"Different Strokes for Different Folks . . ."

Mark 9:38
"Teacher," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."

When Pastor Wallace and his wife go on vacation, they enjoy visiting a new church on Sundays.  Wallace prefers to sit in the back pews where he can better observe the congregation as they engage in worship.

On this particular Sunday, his attention is drawn to the pew tw0 rows up.

At one end, a middle-aged man sits passively, looking straight ahead.  The embroidered badge on the left sleeve of his shirt indicates he is employed by the county's sanitation department.

In the center of the pew is seated a young man dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt.  He rocks back and forth.  Constantly.  Wallace wonders if he might be autistic.

Just before the service begins, an elderly woman, elegant  in her diamond rings, stylish coiffure, and mink stole, slips into that pew and takes her seat next to the aisle.  The fragrance of her designer perfume hangs lazily in the air.

Three very different persons.  All in the same pew, though not sitting together.  Participating in worship, but not interacting with one another.

Wallace watches.  And, wonders about this seemingly incongruous threesome.  Is there any rhyme or reason for them sitting there?  Or, is it simply random?

It is Communion Sunday.  Everyone will soon leave their seats, pew by pew, to share in the Lord's Supper.

As the organ plays, the ushers move methodically down the center aisle.

One finally reaches the row of three, signaling them to exit.  What happens next is the very last thing Wallace would ever have imagined.

And, the very best . . .

The elderly lady stands, steps into the aisle, and waits.

For the young man in the jeans and t-shirt to join her.

They wait together for the garbage collector.

Then, arm in arm, up the aisle they walk.

To feast as one at the table of the Lord.

Where Jesus welcomes all His children.
~
Can you overlook social and economic differences in others?  Are you striving to see Christ living in them?

Will you pray with me?
Heavenly Father, we can so easily, like John, dismiss other Christians who are "not one of us".  Help us to see and You see and love as You love, knowing we are all Your children.  Thank You for Your precious Son, Jesus, whose table has room for us all.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 31 or 35
Exodus 4:10-20 (21-26) 27-31
1 Corinthians 14:1-19
Mark 9:30-41 

 

"Something Wicked This Way Comes . . ."

Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Evil is never so dangerous as when it disguises itself as good.  ~Dennis R. Maynard, When Sheep Attack

"I just never saw it coming . . ."

Sally's voice trails off.  Tears stream down her cheeks.  She clutches her coffee cup to steady her trembling hands.

Her husband of fifteen years leaves her for another woman.  He wants a divorce.

This man who always treated her kindly, lovingly.  Provided handsomely for her and the children.  The one who vowed 'til death do us part . . .

As I listen to her story, I am grief-stricken.  Shell shocked.  This couple, my friends for years . . . how can this be happening?  Robert is such a good man.

Or, seemed to be.

Or, was . . . Or, was he ever?

Because Satan, the father of lies, rarely sports his readily identifiable costume replete with horns and a pitchfork.

Oh, no!

He dons any number of unsuspected guises.  Hides behind smiles and words that reassure us.  Lull us into complacency.  Dull our awareness.

And, when we are at our most vulnerable, he strikes.  Hard!

A breath-knocked-out blow.  The plunge and twist of the blade.

And, hope and faith and love fall to their knees.

Good is no longer.

We are crushed.  Broken.

But, not beyond repair . . .

When we trust the Lord to heal us.  In His goodness.  In His time.

Sally looks up at me, her eyes moist and mournful.

"I really want to hurt Robert back.  Hurt him like he's hurt me.  But, I can't.  I just can't.  There are too many wonderful memories.  And, repaying evil with evil?  It will only serve to punish me in the end."

Amen, my brave and faithful sister.  Amen.
~
Have you ever mistaken evil for good?

Will you pray with me?
Deliver us from evil, Father.  Keep us safe and strong in the knowledge and love of You and of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Give us wise and discerning hearts to recognize Satan in all his nefarious disguises.  Help us to overcome evil with good.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 118 or 145
Exodus 3:16-4:12
Romans 12:1-21
John 8:46-59 

"Not Because of What I've Done, but Because of Who You Are . . ."

Genesis 3:14
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM.  This is what you are to say to the Israelites:  'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Who am I?

Haven't we all asked that question?

And, gotten many diverse and different answers along life's path?

A child.  A parent.  Church member.  Entrepreneur.  Husband.  Wife.  College student.  Cook.  Homemaker.  Singer.  Writer.  Trainer.  Teacher.  Coach.  Photographer.  Lover.  Best friend.

The list is endless . . .

We all wear different hats and juggle many roles depending on our situation and the people with whom we surround ourselves.  The people who, by the very nature of our relationships and experience, would define us.  Place us in a box.

Perhaps, it is an elegantly wrapped box tied with a satin bow.  But, it is a box nonetheless.

And, it doesn't really answer the question.

Who am I?

Because, so much of who we are, at least to others, is determined by what we do.  How we act.  Where we work.  Where we play.  How our time is spent.

All of which are finite, subjective assessments of our true selves.  A partial picture.  With so many missing pieces . . .

The pieces living within us.  Deep inside.  The ones that only we can use to solve the puzzle of our being.

Introspection.  Discernment.  Silence.  Prayer.

Who am I?

A sinner.  In need of salvation.

A saint.  Transformed by God's grace.

An heir.  A child of God.

I am because He is.

And, was, and is to come . . .
~
Who are you?

Will you pray with me?
It is in You, Father, that we live and move and have our being.  Because You dwell in us, we can dwell in you.  Only You define the "who" we are.  May all glory, honor and majesty be Yours, world without end.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 107:33-43, 108:1-6 (7-13)  or 33
Exodus 2:23-3:15
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Mark 9:14-29  

"Without Love . . . Where Would You Be Now?"

1 Corinthians 13:1
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

It is easy to do in love what we love to do, isn't it?

Spending time with a spouse or a best friend.  Reading to our children or grandchildren.  Taking a long, leisurely walk in the woods with our dog.

Writing poetry.  Composing music.  Singing.  Dancing.  Playing.  Praying.

Whatever it is we love to do brings us such joy, peace, contentment.

Blessed and sacred times . . .

But, what about the things we don't love doing?  How can those dreaded, but necessary, chores in life be accomplished in love?

Be moved by love from profane to profound?

For ages, I view housework as a drudgery.  I detest it.  But, I desire a clean house, so I do it.

Joylessly.  And, certainly, not in love.

But, all that has changed . . .

Because, the "why I do it" has changed.

Before I pick up the dust rag or grab the mop or arm myself with Windex and paper towels, I focus on the love I feel for Danny, for our family, for our home.

That love brings a smile to my face.  Puts a spring in my step.  Helps me center in the moment.

To see what I once decried as a banal waste of my time with fresh awareness.  As worthy a testament to love as a kiss or embrace.

Because, the care I show in doing this work reflects the care I have for others.

No more resounding gongs or clashing cymbals.

Just a sweet, sweet melody in the key of love.
~
Are you doing things in love today?

Will you pray with me?
 Help us, Father, to do all things, even the ones we find difficult or trying or boring, in love.  Make us aware in all our undertakings of Your great and steadfast love for us.  Remind us that it is because You love us that we can love at all.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 95, 102 or 107:1-32
Exodus 2:1-22
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3
Mark 9:2-13  

A Survey of the Heart

Mark 8:38
"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in His Father's glory with the holy angels."

You must make your choice.  Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. ~C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Early on in his ministry, Pastor Wallace shepherds a small flock, a congregation of fewer than fifty folks.

He is persuaded by a well-meaning associate to conduct an anonymous survey of the members to see where they stand on issues of faith.  It will help, he is promised, to meet more specifically the spiritual needs of the fold.

The Monday after the survey is taken on Sunday, Wallace sits at his office desk to peruse the findings.  Because the congregation is not large, the age-group range, he soon discovers, removes the anonymity of certain members.  Allows him to know exactly who answered the questions.

And, more importantly, quite disturbingly, how.

The question that imparts the most distressing answers is as follows:
"Who do you say Jesus is?  a)  A good man, b)  The Messiah, c)  A good teacher, d) A liar".

A young man, the only member fitting the 18-25 age bracket, has attended this church along with his extended family since infancy.  His answer?  "A good man".

The oldest member of the congregation, the only one in the 75-85 range, who has attended this church for fifty years, answers, "A good teacher".

Wallace is shocked.

Heartbroken.

This is not at all what he expects to see.  After preaching Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Messiah.  Sunday after Sunday after Sunday . . .

Because, to declare Jesus to be anything other than the Christ is to deny Him.

Reject Him.

To call Him a liar . . .
~
Who do you say Jesus is?

Will you join me in prayer?
Never let us be ashamed, Father, to call Your Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  May we fearlessly declare His salvation to a hurting world in need of the love and redemption only He can give.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 69:1-23 (24-30) 31-38 or 73
Exodus 1:6-22
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Mark 8:27-9:1 

Forget-Me-Not

Mark 8:18
Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?  And don't you remember?


When it comes to birthdays and other special occasions, my family counts on me to remember these and remind them to send a card or make that phone call.

"Daniel, Nana's birthday is in a week.  Get that card in the mail."

"Sarah, don't forget to call Grandpa on Christmas to wish him a happy birthday."

So, imagine my chagrin, my horror, my shame, when, one year, I forget.

An incredibly important occasion . . .

I am so engrossed in writing my novel, I literally don't know what day of the week it is.

That is NOT an excuse.  Not at all.

How could I NOT recall?  Especially, since I love my dad so much.

How could I be so self-absorbed as to totally miss the approach of Fathers' Day???

The realization dawns on the Friday evening before the Sunday event.  No time to buy and send a card.  It won't get there until Monday.

Too late . . .

I am sick at heart.  I have never missed a Fathers' Day or my dad's birthday.  I know he, of all people, will understand, but that doesn't make me feel any less like a heel.

Lacking any alternative, I send Dad a lovely e-card.  Let him know it's on the way as he doesn't always check his computer.

Feeling lower than low and guilty as sin.  Promising myself this will NEVER happen again.  For any reason.  On any occasion.

I vow to write down every important date on my calendar.

And, check them!

Because, there is no excuse in forgetting loved ones.

To not regard their needs because I'm so embroiled in my own selfish pursuits.

Such a painful and humbling lesson . . .

But, one that taught me well.

To . . . forget-me-NOT.
~
Have you ever forgotten a special occasion in a loved one's life?

Will you pray with me?
Let us always remember, Father, the words and teachings of Your beloved Son, Jesus.  May they guide us in all truth and righteousness.  Never let our selfish desires consume us.  Make us ever mindful of the needs of those we love.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 101, 109:1-4 (5-19) 20-30 or 119:121-144
Genesis 50:15-26
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Mark 8:11-26 

Waited on, Hand and Foot

Mark 8:2
"I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat."

Recently, I accompany my husband, Danny, on a business trip.  It is an environmental conference in the neighboring state of Tennessee, and Danny is asked to speak about EPA's Energy Star program in industry.

Although I am not officially part of the conference, I am invited to share in the meals provided.  A continental breakfast of fruit and various breads is delicious, but doesn't stick with us very long.  By lunchtime, we are ravenous!

We arrive early at the ballroom where the noonday meal will be served.  The aromas wafting from the buffet tables intoxicates us.

I notice that all the many tables have already been tastefully set.  Burgundy tablecloths.  Crisp, white napkins enveloping silverware.  Water and iced tea placed at every setting.

Perfect and inviting in every way.

And, with stomachs growling, we don't shirk from joining in with those first in line.

For, even with two buffet lines, serving over 300 participants will take time.  I marvel as I help myself to chilled salad, steamy, mixed vegetables, creamy Alfredo, crispy, golden chicken, and freshly baked roll - how does a chef go about planning and preparing to feed such a crowd?  It boggles my imagination!

Especially, when the food we eat is savory beyond our expectations.  Quantity AND quality.

The buffet lines are monitored by unobtrusive servers clad in black.  Not a chaffing dish nor desert tray goes empty before it is deftly removed and replaced by a full one.

Moving silently, gracefully, as if their steps are choreographed, the attendants are a wonder to watch.

And, to not even see coming.

It isn't a moment after my soiled dinner plate is set aside that it is spirited away by an observant server.

Giving the phrase "waited on, hand and foot" a whole new meaning.

No one who partakes of this luncheon leaves hungry.  Appetites are satisfied.  Needs are met.

And, all are energized for the busy afternoon sessions ahead.
~
When Jesus provided food for the 5,000, how do you think the people reacted?

Will you join me in prayer?
Thank you, Father, for sending Your Son, Jesus, the Bread of Life, to dwell among us and save us from our sins.  When we partake of the Holy Eucharist, in remembrance of His body given and His blood shed for us, may we be filled with the Holy Spirit and energized to serve others in His precious name.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 97, 99, (100) or 94 (95)
Genesis 49:29-50:14
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Mark 8:1-10