Hope

Posted on November 29, 2016 by jimtheyouthguy

There are many traditions surrounding the Advent Wreath.  Regardless of your past experience with Advent (or lack of experience for most of my Baptist brethren), there is much to consider in the symbols and scripture readings during this time.  The two primary traditions concerning the naming of the candles are:

1.      Prophecy
2.      Bethlehem
3.      Shepherd
4.       Angel		 |

OR

|

1.      Hope
2.      Peace
3.      Joy
4.       Love

The first set of meanings tend to focus on the story of the Messiah’s birth.  The second set tends to focus on what is accomplished in the coming of the Messiah.  Obviously they are intertwined and there is no way to separate them, but this year we will be digging into the second.  In the traditional readings for the lighting of the “Hope” candle we find this passage:

“And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.’  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~ Romans 15:12-13

On the first Sunday of Advent, we light the Prophecy candle also known as the candle of Hope.  Though humanity strayed far from God, God never strayed from humanity.  From the beginning He had a plan and a path prepared for our return to Him.

On this Sunday, we re-ignite our Hope.  Hope for light in our darkness.  Hope for healing in sickness.  Hope for joy in our sadness.  Hope for order in our chaos.  Hope for inclusion in our loneliness.  Hope for help in our helplessness.  Hope for love in our unlovelyness.  Hope for forgiveness in our sin.  Hope for freedom in our captivity.  Hope for salvation!

God has always been for us.

And that is a very encouraging thought.

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Advent Reading for 2016

Posted on November 29, 2016 by jimtheyouthguy

Daily Scripture Readings
Advent, 2016

Year 1, 2017 Church Year

These readings are adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, Daily Readings for Year One.

Date OT Epistle Gospel
Sun Nov 27 Isa 1:1-9 2 Pet 3:1-10 Matt 25:1-13
Mon Nov 28 Isa 1:10-20 1 Thes 1:1-10 Luke 20:1-8
Tues Nov 29 Isa 1:21-31 1 Thes 2:1-12 Luke 20:9-18
Wed Nov 30 Isa 2:1-11 1 Thes 2:13-20 Luke 20:19-26
Thur Dec 1 Isa 2:12-22 1 Thes 3:1-13 Luke 20:27-40
Fri Dec 2 Isa 3:8-15 1 Thes 4:1-12 Luke 20:41-21:4
Sat Dec 3 Isa 4:2-6 1 Thes 4:13-18 Luke 21:5-19
Sun Dec 4 Isa 5:1-7 2 Pet 3:11-18 Luke 7:28-35
Mon Dec 5 Isa 5:8-23 1 Thes 5:1-11 Luke 21:20-28
Tues Dec 6 Isa 5:13-25 1 Thes 5:12-28 Luke 21:29-38
Wed Dec 7 Isa 6:1-13 2 Thes 1:1-12 John 7:53-8:11
Thur Dec 8 Isa 7:1-9 2 Thes 2:1-12 Luke 22:1-13
Fri Dec 9 Isa 7:10-25 2 Thes 2:13-3:5 Luke 22:14-30
Sat Dec 10 Isa 8:1-15 2 Thes 3:6-18 Luke 22:31-38
Sun Dec 11 Isa 13:6-13 Heb 12:18-29 John 3:22-30
Mon Dec 12 Isa 8:16-9:1 2 Pet 1:1-11 Luke 22:39-53
Tue Dec 13 Isa 9:1-7 2 Pet 1:12-21 Luke 22:54-69
Wed Dec 14 Isa 9:8-17 2 Pet 2:1-10a Mark 1:1-8
Thur Dec 15 Isa  9:18-10:4 2 Pet 2:10b-16 Matt 3:1-12
Fri Dec 16 Isa 10:5-19 2 Pet 2:17-22 Matt 11:2-15
Sat Dec 17 Isa 10:20-27 Jude 17-25 Luke 3:15-20
Sun Dec 18 Isa 42:1-12 Eph 6:10-20 John 3:16-21
Mon Dec 19 Isa 11:1-9 Rev 20:1-10 John 5:30-47
Tues Dec 20 Isa 11:10-16 Rev 20:11-21:8 Luke 1:5-25
Wed Dec 21 Isa 28:9-22 Rev 21:9-21 Luke 1:26-38
Thur Dec 22 Isa 29:13-24 Rev 21:22-22:5 Luke 1:39-56
Fri Dec 23 Isa 33:17-22 Rev 22:6-11, 18-20 Luke 1:57-66
Sat Dec 24 am: Isa 35:1-10
pm: Isa 59:15b-21		 am: Rev 22:12-17
pm: Phil 2:5-11		 Luke 1:67-80
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Lessons from Lent

Posted on March 1, 2016 by jimtheyouthguy

Our particular reading plan for Lent this year includes the entire Gospel of Mark.  This past Sunday, the message centered on the words of Christ, primarily in chapter 5.  (You can find the plan in the calendar in the right column.  Click on the underlined day and it will display the reading for the day.)

The passages in Mark relate to a series of miracles and the words of Jesus to the people involved.

  • . . . “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.“
  •  . . .”Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
  •  . . . “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”(Mar 5:1-43 NIV)
  •  . . . And moved with compassion, He stretched out His hand, and touched him, and *said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.“(Mar 1:40-41 NAS77)

When we tell “how much the Lord has done for [us]”, it helps us remember.  Like Peter says, when we find that we are not useful and productive in our knowledge of Him it is because we have forgotten (2 Peter 1:3-11)  .  The time I spend telling folks about what God has done in me is the foundation of my growing faith.  It reminds me that I still need him.  Remember, remember, remember that you are not who you once were and you are a work still in progress.

Our faith will bring healing, but sometimes we don’t lived healed.  Jesus says, “be freed from your suffering”.  We don’t have to wallow in our misery.  We don’t have to continue to suffer in our guilt and shame.  We don’t have to stay where we have been.  There is a new life and it includes freedom, so live free.

Our world is such a fearful place.  We are afraid of everything from terrorism to global environmental catastrophes, but the greatest fears are of isolation, abandonment and rejection.  We are afraid we don’t measure up.  We are afraid we will be left alone.  We are afraid we can’t know real love.  We are afraid we will fail.  Jesus says we don’t have to be afraid.

Jesus is willing.  Jesus wants us to be healed.  He doesn’t ever say, “you just don’t deserve to be healed.”  He says, “come to Me you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”  It is so tiring being afraid and living a life of suffering.  It doesn’t have to be that way.

This Lenten Season, keep your eyes on the red letters.

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Giving Up My Wife for Lent

Posted on February 21, 2016 by jimtheyouthguy

sunHow embarrassing is it to go to add a new post and discover it has been a YEAR!  It was at Lent last year when I last wrote on this blog.  And this time I am even deeper into the Lenten season before I begin to write.

As I look over the last post, I see were very little has changed and once again, Lent becomes the time to refocus.  For me, Lent is a lot like other folks New Year.  It’s a time I evaluate, choose my direction and implement changes – at least spiritually speaking, however, it often merges into health, family and life in general.

This year is also unique in that I have given up my wife for Lent.

That isn’t what it may sound like.  It is only for 10 days, not 40, as she spends time with her folks to help them through surgery and recovery.  But I have learned so much in this time apart.

First, single parenting is tough.  I’ve experienced this before and I have a great deal of respect for all the single parents out there, but I needed the reminder.  I appreciate my wife so much more as I run from place to place and scramble to get most things done before I fall into bed.  The unending list of tasks begins at 5:30am and rarely ends before 9:30pm.  It’s crazy.  Yet, I manage.

Second, there is no time for ritual.  There is no “Sabbath rest” or daily time of quiet contemplation.  There is not retreat to a sacred place for a couple hours spent with God.  There is only life.  And a lot of it seems to be happening right now.  Fast and unrelenting.

But, it has been an interesting experience and I think maybe meaningful.

I find that it is possible to choose God in the midst of every day life.

Because there is no “sacred space” for me to enter and completely set my mind on Him, I must create it as I move through the schedule.  That doesn’t mean that I can’t grab 20 to 30 minutes of “devotional time” before 6am, but that isn’t particularly “Lenten”; I’ve always done that.  What I have been unable to do is to set aside a full day each week to spend with Him as I have in the past or even 2 or 3 hours.  But that doesn’t let me off the hook.  This is Lent!

Heaven meets Earth every time I choose to acknowledge my need of God in the next moment, whether it is delivering a son to soccer practice or picking one up from work.  He is just as fully present in house painting, web site maintenance, customer service calls, sweeping and mopping, preparing meals or washing clothes as He is in quiet contemplation.  I’ve had to become more conscious of Him in the ordinary simply because that is where I must spend my time for this moment.  And I believe this is my lesson for Lent.

I expect when Laura returns, I will be able to find some “sacred space.”  But I don’t want to forget this part of the journey.  I don’t want to lose the sacred moments interwoven with the mundane.  His touch makes even the most menial task divine!

What a gift it is to catch a glimpse of His hand in the most insignificant tasks.

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Col 1:15-17 NIV)

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