What Turbulence Disturbs Your Soul Today?

 

Feed My Sheep

Church of the Supremacy of St. Peter, Tabgha, Israel, Sea of Galilee 

While others were on the beach, I escaped into the small, dark, overgrown garden, in search of something.  I thought at the time it was peace and quiet I was after, but I believe now it was grace. Interesting how peace and grace often go together, isn’t it?

I was feeling guilty for something that I had said; I no longer remember the details.  I was surprised to see this statue, and there I sighed, breathed deeply, and bowed my head.  I felt peace enter my soul.

In our passage this week Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?”  How guilty Peter must have felt for denying Jesus three times, such that Jesus had to ask this question.  And what grace Jesus extended to him, not only restoring him, but also giving him a mission and a purpose that showed what confidence Jesus had in him. 

As I navigate my way through these turbulent, difficult times, I hope that I can give a small portion of such grace to those around me and to myself.  What turbulence disturbs your soul today?

Can you remember a time when you were extended God’s grace?  Is there someone in your life who might need to hear how much you love them?  (I can think of a few in MY life.)

John 21 MSG

After this, Jesus appeared again to the disciples, this time at the Sea of Galilee. This is how he did it: Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the brothers Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. Simon Peter announced, “I’m going fishing.” The rest of them replied, “We’re going with you.” They went out and got in the boat. They caught nothing that night. When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn’t recognize him.

Jesus spoke to them: “Good morning! Did you catch anything for breakfast?” They answered, “No.”  He said, “Throw the net off the right side of the boat and see what happens.” They did what he said. All of a sudden there were so many fish in it, they weren’t strong enough to pull it in. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Master!”

When Simon Peter realized that it was the Master, he threw on some clothes, for he was stripped for work, and dove into the sea. The other disciples came in by boat for they weren’t far from land, a hundred yards or so, pulling along the net full of fish. When they got out of the boat, they saw a fire laid, with fish and bread cooking on it.

Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.”  Simon Peter joined them and pulled the net to shore—153 big fish! And even with all those fish, the net didn’t rip. Jesus said, “Breakfast is ready.” Not one of the disciples dared ask, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Master.

Jesus then took the bread and gave it to them.  He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus had shown himself alive to the disciples since being raised from the dead.

After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Master, you know I love you.”  Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”  He then asked a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”  “Yes, Master, you know I love you.”  Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep.”  Then he said it a third time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”  Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know. You’ve got to know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

On Sunday, many of the songs we will sing together mention God's tremendous grace. I look forward to singing them with you!

Susan

Let us build a house where love can dwell

and all can safely live,

a place where saints and children tell

how hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions,

rock of faith and vault of grace;

here the love of Christ shall end divisions:

all are welcome, all are welcome,

all are welcome in this place.

What is your story?

Imagine a world where we listen to everyone’s stories and learn we are not as different as we are the same. - STORYPEOPLE

I got a little taste of that world on Wednesday, at coffee with Rev. Donna and Terry.  As I listened to a small part of Terry’s story, I discovered that we shared something in common.  That discovery was significant because it changed the way I think about Terry.

This weekend, we celebrate Mother's Day. The stories of our family life can be both wonderful and painful, but they are stories that we know.  The rich stories of our church family members, those things that we have in common may still be there for us to discover.  After my experience with Terry, I want to discover more of your stories!

The first Mother's Day was celebrated in May, 1907, but its roots go back to 1858 when a remarkable woman organized Mother's Work Days to improve sanitation and reduce deaths from disease-bearing insects and polluted water. Other women are included in its history which you can read about here:  https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/resources/commemorations/history-of-mothers-day/

Mother's Day now celebrates the contributions of women and all the mothering they do in the world, not just being mothers to children. 

Like the women who have worked to improve the world, Jesus came so that we could have a better life.  He wanted us to do God’s will (harmonious cooperation) and called those who do, his real family…his mother even. This is the Jesus Way.

When we gather in our circle in worship on Sunday, I will look around at each one of you and think, “This is my family, my mother, my brothers and my sisters.  What are their stories?”  This too is the Jesus Way.

Luke 24:13-32  MSG

“Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road?” 

John 10.10  MSG

“I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”

Mark 3:31-35  (NIVUK)

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.’

‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ he asked.

Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’

Behold, behold, I make all things new

my promise is true, for I am Christ the Way.

What is it About Sharing Food that Helps us Connect as Humans?

 

Who do we see as we break bread together? 

The highlight of my week was having coffee with Rev. Donna. Although we talked about a lot of things, two words she used at the beginning of our conversation have stuck with me - humanness and connector. 

As she described her Study Leave experience, she was sharing with me a piece of herself - describing what really matters to her, what fills her cup to overflowing.  Vulnerable and honest…a gift.  All I had to do was sit, listen, and receive. 

We will see, hear, and touch the symbol of breaking bread together this Sunday. It is a recurring theme in the Jesus story, and in the story of his church. Jesus, our God made flesh, was always feeding people…sharing himself. 

Food is essential to our physical well-being. Connection with each other is also essential to our well-being.  Jesus tied the two together and turned it into reality. 

Luke 24:13-32  MSG

That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was.

He asked, “What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend. Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?”

He said, “What has happened?”

They said, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened. But now some of our women have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and couldn’t find his body. They came back with the story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but they didn’t see Jesus.”

Then he said to them, “So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said?  Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?” Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.

They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: “Stay and have supper with us. It’s nearly evening; the day is done.” So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.

Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?”

There is Nothing Like Experiencing Something for Yourself

 

Ephesus, 2012

Listen to your life. All moments are key moments. - Frederick Buechner

Imagine that you are worshipping with a small community of Christians in Ephesus in about 90AD.  A few newcomers have joined you recently,  and you happily welcome them. 

But these newcomers begin to say that Jesus was not fully human and fully divine.  So maybe you begin to wonder about this too…

And then you receive a letter from John the Apostle:

From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we’re telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us. We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy! (MSG)

John has no doubt, does he?  He was there. He saw it with his own eyes.  There is nothing like experiencing something for yourself, is there?

1 John 1:1-4  NIVUK

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.  We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  We write this to make our joy complete.

What Kind of Messiah Were They Expecting? Who is Jesus?

 

COME THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS

born to set your people free;

It seems likely that first century Jews expected a warrior on a mighty stallion, to set them free from their Roman occupiers.  Jesus turned out to be a very different kind of king - a meek and mild man entering Jerusalem on a donkey.  How confused they must have been, and some people disappointed or unbelieving, maybe even angry. 

What kind of Messiah are we expecting when we approach Christ in prayer?  A fixer, a doer, a powerful Saviour who gives us a straightforward, single answer…the answer or result we want?  

The old hymn continues

from our fears and sins release us;

let us find our rest in Thee.

These lines speak of a very different kind of freedom than I previously thought I wanted.   And because God is God, the freedom is and will continue to be much better!

Who are you expecting?  Does the conflict between our expectations and reality continue to this very day?  

This Sunday is Palm Sunday.  I wonder who we are expecting?  

Luke 19:28-40   MSG

After saying these things, Jesus headed straight up to Jerusalem. When he got near Bethphage and Bethany at the mountain called Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says anything, asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘His Master needs him.’”  The two left and found it just as he said. 

 

They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street.

 

Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent,  the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed:

Blessed is he who comes,

    the king in God’s name!

All’s well in heaven!

    Glory in the high places!

Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, get your disciples under control!”          

 

But he said, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.”

 

Inner Eyesight

Spirit, open my heart

    to the joy and pain of living

What has the joy and pain of living been like for you recently? Is your heart really open to the joy and pain of reality?

I confess that most of the time mine is not. When I'm surprised by joy I don't give myself time to really relish it. I'm too busy and focused on my to-do list. But I am getting better at it!

When pain comes, my fear, (Falsehood Experienced as Reality), roars so loud that I am tempted to run away. When I do face the reality I face it like a problem to be solved, rather than a life to be lived. Am I really willing to feel it?

Occasionally, the joy and pain of living happens when we are alone…maybe we receive some good news in an email. Or we read the bad news in the newspaper. But more often, other people are involved…unless we run away.

In St. Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae, he asked them to face openly the joy and pain of living in community. 

He suggested they face it dressed in the wardrobe that God has picked out for all of us as Christians: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline, forgiveness, love, and gratitude. 

He suggested that living in community was like a dance. We listen to the music and we keep in step with the people around us. We don’t go off doing our own thing. The peace of Christ will allow us to do this, if we let it.

May it be so.

Excerpts from Colossians 3 MSG

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it.

Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.

Art from Regent student, Daniela Armestegui

Do You Know How Much God Loves and Attends To You?

One of the most difficult things I've had to learn on this journey with Jesus, is how much God loves me.  And yet, this lesson has also been one of the most delightful!  I frequently told Kirk, my spiritual director, “I have no problem believing that he exists, and no problem believing he is all powerful, but I just can't believe that he would bother with me. He's got bigger things to do!”

But I often feel God’s presence, and Kirk directed me to this verse from Hebrews 11. Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.  Kirk was helping me to understand that God’s presence was   God responding to me.  God loves each of us so much that he responds to each of us when we seek him.

It is against this backdrop of love and attention that we go on to read Chapter 12.  Just as we may not understand how much God loves us, we may mistake God’s training as trouble or even punishment. 

Hebrews 11 and 12

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

Keep your eyes on Jesus. In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through. So don’t feel sorry for yourselves.  Have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?  My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects.  God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; 

it’s training, the normal experience of children. 

Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? 

We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best.  At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.

I would never call myself mature in my relationship with God, but I happily return to his presence for more training.  I hope to see you on Sunday in worship as we learn together in God’s presence.

Despite all your uncertainty

this is certain: I will hold you,

and be with you, and in you,

and in all you encounter.

My grace will endure.

And in the end, you will be whole,

and blessed,

and at home in me.

Be at peace,

and come with me

into the future.

__________________

Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Unfolding Light

www.unfoldinglight.net

Image By Rembrandt - Return of the Prodigal Son

Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22353933