Good morning brothers and sisters,
Before we dive into our reading for today I want to let you know about a fun event this weekend. Saturday from 9-11 am we'll have a car wash at Laurelton. Besides being great neighborhood outreach, the car wash will raise money to put new counters in the kitchen downstairs and to spruce it up a bit more. The more help we have on Saturday the better. It will be a good time.
Jesus tells his disciples that the Father loves them and will grant them anything they pray for in Jesus' name. That invitation has always scared me because often the things we pray for don't happen. Maybe that's because the ultimate prayer is Jesus prayer, "Thy will be done." As we learn to be better disciples and pray better prayers we will find our prayers and lives bearing more fruit. One of the other things that catches my attention in this passage is Jesus warning and promise that the disciples will face persecution, but that Jesus has conquered the world. He doesn't conquer the world with violence, but with love.
God bless,
Sam
John 16:23-33
23On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. 25“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
28I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.” 29His disciples said, “Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! 30Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.” 31Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
trouble to joy
Good morning friends,
Today's reading continues Jesus' last words to his disciples. They don't understand what Jesus is talking about when he talks about his death and resurrection. Since we know the story, we do know what to expect, but we can sympathize with the disciples just the same. Jesus explains that the disciples will find themselves at odds with the world, in many things, as it turns out. At many points it will seem like the world is right and the disciples will be troubled. In the end though, the disciples' pain is going somewhere; there hardship is giving birth to something new. Hopefully, the troubles we face in our lives will be productive of something new as well.
Blessings on your new week,
Sam
John 16:16-22
16”A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying to us, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18They said, “What does he mean by this ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.”
19Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’? 20Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. 21When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. 22So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
Today's reading continues Jesus' last words to his disciples. They don't understand what Jesus is talking about when he talks about his death and resurrection. Since we know the story, we do know what to expect, but we can sympathize with the disciples just the same. Jesus explains that the disciples will find themselves at odds with the world, in many things, as it turns out. At many points it will seem like the world is right and the disciples will be troubled. In the end though, the disciples' pain is going somewhere; there hardship is giving birth to something new. Hopefully, the troubles we face in our lives will be productive of something new as well.
Blessings on your new week,
Sam
John 16:16-22
16”A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying to us, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18They said, “What does he mean by this ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.”
19Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’? 20Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. 21When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. 22So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
new beginings
Good morning sisters and brothers,
As many of you know, my brother and sister in law have been very active in working for peace in Yemen. Through them I've been watching the struggle to build a democratic movement in that nation. Yesterday the autocratic president of Yemen left for Saudi Arabia. Please keep the people of Yemen in prayer that this step might lead towards peace and democracy and that forces of violence and chaos might not win the day.
Our reading from John continues Jesus' last words to the disciples. Here he promises the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide the disciples. This is a challenging passage and worth reading a couple of times. Don't feel bad if it still doesn't quite make sense. I think the most important take away is that the world will be challenging for Jesus' disciples (including us), but the Spirit will give them (and us) what we need to be faithful.
The passage from Acts is Luke/Acts version of the great commission. Jesus tells the disciples that they will be filled with the Holy Spirit and wlll be his witnesses from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. That's still our story today. Today's worship service will be an important day for our witness to others. We're worshiping outside and hosting our neighbors for a picnic lunch afterward. I hope you can bring a friend, but most importantly, bring your joy to welcome new neighbors to Laurelton. Please dress comfortably and informally and keep your eyes out for chances to make someone feel at home.
God bless,
Sam
John 16:7-15
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
12“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
*Sunday
Acts 1:6-14
6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
As many of you know, my brother and sister in law have been very active in working for peace in Yemen. Through them I've been watching the struggle to build a democratic movement in that nation. Yesterday the autocratic president of Yemen left for Saudi Arabia. Please keep the people of Yemen in prayer that this step might lead towards peace and democracy and that forces of violence and chaos might not win the day.
Our reading from John continues Jesus' last words to the disciples. Here he promises the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide the disciples. This is a challenging passage and worth reading a couple of times. Don't feel bad if it still doesn't quite make sense. I think the most important take away is that the world will be challenging for Jesus' disciples (including us), but the Spirit will give them (and us) what we need to be faithful.
The passage from Acts is Luke/Acts version of the great commission. Jesus tells the disciples that they will be filled with the Holy Spirit and wlll be his witnesses from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. That's still our story today. Today's worship service will be an important day for our witness to others. We're worshiping outside and hosting our neighbors for a picnic lunch afterward. I hope you can bring a friend, but most importantly, bring your joy to welcome new neighbors to Laurelton. Please dress comfortably and informally and keep your eyes out for chances to make someone feel at home.
God bless,
Sam
John 16:7-15
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
12“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
*Sunday
Acts 1:6-14
6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
a new beginning
Good morning brothers and sisters,
Our reading for today is the very beginning of Acts. Acts is part two of Luke's Gospel, so when the author begins with a note to Theophilus he is connecting this book with "the first book," which we know as Luke. Luke is part one about Jesus; Acts is part two about the Holy Spirit working through the church. As we begin Acts Luke recalls Jesus spending time with the disciples before ascending into heaven. He reminds them that John baptized with water but promised that God would send a baptism of the Holy Spirit soon after. Jesus tells the disciples they will receive this baptism very soon. We recall that baptism next Sunday on Pentecost. This passage begins to set the stage for the disciples' ministry to the world in the Spirit's power. That ministry makes up the story of the rest of Acts; it also makes up our story today as we continue that work.
God bless,
Sam
Acts 1:1-5
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Our reading for today is the very beginning of Acts. Acts is part two of Luke's Gospel, so when the author begins with a note to Theophilus he is connecting this book with "the first book," which we know as Luke. Luke is part one about Jesus; Acts is part two about the Holy Spirit working through the church. As we begin Acts Luke recalls Jesus spending time with the disciples before ascending into heaven. He reminds them that John baptized with water but promised that God would send a baptism of the Holy Spirit soon after. Jesus tells the disciples they will receive this baptism very soon. We recall that baptism next Sunday on Pentecost. This passage begins to set the stage for the disciples' ministry to the world in the Spirit's power. That ministry makes up the story of the rest of Acts; it also makes up our story today as we continue that work.
God bless,
Sam
Acts 1:1-5
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Friday, June 3, 2011
preparing for persecution
Good morning sisters and brothers,
I have one quick question, and I hate to bother everyone with it, but my memory isn't helping me out. I'm short two copies of The Shack from the group study pack I borrowed from the Webster Library. If anyone has one of those, it would really help me to have it back.
Today Jesus continues his warning to the disciples that they will be strongly opposed by religious people because of his message. He also says that he didn't give them such clear warnings before because he was with them. He's really preparing them carefully for a different phase in their lives. They will be guided by the Holy Spirit, but they will have to discern the way forward without him. He sees that this makes them sad, even though they still don't quite understand.
I think often we feel like the disciples do. We wish we just had Jesus around to show us the way. The truth is that while we can look forward to Christ's return, between his words, the Holy Spirit and the community of faith we have all that we need to be faithful. We can trust Jesus, trust ourselves, trust the Spirit and trust the community. Then we can boldly follow Jesus in this challenging world we live in.
Friday blessings,
Sam
John 16:1-6
”I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. 2They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. 3And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. 4But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts.
I have one quick question, and I hate to bother everyone with it, but my memory isn't helping me out. I'm short two copies of The Shack from the group study pack I borrowed from the Webster Library. If anyone has one of those, it would really help me to have it back.
Today Jesus continues his warning to the disciples that they will be strongly opposed by religious people because of his message. He also says that he didn't give them such clear warnings before because he was with them. He's really preparing them carefully for a different phase in their lives. They will be guided by the Holy Spirit, but they will have to discern the way forward without him. He sees that this makes them sad, even though they still don't quite understand.
I think often we feel like the disciples do. We wish we just had Jesus around to show us the way. The truth is that while we can look forward to Christ's return, between his words, the Holy Spirit and the community of faith we have all that we need to be faithful. We can trust Jesus, trust ourselves, trust the Spirit and trust the community. Then we can boldly follow Jesus in this challenging world we live in.
Friday blessings,
Sam
John 16:1-6
”I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. 2They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. 3And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. 4But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
God versus the world
Good morning friends,
Today Jesus warns his disciples that the world will hate them just like it has hated him. They will not fit in because of their calling to follow Jesus. He also says that the world will be guilty of rejecting his word because he showed God's power so clearly but was still rejected. In the midst of that divide between God and the world, Jesus will send the Holy Spirit to the disciples. The Spirit will continue to witness to Christ's word, and in the Spirit's power the disciples are called to be witnesses also. That's still our calling, to bear witness to God's amazing love with our words and our actions. It is a challenging calling that can sometimes get us in trouble, but it is also where we find rewarding life.
God bless,
Sam
John 15:18-27
18”If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. 19If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. 20Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25It was to fulfill the word that is written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’
26”When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.
Today Jesus warns his disciples that the world will hate them just like it has hated him. They will not fit in because of their calling to follow Jesus. He also says that the world will be guilty of rejecting his word because he showed God's power so clearly but was still rejected. In the midst of that divide between God and the world, Jesus will send the Holy Spirit to the disciples. The Spirit will continue to witness to Christ's word, and in the Spirit's power the disciples are called to be witnesses also. That's still our calling, to bear witness to God's amazing love with our words and our actions. It is a challenging calling that can sometimes get us in trouble, but it is also where we find rewarding life.
God bless,
Sam
John 15:18-27
18”If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. 19If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. 20Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25It was to fulfill the word that is written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’
26”When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
abiding in love
Good morning brothers and sisters,
Jesus tells his disciples that he loves them and that keeping his commandments will help them rest closely in his love. Try not to be put off by the word commandment; as we'll find out the commandment is to love one another. We often think of commands and commandments negatively, but Jesus' commandments are about love and discipleship. He leads the way by showing us the greatest love by laying down his life for his friends. That's a good word this week as we remember our fallen military brothers and sisters, and it's a good word as we think about Jesus call to discipleship. The call to discipleship is a call to follow Jesus in loving others actively. True love isn't fuzzy and it sometimes costs us dearly. So let us abide in Christ's love and bear lasting fruit for the kingdom.
God bless,
Sam
John 15:9-17
9As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. 12“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
Jesus tells his disciples that he loves them and that keeping his commandments will help them rest closely in his love. Try not to be put off by the word commandment; as we'll find out the commandment is to love one another. We often think of commands and commandments negatively, but Jesus' commandments are about love and discipleship. He leads the way by showing us the greatest love by laying down his life for his friends. That's a good word this week as we remember our fallen military brothers and sisters, and it's a good word as we think about Jesus call to discipleship. The call to discipleship is a call to follow Jesus in loving others actively. True love isn't fuzzy and it sometimes costs us dearly. So let us abide in Christ's love and bear lasting fruit for the kingdom.
God bless,
Sam
John 15:9-17
9As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. 12“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
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