UMH #895), and Choral Response.

Special Music Suncook UMC Sacred Dancers

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NRSV

Message for the Children

“Thanking God”

Invitation for Tithes and Offerings

Special Music Choir

*Doxology #95 UMH

*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)

Gracious and forgiving God, we long to be the disciples who give you our very best: our strongest witness, our mightiest efforts, and our first and best fruits. When we fall short, still you take what we make available and do great things! Bless what we offer now, fill it with your power so that lives may be touched, the world transformed, and your power and love be praised by all! We pray it in the name of Jesus, the Christ! Amen.

(GBOD 1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

“Equipping the Saints”

Message Scripture: Mark 1:40-45 Pew Bible pg 911

Message: Soul Cleaning Time!

*Hymn: “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” #382 UMH

“Sending forth in Jesus’ Name”

*Benediction

*Musical Response: “Amen”

(refrain 3X)

“Life is just a bowl of cherries?”

2012-02-12T08:27:00.001-05:00

January 5, 2012

Fifth Sunday of Epiphany

Scouting Sunday

Theme: Healing for suffering humanity

Isaiah 40:31

Job 7:1-7

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Mark 1:29-39

You know I hate picking up the paper or watching the news these days. There is so much pain and suffering in the world. There are people who are dying of hunger…people who are persecuted and killed for their convictions…random killings…natural disasters…it just breaks my heart seeing so many who have lost hope…who are so defeated by life that they just can’t go on. They feel they have nowhere to turn to find help and peace. What has happened to humanity?

Even though I really have a hard time with hearing all of this, I know that by hearing about it…it helps me to know what is going on in the world and who or what needs my prayers. That’s part of what we do as Christians, we pray for others who are in need. It also helps me understand where there is a need for ministry…places where I can get involved. Pain and suffering has been around for a long time. But there is a way to help that suffering in the world…to ease the pain of others…and that gives me hope. Life I hard…God never promised that we would never suffer…He only promised that we will not go through it alone…He would be there with us in our suffering…

There are so many types of suffering as well. There is personal suffering as we heard in the scripture from Job this morning. Job knew suffering…he didn’t realize why he was suffering…he knew that he was righteous. But through all of his suffering he never cursed God. He knew that his strength was found in God. Job knew that he couldn’t let go of the one thing he had…his God. But there are so many out there that don’t have this hope in the world…they don’t have this anchor to hold on to in the rough times…in those times of pain and suffering in their lives. What a disaster it is for them…not to have hope for tomorrow…

There is pain and suffering that is caused by others. The pain of a loved one not being as “loving” as they should…the pain caused by others greed…the pain caused by others callousness…the pain can go deep but in the depths of that pain we can find the One who wishes us only good…the One who accepts us as we are…the one who has a great plan for our lives…the One waiting there to wipe away all our tears…our Rock and Fortress…our God and King. But we can help others in their misery and suffering. As Paul stated in the Corinthians scripture, we can come up next to others in their suffering…we can help them through their suffering…we can walk with them in their pain and help them find the One thing that can help them…the One thing they can hold fast to at all times. We can bring them to the foot of Calvary where they can find peace, love, joy and hope; even in their suffering…they don’t have to walk alone!

Jesus knew about the suffering of humanity. There are many stories in the bible about Jesus’ compassion. One story in the bible talks about how He felt…shows His compassion…gives us direction on what we can do. It is found in Mark 1 verses 29-39…read along to read first hand this account of His compassion. It is found on page…in the pew bible…

(Read Mark 1:29-39)

He felt their pain…He had compassion for humanity. He healed many and we too can help heal many. If we, as Christians, are to follow in Jesus’ footsteps we need to be involved in the lives of those who suffer…Jesus didn’t stay away…He dove right in to help.

This morning we are celebrating Scouting Sunday…we are celebrating the courage and determination of these young and older peoples conviction to make a difference. I love the Scouts “One My Honor” pledge…they pledge to:

1. Do my best to do my duty to God and my country.

2. To obey the Scout Law—and the Law is this: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

3. to help other people at other times

4. To keep myself mentally awake.

5. To keep myself morally straight.

And a child shall lead them. Humanity can learn a lot from these children and their leaders and mentors.

Church…Beloved sons and daughters…life really isn’t a bowl of cherries…you know it, I know it, the world knows it too…but…we too need to be that healing balm in society…to be leaders in the world…leading humanity to the only One who can really heal make humanity whole…leading humanity to our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Let us all join in the game of follow the leader and follow the path of compassion and love our Savior leads. We talked about authority last week and how we have been given authority through God…how will you and I use that authority to bring healing and wholeness…? We need to get our heads in the game…we need to get off the bench and win one for our God and king. Are you ready to rumble?

AMEN

Go Light Your World

2012-02-07T08:34:00.001-05:00

Sight Psalms

Seeing really is believing. We just have to look. Sight Psalms is the work of photographers who seek to express the divine through images.

2/7/2012

LIGHT
“You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand.” (Matt. 5: 14b-15, The Message)
Sight Psalms is a ministry of the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7a2yOoaIz0

Fisher of Men

2012-02-01T09:23:00.001-05:00

“Jesus said, ‘Come, follow me, and I’ll show you how to fish for people.’” (Mark 1: 17 CEB) How will you follow today?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9RXHwYU2JY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8iC1HYIT9A&feature=related

“The Question of Authority”

2012-01-30T08:52:00.001-05:00

January 29, 2012

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Worship Theme: The Nature of Authority

Psalm 111:1-3, 10 NRSV Bible

Deuteronomy 18:15-20 NRSV Bible

1 Corinthians 8:1-14 NRSV Bible

Mark 1:21-28 NRSV Bible

Good morning…I love listening to kids talk…ok, argue with one another. There is a lot to learn as we “listen in” from the outside. One thing I have heard them say…and yes I have actually used this phrase before…”Who died and made you boss…?” or “You’re not the boss of me…I don’t have to listen to you!”…I know that you must have heard the same type of statements at one point or another in your life…and might have even used them yourself…It’s all about authority and who has it over us and who do we have it over them. Well this has got me thinking about authority itself…who decides who has the authority and why do people misuse it from time to time?

All we have to do these days is pick up the news paper or turn on the television and we hear about people in power…some doing good, but we hear mostly about those who abuse their “power of authority.” Society is the one who puts them in authority through elections and such but it is the very same society that they are abusing…the same people who put them in the “seat of authority.” But the question of authority has been with us all the way back in the Garden of Eden. The serpent questioned God’s authority over Eve as he told her that God was mistaken and death would not happen if she ate the “forbidden fruit”…she was made to feel that God was being unfair to the tenders of the Garden and she decided to ignore God’s authority over her and eat the fruit…the serpent was right though, she didn’t die a physical death but a spiritual one that affected all humanity after, I guess the serpent left out that part of his story…

Last week we talked about how the time has come…the kingdom of God is near…nearer than we realize I think…we need to be out doing the “Kingdoms Work” in the world. But by whose authority are we empowered to do such a thing…who gives us the right to do this…who is the one who really has all the authority? My pray is that as we look at the “question of authority” we may be emboldened…by the authority over all to be workers in the vineyard.

We have already heard about the authority of the prophet in the Deuteronomy scripture and the authority of the Christian in the 1st Corinthians scripture…now let’s look at what the Bible says about Jesus’ authority. I am reading from the Gospel of Mark and the passage is found in chapter 1 verses 21-28…I’ll be reading from the NRSV Bible and if you would like to follow along in the pew bible it is found on page 910. (Read Scripture)

Jesus spoke with authority! He was God come down in human form and spoke with the authority of God…this was something new and never before did anyone speak in such a way…

OK…authority…let’s look at what makes up authority…

1. Kinds of authority- The prophet’s kind was the knowledge of God. God spoke through them and gave them the authority to say what they did…they were speaking on god’s behalf. The Christians authority is in knowing God’s word and what it tells us…but knowing is only half of the equation, believing in God’s word makes up the other half. And Jesus’ authority was His identity…He was God!

2. Characteristics of authority - The prophet was and still is today their obedience to God. They were obedient to what God said to them. They followed exactly what God said for them to say. They didn’t let society tell them what to say. The characteristic of the Christian is they are given liberty…freedom that can be seen from all that are round them. And with Jesus…well He was the source of authority and it was seen in the way He lived His life…He lived a sinless life that only God Himself could do. Now here’s the best part…

3. Who has authority – Jesus has the authority because of His deity…the unclean spirit knew who He was…it knew He was God incarnate. The prophet has the authority through God’s word. They speak directly from God’s mouth to others…not just the written word but the actual words of God! And we, as Christians, have the authority because of our knowledge of God. We can share and speak of God because we know His word…we study His word…we can relay His word to others…What an HONOR! We have been given the authority by God…we are given the authority to work in the vineyard and help with god’s agenda…but it’s not a right…it’s a gift and a privilege…

Now the question of authority…we, as Christians, have the authority from God to speak the truth found in His word…we have the authority to follow Jesus’ teachings and teach others a new and better way of life…we have the authority, as beloved children, to speak on our Fathers behalf. But authority does come at a cost. As you may see in the workplace there are people who don’t like the people in authority…even though they may be nice and all that it is because they have authority they are not liked. There are also others who are in authority that abuse that authority and take advantage of others. What we do with authority is even more important than the authority itself. What we don’t do even though we have the authority is just as important.

Beloved sons and daughters…have you embraced the authority that has been given you? Have you trusted in that authority and done “great things for the Kingdom of God”…even “little things for the Kingdom of God”…remember, there is no such thing a small thing in the kingdom of God, every little bit counts as we all do our little part it adds to the little parts of others making a BIG thing happen? Have you abused your authority in some way? It’s not too late to change your view…your vision of authority. With God’s help, may we all use our authority wisely and with compassion as Jesus did…may we trust in the authority given us so that we may step out in faith on the waters of society and follow the One in whom we are given all authority and follow His example…the example of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of God is nearer than we think…let us go out in the authority given us and be doers not just hearers of the word.

Amen!

Knowledge...?

2012-01-25T13:02:00.001-05:00

1 Corinthians 8:1

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

1 Corinthians 8

Advice About Food Offered to False Gods

¹Now, concerning food offered to false gods: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes people arrogant, but love builds them up.

With some, knowledge is a dangerous thing. They think that they are "superior" to others because they are "smarter" than them. They get all "full of themselves" because of the knowledge they have. But as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 13...

²I may have the gift to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I don’t have love, I am nothing.

if there is no love then there is nothing...It is love that makes you wise, not knowledge...

2012-01-24T10:18:00.000-05:00

View high resolution

Follow your joy. Follow your heart.

As we follow God's plan for our lives, we can receive so much joy and peace in our lives

As we follow God's plan for our lives, He is there with us every step, whispering to us about His love for us and the joy we bring Him.

As we follow God's plan in our lives, He gives us the desires of our hearts...His perfect desires He has for us...

Listen...!

2012-01-24T10:10:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 18:19

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁹ If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account.

If you do not listen to what God is saying through someone that He uses to bring it to you...well, you will be held accountable. You can no longer say "I didn't know"!

He Knows Us...

2012-01-24T09:47:00.001-05:00

1 Corinthians 8:3 NRSV BIBLE

but anyone who loves God is known by him.

We may think that we are unknown, cast aside by society. It can be tough when we think that no one cares...no one notices us. But there is One who notices and cares about us...there is One who "knows us by name"...even the number of the hairs on our heads...

What time is it?

2012-01-23T08:45:00.001-05:00

January 22, 2012

Third Sunday after Epiphany

Psalm 62:5-7 NRSV Bible

Jonah 3:1-5, 10 NRSV Bible

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 NRSV Bible

Mark 1:14-20 NRSV Bible

We, as a people, are so fixated on time. We look at our watches to see if we are running late or on time. . . we have a need to “make the best of our time” but keep looking at the clock to see where we are in our “timeframe” that we get behind in the timing we have set for ourselves to get things done. We stress out if it is “taking too long” to get something done. We even lose track of time at times and get stressed out because we are “taking too long” to get that important thing done. We go around asking what time is it. . . as a matter of fact, we will walk up to complete strangers and ask for the time. Time. . . there never seems to be enough. . . .

This time thing has been around since the beginning though. Even in the Garden of Eden there was a “time of day” that God would walk with Adam and Eve in the Garden. . . in the cool of the evening. You hear about time all through the Bible, the times of the judges. . . the times of the kings of Israel, David and the other kings,. . . we hear about Queen Esther who became Queen “for a time such as this”, a time such as this, a time where she saved the whole nation of Israel. . . there is even a Scripture all about time, as you heard us sing this morning, in Ecclesiastes 3 that talks about a time for everything. . . it is important to know what time it is but what we do with and about that time is what is most important.

In the Scripture that has been read from Jonah and Corinthians this morning there is a “time” element within them. In Jonah. . . he was sent to Nineveh a “second time”, the first time he was swallowed by a whale, and told them it was time for them to be destroyed. . . what did Nineveh do with their time. . . they repented and God had compassion and did not destroy Nineveh, much to Jonah’s disappointment.

In the Scripture from 1 Corinthians, Paul talks about “the time is coming soon that Christ would return and make things new”. Paul wanted the people of Corinth to know that the time had to “get serious” about their faith. . . To be out there doing God’s work in the fields. Paul wanted them to not look at the temporal things and pleasures of the world and to think about the eternal things of heaven.

There was even a time for Jesus to begin His ministry. In the Gospel of Mark we here about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. It is found in Mark 1 verses 14-20. It can be found in the pew bible on page 110.

The time had come!. . . the kingdom of God is near!. . . the time had come to repent!. . . the time had come to believe!. . . What did the first disciples do about that time? They followed. . . left what they knew because it was time to have a new call. . . a new age type of fishing. . . fishing for men. . .

Church, this church, Christians in general. . . it is time. . . it is time that we laid aside our agenda and picked up the agenda that God has called us to be part of. It is time we laid aside our hurts. . . frustrations. . . prejudices. . . and angers and to pick up. . . no put on Christ. It is time we answered the call to “follow me”. It is time we decide that it’s ok to not have it our way and say ok to Gods way. The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. Let me repeat, the Kingdom of God is near! We need to repent of our agenda and believe in the agenda of God. Listen. . . do you hear the cry...the call of God calling us out of our boats and into a fishing exposition? What will be your answer? Will you leave all and follow or will you say I haven’t the time? The choice is ours, yours and mine, to make. . . which will you choose?

Waiting...

2012-01-22T07:22:00.001-05:00

Psalm 62:5

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁵ Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.

Waiting can be a hard thing to do. We live in a "microwave" world that tells us that we need to have things immediately. But...there is growth in waiting...there are lessons in waiting...

As we wait, and trust in God, we can have that peace in knowing that God has a plan for our lives.

As we wait, and trust in God, our faith grows stronger in knowing that God is in control and He wants only the best for all who believe.

As we wait, and trust in God, we can have joy in knowing that God will prevail. ALWAYS!

As we wait, and trust in God, we can praise His Holy Name.

See...waiting is not always a bad thing...

Answer Please...

2012-01-21T10:26:00.000-05:00

Mark 1:20

The Message (MSG)

^19-20A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee's sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed.

What will your answer be? Will you leave what you know and follow into the "unknown" trusting in the One who is calling? Or, will you stay in the "comfort zone" of your day in and day out...never crossing that line...go out of the perimeter of where you are safe and sound...in what you are doing...in what has always been...the norm for you?

A New Job?

2012-01-21T10:17:00.000-05:00

Mark 1:16-17
Common English Bible (CEB)

Jesus calls disciples
¹⁶ As Jesus passed alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ “Come, follow me,” he said,“and I’ll show you how to fish for people.”

Simon and Andrew were fishermen by trade...they were in the family business of fishing.They were all set for their livelihood. Then came this man...a new comer to town...and offered them a new position. They followed and the rest is history.

Sometimes what we are doing in life...our "job"...is not exactly what God has planned for us...not exactly what are call is in life. When we hear the call that God has...how will we answer?

Our Watcher and Shield

2012-01-21T09:47:00.000-05:00

Psalm 62:6

Good News Translation (GNT)

⁶ He alone protects and saves me;
he is my defender,
and I shall never be defeated.

God is always there, watching over us. He defends those who love Him and is their Shield when life's arrows are shot at us. As we do God's will...His good and perfect will...He will guide us and our foot will not slip...He alone is the G.P.S. (God's Presence and Security) we can have...

Repent...revisited

2012-01-21T09:39:00.001-05:00

Mark 1:14-15

English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Begins His Ministry

¹⁴ Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, ¹⁵ and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

When we repent and draw near to God, He forgives and draws near to us. When we repent and change the road we walk on, He is there with us, guiding us through the toils and snares of life.

Repent...

2012-01-20T16:26:00.000-05:00

Jonah 3:10

Good News Translation (GNT)

¹⁰ God saw what they did; he saw that they had given up their wicked behavior. So he changed his mind and did not punish them as he had said he would.

When we repent and turn back to our God, He is quick to forgive and our sins are no more before Him for He has removed them from us as far as the East is from the West and North from South...As far as the depths of the sea and the expanse of the sky.

Through Christ, our sins are erased from the "Chalk-Board" of our life and we receive full pardon through the blood of the Lamb...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVBNB6fmiw0

Trust

2012-01-20T16:09:00.000-05:00

Psalm 62:8

Good News Translation (GNT)

⁸ Trust in God at all times, my people.
Tell him all your troubles,
for he is our refuge.

In a world full of trouble and Chaos,k there is one place that we can find peace and harmony, serenity and joy. It is found in our God who gives rest to the weary. It is found in our God who gives strength and meaning to our lives. It is found in the Triune God Of Israel...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeUuF3fE9iQ

The Only One

2012-01-20T13:54:00.000-05:00

We go through our lives trying to the best we can but there so many times when we feel we are not good enough...we just can make those around us happy unless we change to what they expect us...what they perceive us to be. It can be so discouraging. Try as we might...we just don't hit the mark! Praise God there is One who accepts us and takes us as we are cleans us up and sets us on the road again. Thank God for our Risen Lord Jesus Christ that tells us to not wait until we are "perfect" to come to Him...just come to Him as we are and He help do the rest...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua9B4fcY-ys

January 12th - 14th

2012-01-14T10:14:00.000-05:00

John 1:43-46

The Message (MSG)

^43-44The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. When he got there, he ran across Philip and said, "Come, follow me." (Philip's hometown was Bethsaida, the same as Andrew and Peter.)

^45-46Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, "We've found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It's Jesus, Joseph's son, the one from Nazareth!" Nathanael said, "Nazareth? You've got to be kidding."

But Philip said, "Come, see for yourself."

(There is a lot in this Scripture from John...)

Jesus is waiting..looking for...searching for a "few good men" (and women). What will be your answer? Are you willing to take the risk? Leave everything behind and follow the Master fisher of men?

Who would have thought that Joseph's son would be the Messiah? He was kind and loving, he cared about the least and lost, he was a carpenter by trait. They were looking for a "hard as stone" warrior to free them...to save Israel.

Nathaniel questioned but Philip knew. Sometimes, the least likely is what God use (OK...most of the time) to set the captives free.
He can and will use you and me if we answer the call.

Here I am Lord! Pick ME!

January 11th

2012-01-14T09:52:00.000-05:00

1 Samuel 3:9-10

The Message (MSG)

^8-9 God called again, "Samuel!"—the third time! Yet again Samuel got up and went to Eli, "Yes? I heard you call me. Here I am."

That's when it dawned on Eli that God was calling the boy. So Eli directed Samuel, "Go back and lie down. If the voice calls again, say, 'Speak, God. I'm your servant, ready to listen.'" Samuel returned to his bed.

¹⁰ Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, "Samuel! Samuel!"

Samuel answered, "Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen."

(I love the MSG Version of this scripture...instead of just saying
"For your servant is listening" it states "I'm your servant, ready to listen"...think about that...)

Samuel heard the voice of the Lord in the quiet of the night. We too can hear more clearly the voice of the Lord in our quiet times. We also need to learn, as did Samuel, how to discern if it is the Lords voice or the voice of the world around us.

Luckily we have others who travel the journey of life with us...people who God puts in our lives...people He uses to speak through them to us directly.

Listen for the voice of the Lord not only in our quiet times but through those who he has put in our lives. You might be surprised how and through whom He speaks...

January 10th

2012-01-14T09:41:00.000-05:00

Psalm 139:13-15

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

OK...I LOVE THIS SCRIPTURE! God knows everything about you and me and still loves us anyway! WOW!

January 9th

2012-01-14T09:37:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 6:19

Common English Bible (CEB)

¹⁹ Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you? Don’t you know that you have the Holy Spirit from God, and you don’t belong to yourselves?

There are many who feel they are worthless. If they were worthless, would God have put His Spirit within them? What greater gift or purpose is there than to have God's own house...Gods own Spirit...God's own temple living within you and me? Awesome!

January 7th

2012-01-14T09:33:00.000-05:00

Mark 1:7

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.

It is through Christ that we are baptized not only with water, as John baptized, but also with the Spirit of Pentecost...that unquenchable fire...the fire that burns bright within all who believe.

Light...

2012-01-14T09:28:00.000-05:00

Genesis 1:1-3

Common English Bible (CEB)

¹ When God began to create the heavens and the earth ² the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and Gods wind swept over the waters ³ God said, Let there be light.” And so light appeared.

Where does your light come from? Do you try to find it in the light of that star in the East...the star that shown down with mercy, grace and love...Do you find it in the giver of all light...our Lord Jesus? Or do you find it in the sparkling, twinkling light of the world around you...the mesmerizing light that doesn't keep the promises that it makes...the light that is dim compared to the light of Christ?

Sorry

2012-01-14T09:20:00.000-05:00

Good Morning to all!

First I would like to apologize for not posting lately. I have at least 6 post waiting. I will try to do better.
Second...thank you for reading my blog. I pray that it will be insightful for all.

God Bless,
Pastor Ruth

Chaos

2012-01-10T15:58:00.000-05:00

Psalm 29:11

Good News Translation (GNT)

¹¹ The Lord gives strength to his people
and blesses them with peace.

Living in this world of chaos, it is hard to find peace. When you do find peace,it may be hard to keep. There is always something trying to take away our piece that we have. Where do we find our peace? Do we find it in humankind and material things? Or do we find peace in places that seem foolish to man?

In the world we live in...in the trying times that we live in...we need to look "up" for our peace and not in what we see and feel around us. It is only in God that we find our peace...He promises it...not like the world promises us but with His trusted and eternal promises that never fail. He alone gives "peace that goes beyond all understanding...

A Letter to God

2012-01-05T08:47:00.000-05:00

Christmas Eve/Day

December 2011

Dear God,

What do we say to such an awesome God? You alone are the Most High God, you alone are the One who gives forgiveness and pardon, in You we have our life and meaning . . . for this we give you all the thanks and praise. Lord as we come to the end of this Advent Season we are ready to celebrate the birth of your Son, Lord Jesus.

How much more can we ask of you? You reached down from heaven with forgiveness, compassion and love for our sake, and gave us a new beginning. You knew that the only way that we could have that right relationship with you was through sacrifice. But not just any sacrifice…it would have to be a sacrifice that was perfect, an unblemished Lamb…a Lamb that would take on our sin and unrighteousness…the Lamb born in a manger that first Christmas morn. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, Your only begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ. Is there another gift so important to humanity?

Lord God, as we celebrate the birth of your Son may His star not only shine in the sky but within us. May His star fill us with so much light that it just cannot be contained within us and shines bright in the world around us…May we bring hope, peace, love and joy into the world as we share that light…May we be Adventurous people for you and live out our lives in ways that brings others to the Adventurous journey with you. May we live as Advent people all the year through…May our lights shine bright in the dark for all to see…

Sincerely Yours in and through Christ our Lord…children of the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Your Beloved Sons and Daughters of The Suncook United Methodist Church

God's Dwelling Place

2012-01-04T14:44:00.001-05:00

Acts 19:1-2

The Message (MSG)
^1-2 Now, it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth, Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. The first thing he said was, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?"

"We've never even heard of that—a Holy Spirit? God within us?"

As we are baptized, we not only receive forgiveness of our sins and the "slate wiped clean" (the death of sin removed by the blood of the Lamb), but we should and can receive a renewing of our minds. Our whole out-look on life should and can change.There is a gratitude that wells up within us. We have a new life and a new start in Christ Jesus...a sort of a "do over". We are able to have a renewed relationship with God...the relationship that He intended all a long...that relationship that Adam and Eve had we too can have...Now that makes me all excited and grateful inside. (yes...I can hardly contain it as I sit here and write.) We are God's dwelling place and not just in the cool of the evening as He did with Adam and Eve. God dwells in us...is with us...24/7, 365!

My question is this...if we don't have that change...moreover, if we don't even try to change...are we truly saved or just "playing the part on TV"?

Searching Still

2012-01-04T14:15:00.000-05:00

Mark 1:5

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁵ All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

People still today flock to people things that promise them anew life, a new beginning. But all of those things and people are just temporal. You see it all the time on the television. "If you order this product or that product you can have an improved life...send us this amount of $ and we will pray for you and you "will receive that new life you have always wanted.""

The only way to have a truly new life is to come to the One who gives forgiveness and life...our Lord, Jesus Christ. This year let us have the "resolve" to look above instead of around for what we need to have the life we want. A life that is full of blessings, , hope peace and love...A life that can only be found at the foot of the Cross...a life that our Maker has always wanted His beloved children to have.

God's Voice

2012-01-02T09:31:00.000-05:00

Psalm 29:3

Good News Translation (GNT)

³ The voice of the Lord is heard on the seas;
the glorious God thunders,
and his voice echoes over the ocean.

As we go about our days,we need to take time to just be so that we can silence ourselves before the Lord our God...so that we can her His voice of love, compassion and guidance above all the noise and confusion of our day. Time to be refreshed, renewed and revitalized for the journey.

Genesis 1:1-2

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹IN THE beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned, and) created the heavens and the earth. ²The earth was without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.

We may feel that our lives are nothing but chaos but God works through the chaos and creates something beautiful in His sight...something He considers "very good" (the earth was without form...some scholars say that the definition of this is the world...the earth...was in a chaotic form.)

In this new year, may we find time to sit still and listen to the voice on the wind and be refreshed and renewed. May we give our chaos to God and allow him to form it into something beautiful and pleasing in His sight. May we have a new encounter with the God of the wind, sea, land and air and become less chaotic as we strive to do His will in the world.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T08:56:00.000-05:00

As we begin a new year I am taken to thought about what that means. Revelation 21:5 tells us that "The one who was seated on the throne said "See, I am making all things new."" (NRSV) Our God is a God of new beginnings.

His mercies are new each day
We receive a new beginning...a new life...when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior
God has been in the business of "making new beginnings" for His people...especially seen in the OT
God gives us a new heart in Christ
We are a new creation
ect

May our New Year be filled with:

a new revelation of who Christ is to us
a new revelation of Gods love for us
a new set of ears so we may hear Gods guidance
a new set of eyes so that we can see God at work in our lives as well as in the lives of others
and a new heart that is pliable, moldable and willing to be changed by the Potter's hand

Happy New year to all. May we live the "Advent"erous life that God intended us to live before we were even formed in our mothers womb!

Living Water

2011-10-20T10:25:00.000-04:00

Psalm 51:12 NIV

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me

Though out our journey of life, there are many times when we are just plain tired. We have no strength for the journey...we have lost all ambition...we seem to be chasing our tail and just not finding it.

It is during these times when we cry out to God for that living water to come and water the dry parched soil of our soul. It is during these times when we need to draw ever closer to God and His word so that we can be fed for the task at hand. It is these times when we cry "Abba Father" and we hear that gentle voice on the wind saying "here I am my child. Stay and rest a while in my loving embrace...be refreshed and renewed."

God's Providence

2011-10-19T16:16:00.000-04:00

Psalm 37:4 NIV Bible
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

So many people now a days take this piece of scripture out of context...they think that they can use this piece of scripture to "get what they want in life and out of God". We live in a society that thinks that it is "entitled" to every thing they want...every thing they have.How wrong society has it...how selfish is the world in which we live.

Everything we are given is a gift from God. God knows when we are just trying to "get what we want" instead of having a thankful heart for what He has given us. Just worshiping God is not a free ticket to what we want. We shouldn't think that just because we worship God we should get what we want...and then get mad when we don't. That's false worship...that's worshipping idols.

I am just thankful for having God with me in life....being called by name by Him to preach the Gospel of Christ...knowing that He knows how many hairs there is on my head. Yes...God has given me a life that is blessed beyond my wildest dreams...Yes God has been with me through thick or thin (even though at time I may not feel His presence, that doesn't mean He's not there). I worship God for the sheer joy of thanking Him for all He's done, doing or will ever do in my life... not because I want more for myself. The rest is just the icing on the cake...

2011-10-18T08:50:00.000-04:00

DETERMINATION

To reach a worthy goal, you often have to rely on resourcefulness to stretch.

http://www.gbod.org/site/c.nhLRJ2PMKsG/b.6174501/k.9236/Sight_Psalms.htm

As we go through our journey of life, there are times when we feel stretched to our limit. We just can't stretch any further or we will break. But God is always there to help us to bend just a litttle more, reach a little higher, so that we can achieve the purpose He has for us. God will never ask us to do something that is out of our ability. God is the one who gives us our ablilities and we may not see what we are able to do but God knows what we are able and equipped to do. Trust in God...keep your eyes focused on His love , mercy and goodness...you will be surprised at what you and God can achieve together...

Amen?!

God's Light

2011-10-14T08:16:00.000-04:00

LIGHT

May the Divine Light shine through you today.

As we live each day, we have a choice to make. We can either let God's light shine from within us to a dark world or we can hide it under a bushel. By letting the Light shine, we illuminate the vast array of God's love and forgiveness in a world that is longing for the Son to shine in their lives. It longs for the Light of day. God's light within us will dispel the darkness even in the most recessed corners of life. It illuminates the deep hews of God's love for all of humanity. Shine on!

God's Has A Plan!

2011-10-13T11:39:00.001-04:00

Jeremiah 29:11 Common English Bible (CEB)
I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the LORD; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.

There are times in our lives when we just don't know which way to go. We feel as if we are out there on our own. It seems as if everything around you is falling in on itself. We try as we might but it all seems wrong. We tend to despair thinking "Is this all there is to life? There has to be more! Why do I feel abandoned and alone? Will things ever change?"

Beloved child of God, God is there working out his plan. You may not see it but God is working on his timetable, which is much different than the one we are taught by society. God has promised us good in life. This good may not seem good in the eyes of the world around us but it is good in the eyes of heaven. What God considers good may look foolish in the eyes of man. We have a hope that never ends. A hope that man cannot take away. Hope for the future. Hang on and watch the hand of God work. You will be amazed at what is in store of you and for me. Trust and believe!

Amen?!

2011-09-23T09:43:00.000-04:00

BEAUTY

Beauty is not the same as perfection. Sometimes imperfections contribute to beauty.

(Sight Psalms is a ministry of the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church)

It is within our imperfections that we become a beautiful contributor to the "God Spun" fabric that creates the journey of life. It is not how "pleasing to the eye" we are or even the "perfectness" of our lives that matters. What matters is the "beauty of our lives within" that helps create the tapestry of life.

"Do not be afraid...I am with you!"

2011-09-23T09:27:00.000-04:00

Exodus 17:7 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

"He named that place Massah [Testing] and Meribah [Complaining] because the Israelites complained and because they tested the Lord, asking, “Is the Lord with us or not?” "

There are times in our lives when...along with the Israelites...we question if God is with us or against us. There are times when God seems far away. We can't feel Him, touch Him or feel His still small voice in the wilderness of life. It is in those time when God is nearer than we think...the Lord is close at hand. We are so caught up in our situation that we can't see "the forest through the trees". At these times we must seek even harder through the pain and suffering. we will find him there...holding out His hand...bidding us to trust in Him and in His grace and mercy.

Help for the day

2011-09-23T08:59:00.000-04:00

In our lives, there are times when we feel as if we are alone, we feel as if life is so overwhelming that we just can't think straight. In those times we would do well to remember the words of Philippians 1:6...

"There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears." (the Message Bible)

In order to have that help......in order to feel that presence...in order to have that same assurance that Paul had, we need to know the One who makes that promise.

One way of knowing the One who makes that promise is to spend time...daily...at His feet, listening and speaking...feeling and hearing...the word for us each day. You will feel a strong thread...a strong bond...with the One who is the giver of all that is good. You will feel the Spirit working in and through you in all that you do. You will feel...and continue to feel...His presence with you each step of your journey in life.

Beloved...with feeling and knowing this, you can rest assured that you have help with decisions in life...you will have the courage and conovicti8on you need in life because you know who is your Guide...you will have the confidence in life that you need because the giver of all wisdom is your Counselor...always there...always ready...always willing and always able to help you through the twists and turns of life...

Amen?!

Who Me?

2011-08-24T10:35:00.000-04:00

Exodus 3:11-12 The Message (MSG)
11 Moses answered God, "But why me? What makes you think that I could ever go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?" 12 "I'll be with you," God said. "And this will be the proof that I am the one who sent you: When you have brought my people out of Egypt, you will worship God right here at this very mountain."

There are times in our lives when we feel just as Moses did. We ask God, "Are you sure you really want me to do... I have no idea how to do...you need to find someone else... REALLY God...you want me to WHAT?!! But is verse 12 of Exodus 3 that gives me hope...

No matter where I am or what I do God is with me. God gives wisdom and guidance if we only ask for it (I usually start my morning in prayer and asking for the Wisdom of Solomon not wisdom by the worlds standards).

On this I/we can depend...the Lord will answer and give wisdom and strength for the journey!

AMEN!?

Help!

2011-08-24T10:25:00.000-04:00

Exodus 3:1-2 The Message (MSG)
1-2 Moses was shepherding the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the west end of the wilderness and came to the mountain of God, Horeb. The angel of God appeared to him in flames of fire blazing out of the middle of a bush. He looked. The bush was blazing away but it didn't burn up.

There are times when the storms of life seem like flames coming up around us. We feel we will be consumed by our situations...that there is no hope or a future. Where o when will we recieve help? When will there be deliverence? And then we come to the end of our storm and realize that we were not consumed...there is hpoe and a future.

Beloved...the Lord is there in the midst of the flames...in the midst of the storm...in the flamesof our life, protecting and loving us throughit. We are refined by the the refiners fireand are made more like the image of Christ as we walk through the fire with the One true flame...

Help is on the way and it's name is Compassion,it's name is Justice, it's name is Deliverence, it's Name is above all names..it' name is Jesus...

AMEN! Thank you my Redeemer, my Comfortor and Friend!

Teaching Them to Soar

2011-08-09T10:48:00.000-04:00

The other day, my daughter and I were coming home from the store when we noticed three hawks flying over head. It is rear, we thought, to see three flying together like that. we decided that it must have been tow adult eagles trying to teach their young how to fly, ow to soar on the air currents. It was plain to see that two were experts at it and one was flapping to much and not too sure of itself.

This got me to thinking, as I had my oldest daughter with me, what is it that I am trying to teach my young one? Am I trying to teach her to fly or am I holding fast to her childhood, not wanting her to leave the nest? Am I allowing her to stretch her wings and try out the current or am I clipping them in order for her not to go too far?

We, as adults need to teach our children how to fly. We need to help them learn the air currents of life so that they will succeed. It is hard to let go, but being a mother of faith, I know that God will hold her on the current of His love. But in order for her to find the "right" current, I need to help direct her. She is going to learn to fly no matter what I do. I want her soar as an Eagle on the Wings of Love. If I don't direct or guide her she may catch the air current of society and the world and not feel the freedom of flying with Christ.

Fly my beautiful fledgling...fly on the wings of Love, of Grace nd of Peace. I will be that example of the mother hawk teaching you to fly on the air current that will bring you life eternal. Fly my baby...fly!

Rest Deeply

2011-08-09T09:57:00.000-04:00

8/8/2011

JOURNEY

The colors of the setting sun call us into the sacred journey of the night.

http://www.gbod.org/site/c.nhLRJ2PMKsG/b.6174501/k.9236/Sight_Psalms.htm

As we see God's array of colors and and stand in awe of His majesty, we can't help but think of His mercy and grace that has help us through the day. When we survey His artistry as He paints the backdrop for the end of the day, we can't help but think about the way that He cares for and loves us. When we truly take in the beauty that He creates, we have confidence for the night because He who has sustained us during the day will continue His watch, ever mindful that we are but the dust of the ground on which we stand. As we slip into our slumber we can rest in the ever loving arms of our Creator.

Good night, sleep tight...

Inspiration for the Day

2011-08-01T13:28:00.000-04:00

This is an e-mail I recieved this morning. I thought I would share...

An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13.. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You every day.

16. Carry a spiritually enlightening book with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20.. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life..

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25.. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .'

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31.. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

'If God is for us, who can be against us?'

(Romans 8:31)

All Sacred worth!

2011-07-30T09:03:00.000-04:00

Experiencing God Through Images

JUL 29

Creation

Every creature is a sacred reflection of the beauty and wonder in life.

Everything...no matter what or who it is...has sacred worth. It display's God's beauty and majesty. You may have to look for it but it is there. The Master Creator ALWAYS puts His signatire on it...

My offering

2011-07-24T21:36:00.002-04:00

“Proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” -...

Posted: 24 Jul 2011 12:00 AM PDT

http://sruach.tumblr.com/post/7993969931/proclaim-the-good-news-to-the-whole-creation

Let us sing our offering to our God and King! Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord!!!!

And God Said....

2011-07-20T08:45:00.003-04:00

Everything that God has created is good. If it were not for humankind it would still all be.... We cannot be the ones who decide what is good and what is not. If the Master Creator says it's good then it is good...end of story...

Amen?!

http://sruach.tumblr.com/post/7836653235/and-god-said-thats-good-sight-psalms-is-a

Humble Thy Self

2011-07-01T08:35:00.000-04:00

Romans 12:3
[Humble Service in the Body of Christ]

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

We can easily get caught up in ourselves. There are times in our lives that we may think "Look at what I did all by myself" It is in these times when we need to stop and look at what God has so abundantly given us...Look at God's provision in our lives. When we look at it from this perspective we can't help but cry out in a loud voice "Thank you God for all that I have, all that I am and all that is yet to come!" For it is by God's love and grace that we move and have our being...It is by God's Gifts that He lavishes upon us that we are able to anything apart from ourselves. It is by His mercies we are able to reach new heights for the Kingdom of God...AMEN?!

“Ambassador for God”

2011-06-26T17:35:00.000-04:00

Pastor Ruth Foss

Suncook United Methodist Church

Sunday June 26, 2011

Second Sunday of Pentecost

Matthew 10:40-42

The Lord be with you

And also with you
Let us pray. . .

Holy God, author of the Word made flesh, to whom belongs both the first Word and the last, open us to your Spirit, that as scripture is spoken and your word proclaimed, we may be comforted, convinced, and changed to the glory of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Yesterday, I went to a Workshop at The Rockingham United Methodist Church. Now. . . there are times when I go to a workshop and I feel very anxious. . . nervous. . . because I am going someplace that I have never been before. I am not sure what they may think of me. . . what if I go and I make no friends. . . what if I don’t know anyone there? Well. . . when I went there. . . to this church. . . they made me feel so welcome there. There was a smile on these people’s faces and I could tell they were happy that I was there. Their actions took away all my doubt and fears and I had a GREAT time!

Have you ever gone some place. . . a place you have never been before and the people treat you like you are one of the family? I mean you have never met them before and they make you feel like you belong, you are accepted by them. It is such a good feeling when that happens. You feel welcome. It happens here all the time.
Unfortunately there are still those who do the opposite. They make you feel that you don’t belong; they treat you like an outcast. . . as the bible may say, like a leper, someone you need to avoid at all cost. There are still so many people who just don’t get it. . . they just don’t see that what they do hurts others. I mean if you don’t think or believe as they do you are treated like an outsider.

Over the past couple of days, I have received e-mails from someone from my past. . . someone who I thought was an accepting, loving friend. These e-mails I have received grieve me to my inner core. You see. . . he decided that me being a pastor. . . me being a leader of the church was all wrong. It was against God’s Word. He has decided to start a “crusade” against what I do. What I don’t understand is this. . . why are people so unwelcoming to some of God’s “elect”, why do some people feel so righteous that they make others feel that they are so wrong. . . that God is going to “smite them” for what they do? Unfortunately, an attitude like this is why some say “I would be a Christian but for the Christians I know.”

Matthew 10 verses 40-42 talks about how we are to act towards others. . . especially those who are brothers and sister in the faith. It reads. . . And I’m reading from the Gods Word translation this morning. . . (Read Scripture)

We are to welcome others. . . we are to be. . . to show. . . God’s love and grace to others. How can we be disciples of and for Christ when we decide to shun others for their beliefs. . . to shun others because they are not like us? We are to “run the race” with integrity and love. How can we receive the crown of glory. . . to receive the reward that is held for us if we decide to not let others know the “secret hand shake that is given through the cross” if WE decide someone is not worthy.

This saddens me. We are all sojourners on a journey. We are all sinners. We are all learning as we go along. . . .starting on July 17th. . . we are going to take a journey and look at this type of attitude some Christians have with others. . . we are going to look at why people are turning away from Christianity because of the words and attitudes of others.

We will take this journey with Adam Hamilton and be guided by his series “When Christians Get It Wrong.” My prayer is that we will self-reflect on what we will learn and be changed for the kingdom. . . that we will be welcoming people. . . each an Ambassador for God.

Let us pray. . .

Loving, Compassionate God, we thank you for your word to guide us through our journey of life. We pray that you would open our eyes to our attitudes and how we act towards others. May we be people of hope and love and not people of despair and “self-righteousness”. May we lead by the Spirit to new heights for you. May we truly be a people of “Open hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors”. Amen.

“Living 3-D”

2011-06-26T17:24:00.000-04:00

Pastor Ruth Foss

Suncook United Methodist Church

June 19, 2011

Trinity Sunday/Fathers Day

2 Corinthians 13:11-13(Common English Bible)

Matthew 28:16-20 (The Message Bible)

Good morning and Happy Fathers Day to all of the fathers and to those who are like fathers to each of us. Today is the day when we celebrate those who have been that male influence in our lives…those who have helped us on our journey of life with their “fatherly advice.” You know…it is only fitting that not only is it Fathers Day today but it is also Trinity Sunday…the day that we celebrate and give thanks to our Heavenly Father…the day that we think about the “3-Faces of God”…The Father, Son and Spirit that together make up our God.

I was reading a Meditation for Trinity Sunday from Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua about the Trinity and it really made me stop and think. It reads:

God of Creation
God of Salvation
God of Wind and Fire

Changeless God,
Ever-seeking
Ever-reaching
Ever-teaching God

Sovereign God
Prince of Peace
Comforter and Friend
God in three Persons,
Blessed Trinity!

(The three faces of God)

When I look at the three dimensions that makeup our God, I can’t help but look at the attributes of each…what we receive from each part. Let me explain…you have the Father who gives us “grace”, and then there is the Son in whom we receive the love of God and you have the Spirit that brings us into communion with God. Without the Three in One…without the “3-D” of God…there would be something missing in what I like to call “The Love Triangle.” I have put an insert in the bulletin for today that explains what I am talking about. I want you to pull it out for a moment while we talk a little about it…You see…the Father, Son and Spirit make up our Triune God. In the center is God, it is where God’s attributes…grace, love and communion, through Christ, come together…within the church, in each one of us as well as brings us together as one.

Matthew 28:16-20 talks about the church and what the disciples then and now are to do…what one of our purposes in life is. It reads: (I’m reading from the Message Bible this morning)…

We are sent out with these attributes of God on the Great Commission to “Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you.” And also is where we receive the promise “I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."

We are to live in this “3-D” way of life…we are to take this 3-D Living into the world and share our stories. And, praise God, we are not in this alone. Christ is there with us. Not only is Christ there with us but we are there for each other, each disciple, working side by side. We do not sojourn alone but in community with each other. With the help of others, we can act in boldness and practice the Radical Hospitality that Christ showed to all those who He came in contact with. We carry on the work of Christ.

In a few moments we will hear about a way that we can work together with our brothers and sisters in Christ to show the grace, love and communion of God in our lives with others. Maybe even people who don’t even know or have seen God in action in their lives. We can touch people in a way that we may never imagine…in ways that will make a difference in their lives.

Beloved Church…when Christ gave the Great Commission to the disciples He gave them a copyright. Jesus gave them permission to replicate in others the faith we have been given. It is not just the right to do this but it is a command. But there is a “copy right” and a “copy wrong.” The right way is to proclaim the love and goodness of God in our lives…the wrong way is to point to ourselves rather than Christ. There is a right and wrong way to go about what we have been commissioned to do. We can transmit our faith by showing the love of Christ and walking the walk not just talking the talk or we can refuse to share the gospel all together. The choice is ours to make…which will you choose? Do you want to be a copyright or a copy wrong?

Let us pray…
Father, Son and Spirit…Triune God…giver of grace, love and communion, we thank you that you have given us the copyright of the Gospel of Christ. Help us to live 3-D in the world around us. Enlighten our minds to new ways of sharing our stories from where we are to the ends of the earth. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN!

“I Promise…”

2011-06-08T09:55:00.000-04:00

The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray…

Loving, Compassionate, God, we thank you for this day that we gather as a community to hear your word. May we have ears to hear your word, minds open to your direction and hearts set a flame by your Spirit. Thank you for your “love letter”, your word that gives us direction and reminds us of your goodness. May your word be heard though me or in-spite of me. May the meditations of our hearts and minds be pleasing to you our Rock and Refuge…amen?!

Have you ever had a promise made to you by someone and they were not able to fulfill that promise to you? Or, have you ever made a promise to someone and, because of situations out of your control…or in your control…you were not able to keep it? I know I have. How did that make you feel? Upset with that person…or at yourself…frustrated because you really wanted to keep the promise but were unable too? Why is it so hard to keep a promise at time? I know that “life gets in the way” at times but I think we all want to be a man or woman of our word. I am so happy that God is faithful to His promises it’s something I have come to truly rely on.

Throughout the bible we hear stories that give us encouragement that God’s promise is true…we hear stories about how faithful people believed in God’s promises and they were not let down. Some of these people of faith may not have seen the promise come true in their lifetime but they trusted that they would. They trusted God’s plan and in God’s goodness. Look at Abraham…God promised that Abraham would have more descendents that the grains of sand. Abraham never saw it but he trusted in God, that He would do what He said He’d do, and did as God asked him to do…heck even after God making that promise to him, giving him Isaac, God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac he was going to do it…how would he have descendents if he sacrificed his own son? But he trusted in Gods promise…he knew God would make a way…he took him to a mountain top…and just as he was about to do it he was stopped…he trusted in Gods providence…God provided a ram instead. Moses led the Israelites through the desert to a place that God had promised. As they went through the desert Moses continued to believe in God’s promise...a land of milk and honey…and then after 40 years, they reached the “Promised Land.” There are many more of God’s promises throughout the bible that have come true…many promises.

Throughout the “Old Testament”, we read a lot about a savior…a Messiah…that would come and free God’s people. These messages of hope to the people were given through people who were known as the prophets of old. This promise of a Redeemer is what kept the people going. These scriptures about a Messiah were handed down from generation to generation. The stories about how faithful God had been were also handed down through the generations. The long awaited Messiah came through the life of a child born to a virgin named Mary. As a matter of fact Christ’s whole ministry, especially His death and resurrection, fulfilled the scriptures about the Messiah, even if the people couldn’t see it.

Today is Ascension Sunday, the day that our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, ascended into heaven. Jesus’ “earthly” ministry was concluded. He was going to heaven now to prepare a place for you and for me and begin His ministry as our Advocate in heaven…going to the Father on our behalf. We heard one story about that day in the Epistle reading from Acts this morning. Listen to the story about that day written in the Gospel of Luke…it is found in Luke 24 verses 44-53 (I’m reading from the Message Bible this morning)

Through Jesus’ ministry on earth and His Ascension into heaven forgiveness of sin is offered to ALL nations, the Holy Spirit was made available to the church, Jesus prepared a place for us, His own, in heaven, there is increased outreach through the church…the people filled with the Holy Spirit, forgiveness is available and glory not death is God’s final word! But in the resurrection, another of God’s promises is fulfilled…the promise of the Holy Spirit for all who believe…a spirit of power and might…a spirit of strength…a spirit of peace…a spirit of hope.

But the first disciples had to do one thing, they had to trust the promise and wait until it arrived. So…what did they do…how do we know they believed in the promise? They went to the temple, praising God and overjoyed, and worshipped continually in the temple. They realized God’s faithfulness in the past and trusted in God’s faithfulness in the present and future (remember…they had to wait).

The disciples were called to bear witness…as so are we…to what has been seen and experienced…A witness to the reality of the Risen Lord and forgiveness of sins. But in order for that, Christ needs to be a living reality in and through our lives. The first disciples were “eye-witnesses” of the events but we are the “I-witnesses” of the events in our lives…how God has been faithful in our lives…how God has fulfilled the promises He has made in our lives. Without our I-witness, without the reality of Christ seen in our lives…how can we fulfill the great commission we as believers have been given “to go out and make disciples of all nations”…how will the never ending story of God’s goodness continue if we don’t shout it from the roof tops for all to hear. We have a great and glorious God who is mighty to save! Come and see that the Lord is Good!

AMEN?!

Priceless

2011-05-22T12:15:00.000-04:00

Pastor Ruth Foss

Sunday May 22, 2011

Fifth Sunday after Easter

Psalm 33:1-4 ESV Bible

Acts 7:55-60 Gods Word Bible

1 Peter 2:2-10 Common English Bible

…Priceless

The Lord be with you…
And also with you…
Let us pray…
Loving, Compassionate, God, We thank you for your word that you have given us to help us on our journey of life. We pray that you would open your ancient words to us this day. Give us a better understanding of how you would have us live our lives. We pray for your Spirit to move among us as we hear the word you have for us this day. Speak to us in ways that we never imagined. May we have ears to hear, eyes to see and an open heart to you and your will for our lives. Speak Lord…your children are listening…

Have you ever noticed in life that some things that seem that they are worthless are really worth a lot? I love watching those shows that people bring things that they think are worthless to the show and there are appraisers there and they find out what they have is actually worth a lot. That even happens sometimes in relationships. We are put in the lives of some people and we may think to ourselves that the relationship is worthless; it has no real value to us, just to find out that the worthless relationship has become a relationship that we rely on and is priceless to us. There are other times when we do things, out of the sheer joy of doing them just to find out that what we did was priceless to that other person.

Even in nature we come across things that we think is worthless and find beauty and symmetry in it. We may see a tree stump and think it is dead but when we take a closer look we find small shoots that are coming up out of it…new life out of something that we thought was dead. Take this rock for instance… (Show rock)…some might think of it as just a rock…it nothing but dead matter…but it is so much more than that. Even in the Gospels we hear about persons and things that seem dead but are alive. 1 Peter 1:2-10 talks about a rock in a whole new way. It reads and I’m reading from the Common English Bible…

A living stone… Christ as a living stone. Now this metaphor that Peter uses seemed strange to me when I first read it years ago. Rocks are rocks and they can’t be alive…it’s an inanimate object… Well…I was so wrong.

Science tells us that a rock is really microcosm of whirling subatomic particles. What Peter may have been saying is that when the stones become living when they are shaped and formed into an edifice, where living takes place. Christ is the corner stone…the foundation…the living stone upon which the church is made alive. He is the platform…the edifice…from which our lives take shape and form…are constructed. We have a strong, permanent rock that shall never be moved. It is priceless! Christ as our corner stone knits us together as one. Even though Christ was rejected, through His resurrection He was made that corner stone for you and for me.

As we live out our faith in our lives, we never know what will happen when we “pay the price” of being a disciple of Christ, as we live out the Gospel of Grace in our lives even though the world around us is different, even as we suffer humiliation and ridicule from others...and some even to the point of death. The price we may pay may be high but it is a priceless object we get as an end result. We receive our salvation…our pardon…our adoption in the family of God, princes and princesses of the King of kings…our hope for the future and so much more.

In the Acts scripture this morning…a man named Saul held the accusers coats as they stoned Stephen. This man is the same man that became Paul after his encounter with the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. This is one of the same people that Stephen asked God to forgive. Was part of Saul’s conversion because of what he heard Stephen do at the end of his life as he asked for that forgiveness? Hmmm…As we live out our faith, we may never know how it will affect someone else. We may never know how priceless our actions may be for someone else.

Beloved sons and daughter of the Most High God, this stone can be a stumbling block for us or a precious stone. It all depends on our attitude. Is it not worth it or is it priceless? Is it a stumbling stone of offense or is more precious than silver? Only you and I can decide that. But as you contemplate on this question I want you to remember… God thought that we were so priceless that He sent His Son so that we might receive redemption. Christ went to the cross because He too believed that the redemption of humanity was worth the cost. Jesus stretched out His arms on the cross and said “You are worth this much to me…” Which way will you chose?
(The price of a new car…about $16,000.00. The price of a hamburger…about $2.00. The cost of our salvation…1 human life. Who we are in Christ Jesus…priceless…)

Amen?!

A Whisper in the Dark

2011-05-04T09:08:00.002-04:00

I love the Lord because he hears my voice, my pleas for mercy. I will call on him as long as I live because he turns his ear toward me. The ropes of death became tangled around me. The horrors of the grave took hold of me. I experienced pain and agony. But I kept calling on the name of the Lord: “Please, Lord, rescue me!” The Lord is merciful and righteous. Our God is compassionate. The Lord protects defenseless people. When I was weak, he saved me. Be at peace again, my soul, because the Lord has been good to you. (Psalm 116:1-7 Gods Word Translation)

We all have those times in our lives when we are brought to our knees in prayer. I'm not talking "plain old prayer", I'm talking about those times when we have had enough, we just can't take it any more, we are at the end of our rope. I''m talking about those times when the pain is so bad that we have a hard time even uttering words...when we fall to our knees because that's all we can do in our weakness. We cry out to the Lord though our pain and suffering, we lay "bare on the floor before the Throne of Grace." We need mercy and grace because without it, we feel we can't go on.

It is here when we hear that gentle whisper on the wind...that whisper in the "dark night" of our soul...not in the earthquake of our pain...not in the fire of situation...but in the drought of our soul...when our are thirsty for the mercy of God and hungry for peace. It is here when our God reaches out His hand...the hand of mercy...the hand of love...the hand of peace. It is here when our cries of "Abba Father" are answered...where we feel the healing, loving, merciful touch of our God.

Beloved Child of God...He hears our prayers. Because He is a God of mercy and love, he will answer our cries for mercy and for deliverance. He will be swift to come to our aide. Beloved...hold on, help is on the way. Beloved...He said He would never leave you or forsake you. Stay strong...a "Knight in Shining Armor" is riding on His white horse to come to your aide...A horse named Love and a knight named YAWEH. The King of kings and Lord of lords...be strong and courageous...never fear...the God of Love is near...

I know My Redeemer Lives

2011-04-26T06:26:00.000-04:00

Pastor Ruth Foss

Suncook UMC

April 24, 2011

Easter Sunday

John 20:1-18 Common English Bible

Acts 10:33-43 Common English Bible

“I Know My Redeemer Lives”

Christ is risen!

He has risen indeed!

The Lord be with you

And also with you

Let us pray…

Loving, Merciful, God, thank you for this day, thank you for this day that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Thank you that you loved us so much that your mercy said no to sin and death, your mercy said no to the broken relationship that we, you creation had with you. Thank you, that in your mercy, you made us right again through the blood that flowed down from Calvary’s Cross. We ask for your spirit to be with us this day as we celebrate the Resurrection of your Son and our Savoir, Jesus Christ. May we hear the message that you have for us this day. Speak Lord…your redeemed are listening…

All four Gospels have the recount of the resurrection of Jesus. I think that my favorite is the one found in John chapter twenty verses one through twenty. It has so much meaning for me, it is rich a rich piece of scripture that holds a special meaning in my heart. It is the one that Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, she being the first to see Jesus after His resurrection. It reads (and I’m reading from the Common English Bible this morning)…read text…

Here is Mary, in so much pain and agony over the death of her teacher, the one who was ready to go and prepare His body for the “next world”, only to find Him still in the world that she lived in. He was not dead…He had risen like He said He would. What a Easter Morning surprise…how wonderful it must have been for her to know that her teacher…the one who accepted her as she was (remember…she was a woman of “ill repute” and He accepted her and forgave her of her sins, He had saved her from a stoning from the religious leaders by tell them “ye without sin, cast the first stone”, and they all walked away.), was still with her. She was so excited that she wanted to hold Him and not let go. I think I can understand her excitement and joy. There have been times in my life when I have had people in my life that have made such a difference in it that I wanted to keep them close and never let go. But as life would have it, I have had to say goodbye to them in one way or another only to find them back in my life at a later time and place. What a joy it was to see them again and have them back in my life.

You see…Mary stayed by the tomb. Even though the two disciples went away puzzled by what they say…Mary was the one who remained faithful by the tomb. She stayed and was able to see the risen Lord for herself. She was the one who experienced the joy of the Resurrection first. Now thinking about Mary at the tomb I am reminded about a conversation I had with a very good friend of mine this week. We were talking about the implications of Mary seeing Jesus first. You see…it was a daughter of Eve that saw him first. Now…it seemed as if God was saying that the original sin of Eve was being forgiven. Here we have a woman, Mary who was of “ill repute” , a daughter of Eve, who down the years has been seen as the one who started this whole disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden, being the first to see Jesus…it was if God was saying that He forgives that sin, from the Garden, so much that He will allow a daughter of Eve to see Jesus first. She alone was faithful…she alone never left Jesus during the week that had proceeded that Easter morning…the disciples fled and ran away but she was there, at the foot of the cross, when Jesus breathed His last.

And even better than that…Jesus told her to tell the disciples that He was going to ascend to “my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” All was forgiven then as it is now. They were still children of God, even though the deserted Jesus in his hour of need. This is the wonderful message of Easter. This was and is a wonderful message to His disciples then as it still is today…each and every one of His disciples.

Beloved children of God…there is a message that has reached beyond the grave to you and to me…there is a message of hope and renewal. Loved reached beyond the grave. Mary’s and ours today loyalty to Jesus was and is rewarded (remember…Jesus has gone to prepare a room for you and for me in His and our Fathers house). She saw the risen Lord first. As with Mary, God knows us personally and calls us by name…just as Jesus called Mary’s name. We…like Mary…have a job to do…we as disciples have a story to tell…a story of sorrow and joy, a story that has it’s villains and hero’s, a story of triumph and defeat, a story that never gets old only better. We need to follow the message that Jesus gave Mary…the message to “go…and tell others”.

It’s resurrection Morning church! Jesus has conquered sin and death! Go…tell…share the story! Christ is Risen…He has risen indeed!

AMEN?!

I've Got Peace Like a River

2011-04-20T07:13:00.000-04:00

When I was an undergrad at an agricultural college, I received my Associates Degree in Veterinary Nursing…I have told Ray many times recently that I never knew that training would come in handy regarding my children…but that’s another sermon on how God equips us even when we don’t see it…the Peace Corps came to visit us one day. I was sure, after talking with them, I wanted to go to Africa and work with the people there. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to help these farmers learn how to take care of their livestock so that they could have a “bountiful harvest.” I wanted to help them have peace of mind for the future. I wanted to serve these indigenous people so that they would have hope. This gave me a peace that I could share with others. Unfortunately…I let fear of change and of going to a new place cloud my excitement in going and never went. I had a peace in the thought of serving to give others peace.

Peace is something I think we all want. It is something that is hard to find at times but when it is found…well…it is something that we hold on to for dear life. You see…God wants us to have peace. It is within our peace that we are able to see through His eyes and not our own. We are able to see others and love others as ourselves. It is that peace that Jesus came to bring to all of creation.

Over the past four weeks…Pastor Huntley and I have been following Lenten Worship Themes based on a quote by mother Teresa. This week is the fifth and final week in the series of themes. But before I begin this week’s theme, the Fruit of Service is Peace, I am going to give a synopsis…to so called try to connect the dots. Here is the short version…because I could go on for days if we had the time…the fruit of silence is prayer and through prayer our faith is strengthened. As our faith is strengthened our love for God and others is manifested. Out of our love for others we serve them. And today’s theme, out of that service to one another we are able to bring peace…a peace within ourselves and peace for others lives. There…did it…Amen!?

Now I’m not talking about just a plain old everyday peace…I’m talking about real peace. I’m talking about a Philippians chapter four peace. Paul wrote a letter to the church in Philippi. Now Paul…who wrote from a prison cell…was tired, his work was under attack by competitors and he had every reason to be sad. But listen to what Paul write in Philippians chapter four verses 4-7 and I’m reading from the God’s Word Bible Translation…

Paul is someone that they could learn from…we all can learn something from Paul. Even though he was down and out he still continued to serve Christ and other even from a prison cell. The sheer joy that he had serving others and Christ brought about a peace in Him even though his situation was dire. He wanted them…and us as believers…to know that peace and joy is found not in the world or circumstances but in the Lord…And within serving we can find peace and bring about peace and change…and within prayer we can find that peace to go on serving…no matter who it is we are called to serve.

Having difficulty in serving when things aren’t the way “we” feel they should be is an age old problem. Even the Israelites needed a reminder. The Bible tells us…and I am quoting the Message Bible…in Leviticus 19 verses 33-34 this reminder it reads “When a foreigner lives with you in your land, don't take advantage of him. Treat the foreigner the same as a native. Love him like one of your own. Remember that you were once foreigners in Egypt. I am God, your God.”

We all need a reminder sometimes about who we are and where we came from. We have all fallen short of the glory of God…we have all had our moments of disobedience but that doesn’t define who we are. We are all beloved children of God and have sacred worth.

This scripture makes me think about all the trouble in the Middle East. What do you think would happen if humanity took this reminder to heart? What do you think would happen if humanity decided to act as if all were part of God’s grand orchestration of life…And not only in the Middle East but right in our own backyards I want you to think for one moment…think about an orchestra with only one instrument…it may sound nice but think of an orchestra that has many different instruments an sounds…how beautiful and awesome it sounds as they all play together in one accord…life is like that…the symphony that God orchestrates is one of many different sounds but sound beautiful when played as one…. What if we took our “Sunday School Lessons” and turned them into every day lessons? What if we gave thanks instead of excuses of why we act as we do? What if we looked beyond our differences to our similarities? Believe me Beloved Children of God…I know it is hard to love those who have hurt us…those who decide that it’s OK to treat others as if they were second class…those who are different than we are…but what if…what if? Can you imagine the mountains that would fall…can you imagine what life would like if our what ifs were changed into been there, done that? Just imagine…just imagine…We all need that “Peace Like a River” so that river can flow out from us onto a dry and barren land. What if…?

AMEN?!

You Gotta Have Faith

2011-04-17T07:43:00.000-04:00

Romans 4:13-14 (Common English Bible)

Abraham’s promise is received through faith

13 The promise to Abraham and to his descendants, that he would inherit the world, didn’t come through the Law but through the righteousness that comes from faith. 14 If they inherit because of the Law, then faith has no effect and the promise has been canceled.

We live by a new law...We live not by the letter of the law but by the Spirit of the "new" law. Good deeds and following the law is nothing without the faith that goes with it. Anyone can follow the law, but it is those who faith in Jesus and have Jesus as their Savior to go along with it who may enter the Kingdom. Without faith...we as Abraham's descendants only get the "earthly home" but having faith in Jesus gives us an "eternal home."

A New Set of Keys

2011-04-17T07:32:00.000-04:00

John 3:5 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

Jesus answered Nicodemus, “I can guarantee this truth: No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.

We all have keys of some sort. Some keys get us into our houses...some enable us to get into our cars and drive. There are "keys on a computer"...there are keys on a piano. But all of these keys have something in common...they will rust, disintegrate and they can be destroyed. But there is one set of keys that last forever. They open the door to "paradise". they are the keys that are offered to us by our loving God through His Son. They are a special set of keys that are offered to ALL who believe. These keys are priceless and worth more than gold or silver. And it is our faith, trust and belief in Jesus that gives us the this special set of keys..."keys to the Kingdom". Now to me...I would rather have these keys than the keys of the world...to me these are better than a set of keys to the best sports car (which by the way looses value as soon as you drive off the lot) and better than the keys to an earthly mansion (which by the way will probably depreciate in value when i go to sell it).

Thank you God...Thank you Dad...for giving me the keys to the "house". I promise I will hold them tight and not loose them (even if I did...I know You would be there to offer me another set. Because You are Dad like that...always wanting me to be able to come home to be with you. Thanks Dad!)

Amen?!

Nothin But the Blood of Jesus

2011-04-17T07:11:00.000-04:00

Romans 5:15b The Message Bible
If one man's sin put crowds of people at the dead-end abyss of separation from God, just think what God's gift poured through one man, Jesus Christ, will do!

Just think for one moment...how wonderful is the grace we receive when we come to the throne of of God and confess Jesus Christ as our Lord? The "Old Adam" brings death but the ":New Adam" brings life and reconciliation. With one man, sacrifice is required and through one man's sacrifice "it is finished!" It is through nothing but the blood of Jesus we are saved,redeemed...esteemed.
We are justified and made right! We are anointed and appointed! The bridge is laid and the offer is put on the table. The corner stone is now our sure foundation that we stand upon and can claim our inheritance as beloved children of God.

Thank you Jesus!

Amen?!

Under Dad's Watchful Eye

2011-04-17T06:59:00.000-04:00

Psalm 32:8 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

The Lord says,
“I will instruct you.
I will teach you the way that you should go.
I will advise you as my eyes watch over you.

There are times in our lives when we feel we are out there on our own. We feel as if we are lost in a desert. We feel like we have no where to turn. But God tells us to turn to Him. He is ever present...ever knowing...ever guiding...ever watching over us. When we are in situations that we just don't know what to do, God will be...is...there to help us through! And this gives us hope...

Amen?!

A.S.A.P.

2011-04-11T16:45:00.001-04:00

Pastor Ruth Foss

Suncook United Methodist Church

March 20, 2011

Second Sunday of Lent

James 1:5-8 Common English Bible

James 5:13-18 The Message Bible

Ephesians 6:10-18 The Amplified Bible

Psalm 100

“A.S.A.P.”

Let us pray…

Loving, Compassionate God, we thank you for your Ancient Words that are as true and relevant today as they were long ago. We pray that you would open your word to us...that we would hear and understand the word you have for us this day. Lord, may your word be heard through me or in-spite of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you O Lord, our rock and redeemer. Amen.

Last week I went to Rolling Ridge for one of their “Day Apart-Passionate Spirituality” Workshops. Our bishop, Bishop Weaver, was there and did the opening and closing worship. He is such a motivational preacher and I can’t wait until we can all experience his preaching in October of this year. When he preached the opening worship he talked about Lent and Advent in a way that I never thought about before. And I’m going to share it with you this morning and pray that it will change the way you, as it did me, think about Lent and Advent.

Bishop Weaver talked about how Lent is the “flip side” of Advent. You see…Advent we celebrate Emmanuel…God with us, but Lent is a time when we celebrate us with God. Think about that for a moment…there is a shift of focus here. God with us to us with God…what an honor that is…God’s invitation is for all who believe. The shift happens at the cross. Jesus opened the door for us to be with God. We are able to be with God in discipleship. The Cross is an invitation from God to be with Him and to carry on the ministry of Jesus. We are welcomed and part of the feast. We are welcomed to leave ourselves behind and be partners with Him. We are welcomed to be in Spirit with God. How awesome and sobering is that?

Last week, we began our Lenten “fruitiness”…our journey with Mother Teresa and her quote from her book “A Simple Path”…when we talked about how silence…solitude…leads to prayer. (How are you doing on that practicing silence? I know it has been hard for me some days but I think I’m getting a hang of it…?) This week we are going to talk about how “The Fruit of Prayer is Faith.” Faith is something we, as Christians cannot live without. Faith is something that makes us Christians. And it is through prayer that our faith muscles are exercised and grow.

As we begin to be with God in prayer, mighty things can happen. In the James 1 Scripture we heard this morning we hear that it is the nature of God to give to His children if we ask. But as we ask we must have the faith we will receive what we asked trusting that God will supply. Let’s hear what James also says in James 5 verses 13-18 about prayers of the faithful. (And I’m reading from the Message Bible this morning)…

Not only are we with God as we pray in faith but we are with others as we come to the Throne of Grace, as we do each week when we come into the time of prayer for one another during our service. But how is our faith strengthened…how is the fruit of prayer faith? Well…have you ever prayed for something and it happened. Have you ever prayed so hard and God answered your prayer…and not just answer your prayer but in ways you never imagined? Look at all the prayer that went up about the lift for the church for instance. Was that an answered prayer for you? Did that strengthen your faith in God? Did that make you all the more awe struck about God? Beloved child of God…that’s the things that faith is made of…as we see God answer prayer and we go from glory to glory with Him…O, and it is so much more than that…

Paul gives us instructions about prayer and warfare in Ephesians 6:10-18. He tells us not only should we be praying but when we do we need the whole armor from God…we need to “suit up” to coin a phrase. Paul tells us…and I’m paraphrasing…

The Helmet of Salvation
The Belt of Truth
Shod Feet with the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace
Breastplate of Righteousness
Shield of Faith
Sword of the Spirit

And pray at all times...without ceasing...
(There...did it...)

We are to pray with purpose and might…we are to pray for others…we are to pray without ceasing… and God gives us the tools we need to get the job done. And with all that is going on in the world with the Middle East…especially Libya…and the people and situations in Japan we all need to suit up and get on our knees.

Church…God…the world…is in need of prayer warriors. It needs people who will pray by faith not by sight. We as Christians need to pray in power and might putting on the whole armor of God as Paul says. We need to pray without ceasing…the prayers that are heard by our Almighty God who is ever ready, waiting to answer. Are you willing to take up the challenge? Are you ready to become part of the team? Are you ready to be with God? Without us…humanity doesn’t stand a chance. We’re not in this alone and the results may amaze you. What will you do...?

AMEN?!

Silence Is Golden

2011-04-11T16:35:00.001-04:00

Pastor Ruth Foss

March 13, 2011

First Sunday of Lent

Psalm 95:1-3 Gods Word Translation

Matthew 6:5-5 Gods Word Translation

1 Kings 19:11-13 Gods Word Translation

“Silence is Golden”

The Lord be with you

And also with you

Let us pray…

Loving, Gracious God, giver of all wisdom, we pray for your spirit to fall down upon us this day…we pray that we would hear the word you have for us this day. Inspire us Lord, so that we will be your ambassadors in this world of despair. May we have ears that hear, eyes that see and a heart that is open to your will in our lives. Speak Lord…you disciples are listening.

We live in a world that there is so much noise going on around us. There is noise of cars, noise of the voices of others, noise of construction. Noise…noise… noise…there is a no wonder that we can think at all. Sometimes the noise gets to be too much and I just want to get away and find a place that is quiet for a moment just to get my thoughts together. But then again there are times when the noise can be a good thing…like when the girls are making noise I know everything is OK and when it is quiet…I start to worry…

We even read in the New Testament about Jesus needing to get away from the noise of the crowds and be alone. We hear about how He went to mountaintops to be away from the noise and center himself again. I have come to believe that “Silence is Golden”, it is a commodity that is tough to find in a world full of noise but when it is found…it is precious…

This morning is the first Sunday of Lent. It is a time when we prepare our hearts for Holy week and the Passion of Christ. It is a time of self reflection and prayer. During this time of reflection, Pastor Huntley and I will be doing a Sermon series on the Mother Teresa Quote…

The fruit of silence is prayer,

The fruit of prayer is faith,

The fruit of faith is love,

The fruit of love is service,

The fruit of service is peace.

We will be looking at…reflecting about…each of these fruits and pray that we all come away changed…having a different perspective about…our relationship with our Lord and God.

So let’s begin…the fruit of Silence is Prayer… Have you ever had so much going on around you and you know that prayer will help but you just can’t find the words? There is so much noise that you can’t even think straight…you can’t even figure out what to pray for. I think that Jesus must have felt that way and that is why He went to the mountaintop. It was a place where it was quiet and He could get His thoughts together and think. It was a place where He could be alone with God and actually hear God’s voice in the silence which He could not hear in the noise and confusion of His ministry. It was a time of renewal for Him.

In the Old Testament, we read about another person who needed to hear a word from God. In the book of 1 Kings we read about Elijah. He had run away for His life from Jezebel who had swore she would see him dead. He was hiding in a cave when the word of the Lord came to him and told him too stand by the entrance of the cave and the Lord would pass by. What I am about to read is an account of what happened when he stood by the cave entrance. It is found in 1 Kings 19 verses 11-13 and it reads (and I’m reading from the gods Word Translation)…

The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

It was in the silence that Elijah heard the voice of the Lord…not in the noise of the wind or earthquake or fire but in the still silence.

Jesus gives us an example about when we encounter God. In those quiet places and times, we are able to hear more clearly God’s direction for our lives. Jesus was intentional about His time with God. He intentionally went away from the noise and confusion of the world around him. Jesus came back refreshed and ready to continue His ministry with a new vision…a renewed strength that enabled him to go on.

Church…we need to be intentional with our Spiritual life…we need to be intentional about our time with God. We need to intentionally find time away to be with God…to be renewed and refreshed…to be led by still waters and green pastures so that we too will be able to go on with what we are called to do by God. We need to hear a word from God. We need to hear what our call is and we can’t find it in the noise and confusion…it can be found in the quietness.

Now I know what you are thinking…Pastor Ruth…my life is so full and hectic. How can you expect me to find time to be in the quietness of God? How can you expect me to find time with all that I have to do? Beloved child of God…it is in that quiet time that you will find peace…it is that quiet time that you will build a stronger relationship with God…it is in that quiet time that you will find the strength we need for the day. Isn’t that a precious and golden thing to have? Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to have the peace that goes beyond understanding? Beloved…how can we know what our call is…what God would have us do without that time alone with Him?

This is my challenge…so to speak for you…and even for myself is I want you to take some time maybe even five or ten minutes at the beginning of your day. I want you to really embrace quietness during this time. I know it will be hard because of the busy world we live in…it will be hard to shut out the world and our lives from our minds…but just try… I pray that as we find this time away it will become a part of every day for us…not just during Lent. I pray that you will have peace for the day and strength for whatever may come. I pray that this time of silence leads you into a time of reverent prayer. I pray you will fall deeper in love with our first Love…our God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Let us pray…

Loving and Gracious God, we love you because you loved us first. Help us to set aside time to be in quiet listening…Holy listening…with you each day. May you give us strength and peace for the day. May we find hope and inspiration as you lead us on our journey. We love you and praise you in the name of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ…

Amen.

I've Got Peace Like A River

2011-04-11T16:32:00.000-04:00

Pastor Ruth Foss

April 10, 2011

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Psalm 32:11- 33:5 NIV Bible

23rd Psalm Gods Word Bible Translation

Leviticus 19: 33-34 the Message Bible

Philippians 4:4-7 GOD’S WORD Translation

“I’ve Got Peace like a River”

When I was an undergrad at an agricultural college, I received my Associates Degree in Veterinary Nursing…I have told Ray many times recently that I never knew that training would come in handy regarding my children…but that’s another sermon on how God equips us even when we don’t see it…the Peace Corps came to visit us one day. I was sure, after talking with them, I wanted to go to Africa and work with the people there. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to help these farmers learn how to take care of their livestock so that they could have a “bountiful harvest.” I wanted to help them have peace of mind for the future. I wanted to serve these indigenous people so that they would have hope. This gave me a peace that I could share with others. Unfortunately…I let fear of change and of going to a new place cloud my excitement in going and never went. I had a peace in the thought of serving to give others peace.

Peace is something I think we all want. It is something that is hard to find at times but when it is found…well…it is something that we hold on to for dear life. You see…God wants us to have peace. It is within our peace that we are able to see through His eyes and not our own. We are able to see others and love others as ourselves. It is that peace that Jesus came to bring to all of creation.

Over the past four weeks…Pastor Huntley and I have been following Lenten Worship Themes based on a quote by mother Teresa. This week is the fifth and final week in the series of themes. But before I begin this week’s theme, the Fruit of Service is Peace, I am going to give a synopsis…to so called try to connect the dots. Here is the short version…because I could go on for days if we had the time…the fruit of silence is prayer and through prayer our faith is strengthened. As our faith is strengthened our love for God and others is manifested. Out of our love for others we serve them. And today’s theme, out of that service to one another we are able to bring peace…a peace within ourselves and peace for others lives. There…did it…Amen!?

Now I’m not talking about just a plain old everyday peace…I’m talking about real peace. I’m talking about a Philippians chapter four peace. Paul wrote a letter to the church in Philippi. Now Paul…who wrote from a prison cell…was tired, his work was under attack by competitors and he had every reason to be sad. But listen to what Paul write in Philippians chapter four verses 4-7 and I’m reading from the God’s Word Bible Translation…

Always Be Joyful

Always be joyful in the Lord! I’ll say it again: Be joyful! Let everyone know how considerate you are. The Lord is near. Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.

Paul is someone that they could learn from…we all can learn something from Paul. Even though he was down and out he still continued to serve Christ and other even from a prison cell. The sheer joy that he had serving others and Christ brought about a peace in Him even though his situation was dire. He wanted them…and us as believers…to know that peace and joy is found not in the world or circumstances but in the Lord…And within serving we can find peace and bring about peace and change…and within prayer we can find that peace to go on serving…no matter who it is we are called to serve.

Having difficulty in serving when things aren’t the way “we” feel they should be is an age old problem. Even the Israelites needed a reminder. The Bible tells us…and I am quoting the Message Bible…in Leviticus 19 verses 33-34 this reminder it reads “When a foreigner lives with you in your land, don't take advantage of him. Treat the foreigner the same as a native. Love him like one of your own. Remember that you were once foreigners in Egypt. I am God, your God.”

We all need a reminder sometimes about who we are and where we came from. We have all fallen short of the glory of God…we have all had our moments of disobedience but that doesn’t define who we are. We are all beloved children of God and have sacred worth.

This scripture makes me think about all the trouble in the Middle East. What do you think would happen if humanity took this reminder to heart? What do you think would happen if humanity decided to act as if all were part of God’s grand orchestration of life…And not only in the Middle East but right in our own backyards I want you to think for one moment…think about an orchestra with only one instrument…it may sound nice but think of an orchestra that has many different instruments an sounds…how beautiful and awesome it sounds as they all play together in one accord…life is like that…the symphony that God orchestrates is one of many different sounds but sound beautiful when played as one…. What if we took our “Sunday School Lessons” and turned them into every day lessons? What if we gave thanks instead of excuses of why we act as we do? What if we looked beyond our differences to our similarities? Believe me Beloved Children of God…I know it is hard to love those who have hurt us…those who decide that it’s OK to treat others as if they were second class…those who are different than we are…but what if…what if? Can you imagine the mountains that would fall…can you imagine what life would like if our what ifs were changed into been there, done that? Just imagine…just imagine…We all need that “Peace Like a River” so that river can flow out from us onto a dry and barren land. What if…?

AMEN?!

Mother Teresa A simple Path

2011-04-11T16:24:00.000-04:00

We have been preaching on a quote by Mother Teresa in the book " Mother Theresa A Simple Path" which states:

"The fruit of silence is prayer,
the fruit of prayer is faith,
the fruit of faith is love,
the fruit of love is service,
the fruit of service is peace."

Here is my synopsis...In our quiet times...our times of silence...we can hear God's voice which leads us to prayer. As we see prayer answered our faith is strengthened. This new strengthened faith leads us to love others as ourselves. As we love others...we are able to serve others...even those who we feel are the "unlovely" in our lives. As we serve others...we become at peace with ourselves, with God and others...

Wonders In The Waiting Revisited

2011-03-07T10:47:00.001-05:00

God walked everyday with His creation. After sin...the disobedience in the garden by Adam and Eve...did it grieve God so much to know the relationship had been changed for ever...that it would take a sacrifice to cover sin (God fashioned clothing...coverings to cover the sin...for Adam and Eve out of animal skin...the first sacrifice)...that instead of everyday it had to change to only the seventh day that was set aside to be holy?

If that is the case...how it must grieve God to know that even the sacrifice of His Son...the final sacrifice, Lord Jesus Christ...that there are some of humankind that can't even take one day a week to be with Him. This world can tend to be so self-absorbed in itself that it doesn't look at the big picture of life...only the small, minute part that has to do with them.

The money changers in the temple...the ones who Jesus turned their tables over...were not treating others as they would have others treat them. They lied and cheated people out of their money...charging more than they should have for the animals they were buying to sacrifice in the temple for their sins. Did they even think about the fact that the seventh day was to be set apart from all the rest? Maybe...just maybe...if they had honored the seventh day, the Sabbath day, and treated others fairly...there may have been a different scene all together...maybe...just maybe...Jesus would not have been so angry and turned over their tables...maybe just maybe...

Think about it...

Be Strong My Child...I Am With You

2011-03-05T11:34:00.000-05:00

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

As we look around us we see so many things going wrong in the world today. We turn on our televisions and we see all the wars and uprisings around the world. We see natural disasters happening all around us. We see our children being bullied and oppressed. We see families broken apart because of forgotten vows that are made between husband and wife. It is no wonder there is so much fear and trembling.

Beloved children of God, we have a God who has promised to never leave us or forsake us. We have a God who is the Author of our history. We have a God who knows and feels our deepest fears and desires. We have a God who is always at our side...whether we feel Him there or not. Our God is an on time.

So when we feel shutdown, broken down,full of despair...when we feel the pain of loss in the air...when we feel we can't go on with this journey alone and we need a light to be shown...remember the words spoken to Joshua...Be strong and courageous...the Lord is with us, right where we are, and will bring us through and His glory will shine like the noon day sun.

Amen?!

The Wonders of Waiting

2011-02-28T12:27:00.003-05:00

Exodus 24:12-16 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

"The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the teachings and the commandments I have written for the people’s instruction.” Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up on the mountain of God. He said to the leaders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are here with you. Take all your disagreements to them.” So Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered it. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from inside the cloud. "

When God created the world in six days...the first part of creation waited until what was created to be created in the end. It watched and waited in wonder what the final "product" would be. When God was done with the final installment of creation it was "very good." Something good happened in the waiting...something very good! The seventh day was a day set apart to spend with God and creation.

Now here we have Moses...doing the waiting game again. He had to wait six days...just as creation did...to see the finished product. It was something good and would help the Israelites understand what was required of them...God's chosen people. It was a time of wait...it was a time of expectancy...it was a time that Moses may have spent in prayer. We don't know for sure. At the end of Moses wait the Lord called to Moses...he had a divine appointment to keep...a time to be with God as well...a time when he would hear God's voice of instruction.

We too have our time of waiting to hear God's voice of instruction to us. But...our time of waiting is a time when we can strengthen our faith...a time to exam ourselves as we wait for that divine appointment that awaits us in the end. It is a time when we learn to listen for that still, small voice of the Lord on the winds of change. Each time we have that divine appointment we are ultimately change in some way or another. It is our time to wait until we see the glory of God...for our faces to shine as Moses did after his divine appointment...his meeting with the Great I Am.

Are you in that time of waiting? Are you in a time that seems to be strengthening you "spiritual" muscles? Take heart...something good comes out of our wait...hold on and wait for your appointment. God is faithful. He will call you into His courts for an appointment with the King. Just be still and know He is God.

Amen?!

Right Where We Are

2011-02-23T11:18:00.000-05:00

This is something that i compiled from an e-mail and a devotion I read today...

Right Where We Are

No one is perfect. At some point we've all hurt someone; we’ve all made foolish decisions; we've all told lies; and we've all had bad thoughts. The fact is – for the rest of our earthly lives – we‘ll have to crucify our ungodly desires on a daily basis. Our sinful nature never goes away; we simply become better at dominating it.

It is important for us to remember that we are imperfect people chosen by God to do His perfect will. God doesn't wait until we're perfect to use us. If He did, none of us would ever be used!

Our "calling" is a journey. Through each stage of our struggles and growth, God is able to work through us – right where we are.

Satan will try to use our weaknesses against us. He'll tell us that we're unworthy, unfit, and unqualified. But God uses our weaknesses to make us stronger. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Apostle Paul wrote:

"Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. [God] told me, ‘My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness'" (The Message Bible).

Although we should always pursue spiritual growth, the Word of God reminds us that we don't have to be perfect to be used by God. David committed adultery and murder. Jacob was a liar. Elijah's faith in God wavered. And Solomon (described as the wisest man on earth) made unwise choices.

Be confident in knowing this: God doesn't want us to stay where we are, but He'll use us right where we are. More importantly, if we are able to be honest about our shortcomings, God can use our weaknesses to make us – and other people – stronger.

**When God takes something from your grasp, he's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence. "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you." **

Amen?!

Romans 13:9-10

2011-02-21T08:04:00.000-05:00

The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet," and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Now this is the whole point behind my sermon. If you love...you don't live by the world but by the law of love. We seem to get lost in the "feeling of love" and forget that we are commanded to love. It is not a "suggestion"...it's not "if you feel like it"...it doesn't even mean "only those in my church." It means everyone...everywhere...at all times.

Mercy Versus Retribution Sermon

2011-02-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Pastor Ruth Foss

Suncook UMC
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
February 20, 2011
Psalm 25:8-10 Gods Word Translation
Psalm 119:33-40 Gods Word Translation
Leviticus 19:9-18 The Message Bible
Matthew 5:38-48 The Message Bible

“Mercy versus Retribution”

I can’t believe what I have been hearing on the news about the Middle East and the surrounding countries. All the protests and fighting has gotten to be out of control. We hear about how the military, that’s supposed to keep people safe, have been committing atrocities in those countries. We have heard about them killing protesters while they sleep…setting fires to tents and gunning people down while they are sleeping. We are talking about women and children that are there with their husbands and parents trying to fight for their freedom. It completely saddens me…and we wonder what is happening to this world and humankind…why must this happen…how can anyone justify what they are doing?

What has happened to mercy and justice? These military personnel are feeling justified in what they are doing. They are acting out the “law of war” instead of the “Law of Mercy”…the mixed up law of man and the world instead of the righteous law of God and heaven.

And it is affecting children and adults all around the world. The other day my mom, Ray and I were having a discussion about what was going on in the Middle East and Shyanne came into the room while we were talking. After a moment of standing there she piped up with “Yah…and I heard that they set fire to a tent and a little girl told their mother that they should do something…they should tell the military about what was happening, they will do something to stop this from happening. And the mother replied…it’s the military that is doing this to us.” Out of the mouth of a child…she sees what is happening and is saddened by what she is hearing…

Last week I talked about laws…about rules…that we have been given by God to live by. I talked about how we have a choice between good and evil…between life and death. We have a choice to help others instead of helping our selves to everything that we feel we “deserve.” Leviticus 19:9-18 gives us rules about how we should treat others…it tells us (give a synopsis of the scripture) words to live by…words the world needs to hear and understand…words that will heal the nations if we but just listen and obey…

We as Christians…as humankind…are called to a better way of life. We are called to a radical…an outlandish way of life (by the worlds standards any way)…an extraordinary way of life. In Matthew 5:38-48, Jesus calls us to a way of life that is both confusing and challenging for us. It reads (and I’m reading from the Message Bible…of course…)

Jesus removes the boundaries of love…we no longer need to just love others that love us. Jesus opened the floodgates of love to ALL of those that we come in contact with us…Our friends as well as our enemies. This love has nothing to do with feelings but it has everything to do with doing…loving no matter what. It is only through the blood and love of Jesus that we can achieve this type of agape love…this all consuming, no holds barred type of love. Agape love…the love that was displayed on the Cross of Calvary…the love that kept Jesus on the cross for you and for me.

This love is not just for those who do good (But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us)…it is not limited to kin (God sent him (Jesus) to pay for the freedom of those who were controlled by these laws so that we would be adopted as his children…It’s not limited to those who love us (We love each other because he loved us first…God love us first…not the other way around…for God so LOVED the world that He sent His only begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ)

Love…it really does make the world go round, not money as so many think…it is what the world needs now (in the words of Dionne Warwick…) Church…we need to get it right…we need to love as Christ loved and still loves us to this day. With our faults and shortcomings…all the way…no holds barred…in that Agape way that God loved us first. How will you react to others that are different than you…how will you treat your fellow human…how will you show that Agape love to those in need? Just think what could happen if you and I truly lived out that commandment to “love others as ourselves”.

Let us pray…

Loving and Gracious God…we thank you that you loved us first. Help us to show your loves to those around us…especially to those who we may feel are the unlovely in our lives. Help us to be your ambassadors of hope and love. May we help others know the saving and loving grace of your Son Lord Jesus Christ in whose name we pray.

Amen…amen and amen…

Sermon

2011-02-13T19:36:00.001-05:00

Here is my sermon from this morning. I pray you are all blessed in the reading. It is using the RCL scripture...

Pastor Ruth Foss

Suncook UMC

Sunday February 13, 2011

Psalm 18:1-3, 46 Gods Word Translation

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 New Living Translation

Matthew 5:21-37 Common English Bible

Matthew 5:17 Common English Bible

A Life or Death Situation

(Aka…A Fine Line Between Heaven and Hell)

Rules…there are so many rules around us. There are rules on how you should drive…rules on how you should act in public as well as in your home…good rules that help us and bad rules that exclude and alienate others. We grew up with rules that our parents gave us. I mean these are to just name a few…there are so many rules that it is confusing at times which rules we are to follow when.

When we read the Old Testament of the Bible we can get really confused about rules. There are rules about how the temple was to be set up…rules about how to worship…rules about what to eat and how to eat it…rules about what the Priest should wear…the list is so long I don’t really think we could cover them in the time for my sermon…it’s a no wonder the Israelites kept sinning…they couldn’t keep up with the many rules they had…but all kidding aside, rules are mostly there to keep us safe from harm…

Last week…Pastor Huntley read a piece of scripture that has made me think a lot about the laws in the bible…I have thought about how vital…if at all…they are to my life as a Christian. The Scripture I am talking about is the one from Matthew 5:17 that read… (And I am quoting the Common English Bible)

“Don’t even begin to think that I have come to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I haven’t come to do away with them but to fulfill them.”

Jesus didn’t abolish the Law but fulfilled it. Jesus even validates and expands…unpacks…some of these laws in Matthew 5:21-37. Listen to what Jesus had to say: (Read Matthew 5:21-37 from the common English Bible)

So many “Christians” today say that they live under the law of grace and not under the law of the Old Testament. They think that they can do whatever they want and will be covered by grace. Well…it is true we live under grace but this is the way that I see it...Yes we are under grace but we are still under the Law of Moses and the prophets. We still need to “act accordingly” but when we mess up…and we as humankind has proved that we will at times…this is where the grace comes in. we no longer have to offer a “burnt offering” for our sin…remember, Jesus was the last sacrifice for sin…what we need to offer is a heart that is changed, a life that turns away from sin and back to God. Now that’s REAL GRACE. There is a choice here of which way we want to go.

In “Alice in Wonderland”, there is a scene where Alice is at a cross roads and she is not sure which way to go. The Cheshire cat asks here where she is going and she says she doesn’t know. Well the cat then tells her that it doesn’t make a difference which she chooses then. We as Christians have a road and a road map to follow, the Bible. Even though the way may be a little confusing and hard at times, if we stay on the path our future is bright, when we stray off that path we are in danger of going down a path that leads to darkness and death.

Just as the Israelites were challenged with a choice of life and goodness or death and sin, we too are offered the same choice in our lives. It is difficult at times to discern which is which. We sometimes think that something will lead to life (a certain job, a certain way of life, a certain relationship in our lives) actually can lead to death. So what are we to do? Beloved brothers and sisters…God has chosen us to be His…God has given us rules to live by…if we look at something and it will harm others, then maybe we should turn and run in the other direction…God gives life but sin only gives death. We have a life or death situation here. We have a choice to make…chose life and live abundantly in the presence of our Creator or chose death and live in the way of a fallen world. Which will you chose? There is a fine line between Heaven and Hell. How will you choose to walk it?

Let us pray…

Loving God, Giver of all that is good, we pray for your guidance as we live the lives you have given us. Help us to discern your will, help us to choose the right path. We thank you that you offer us Mercy and Grace in our lives. May we be ever mindful that we are yours and are loved beyond comprehension. We love you and give you all praise and honor through our Redeemer and Esteemer, Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen…amen…and amen.

I'll Wear My Own Suit Thank You...

2011-02-02T13:24:00.002-05:00

1 Sammuel 17:38-40 The Message Bible
38-39 Then Saul outfitted David as a soldier in armor. He put his bronze helmet on his head and belted his sword on him over the armor. David tried to walk but he could hardly budge. David told Saul, "I can't even move with all this stuff on me. I'm not used to this." And he took it all off. 40 Then David took his shepherd's staff, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pocket of his shepherd's pack, and with his sling in his hand approached Goliath.

There are so many today that are trying to find their way in the world...in ministry...in life. The problem with some is that they don't know the way so they try to copy others only to find that they are only a "poor copy of the original." This is discouraging and gives the feeling of failure and sadness because you just can;t find your "niche" in life.

David was a shepherd by trait...it was all he knew. He also knew that God had given him the strength to beat a lion an a bear and was able to save his fathers flock. He knew that God would give him the victory if David trusted in God. Well...he knew he could have victory over Goliath with God's help. Saul tried to fit David for battle in stuff that David never wore before...things that worked for some so Saul thought it would work for David...David might have even thought the same in the beginning. (sound familiar...thinking that what others have...what others have done might work for you)

But David realized that the armor that Saul offered him was just not his style. It was too heavy...he couldn't move and be himself..the person God made him to be (when we take on the "costume of others" we may be stifling what God intended us to be. The costume is to heavy and just doesn't fit...we can't let our own personality and talents show through this costume).

David was smart...he threw off the armor of man and put on his armor of God...his trust that God would give the victory...all David needed was fighting tools that God made him proficient with...five smooth stones and a sling.

Well...David gets the victory over the Goliath in the path of the Israelites with just one stone and God's help.I actually have five smooth stones in my office by my water fountain...they are there to remind me that the battle is the Lords...He will help me take down the Goliath situations in my life if I will trust in Him and let God be God. I find myself holding them at times as I go to the Lord in prayer over certain situations. They help me feel better some how. Maybe because the are a tangible thing that i can hold that reminds me of Gods promises. They also remind me that, like David, God has given me certain abilities...certain gifts...unique only to me. How can I not use them for the God's pupose and use some else's. That' like saying to God "thanks but no thanks...I think so and so's ablitlities are better so I'll use theirs. Thanks anyway for the gifts but you see God...they are just not good enough to get the job done." (Cue bolt of lightning...lol).

When reading the Upper Room devotional this week (http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=2&day=1&year=2011) I was reminded of the story of David and his victory...I was reminded that God has given me and you special abilities and gifts to be used for the kingdom. I shouldn't want someone else's armor...it probably won't fit right...

May we always remember to be ourselves as we serve the Kigdom. It's the only way that God can use our "special ablities" for the greater good of all...

Amen?!

Personal Trainers

2011-01-30T07:18:00.001-05:00

Proverbs 22:6 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
"Train a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not turn away from it."

We wonder at times, what is this world coming to? We hear of children taking their parents to court to divorce them, we see children going to school with guns and knives, we see children in street gangs killing each other, we see children with no respect for others.

How can we fight against such a sad situation...how can we help our children and our children's children?

One way is to set a good example for our children. We as Christian and Non-Christian parents would encourage good habits and behavior by doing this.

I was reading a devotional by Cindy Hess Kasper in "Our Daily Bread" daily devotional and I think she hit the nail on the head...at least it did for me. She talks about 3 ways of setting a good example as Christians.

Praying with them - We can teach them that they can talk with God at any time. They can learn to pray about every thing in their lives.
Reading and teaching them the Bible - They will learn God's truth and what God requires of us. The will build "moral character" by doing this.
Telling them about Jesus - Our children are a mission field for us. we need to withness not only to others outside of our church walls but also to our children at home in in our churchs.

We need to "live out our faith" in front of them so that they, inturn, can learn to live out theirs in front of their children and their children's children...and their children's children's children...and so on...

We are the the "personal trainers" of the children of today and of the children yet to come...

Amen?!

Peace!

2011-01-30T07:03:00.001-05:00

Matthew 5:9 Gods Word Translation
"Blessed are those who make peace. They will be called God’s children."

One of the challenges in life on this earth is to be peacemakers. It is hard in this world of hate...this world of bigotry...this world of anger. The people in our lives challenge us at times. We sometimes "get tired of always being the one to make peace with others." But if the whole world...all of humanity...adapted this ideal, there would be no more war...there would be no anguish of war...we would strive for peace not self-centeredness and retaliation. We would be known as the "children of the Most High." What an honor to be called a child of God!

Be Careful...

2011-01-29T06:02:00.001-05:00

Solomon was the wisest man in his time. He had it all...a beautiful home...joy...happiness...but most of all he had God's blessing on his life. God blessed everything he did. When Solomon was asked what he wanted from God , all he asked for was wisdom...guidance...vision...to lead God's chosen people. That's all...nothing more. God granted Solomon that and sooo much more.

But there was a catch (so to speak), all he had to do was to follow God's way like his father David did...who by the way was a "man after God's own heart". He was told not to marry those who were the foreigners in the land...the people who followed other gods. You see if he did, he was in danger of being led astray...he may follow the gods of his wife. Well...you can guess what he did...he decided to marry women that God warned him about.

We...like Solomon can fall into the same trap. We can be led astray in so many ways, ways that look good but lead to destruction. There is the Internet...movies...music...games...you name it, that can cause us to fall into the "snare of the tempter." We can even be lead stray by people that we think are wise and "can't do wrong."

We need to be very careful. We need to use the wisdom that God gives us...not the "wisdom" of the world in which we live. We need to read and meditate on God's word so that we can acquire this wisdom. We need to be very careful...if not, we could be headed down the wrong road...down a road that leads to folly...a road that leads us away from our "First Love"...our God...the Lover of our souls.

Michael W. Smith - Healing Rain/ Let It Rain [A New Hallelujah]

2011-01-28T09:04:00.001-05:00

Creator of All...we pray that you would send Your healing rain upon our land. May we be healed and restored to what You intended from the beginning of time...

Amen!

Michael W. Smith - Deep In Love With You [A New Hallelujah]

2011-01-28T08:58:00.002-05:00

We need to fall back in love with our "First" love...the Alpha and Omega...the Beginning and the End...the Lover of our souls! We need to love the Lord our God and those around us. Then and only then will the tide be changed...

Amen?

Michael W. Smith - Amazing Grace [A New Hallelujah]

2011-01-28T08:52:00.001-05:00

May the Grace and Peace of our God and Lord Jesus fall upon us all. May the captives be set free through us or in spite of us.

Amen!

Welcome One and All

2011-01-28T08:51:00.001-05:00

John 14:1-3 The Message Bible
"Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. ² My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? ³ When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too."

What and inviting invitation we are given from Christ. We will be welcomed when we make that final trip on our journey of life. If we believe in Christ, we have a reservation in the "GRAND Hotel!" How wonderful that will be!

As we travel this journey of life on earth, how many time have we entered a place where we immediately felt welcome. Kind of like that feeling you get when you have been away from home for a long time and return. Can you imagime how much more we will feel when we enter the gates of Heaven?

While we sojouorn on this earth, we may meet others that have no feeling of invitation any where. They are lost and alone. They have no place to "call their own." It may be they have no physical home or may not have a "spiritual" place to call home. No matter the circumstance, we, as humankind, were created for community. We all need a place where we belong with people who love us and accept us as we are.

What can you and I do to be more inviting to the lost...marginalized...unloveable? What can we do to make people feel they belong to a community...a family? How can we help others hear the gospel of grace and recieve that grace first hand?

Who are the unloveables...the marginalized...lost in our lives? What will you do to carry out the commandment to "Love your neighbor as yourself?" How will you show your deep love of your fellow man and help them find the grace that only God can supply?

What will you do...what will you do?

Michael W. Smith "Mighty To Save" A New Hallelujah Live DVD

2011-01-27T07:35:00.000-05:00

Mighty Is Our Lord

2011-01-27T07:34:00.001-05:00

Lamentations 3:55-57 (New Living Translation)

But I called on your name, Lord, from deep within the pit. You heard me when I cried, “Listen to my pleading! Hear my cry for help!” Yes, you came when I called; you told me, “Do not fear.”

There are so many situations in life that we just cry out to the Lord...we need help...we have tried it on our own but to no avail. We are broken and wounded. We are brought to our knees. Where will we find our help? Who will come and save us?

Have no fear. Our Lord is there waiting for us to reach out our hand and take His in our own. He is ready to lift us out of the pit. Trust in Him...that's all He asks...Our God has promised He will never leave or forsake us. He is there right by our side...feeling what we feel... He can move the mountains that are in our lives...He can lay them low...He will bring us into that valley of peace. He is able when we are not. He is stronger than the strong...He is more compassionate than compassion itself...He is God!

Our God Is AWESOME!!!

AMEN!?

Walk the Walk not just Talk the Talk

2011-01-26T08:03:00.003-05:00

Ephesians 2:1-10 The Common English Bible
At one time you were like a dead person because of the things you did wrong and your offenses against God. You used to act like most people in our world do. You followed the rule of a destructive spiritual power. This is the spirit of disobedience to God’s will that is now at work in persons whose lives are characterized by disobedience. At one time you were like those persons. All of you used to do whatever felt good and whatever you thought you wanted so that you were children headed for punishment just like everyone else.

However, God is rich in mercy. He brought us to life with Christ while we were dead as a result of those things that we did wrong. He did this because of the great love that he has for us. You are saved by God’s grace! And God raised us up and seated us in the heavens with Christ Jesus. God did this to show future generations the greatness of his grace by the goodness that God has shown us in Christ Jesus.

You are saved by God’s grace because of your faith. This salvation is God’s gift. It’s not something you possessed. It’s not something you did that you can be proud of. Instead, we are God’s accomplishment, created in Christ Jesus to do good things. God planned for these good things to be the way that we live our lives

Some Christians wonder why people are not coming to church. There is a younger generation who feel they don't need church. People get disillusioned and leave the church. There are more committees than programs to reach out to the community around them within the church. What is going on?

Unfortunately...there are some Christians that are going back to their old ways...they are letting "the old man" come back into their lives. They are acting more like "worldly people" than like "heavenly people". They are "putting in the back of the closet" the new life...the new creation of their salvation. I have even heard the saying from people I know" I would be a Christian but for the Christians I know..."

We have a legacy to to leave for the future generation. We are the ones who are "upstream for those downstream" How will know the path to righteousness if they don't hear it because they feel that "a house of prayer...God's temple" is not a place...a community, that they would want to be part of? How will be turn the tide?

By going back to how we were when we first believed...by showing Gods love and grace to others....by taking seriously our commandment...our call...to preach the gospel to all nations. Sharing the gospel of salvation isn't just in words...it is also in the way we live our lives, the way we treat one another. What better witness?

"They will know we are Christian's by our love, by our love, yes they'll know we are Christian's by our LOVE!"

Humble Thy Self In The Sight Of The Lord

2011-01-26T07:21:00.001-05:00

James 4:10 The Message Bible
Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

As human beings, there are times when we think that all we do is by our own strength...we think that we are where we are because of our abilities...we think that we are "gods". Then we wonder why we may "fall on our face." Where did we go wrong? Why is it that all of the sudden things aren't working out the way we expect it?

Well...we may be too proud and that is when we get ourselves in trouble...that is when we are brought to our knees and made humble...the Lord may be trying to tell us something.

If we are to succeed in life...if we are to follow our "call" in life, we need to realize where our abilities and strength comes from. It is not our abilities that qualifies us, it is God's grace that "qualifies the called". We need to come to the throne of grace on our knees...God is the one who, by His grace from the cross, has redeemed and esteemed us. He is so worthy to be praised!

Humble thy self in the sight of the Lord...and He will lift you up, higher and higher, and He will lift you up!

Amen?!

You Gotta Think!

2011-01-25T08:35:00.001-05:00

Philippians 4:8 (The Message Bible)
"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse"

We, as humankind, at times tend to think about only the bad stuff. We tend to think only about the negative. But we as Christan's are called to "higher thinking". We are called to meditate on...to think about...the things that edify, the things that cause a greater good not things that oppress or breakdown, things that are self-serving.

What do you think would happen if we practiced what we profess? What do you think would happen if our glasses were not "half empty" but so full that it was flowing over on to those around us? What do you think would happen if we thought more about giving grace than about punishment in our "righteous indignation"? What do you think would happen if we saw each other as beloved children of God? What do you think would happen if we lived a life of praise?

Hmmm...

Emptied

2011-01-24T07:44:00.001-05:00

The cross is empty. Where did Christ Go?
He entered you and me! The Bible tells us so.

Christ emptied Himself into you and me!
Christ emptied Himself for all to see!

Let's let Christ shine through us this day
Let Him shine until the whole earth says "Hooray"!

Amen?!

We Are Christ to the World

2011-01-19T08:13:00.000-05:00

Matthew 25:35-36 (English Standard Version)

Sheep and Goats
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'"

When we do the right thing in life, when we care for others and help them in need, we are being the image of Christ to the world. There are so many out there who feel they have no hope, that no one cares. We need to be the image of Christ to give hope to the hopeless, joy to the joyless, peace to the peaceless.

We are called to be "sheep", to be part of the flock. Being sheep, we need to act like sheep and follow the Good Shepherd's example. In doing so, we help others become sheep, they will follow the example we have seen and learned from the "Sheepherder".

Baaaaah...?!

Michael W Smith - Grace

2011-01-18T06:53:00.002-05:00

It is by His grace each day is new. It is by his grace that we are called. It is by His grace we are forgiven. It is by His grace we are redeemed. It is by His grace we live and move. It by His grace we are anointed and appointed. It is by His grace I live!

Amen?!

A New Beginning

2011-01-18T06:40:00.001-05:00

Philippians 3:12-14 (Amplified Bible)

Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

Praise God that His mercies are new each day. Each day is a new beginning for us. As we strive forward, we need to not dwell on the past. Things we have done that may not have "made the mark" are not the things that define us today. We are being transformed daily into what we were meant to be. What defines us is how we handle the day and how we will handle tomorrow. Will we trust in God and His great love for us or will we be immobilized by our past, not moving forward into the bright future God has ordained for us?

God has a plan for our lives. Before we were born God wrote down our days in His Book of Life. God knows the plans, good and hopeful plans, for our lives. We are anointed and appointed to the call in which we have the choice to answer. Our past has gone by, our present day is here and the future looks bright.

Strive to be the best you can be. That's all God is asking. God will take care of the rest. Life is a new lesson each day. Each day we have a choice to learn or forget the lesson. We are all works in progress (WhIPs) and we may fail but that is part of the growing process. We need to learn from our mistakes, pick ourselves up (with God's help), brush ourselves off and begin again.

"We are not there yet but we are closer than we were yesterday and not as close as we will be tomorrow."

"Our futures so bright we have to wear shades..."

Offering Up Praise Daily

2011-01-17T08:49:00.000-05:00

I have always prayed that when I am finally called home, I would hear "Well done". I long to be in the throne room with God and all the other Saints praising Him night and day. Then I had a revelation this morning (not that I have not thought of this before but for some reason it hit home, hard, to me this morning...). My life, here on earth, can be that offering. I don't have to wait until I am in my heavenly home to worship and praise the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, the Beginning and the End...my whole life, on earth, can be a "worship session" that never ends. As I have heard so many times "Why put off until tomorrow what I can do today?" (Duh!...I can be so silly at times...lol)

Amen?!

Happy New Year

2011-01-02T07:22:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year to all my friends and family. This is a New year that I am sure will be filled with many wondrous things. I look forward to what God has in store for me and the church I serve.

This year, instead of making a "resolution" that I know will be forgotten in a couple weeks (LOL), I have decided to do what is actually possible...this year, I plan to:

Be all I can be in all that I do
To take care of myself so that I may take care of others
To spend more time with my first love, our Risen Lord
To trust that God has a plan, in ALL THINGS, that He is working out
To be more faithful in all that I do

With that said, I pray that we all have a year that we meet our Lord in unexpected ways and fall more in love with Him as we have a new revelation of the perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ

Grace, Peace and Strength in the New Year!

New Year

2010-12-31T06:50:00.001-05:00

Isaiah 43:18-19 (Gods Word Bible Translation)
"Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago. I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Don’t you recognize it? I will clear a way in the desert. I will make rivers on dry land."

As I enter into the New Year I can't help but not to think over what has transpired over the past year. I have seen God's glory shine in many ways...in the mornings as I sit quietly and watch the sun rise, in the evening as I survey a sunset, in the faces of people who are in my life, in the victories He has given me for His glory.

But there have been times when I have not felt the presence of God or seen Him. Times like when my 10 year old daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes; when I have been made to feel that I did not belong in ministry by some who, for their own agenda, tried to make me feel that it was not my call; when I was so ill and had to have surgery to correct the problem.

But through it all, I am able to look back and see how God made a way through the desert for me...how God turned what was bad into something, a new thing, that was even better than before...how God showed His love for me in each sunrise and sunset, each person that He put in my life that I have seen Christ shine through the darkness for me, in the victories and defeats of the past year.

It has been a good year...a good year indeed. I look forward to the new thing He will do in the coming year.

Happy New Year...and may it be a blessed one that we see God in new and exciting ways.

Let All Things Now Living With Praise and Thanksgiving!

2010-11-17T09:37:00.000-05:00

Praise the Lord O my soul! I praise you ,o my God, for all the things you give me each day! I praise you, O my God, for Your mercies are new each day! I praise you, O my God, that you are my shield, you are my portion, you are my strength, my ever present help! To you I give thanks and praise for you are God! God is good...all the time...all the time...God is good! I cannot help but shout it from the rooftops...the holy One of Zion is the praise in my song!

Lord God...use me to bring your joy...for your joy to be seen in me...may I be contagious in my joy, till all things now living with praise and thanksgiving sing your praise forever more.

alleluia...alleluia...alleluia...AMEN!

Preparing for sleep

2010-10-20T05:55:00.001-04:00

As we enter the fall...there is new promise in the air, in the north wind. It is colder now with a north wind blowing bringing the promise of snow. But as we enter the fall it is also a time when the world is preparing to sleep, to slumber, to receive a renewing sleep so that in the spring there can be new life. I usually hate the fall and winter and it's bitter cold. It has a way of making me feel sad for the things that are leaving. The warmth of the sun, the smell of flowers as they bloom and sing it's glory to God. But without the renewing sleep, creation would cease to sing its song...without renewing sleep creation would not be able to recreate a new. There is promise in the bitter cold of winter...the promise of new life, of recreation, of a new song to be sung.

The fall also makes me think of my soul. There are times that it feels as if I am going through a season of fall and winter. There are times when it feels dry...as if parched by the hot summer with no rain in sight. It is as if all of the joy...all the exuberance has been dried up. It is times like these when I cry out to the Lord for the rain...the rain of the Living water...the rain of His still small voice to come and shower upon my soul. But still nothing but arid dryness. I have entered a time of winter in my soul...a time of coldness...a time of sadness...a time of waiting for the spring rains to create a new song...a new thing of beauty...a renewed soul.

As the north wind brings a promise of snow...a promise of renewal...a promise of rest for creation, so to the north wind of my soul brings promise of a renewed life, a closer walk with our Lord, a new song in my heart.

There is a new promise in the air...a time that is needed for the renewal of life. There is promise in the bitter cold of winter...the promise of new life, of recreation, of a new song to be sung...even in our souls...even through the bitter winter of our walk with our Lord...

I guess I have come to a new realization that without the silence...without the bitter cold...without the time of sadness...there can be no spring growth, no renewal of the soul, no rest for our weary soul so that in the spring time it can dance and play, sing and shout, praise and leap in the warmth of the Son.

Took the Bite For Me...

2010-10-07T06:28:00.003-04:00

1 Peter 2:23-24 (Amplified Bible)

When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly.He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree[as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

Oh...how we didn't deserve or earn this prescious gift of salvation...how we are not judged by our actions...how we are loved unconditionally by the Father...

Loving God, You who through Your Son, Jesus Christ, reconciled us to Your grace. Thank you that You loved the world so much that You sent Your only Son to take the "bite out of sin" for all of your creation. Thank you that we are justified by our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, able to live the life You have set out before us. Help us, Almighty Creator God, to remember the price that was paid for our freedom from sin and death so that we may live in paradise with you when we are called, by name, to come before you in the hour of our death. May we truly be Your ambassadors of love, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb that was slain in our stead. Through whose name we pray...Amen

1 Corinthians 15:53-57 (New Living Translation)

"For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Trust

2010-10-06T08:07:00.001-04:00

Isaiah 26:4 (Amplified Bible)

So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].

The lesson's we all must learn...to trust and obey. Why is it so hard for humankind to rely on God instead of ones self? The Lord God has shown, throughout the ages, that He is always there...ever present...ever mindful...ever providing, for His creation. We tend to hoard our resources for that "rainy day" and forget that others are going through their own rainy day and need our help.

Why must we lean on our possessions instead of leaning on the everlasting arms of the Rock of all time? There are so many that have no possession at all and we say that it is because they are lazy and don't want to work for anything they receive...they are looking for a "hand out". We are blessed with possession so that we may share the blessing with others.

We must trust in the Lord and His goodness...commit ourselves to His work...be confident in His goodness...then, and only then, may we begin to see the goodness of the Rock of all Ages.

Trust in the Lord and see that He is good and faithful to those who call upon His name.

Gardeners in God's Garden

2010-09-18T08:20:00.001-04:00

We are all gardeners in God's garden. We plant/sow seeds and water but it grows in the Son. It is there where the garden gets its strength and warmth...it is there where it receives not just water but life-giving sustenance that enables the seed to grow and blossom. We are to be about God's business of planting and watering what He has so graciously entrusted to us. If it were not for our part in the garden, how do you think the garden would look? If it were not for our part in the garden, how would the seeds of love be sown...or how would the seeds of redemption and forgiveness be watered...how would the seeds of others germinate into what God intended all the log? To be a Garden of many colors and varieties that make His garden beautiful...

Go out and plant/water today...you never know what may bloom because of it...

(Inspired by "Cultivating Wholeness" by Margaret Kornfeld and her teaching about "Be a Gardener")

Prayer

2010-09-18T07:34:00.001-04:00

Prayer...it comes in many forms...

A sunflower reaching heavenward as the day begins
The song of the birds as the sun slowly begins to rise
The opening of a flower when its time has come
The perr of a cat as it sleeps in the warmth of the sun
The dance of dandelion seeds as they whirl on the breeze
The cry of a new born babe as it takes it's first breath
The song of a child as they sing just for the sake of singing
The bended knee at the end of the day
The rainbow in the sky after the rains have ceased
The love of a parent for their child

Prayer comes in many forms as the earth and its inhabitants sing praise to it's maker. Prayer...it's not just for Sunday anymore (it never has been). How will you thank the Lord today?

A Handmaiden of the Lord

The Knots Prayer

The Math of Lent

How Good of God!

How Good of God!

Soul Cleaning Time!

“Life is just a bowl of cherries?”

Go Light Your World

Sight Psalms

Fisher of Men

“The Question of Authority”

Knowledge...?

1 Corinthians 8:1

1 Corinthians 8

Advice About Food Offered to False Gods

Listen...!

Deuteronomy 18:19

He Knows Us...

1 Corinthians 8:3 NRSV BIBLE

What time is it?

Waiting...

Psalm 62:5

Answer Please...

Mark 1:20

A New Job?

Mark 1:16-17Common English Bible (CEB)Jesus calls disciples 16 As Jesus passed alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” he said,“and I’ll show you how to fish for people.”

Mark 1:16-17

Jesus calls disciples

Our Watcher and Shield

Psalm 62:6

Repent...revisited

Mark 1:14-15

Jesus Begins His Ministry

Repent...

Jonah 3:10

Trust

Psalm 62:8

The Only One

January 12th - 14th

John 1:43-46

January 11th

1 Samuel 3:9-10

January 10th

Psalm 139:13-15

January 9th

1 Corinthians 6:19

January 7th

Mark 1:7

Light...

Genesis 1:1-3

Sorry

Chaos

Psalm 29:11

A Letter to God

God's Dwelling Place

Acts 19:1-2

Searching Still

Mark 1:5

God's Voice

Psalm 29:3

Genesis 1:1-2

Happy New Year!

Living Water

God's Providence

God's Light

God's Has A Plan!

"Do not be afraid...I am with you!"

Help for the day

Who Me?

Help!

Teaching Them to Soar

Rest Deeply

Inspiration for the Day

All Sacred worth!

My offering

And God Said....

Humble Thy Self

“Ambassador for God”

“Living 3-D”

“I Promise…”

Mark 1:16-17
Common English Bible (CEB)

Jesus calls disciples
¹⁶ As Jesus passed alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ “Come, follow me,” he said,“and I’ll show you how to fish for people.”