When God Sends An Angel

Message From God

God sent an angel to Mary. Not an automatic email or a form letter. He wanted Mary to know it came personally from His hand. Mary responded at first with questions. "How can this be?" Even the brilliance of an angel's visit did not stop her from needing more information, with such a huge task before her. 

But Mary's final response was one of total trust and faith. "May it be to me as you have said." 

When God sends you a message how do you respond? Okay, maybe not from an angel but perhaps a verse, a circumstance, or a strong urgent feeling that you know is from God. Fear can keep us from taking on the task, because it often can be something far beyond our present capabilities. Take in what is being said or felt with fervent attention. Asking questions is okay, but the final response should always be reception, trust, and obedience, 

Holy Spirit Come

Holy Spirit Come

There is a generation of American young people that have walked away from the church. The generation above them has wondered why they would leave God.

The elder one says, “Those young people are too self-absorbed.”

          The younger says, “The church is old fashion, and immoveable. Why can’t it come along with the times?”

          The seniors grumble, “What they wear is so strange. Why do they dress so sloppy all the time?”

          “Church music is from the past.” The youth cry out. “People there are hypocritical, holier than thou, and hell bent on the rules. That’s right, I said, ‘Hell’”

          So, the younger generation left the church in droves.  Many of these young people fell into addictions, lived in the streets, and worried their parents to death.

          Though I was not one of the ones that left, I am a part of that generation. No, I’m not a millennial, I’m a baby boomer.  Many of those I speak of lost hope, and some their lives.

          Most churches stayed stubborn and insisted that only they knew the right way to live the Christian life. Surely, Jesus would want his children to wear ties and dresses to church. How could you have a service without an organ? If you sang songs with rock tunes, instead of hymns, you were courting Satan. And long hair on men? Never, in this church!

But I believe there were many parents of this generation that continued to pray. God inspired other individuals that cared more about loving with the love of Christ, then who was right about order of service.

That’s when it happened. Someone loved instead of arguing about stupid points on dress codes, rules, and who is correct about back word masking on rock music. One hippie received the love that was given. He opened himself up to a new life that spilled the glory of God to whoever stood next to him. He didn’t dress up. He used the music he knew and put words of truth to the notes. He kept his long hair and flower child ways.

He had gone into the world to find peace and love, and found it wanting. He realized his need for God. An explosion of revival ran a thick line through our rebellious generation and a whole new group emerged. The Jesus freaks. Soon others got on board. New music emerged. Some churches stayed the same, refusing to realize that God was about love, not judgment.  Many of these churches died with the generation that refused to give up their way of doing things.  

Now we have a new generation. Those of us still in the church say, “Those young people are too self-absorbed.”

          The younger says, “The church is old fashion, and immoveable. Why can’t it come along with the times?”

          The seniors grumbled. “What they wear is so strange. Why do they dress so casual all the time?”

          “Their music is from the past. People are hypocritical, holier than Thou, and hell bent on the rules. That’s right, I said, ‘Hell’”

          “The past? But we play contemporary music!”

          “If you’re in the 90’s”

Instead of the ungodly fashion of the day being long hair, now tattoos and piercings receive the brunt of our pointed fingers and laments of the evil world. So the younger generation has left the church in droves.

Okay, now it’s my generation’s time to pray, reach out, and be willing to change. No, we don’t have to agree with everything.  But we shouldn’t be condemning, and we need to listen. Many of these young people still believe in God but not how our churches have isolated themselves, sent out condemnations instead of hope, and turned to politics instead of coming alongside those that need our help, love, and compassion.

Let’s stop, back up the truck a little, and be ready to work on our own failings instead of rushing to point out their’s. Willing to get sweaty and hands dirty to do love, and be the hands of Christ.

Holy Spirit, come down as you did for the Jesus Freaks. Wash into the hearts of the generation that texts, knows they are special, and will carry on Your light to the following generation. Teach my generation to be open, listening, and willing to change, because it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge, and our job to love.

          

Contentment is Not in a Dog's Name

Contentment is Not in a Dog’s Name

            I have a tendency to want everyone to be happy. Often my attempts result in making no one happy. A case in point is our new puppy, an adorable Labradoodle. I agonized for months over a name for this awaited pup. It needed to be cute, meaningful, and definitely not one I would hear everywhere I went.  I wanted, more than anything for my whole family, and everyone else, to love the name. I was told, rightly, that our sons are grown and we should pick a name for ourselves. But I was not content with that.

            This may be the last dog we ever have, I told myself.  I remembered how the boys always joked about bringing our dogs, Max and Sophie, back to college with them. When coming home again, these two dogs met them with ecstatic wiggles of pure love.  To me our dogs were one more reason for them to want to come home.

            Now that Max has passed, and Sophie is on the older side, we wanted another dog. Here in lies the problem. After weeks of debating, with at first no interest from the boys because he would be a “doodle” not a full “Lab,” we had several names, but no consensus.  Erin, my daughter-in-law, helped with suggestions, too. But I could tell she tried to stay in Switzerland mode. The three young people liked, Ralph, with a maybe on Rigsby. I liked Rigsby but maybe not Ralph. My husband did not like either.

Out of the melee of names I jumped on one I thought we all approved of, Clyde. An, okay name, I thought, and my husband Jon quickly put it on Facebook, making it official.

            But no, apparently the only name that was perfect enough was Ralph.  So, the two names hit the air confusing the puppy, not one bit. He came to everyone.

            So, feeling I had been too hasty, I went back to the very first name we had discussed, the name Zathras. This is a character from the sci-fi series, Babylon 5, that we all seemed to like. I could not be content unless everyone was happy. I did another pole. Yes, the boys conceded the name was, okay. But to them he just looked like a Ralph. Erin thought Zathras was a cute name. Jon, sci-fi lover that he was, of course, loved it.

            A happy ending? No, because once again in my attempt to please everyone, no one is happy, least of all me. If you visit our house you will hear the names Zathras, Zath, Zat or Z, Ralph, Ralphie, Ralphy-Mc-ralpherson, or Ralphers . Our pastor weighed in and has called him Clyde. The boys have split the difference at times and called him Ralphras.

            Contentment is something you decide to have. It’s not something you fix into being. At the Covenant Heights women’s retreat in September one of the talks was on contentment. The speaker showed us that to have contentment we mustn’t give away our confidence with fear, not envy others in what we wish we could do, and especially not allowing what others say effect our contentment.

            When she said, “camp on it” I knew I had my sketch for the sermon. Camp your mind on contentment.  Stop running around trying to solve each lack, or give up on ourselves at every road block. Quit spending time wishing for better instead of holding on to the hope of what God has planned for us.

Timothy 6:6 “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”  

            Zathras, is the name of our dog. I love him, and I am content with his name, even if others disagree. I have confidence in our decision. When others call him Ralph I know they love him, and I will be content with that. Now on to housebreaking!

The Story

New Story

My son, Todd Spieker, preached in my home church a few weeks ago. Here is the gist of what he spoke on.

His topic was from Luke 9:23, “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’”

Todd approached this from a unique point of view. We all have life stories.

The Roman’s story was about their great empire. They thought their book would never end. It did.

The Jews had their version of what a messiah was. This dated back to the Maccabees and a Jewish messiah that brought down the enemy and took back a nation. They thought if Jesus was The Messiah, His story should be that, too.

Others have the story that if you are rich then you are a blessed person. In other words being wealthy means that you are good. After all only good people are rewarded with wealth. If you are poor or disabled, there must be some sin in your past.

Then there are the stories many of us have. We make demands based on what we think are God given rights. The demands say I want, I need, I hope, I dream. My rights, and my ways are all that matters.

But Jesus asks us to join His narration. To let go, put down our little fables and pick up His story. In Jesus’ book He tells of an upside-down messiah. This messiah dies in humility at the hands of the enemy, and rises from the dead. His story says blessed are the poor for they shall inherit the earth.

Jesus asks us to give up our rights. Oh, yes, He does. He asks us to care for the alien, love the disenfranchised, and stand up for the marginalized. Even if these precious ones step all over our “rights” and befuddle us with the way they live their life.  

Jesus writes an epic novel. Read the chapter titles he has written for you: mercy, grace, adventure, and everlasting life. Lay down your life, pick up your cross, and join God’s story.

First Love

First Love

Like toes in the water on the first day of spring or the satisfying swallow of fresh made ice cream, this is how beginnings feel.

Have you followed Christ for long?

When you learned of His love and grace did His glory thrill your heart?

Even being blessed with the experience of serving such a powerful and merciful God, after a while, we can become apathetic. That leaning forward at a full tilt run can become the dragging feet of a slumped shouldered march. In Revelations 2, God talks to the church in Ephesus.

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

You notice God didn’t say they weren’t working hard enough? He didn’t tell them that they weren’t faithful, or that they allowed wickedness to flourish around them? No, He told them to get back to that passion and fire that once filled their hearts. Maybe this doesn’t mean to do more, but do less. Reconnect with your God by being with Him in a conscious way. Not warming a pew, not repeating words to Him, not memorizing random strings of words that have no meaning for you.  We have the privilege of being more than going through robotic motions.

It also doesn’t mean being involved with every event, Bible study, and potluck dinner that the church offers. It means to follow, listen, and love God with a wide awake, fired-up heart and soul.

Renew, refresh, and jump back into your first love! 

Esther

Esther

          This is one of my favorite stories. An orphaned girl named Hadassah was adopted by her cousin (some say uncle) Mordecai. He raised her in the Jewish faith. But the King, looking for a wife, picked her to be his queen.

          In the palace she had every comfort and the latest beauty treatments.  Her uncle, strong minded and faithful to God, refused to bow to a man named Hamond. Hamond was angry and devised a plot to have the king make an order that all the Jews would be killed including, of course, Mordecai.

Esther had not let anyone know of her heritage. Her servants told her that Mordecai had put on a sack cloth and was tearing his clothes in great mourning. Esther sent a servant to see what was wrong and to bring him new clothes.

          Mordecai refused the clothes and let Esther know about the plot. She was afraid to go to the king if he had not summoned her. It could mean her death.

          But here is where it gets good. She decides to pray and fast for three days. Then she allowed the results to be in God’s hands. She said after the time of prayer she would go to the king, and if she dies, she dies.

          I love this kind of trust and courage. Wow! I need this. To be able to trust that God has put you right where you need to be, even if you can’t be certain of a perfect outcome for you own self.  To still step out into the unknown and do what is right.

          The king listens to Esther, and Hamond is punished. Mordecai even gets to be Hamond’s replacement.

          How great is that?

Ezra and Nehimiah

                                                   Ezra and Nehemiah

          Two Sundays ago the sermon at our church was on Ezra and Nehemiah. During this time period the Israelite kings and the people were not honoring their God. But here is an example of a time when God allowed tragedy to happen. The people refused to listen to the prophets and God let Babylon invade and take His people captive.

          Now the Israelites wanted to cry out to God in worship. They needed Him, but the kings in Babylon would not let them worship. God ordained that Persia would capture Babylon along with Israel.

           The Cyrus king of Persia was more benevolent to the Jewish people. He gave them permission to rebuild their temple.  After the temple was built the people came back to worship and remembered what it was like to be able to worship their God.

Ezra 3:11-12

 “With praise and thanksgiving they worshiped the Lord:                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ‘He is good: his love toward Israel endures forever’ And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, sho had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they say the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.”
              Nehemiah, cup bearer to King Artaxerxes was allowed to go to Judah and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. God ordained this cup bearer to be in the right place at the right time to help His people.  

Daniel

Daniel

          Evan’s sermon on Daniel brought out so many new thoughts that I couldn’t get it all in the picture. Daniel, his friends Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego practiced self-control, because they knew God was in control. They refused food the King offered because God wanted everyone to know it was God that kept them strong. The three friends refused to bow to anyone but the one true God, because they trusted that God was in charge. Even if they died, they would not bow to an idol.

          When Daniel realized praying to his God would mean a trip to the loin's den he did not give in to fear. He knew God was in control of his life, and death. I know there are some that say the phrase “God is in control” is a cliché Christians shouldn't banter around. Well, honestly, when I go through the hardest of trials I want to know there’s a reason. That God does work it out for the good. That He is in control. Adonai, the God who is in control.

          Evan, also, included a great quote from Eugene Peterson. He tells us it is not all a simple flip of a believing switch.  Is it hard to trust? Yes! It takes practice, sweat, tears, and struggle, but walking in God’s control grows our own self control over fear, anger, doubt, and procrastination. (That last one is my worst.)

Here is the quote from Eugene Peterson. “There is far more to the Christian life than getting it right. There is living it right. Learning the truth of God, the gospel, the Scriptures involves understanding words, concepts, history. But living it means working and praying ourselves through a world of deception, of doubt and suffering, a world of rejections and betrayal and idolatry.” 

Prophets

Prophets

          Our lessons from The Story have moved into the time of the prophets, Elijah, Elisha, and Isaiah. Greg’s sermon spoke to what a prophet is. Not someone who only prophesies the future, although he may. He is appointed by God to call the people to repentance, obedience, and hope.

          Jesus was said to be a prophet when he preached in his hometown. He told the people what they should be doing. We can, and should, be this kind of prophet today.

          We don’t need to give out lists of what we’re against, but we need to let people know what we stand for. We need to stand up for justice, mercy, and to offer hope to people for this life and for eternal life through Jesus Christ. 

The Split

The split

          Pastor Greg Ralston’s sermon covered the times when the Jewish nation was split in two. Solomon had not kept his word to Jehovah and allowed the worship of other gods. The next king in line decided to continue to overburden his people with taxes. So the people rebelled and most of the country split off. Before this happened God told His prophets this was about to happen. God split the nation into ten tribes and these became Israel.  The tribes of Benjamin and Judah became Judah.

          Greg told about the history of the event. Then he went into how we have splits in our churches and denominations. Some split over very petty things, some over things that cannot be ignored.

          But the point is that somehow the work of God keeps moving forward in a way that most cannot explain. God has a plan even when everything seems to be falling in around us. Barnabas and Paul split up and God turned it into good. Churches split and God still uses the people. Friends split, but God does not abandon them.

          In other words, in spite of what humans do, God doesn't give up.

King David

King David

          Shepherd, giant killer, soldier, king, man after God’s own heart, adulterer and murderer, this is David. Pastor Evan and Pastor Greg told the story of David’s sin.  I retold the story in the King’s crown.

          David loved God but lost his way, like any of us. But he sinned in a very kingly way, a real whopper. Taking another man’s wife and when he couldn’t cover it up he put the man in harm’s way and the man died. Nathan, the prophet, confronted David in a searing way that cut into David’s heart, and he repented. Though David prayed with tears and grief the baby born of the infidelity died.

But after David married Bethsheba they had another baby. This child became the famous and wise, King Solomon.   Read the story for yourself in 2 Samuel 11-12.