Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

“There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush, he looked, and the bush was blazing yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight.” Exodus 3:2-3

What should I do? Making hard decisions is never easy. You go through inner turmoil trying to figure out what to do or how to do it or is it really right for me. You look at multiple options and finally come down to what you think is the best. Then you may live with the “only if” questioning for days, months or maybe years. How often have  you said if only you could have a burning bush clarity. The thought of a burning bush experience seems like a fantastic way to know, yet there is a cost to burning bush experiences.

  • Burning bushes will necessitate worship:

You can’t play religion if you want to get close to the burning bush. You can be curious and “turn aside and look.” You can ponder why “the bush is not burned up” but burning bushes require you to “remove the sandals from your feet.” Religious people find a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. You worship at the burning bush because you know “the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

  • Burning bushes create questions:

“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” God welcomes questions, the more the better. Samuel asked “How can I go? Saul will kill me.” (1 Samuel 16:2)   Mary asked, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34) Peter knew enough to question, “By no means, LORD; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” (Acts 10:14) Questions will come at the burning bush but “The Samuels” go, “The Marys” obey, and “The Peters” follow.

  • Burning bushes destroy the edges of one’s comfort zone:

“I have never been eloquent…I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Comfort zone living is a lot easier. We can be content in the world we know and don’t have to push the edges. Yet somehow God doesn’t see our self-limitations. So, you don’t think you can speak? God has the answer, “Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.”

  • Burning bushes will burn away the undergrowth of yesterday’s failures:

“When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses.” You may have lived in palaces, studied at the best schools, had an unlimited bank account but you blew it. A nasty divorce, a horrendous scandal, a horrible financial mistake. Guess what? God calls your name and gives you another job. “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” God reminds you, “I think I can handle your past!”

  • Burning bushes do have a cost:

Moses had to go but also “Moses took his wife and his sons, put them on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt.” Jethro watched as his son-in-law, daughter and grandsons left for the mission field. Hannah cried as she left little Samuel at the temple. Jesus’ body torn to shreds, nailed to the cross, cried out in agony, “It is finished.” Yes, there is a cost when you respond to God’s call in your life yet “God never leaves you nor forsakes you.”

  • Burning bushes do make a difference:

“God wants to lead us. Not all the ways of humans are God’s leading. For a long time, we can walk our own paths. On those we are pawns of coincidence, whether they bring good luck or misfortune. Our own ways always lead in a circle back to ourselves. But when God leads our ways, they guide us to him. God’s ways guide us to God. God leads us through happiness and unhappiness always and only towards God. In this we recognize God’s ways.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Moses led a nation out of slavery heading for a new land. Esther saved a nation from mass annihilation. The widow of Zarephath fed her household. David stood in front of a giant to unite a nation. The disciples fish net was overflowing. Jesus stood at the front of an empty tomb declaring victory over death!

Maybe we will not have as dramatic of a burning bush experience as Moses but we do have our burning bush. God has provided Scripture to be “a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” (Ps 119:105), Jesus has come who “will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is 9:6) and daily “God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.” (IThess 4:8b).

The question becomes, “Do you choose to turn away or stand on holy ground?”

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” (2 Cor 13:14)

God is great!

Pastor Lynn

Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

“Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” Genesis 27:41

Hatred is a pattern that repeats itself for generations, often a pattern that is never broken. One of the more famous examples of generational hatred in our nation was the Hatfield-McCoy feud that covered several decades in the 1800s. These two rural families from the West Virginia-Kentucky area would live for decades under the siege of hatred, distrust and violence. It was one act of violence by one family leading to a retaliatory response by the other family and a feud that implanted seeds of bitterness that bore fruit in the coming generations.

“Esau hated Jacob” set in motion a bitterness that would drive a wedge between two brothers and would ultimately live on for generations. Esau did not care about his role as first born and Jacob took advantage of the situation. A feud sparked out of jealousy, scheming and hatred until a family was split apart. We find the pattern of hatred that drove Esau and Jacob apart repeated often.

Cain in jealous hatred kills Abel.

David in lustful hatred has Uriah killed.

Joseph’s brothers in jealous hatred sell their brother into slavery.

Absalom out of revenge hatred kills his brother Amnon.

Judas out of power hatred betrays the Son of God.

“There is no positive benefit or place for hate other than directing that emotion to evil.” Psalm 97:10. “Let those who love the Lord hate evil.” “The way to get out of that darkness is to walk in the light and allow God to transform your heart. Forgive those who have hurt you, let go of bitterness and the need for revenge, stop thinking and ruminating about your injustices. Rather think about how can you be part of the solution and begin to open your heart to love.” Dr. Linda Mintle

This illustration from a Native American anecdote sums up well the power of hatred. “A grandfather talking to his young grandson tells the boy he has two wolves inside of him, struggling with each other. The first is the wolf of peace, love and kindness. The other is the wolf of fear, greed and hatred. “Which wolf will win, grandfather?” asks the young boy. “Whichever one you feed” is the reply.”

Which wolf are you feeding? In our current culture it is easy to find yourself feeding the wrong wolf within your soul. Jesus said “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” Mark 7:20-23 (NLT)

Love is not the opposite of hate but love is the transformer of hate into love. A love that is not some cheap perfume that covers the stink of evil but a love that was born on a splinter laden cross is the only way to overcome the power of hatred.

Allow 1 John 4:20 to awaken a new prayer within your heart for ourselves, our families and our nation. “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”

God is great,

Pastor Lynn

 

Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

“After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham! ‘And he said, “Here I am.”” Genesis 22:1

The very thought of being tested sends fear through my mind. I hated to take tests in school; they always made me nervous. Questions raced through my mind, “Did I know the subject material well enough? Can I pass the test? What if I make a bad grade?” Usually, I knew the material well enough to pass the test. Occasionally I totally blew it. Regardless of the outcome, I had to face the test. The times I did well were usually the result of time invested in studying until I knew the subject material. Failures to do well were normally because I had not properly prepared myself for the test.

As much as I dislike tests, I realize they are important. Knowing the test day is coming forces me to focus on the material until I am prepared. When I pass the test, there is a certain feeling of accomplishment, a sense of inner pride. More importantly the test grade represents a symbol of my knowledge and the passing grade lets others know I have mastered the material.

I build confidence from the fact that the surgeon who is getting ready to operate on me passed their Board exams. I relax a little at 10,000 feet knowing the pilot passed the aviation test and is certified to fly the plane. I feel comfortable traversing the Mississippi River knowing the engineer who designed the bridge passed the civil engineering test.

Abraham had been preparing for this day of testing. When God asked him to move to a distant land, he packed his bags. When Abraham could have had his choice of parcels of land, he allowed Lot to take the best piece. When his nephew was captured, Abraham pulled together his troops to go into hot pursuit to rescue Lot. When God asked him to give up his only son, Abraham was ready. Yes, Abraham failed a few tests in the process, yet God kept working with him to get him ready. Generations later Abraham’s test results were recorded in Hebrews 11. “Therefore, from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” (Hebrews 11:12)

James captures well the purpose of spiritual testing as he writes, “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-3)

Noah’s test came when God asked him to build an ark, even though it had never rained!

Moses’ test came when God asked him to pick up the staff and lead his people out of slavery!

Hannah’s test came when she left Samuel in the care of God at the temple!

Ruth’s test came when she declared, “your people shall be my people, and your God my God!”

David’s test came when God asked Samuel to anoint him as king, even as he tended sheep in the pasture!

What about you? How are you doing in preparing for your tests?  “Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? –unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed.” (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)

How will you know if you passed the test? Maybe you will get to know but just as likely you will not know. “Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised” (Hebrews 11:39)

Don’t worry about the results, simply focus on God. Let God grow you through the test to become the person God intends you to be for His work. Job moves from questioning God, defending himself to his friends and family to the affirmation that being with God is more important than understanding the reason.

“Then Job replied to the LORD: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely, I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1-6)

God is great,

Pastor Lynn

 

 

Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17

I made my final trek this week to our outside storage building, carrying the last of Christmas 2020 decorations. I always enjoy Christmas and all the trappings of the season, yet there is something freeing as the house is finally returned to post-Christmas. All the furniture is moved back into place, floors swept and tables dusted. There is a freshness and cleanness about the house and a sense of restoring order out of a joyful chaos.

Celebrating a new year represents more than just a day on the calendar, it marks a new beginning. So how can one 24-hour period make such a difference? One day it is the old year, the next the beginning of something new. Yet in the turn of the calendar page, there is excitement, hope, freshness and a restored outlook.

“There, where clinging to things ends, is where God begins to be. If a cask is to contain wine, you must first pour out the water. The cask must be bare and empty. Therefore, if you wish to receive divine joy and God, first pour out your clinging to things. Everything that is to receive must and ought to be empty.”

These words were written centuries ago by German theologian Meister Eckhart. However, centuries before Eckhart, Jesus responded to the accusation that he wasn’t following the regulations of fasting by saying “no one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” (Matthew 9: 6-17)

Jesus didn’t have a problem with fasting or keeping religious traditions. However, He did have a problem if the old kept someone in ritualistic bondage. Jesus had a problem If the old kept someone from truly enjoying their life with God.  Jesus knew the old wineskin couldn’t hold both old and new. “You must first pour out the water. The cask must be bare and empty.”

I wouldn’t put myself into the category of a hoarder but you can talk with my wife. I would simply call myself a serious collector of things. The problem with my collecting things is that I run out of storage room. I can’t find what I am looking for because it is part of this vast collection of things and gets lost in the midst of everything.

I could have kept the Christmas decorations in the house but the challenge would be that the old would have kept us from ever enjoying the excitement of change. The beautiful decorations that make Christmas special would look out of place at Easter, 4th of July or Thanksgiving. The old gives way to allow the new to come into our home.

Holding onto the old keeps us from the blessings that God would like to give us. Billy Graham wrote about letting go in this story of a father and son:

“A little child playing one day with a very valuable vase put his hand into it and could not withdraw it. His father, too, tried his best, but all in vain. They were thinking of breaking the vase when the father said, “Now, my son, make one more try. Open your hand and hold your fingers out straight as you see me doing, and then pull.”

To their astonishment the little fellow said, “Oh no, father. I couldn’t put my fingers out like that, because if I did I would drop my penny.”

Could this be the year when you need to open your hand and let go of the worthless penny in your hand?

Could this be the year when you pour out the old to enjoy the new?

 

“As children bring their broken toys

With tears for us to mend

I brought my broken dreams to God

Because He is my friend.

But then, instead of leaving Him

In peace to work alone

I hung around and tried to help

With ways that were my own.

At last I snatched them back and cried,

How can you be so slow?

My child, He said, what could I do…

You never did let go.” (Broken Dream by Lauretta P. Burns)

 

God is great,

Pastor Lynn Burton

 

 

Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

Unleashed – As You Go – Pray

“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:19-24

“Today begins the new year. A year no human knows what is ahead but, as followers of Christ, we have a God who will walk with us through the challenges, the good things, and the bad things. In all we have a Savior and King who is strong enough to face all things with us and before us.” This was my journal entry on January 1, 2020. Little did I know what would lie ahead of us as a family, community or world. It has been a world brought to its knees by an unseen enemy. as many of us have faced isolation, fear and even death. We have experienced unprecedented societal unrest and our world is destined to be changed forever.

The verses above, out of Lamentations, are some of my favorites simply because of the hope and assurance that God will be with us through all situations. It is in the midst of life’s tragedies and chaotic turmoil that the presence of God may not be as obvious, yet we know his presence is more than we could ever imagine.

Jeremiah captured his pain and lament in Lamentations. He was persecuted, thrown into a cistern, dragged away captive and jailed. He cried out to God in the midst of his situation and came back to the hope that is found only in God.

Scripture is filled with stories such as Jeremiah’s. These stories provide us hope and promise as we face tragedy. We can rest in the shelter of God’s presence.

Noah was ridiculed and mocked as he and his sons built an ark in the middle of the desert. Yet, as the rains began, Noah experienced the presence of God when he is told, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.” (Gen 7:1)

Joseph lived in slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned yet he experienced the presence of God and was able to say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Gen 50:20)

Moses was hidden, rescued, lived a life of luxury, was forced into exile, then faced down the most powerful ruler in the land and endured the wilderness for forty years. Moses knew the dark times of life but he also experienced the presence of God, “Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10)

David, belittled by his brothers, his life threatened, lived in caves and was forced to flee his kingdom, but he experienced the presence of God. “God testified concerning him:  “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” (Acts 13:22)

For Paul, following Christ resulted in imprisonment, beatings, shipwreck, hunger, cold, and false accusations. Yet he experienced the presence of God and was able to say, “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:20-21)

I will most likely pen a similar journal entry for January 1, 2021. I do not know what the future holds yet I can rest in the promise and hope that God will be with me through it all. I can journal with confidence and assurance because, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)

Lord, I commit this New Year to you. I ask that you would bring encouragement to those who have experienced tragedy. Comfort to those who have experienced loss. Peace to those who are troubled. Hope to all as we face this new year. Assurance for all of your care.  Gratefulness for your presence.

Happy New Year and remember, God is great,

 

Pastor Lynn Burton

 

Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

The Christ Candle

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the trampling warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9:2-7

 

The battle had raged for months, the rains relentless, the weighty despair of war unabated. Yet, on a cold and dreary night, the sounds of “Silent Night” wafted across the war-ravaged no-man’s land as two armies declared an unofficial and impromptu cease-fire on the Western Front during World War 1. A moment of hope spread as calm rested upon the battlefield. Born out of that brief interlude from hostilities that occurred on December 24 and 25, the event became known as the 1914 “Christmas Truce”. It would happen in only one place, with only one group of soldiers but for those who experienced peace that day, even if for a brief period, it was a welcome miracle. Christmas came to those war- torn trenches. (Click here to view a short dramatization of the “Christmas Truce”)

The calendar day that marks Christmas may have just passed but not the Incarnation. We watched the flickering flames of the Hope, Faith, Joy and Peace Candles that illuminated our advent wreath grow brighter when the Christ Candle was lit on Christmas Eve.  The world no longer had to live in darkness as God orchestrated the radiant light of Jesus birth. Jesus would tell the world that, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

The shepherds returned to the fields that dark night but they had seen the Light.

The Magi returned to their homeland but they had seen the Light.

Mary and Joseph packed their belongings to return home but now they carried the Light.

Aging, faithful Simeon had waited expectantly but now he held the Light in his arms.

Precious Anna had worshipped and waited for decades but now she led in worship of the Light.

O Little Town of Bethlehem you were so preoccupied that you missed the Light.

King Herod, you were so blinded by evil and lust for power that you missed the Light.

Fleming Rutledge writes that “Advent always begins in the dark.” It was in the dark that the angels came to the shepherds. It was in the dark that the star guided the Magi to the Savior. It was in the dark that Joseph and Mary escaped to Egypt. It was in the dark of night that Nicodemus came seeking the truth. It would be in the dark that Jesus was betrayed by Judas.

Could it be that in the darkness of 2020, Advent has been more powerful and hopeful this year? Has our focus been more on Jesus than on the glitter and usual activities of Christmas? I hope so! Jeff Peabody wrote that, “We can learn to reframe our questions from “Lord, when will this darkness be over?” to “What is pointing me toward Christ?” As we do, we may find there is significantly more light in the room than we realized.”

Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies;

With angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem!

Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.

 

God is great,

Pastor Lynn Burton

Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

Celebrating the Fourth week of Advent – The Angel Candle – Peace

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” Luke 2:13-14

Peace and goodwill, the seemingly ever-elusive state that the world constantly seeks, but never quite achieves. Many options are proffered every day to find them but only one source of peace will endure forever. Peace is not found in activities, methods or materials, but in a person. Peace marks the fourth week of Advent.

Merriam-Webster defines peace in very good technical terms. Peace is “a state of tranquility or quiet. Freedom from civil disturbance. A pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity offered the possibility of a negotiated peace.” This seems a simple enough achievement. Yet why is peace so elusive? According to the Global Peace Index “the results this year show that the level of global peacefulness deteriorated, with the average country score falling by 0.34 per cent. Iceland remains the most peaceful country, with Afghanistan coming last and The United States ranking 121 out of 163 nations.”

For American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, peace seemed such a distant memory as he sat in a medical tent holding the wounded body of his oldest son, Charles. The pain of his son stirred the pain within himself as he still grieved the death of his beloved wife. It was in this moment of despair that Longfellow heard the church bells tolling in the background for Christmas day. How can there be peace? Longfellow began to capture his thoughts in the poem “Christmas Bells.”

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

Out of his hopelessness, it was as if God allowed the bells to awaken in Longfellow again the peace that is found on Christmas Day in Jesus. External surroundings no longer define inner peace because of the birth of Jesus.

Longfellow’s poem has inspired many song writers to adapt the poem to music sung during the Christmas season. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and take five minutes to listen and reflect on the peace as the Christmas Bells toll in this version of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day:”  https://youtu.be/s1L4Ov_yMyo

Over the decades since these words were captured hundreds of wars have raged, divisions have erupted within nations, countless economic disasters and personal tragedies have occurred. Yet the truth of that night in Bethlehem still echoes power and hope for us today. Jesus – The Prince of Peace!

What should I pray for during Advent?

  • Pray for peace in all situations, no matter what the circumstances.
  • Pray for freedom from all that burdens you.
  • Pray for confidence in God’s love for you.

God is great,

Pastor Lynn

 

 

 

Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

Celebrating the third Sunday of Advent: Candle of Joy – Shepherd’s Candle

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the LORD.”

One of the most beloved and famous of our Christmas carols, “Joy to the World” didn’t start out as a song, especially not a Christmas carol. Isaac Watts published a book of poems based upon the Psalms. “Joy to the World” was an adaptation of Psalm 98 as Watts interpreted the psalm as a celebration of Jesus.

Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King…

Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ….

No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground….

He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove…

“Joy to the world” became a reality for a group of shepherds working in the cold, dark night of Bethlehem. These men probably wouldn’t rank high on the social and influencer scenes of the day, yet these lowly shepherds experienced what the sheep owner may never have experienced: joy. These nameless shepherds may not have had warm beds to crawl into that night, they didn’t have a cozy house to eat dinner in that night, they didn’t have job security if raiders stole their sheep but what they did have that night was a life changing encounter with the Christ-child. Their status in life didn’t change but their hearts and lives were forever and dramatically changed. They experienced joy that superseded any expectation of happiness.

As the “Hope” and “Faith” Advent candles continued to burn, Sunday we lit the “Joy” Advent candle, reflecting the anticipated joy of the coming Messiah. According to the most recent “World Happiness Report” the United States ranks number 18 among the world’s nations in terms of happiness. The report is based upon external things that supposedly makes a person happy. However, this week’s Advent candle doesn’t celebrate happiness but, rather, something far more profound: joy.

Though people often interchange the terms, in reality they are a world apart. “Things” may seem to make you happy but will never bring you joy. However, on the flip side, the lack of “things” never impacts one’s joy.  Barbara Johnson shares the story of a man on her bus who understood the reality of joy.

“The day started out rotten. I overslept and was late for work. Everything that happened at the office contributed to my nervous frenzy. By the time I reached the bus stop for my homeward trip, my stomach was one big knot.

As usual, the bus was late—and jammed. I had to stand in the aisle. As the lurching vehicle pulled me in all directions, my gloom deepened.

Then I heard a deep voice from up front boom, “Beautiful day, isn’t it?” Because of the crowd, I could not see the man, but I could hear him as he continued to comment on the spring scenery, calling attention to each approaching landmark. This church. That park. This cemetery. That firehouse. Soon all the passengers were gazing out the windows. The man’s enthusiasm was so contagious I found myself smiling for the first time that day. We reached my stop. Maneuvering toward the door, I got a look at our “guide”: a plump figure with a black beard, wearing dark glasses, and carrying a thin white cane.”

Though the shepherds never experienced great wealth, what they did experience was the greatest treasure of all time—Jesus.  The shepherds left the stable transformed.  “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:17-18,20)

What should I pray for during Advent?

  • Pray for an imagination that helps you contribute joy to the world in creative ways.
  • Pray that you are able to reflect joy in all you do this Christmas season.
  • Pray you can clearly communicate what joy means to you through Jesus.

God is great,

Pastor Lynn

 

 

 

Christmas Eve

Read more

Unleashed: As you Go – Pray

Second Sunday of Advent – The Bethlehem Candle – Faith

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. A voice on one calling: In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 40:1-5

“A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the LORD.” Matthew 3:3

“The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

 

These words of Bonhoeffer resonate well as we move into week two of this season of Advent. 2020 has been a chaotic year in so many ways, filled with every conceivable emotion. Most of us have at one point or another this year been “troubled in soul.” Out of the anxiety of the year we are able to light the second candle of faith. Holding onto the promises of God that He would bring comfort to the people, we find this same promise holds true today. “Advent reminds us that Christian hope is shaped by what has happened and what’s going to happen again.” Jay Y. Kim

 

The second Advent candle, lit yesterday, is often called the “Bethlehem” or “Faith” candle. During this advent season of waiting and looking, you quickly realize that faith has a preparatory element to it.

Joseph and Mary prepare to leave for Bethlehem to register for the government-mandated census. Preparation for the birth had been made centuries before when Micah wrote, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (5:2)

Isaiah had told of the preparation God was making to come to a people that were exiled in a broken and parched wilderness. God’s redemption would “make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” God would come as a shepherd feeding, leading and caring for the weary flock.

The story is told of an elderly Scottish preacher being rebuked by one of his deacons one Sunday morning before the service. ““Pastor,” said the man, “something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There’s been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he’s just a boy.”

The minister listened, his eyes moistening and his thin hand trembling. “I feel it all,” he replied, “but God knows I’ve tried to do my duty.” On that day, the minister’s heart was heavy as he stood before his flock. As he finished the message, he felt a strong inclination to resign.

After everyone else had left, that one boy came to him and asked, “Do you think if I worked hard for an education, I could become a preacher and perhaps a missionary?”

Many years later an aged missionary returned to London from Africa. His name was spoken with reverence. Nobles invited him to their homes. He had added many souls to the church of Jesus Christ, reaching even some of Africa’s most savage chiefs. His name was Robert Moffat, the same Robert who years before had spoken to the pastor that Sunday morning in the old Scottish kirk.

Joseph and Mary loaded the donkey and set off for Bethlehem fueled by faith that was based upon a promise. Over the rugged terrain they made the journey based upon the promise of God.  They only had a small glimpse of what this journey would mean to them, to the nation and ultimately to every generation to follow.

What should I pray for during Advent?

  • For strong relationships with other people in our community of faith.
  • For hearts to see when eyes can’t see tomorrow.
  • For confidence in God’s love.

God is great,

Pastor Lynn