"Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." (Psalm 100:2)
Here we are at another Sunday, Sabbath, worship time but this time in the middle of the summer. Instead of weather we now have vacations, lakes, sports, family visiting - what other reason can you give? Although the weather can still be an issue during the summer it is more heat and humidity than snow and ice. So we worship inside but ARE able to get to the building! This is also a "5th Sunday" which can make a difference. The churches I serve like to have hymn sings on the 5th Sunday -- learning the story "behind" the hymns we sing. It is a way of worshiping, celebrating the Sabbath, learning AND praising God - especially with "joyful songs." The reading, this morning, in Romans is about God's Spirit in us - being with us, praying for us (when we don't know how or what to say/do [Romans 8:26]), and giving us strength through all the changes happening in each of our lives. Emmanuel, God WITH us. Definitely a reason to "come before him with joyful songs." A time to s-t-o-p and BE with God. So many changes happening! We are almost through summer(!), starting to look at fall schedules (I saw Halloween in a few stores already) and our "usual" busy schedules. When are you taking time to stop, worship, and praise God? When are you getting the fellowship of other believers? Are you coming together? Are you "making the time" to BE WITH GOD? Something to think.......
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"Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it." (Genesis 28:18)
Reminders can be interesting things. When we have food, in the fridge or freezer, we want to remember to take with us we put our key on said food. We can't leave without the key so we remember the food. Or..... when we need to remember to do something it goes on the calendar - right? If it isn't on my calendar it probably isn't going to get done. One of my favorite reminders is my prayer scarfs. The prayer shawl group, at one of the churches I served, gave me the first scarf when I had to drive in BAD winter weather. The second prayer scarf is a red one I can wear when I'm doing a memorial service -- a way to remember and honor my parents as I work with celebrating someone's life. The readings today are about remembering and getting results. In Genesis we know Jacob has just been wrestling and wakes up realizing "God is in this place." (v. 16) When he gets up he places the stone "as a pillar" - a reminder. (v. 18) In Romans we are reminded we are "children of God" (8:14) because of the Spirit. (8:15:) The Gospel reading has Jesus pointing out He "will tell the harvesters" what to do with the weeds and the wheat." (Matthew 13:30) We don't have to decide - God will. We can remember God with us, the reminders we have, and continue to share as we learn and grow. What reminders do you have? Especially reminders of when you have really felt God's presence with you - guiding you and giving you strength? Do you share, with others, what the reminder is and how God has helped in the past and is helping now? As Caregivers we are busy, with schedules changing all the time, what "reminder" do we have of God's presence with us. Something to think about........ "The seed that fell on the good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God's Word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as has been planted." (Matthew 13:23 NLT)
When I say, or you read, "seed" what do you think of? How the "seeds" you planted are doing in your field or garden? How to gather the "seeds" to plant or re-plant? Or...what about how to take care of the "seeds" you planted? How often, maybe even when, you need to water said "seeds"? Or, maybe do you need to "feed" the seeds? The readings, today, are about "seeds." Rebekah is having twins with her "seeds." (Genesis 25:23) and Romans is reminding us how the Holy Spirit will take care of each of us - "living in us." (Romans 8:11) And Jesus is telling a story about seeds and then explaining the story in Matthew 13. The question is are we paying attention, do we "truly hear and understand" (v. 23) What are we doing with the "seeds" of God's Word? What I want you to think of is a different kind of seed. What about thinking of a "seed of an idea"? Will you still listen to what God is saying? Will you listen to someone else's "seed of an idea"? As Caregivers we are VERY busy. It seems like new things happen on a very regular basis. Are we still open to new ideas - maybe even a new way of doing something? Do we "truly hear" let alone "understand" what God is laying on our hearts? Something to think about..... "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
Do you still take naps? I mean actually go lay down on the bed, snuggle under a blanket (quilt?), nap? What about falling asleep in your chair? My Dad could lay down, sometimes in bed but sometimes on the couch or in his chair, sleep for 20 minutes and be up ready to go again. He did NOT pass on that ability. I can also remember sending my son to "go take a nap" - or at least be in his room quiet - so I could rest. Is this what you think of when I talk about naps? The readings today point out the importance of "going to God." In Genesis, the servant, Rebecca and Isaac all go to God to seek guidance. (Genesis 24) In Romans 8 we are reminded that the "law of the Spirit gives life." (Romans 8:2) But the biggest reminder is in the Gospel reading. Jesus is reminding us to "come" to Him. His "yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:30) A yoke is for two, walking together - think of the picture we have all seen of the oxen pulling a wagon - Emmanuel, God IS with us. Yes, we are tired and a LOT of things keep changing. Yes, we continue to care for "our" people. Yes, we are "weary" and in many cases "burdened." (11:28) So...are we going to God? Are we asking for direction? Are we letting Jesus walk WITH us? Something to think about......... "Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me." (Matthew 10:40)
When I ask about magic words what do you think of? For some of us the first thing we probably think of is "abracadabra" - right? I want you to instead think of your grandparents, or parents, asking you what the "magic" word is when you want something. I can hear the adult saying "what is the magic word?" and expecting a "please, thank you or I'm sorry" in response. How are you doing at saying "please" or "thank you" or (maybe especially) "I'm sorry"? The readings today are about trusting God's presence with us through all the changes and challenges. In Genesis Abraham looks up, sees the ram, sacrifices the ram (instead of Isaac) and names the place "the Lord will provide." (Genesis 22:14) In Romans we are reminded God IS with us, helping us to learn grow and make the changes needed. (Romans 6:22) In the Gospel reading Jesus is pointing out how welcoming people welcomes Him. Welcoming Jesus welcomes God (v. 40) so Emmanuel - God IS with us. With us, and "will provide" for us, through all the changes and challenges happening in our lives. So.... Are we asking God? Are we TALKING to God? Are we saying "I'm sorry" for NOT asking? And...when we DO ask.... Are we REALLY believing God IS with us? As Caregivers we have busy schedules that are, pretty much, constantly changing. Are we taking the time to s-t-o-p to feel God's presence with us? Do we REALLY believe God will provide the strength? Something to think about... "What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roof tops." (Matthew 10:27)
How often are we told, lately, "if you see something - say something?" Any of us who have done any traveling, especially flying, have been told it at regular intervals. Many of us not only "say" something we look around for help or step in ourselves. I have been known to stand either in front of, or at least block, a small child I see running but I don't see an adult with them. My first appointment the parking lot, and a corn field, were right outside the door - not good places for toddlers. Another time was at a National Park gift shop - child the width of the building ahead of the parents. What about where we see God working? Are we talking about that? The readings, today, are pointing out God IS with us. God is with Hagar in the desert, giving her water and encouragement, and "with the boy as he grew up." (Genesis 21:20) In Romans we are told to "count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." (6:11) And Jesus, in the Gospel reading, is telling us not only is God with us, and we ARE important to God, we are to talk about it - "proclaim from the roof tops." (Matt. 10:27) I don't know about you but I'm probably NOT going to get on the roof! At the same time, as we go through all the changes, all the confusion, the unexpected changes in schedules are we talking about where we have seen and felt God's presence with us? Are we talking about what God is asking us to do? Where God is asking us to go? As Caregivers we are busy, we are trying to follow, and do, what God is calling us to but do we TALK about it? Do we "proclaim it"? Something to think about....... "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9:38)
Have you thought about your attitude while you are waiting, or working, on something. Last week we talked about how long it could take until you did, or finished, something. This week I am wondering about your attitude while you are waiting or working? Or when someone asks you to do something - what is your response? Are you looking at them and laughing? Are you ignoring them - especially if they want you to try something new? What about if God is asking you to do, or try, something new? The readings today are about reaction and attitude. In Genesis we are reading about the angels telling Abraham and Sarah about the baby they would have in the coming year. Sarah's reaction is to laugh, then lie about laughing. (Genesis 18:15) In Romans we are told even if it is difficult to do what is before us things will happen "perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:4) In our Gospel reading Jesus is pointing out the work needing to be done and how we should be asking the Lord "to send out workers into his harvest field." (9:38) I would ask for you to think about something here. Yes, Sarah laughed, and lied, but she also laughed quite happily again when Issac was born. Issac's name even means laughter. Following where God is leading, doing what God is asking, leads to peace and laughter. As Caregivers we can be very busy trying to do all the things we need to get done. What is our attitude while we are doing it? Are we following where God is asking us to go, doing what God is asking? Something to think about....... "Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak." (Matthew 9:20)
How long does it take you to finish something? It depends on what you are working on - right? Some of the projects I'm working on have been "in the process" longer than I like to think about. Some projects get finished pretty quickly. What about something you are really looking forward to, working on and ready for it to be finished and/ or happen. For instance it took me 14 years to get my two year associates degree - but I did it. The Scripture readings today are about working toward what God is calling us to. In Genesis God is sending Abram "to the land I will show you." (Genesis 12:1) Abram (note he isn't Abraham yet) doesn't even know where he is going, he is older (75), but he packs up and follows where God is leading. In Romans we are reminded of Abraham's faith "but through righteousness that comes by faith." (Romans 4:13) And the Gospel reading, in Matthew, is the story of the woman "who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years." (9:20) We know the story - Jesus tells her her "your faith has healed you." (Matthew 9:22) In this 'microwave' world it is difficult to think of how l-o-n-g something can take to get finished. These readings remind us God IS with us, WILL help us and we need to keep moving forward - one step at a time. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit," (Matthew 28:19)
Today is Trinity Sunday - reminding us of 3 in 1 and 1 in 3 - "Lord God Almighty, blessed Trinity." There are so many ways we can remind ourselves of the Trinity and be thankful, praising God. One way I especially think of is the prayer shawl/prayer quilt ministry I have been involved in for most of my ministry, Each scarf, shawl and quilt is worked with a multiple of 3 -- a multiple of 3 stitches, for knit or crochet and 3 layers, for a quilt. Each is also filled with our prayers, God's love and our love. They carry our love, and prayers, going out to others. Today's readings are about remembering who God IS. The Genesis reading is the creation story - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." (John 1:1) The Trinity - God the Father (creator), God the Son and God the Holy Spirit - is what Jesus is telling us, in the Gospel to be teaching and baptizing in the name of. (Matthew 28:19 & 20) The question is where are we going? Can we think about "going" to our families? Maybe our friends? The coffee shop? Our favorite place to grab a bite to eat? Where are we sharing God's love and telling people about KNOWING God IS with us? As Caregivers we rely on God's strength but do we share how we do that with others? Something to think about......... "By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive." (John 7:39a)
When I say Pentecost what do you think of? The Sunday everyone wheres red? Being the one who has to read all the names, and countries, in Acts 2? The rushing wind, and fire, in Acts 2? The dove descending on Jesus at his baptism? The symbols - fire, wind, dove - used for people to think about the Holy Spirit? Today is the day we celebrate Pentecost which is why I'm asking the question..... The reading, in Acts, is about Peter standing up to answer the questions of the people gathered together asking questions. There is the wind, and the fire, described on, around and in each of the disciples. There is the ability of each of them to be able to speak in languages the people gathered can understand. There is the description, in 1 Corinthians, of how we can all work together as one body, like the disciples in Acts 2, to help others understand God's love. Jesus is pointing out, in John 7, the gift of the Spirit, to help each of us who are "thirsty for more" to be filled. The Holy Spirit filling us, to overflowing, giving us strength. In "Dynamite Prayer" (that we read back during Lent) the Greek word for the Spirit is given - dunamis. We get our word "dynamite" from this word. The POWER of the Holy Spirit! Being filled to overflowing with the POWER of the Holy Spirit! Is this what we think of? Can we think of it this way? Definitely something to think about......... |
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