"Will You Still Need Me, Will You Still Feed Me, When I'm Sixty-Four?"

2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.


I am a Baby Boomer.  One of millions born between 1946 and 1964.

While I have many younger, and a few older, friends on Facebook, the vast majority are from this age group, with a high percentage being former high school buddies.

It is obvious, when we share photos or study profile pics, all of us have aged, some better than others.  But, what strikes me most is not the gathering wrinkles or greying hair.  It is, instead, the physical ailments which are creeping into our lives.  Requiring medication, therapy, or surgery.

Everything from high cholesterol and blood pressure to joint replacement and cancer treatments to chronic muscle/joint pain to digestive issues.  You name it, and you can bet some Baby Boomer out there can lay claim to it!

Because, even when we are in tip-top condition, exercising, eating right, getting enough sleep, our bodies are gradually breaking down.  Bit by tiny bit.  With every passing day.

And, no medication or therapy or surgery can prevent it from eventually perishing altogether.

Yet, I do not lose heart.

What I see of my friends through their words of wit and wisdom, faith and hope, encouragement and love, are beautiful souls.  Souls renewed afresh each day.  Every day.

Not deterred by a weakening body, but, paradoxically, strengthened by it.

Inwardly, they, we, are growing.  Out of the self-absorbed focus of youth into the outreaching embrace of others.

Growing.  In spirit and in truth.

Giving.  Of heart and soul.

Gaining.  In goodness and grace.

Glorifying the One in whom we live and move and have our being.

And, with Whom, we will abide for eternity.
~
Are you losing heart, or staying young at heart?

Will you share this prayer with me?
St. Paul reminds us, Father, of the temporal nature of our bodies.  They won't sustain us forever.  But, we don't lose heart, Lord, because we know that we will one day live with You.  May our earthly journeys open us more and more each day to know and praise Your great glory.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 145 or 104
Exodus 13:17-14:4
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10
Mark 12:18-27 
 

" . . . For it's Root, Root, Root for the Home Team . . ."

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Growing up, my mom is a huge, and mean HUGE, fan of the Boston Red Sox.  While her sister's wall of their shared room is covered with photos of handsome movie stars, Mom's is plastered with the faces of Red Sox players.

Some of the greatest to have ever played the game.

Joe Cronin.  Bobby Doerr.  Johnny Pesky.

The legendary Ted Williams.

One of Mom's most treasured memories from her youth is the day her father drives her to Boston to see the team play at the famous Fenway Park.  Oh, what a thrill!  Especially, in the days before television, when all one has is the radio.

Mom listens to every game she can.  Follows every play.  Even keeps stats!

So, imagine her excitement when her beloved "BoSox" go to the World Series.

The year is 1946.  The team has not won a World Series match up since 1918.

She is beside herself with hope that this will be the year it happens.  The Big Win!  The Victory!

But, it is not to be . . .

It is the seventh and last game.  The last inning.  Tied.

With Cardinal player, Enos Slaughter, at third.  Poised to run to home plate.

CRACK!

Ball flies just over shortstop, Johnny Pesky's, head into left field.  Chased down by Leon Culberson.  Thrown to Pesky.

Who hesitates . . . Just.  For.  One.  Second.

Slaughter scores.

Cardinals win.

Mom cries her eyes out.

"Well," her father observes, "I guess after this game, you won't be a Sox fan anymore."

Mom looks at him in disbelief.

"I'll always be a Red Sox fan!"  She declares, stomping her foot for emphasis.  "Win or lose, I don't care!  The are the best team ever!  They'll win next year.  You'll see!"
~
In our World Series called life, we win some and we lose some.  But, as Christians, we know we will be winners in the end.  For, Christ conquered death and, through Him, because of Him, the final victory is ours.
~
Will you thank Jesus today for conquering the grave and giving you the victory?

Will you join me in prayer?
We can endure the storms and losses in this life, Father, for we know we are saved in Christ.  In facing trials and troubles, let us always remember that He paid the ultimate price to secure us the victory of everlasting life.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 136 or 118
Exodus 13:1-2, 11-16
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
Luke 24:1-12 

 

I Have it on Good Authority . . .

Mark 28:18
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.


Authority permeates all society.  As children, our experiences with our parents, grandparents, or other older relatives are our first introduction to authority figures.

We look up to them to lead and guide us.  To help us grow and thrive.  To become responsible adults and good citizens under the authority of laws instituted by the nation in which we live.

We obey our authorities.

But, what happens when a parent, a relative, a teacher, a government abuses their authority?  Uses it to control, manipulate, or hurt us, emotionally or physically?  Sees ultimate power as the prize?

Then, according to Pastor Thabiti Anybwile*, it is no longer authority in the way it is meant to be interpreted.

"Authority and love are spouses," he states.  "God has joined them together and they are never meant to be separated.  Both are critical, and neither sufficient, for life as God intended."

Authority without love is nothing less than tyranny.  We submit to its abuses not because we wish to, but because we must if we have a hope of survival.

Tyranny is the absolute antithesis of the freedom we find in the authority of God's love.  It forces us into submission where God invites us to come.  To see.  To taste.  To know that He is good.

And, to do His will in joyous obedience.

Says Pastor Anybwile, "Jesus once asked, 'Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46) The question makes it clear that there simply can be no proper and healthy participation in the Christian faith without submission to authority."

Jesus has been given the ultimate authority both in heaven and on earth.

Are you willingly, joyfully, obeying Him?
~
How have your experiences with authority figures shaped your life?

Will you pray with me?
May we always acknowledge and recognize, Father, the authority You have given Your Son, Jesus, over our lives.  Help us in all humility to heed His words and follow His commandments in all we think, say, and do.  May we serve Him with thankful hearts and joyful obedience all the days of our lives.  Amen.

*www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001580.cfm

Readings
Psalms 146, 147 or 148, 149
Exodus 13:3-10
1 Corinthians 15:41-50
Matthew 28:16-20  

Hangin' With the Wrong Crowd

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived:  "Evil company corrupts good habits."


In seventh grade, my science teacher, while kind, soft-spoken, and knowledgeable, is a poor disciplinarian.

It does not take long for the class clowns and the talkative children to realize this.  All around me, I see students of stellar behavior in other classes devolve into chattering, note-passing, spitball-launching, downright disrespectful hooligans.

I am brought up to have respect for my elders, especially my teachers.  I follow the rules, do my work quietly and efficiently, and listen carefully to instructions.

At first, I comport myself appropriately.  Within two weeks, I am clinging, white-knuckled, to the remnant of good conduct.  Feeling my grasp slipping.  Unable to concentrate due to the chaos around me.

I give in.  Become part of the madness.

Giggling.  Chatting.  Scribbling notes not on the lecture, but to pass to friends.

Paying little or no attention to this sweet, patient teacher.

Sinking.  Drifting down to the level of the lowest common denominator.

My once good habits corrupted beyond recognition.

Because, that is what often happens when we hang with the wrong crowd.  Ignore our parents' admonition that we will be judged by the company we keep.

Which is exactly how the Scribes and Pharisees perceive Jesus.  How they judge Him.

Why does he eat with tax collectors?  Why does he mingle with sinner?  Why does he allow this raggedy band of followers to eat with unclean hands?

But, unlike us, the Lord doesn't stoop to the level of the bad company surrounding Him.

To the contrary!

His goodness, His mercy, His teachings forgive, restore, and lift up those around Him.

Place them firmly on the path to repentance.

And they turn . . .

Cleansed and renewed.

To Him.

To God.
~
Were you ever judged by the company you kept?  Do you judge others that way?

Will you pray with me?
Give us the strength, Father, not to be swayed or influenced by persons whose morals are less than they should be.  Let our focus be ever on You and what You expect from us.  May we, by our prayers and example, lift up those around us and help set their feet on Your solid ground.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 97, 99 or 115
Exodus 12:40-51
1 Corinthians 15:(29) 30-41
Matthew 28:1-16  

Too Good to be True?

Mark 16:11
And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

In the closing scenes of "The Wizard of Oz", an excited Dorothy, finally revived from the bump on her head, vividly recounts her amazing adventures in that fantastic and fanciful land.  The faces of her family and friends lovingly suppress their amusement as she tells her tale.  She sees right through them.

"Doesn't anyone believe me?"  She asks, exasperated, desperately wanting them to accept her words as truthful.

"Of course, we believe you, Dorothy," Uncle Henry assures her, patronizingly.

Dorothy knows they don't believe a thing she has said.

When we hear news that sounds too good to be true, don't we react much like Uncle Henry, Auntie Em, and the rest of the folks at Dorothy's bedside?

If the tale comes from a child, we may humor them.  Play along.  Listen patiently.  And, dismiss it gently.

However, if it is an adult telling the too-good-to-be-true story, even a person we know to be honest and forthright, don't we doubt?  Don't we wonder if our friend, like poor Dorothy, has suffered a nasty bump to the head?

Do we say things like:

"I've never heard of such a thing!"

"That can't possibly be true!"

"Why are you making all this up?"

"Did you really think I'd believe you?"

Words which Mary most likely heard on that day from Jesus' disciples.

The day she saw Him and ran with urgency and joy to tell.

Only to be called into question.  Ridiculed.  Humiliated.

Because, even if in their heart of hearts, the Lord's followers want to trust her words, they don't.

They can't.

It's simply too good to be true.

They only believe when they see for themselves.

Jesus.  The Risen Christ.

The story too good NOT to be true . . .
~
What have you heard that sounded too good to be true, but turned out to be true after all?

Will you join me in prayer?
We thank You, Father, for the life, death, and resurrection of Your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  May we share with others His story, the one that is too good NOT to be true.  The story of love and grace, forgiveness and salvation, the world needs to hear and believe.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 103 or 111, 114
Exodus 12:28-39
1 Corinthians 15:12-28
Mark 16:9-20 

 

"One Day the Stone Rolled Away From the Door . . ."

Mark 16:3
And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?"

It is sunrise.  The first day of the week.

The women, with their precious spices, head to the tomb of their beloved Lord.

Weeping.  Sharing their grief.  Perhaps, apprehensive and fearful of seeing once more the broken and bloodied body of Jesus.  Or, maybe, longing to gaze again at the Master's face, though still and lifeless.

To bathe Him with their tears.  To lovingly anoint His body.  To give Him one last gift before His tomb is sealed forever.

And, He is no more.

Whether it is their immense sorrow or sleepless nights, we cannot know.

Know why they would not think or prepare for this dilemma.

Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?

A monumental obstacle.  An insurmountable problem.

Standing solidly between them and their mission.

What should they do?  Do they stop and discuss their options?  Argue over whether to go back to get help?  Or, should they proceed to their destination?

They decide.

They press on.  In faith.  Obstacle or no obstacle.

Do not look back.  Move forward in hope.

And, then, the miraculous . . .

When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.  (Mark 16:4)

Moved.  Removed.  By the mighty hand of God.
~
Are there obstacles in your life that are preventing you from moving forward?

Will you join me in prayer?
When we face obstacles along life's journey, Father, may we trust You to show us how to move forward in faith.  Let us see our roadblocks not as hindrances, but as opportunities to learn and grow in the Spirit.  Help us to seek Your will for us in all that we do.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 93, 98 or 66
Exodus 12:14-21
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Mark 16:1-8  

Christ is Risen!

Luke 24:1-9

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.  They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightening stood beside them.

In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen!  Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee:  'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"

Then they remembered his words.  

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.

Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Christ is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed!

Alleluia!  Alleluia!

May you and yours have a most blessed Easter!

Readings

Psalms 148, 149, 150 or 113, 114, 118

Exodus 12:1-14 (morning)

John 1:1-18 (morning)

Isaiah 51:9-11 (evening)

Luke 24:13-35 or John 20:19-23 (evening)