2017 Lent Day 5

  

John 2:13-25 Jesus clears the temple. This is a very familiar passage. Verses 15-16:

"So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get those out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a market!"

We don't have sacrifices to offer today - so we don't have money changers in our churches. But I keep thinking would Jesus want to make a whip at our churches today? I can't remember going to a church that just focused on worship - NOT ONE. We make announcements, we have bulletins full of announcements, we have special presentations, slide shows, video clips, etc. For me these can become distractions from worship. I'm not pointing fingers - I've made announcements, I've written announcements, I've used video clips and slide shows - I'm guilty.

They are GOOD things too - but they aren't worship.  We can get hung up on the number of hymns we must sing, what creed we say, how long the pastor talks, our rituals.  We find comfort in our rituals don't we - OK I know we are going to sing the doxology after the offering.  I'll be honest I like to know what the order of worship is going to be and I certainly want to follow it correctly.  It has been printed up and I've studied it.  Yes I notice if there is even the slightest deviation, and I begin an in-depth analysis to determine the root cause.  Look out the whip just passed down the aisle.

What if we started to concentrate on worship - allowing the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts?  One where we didn't worry or rush.  What if we don't do announcements - don't print a bulletin?  We listen intentionally and open ourselves to be changed by the potter.  One of the sweetest worship services I remember is when all the power went off for a week because a tornado knocked down all the towers.  I don't remember how the word got out - but we showed up for one worship service.  We sang and I remember we shared our experiences with people during this unusual place we all found ourselves - unplugged.

I think I need to be more deliberate on my preparation before worship so I can stay focused on what is important - my Father in His house worthy of my praise, thanksgiving, and confession.

2017 Lent Day 4

John 2:1-12

My niece is getting married one week from today.  So when I read this scripture I tried to infer some meaning for this upcoming nuptials.  You've guessed it - Jesus turns water into wine his first miracle. I've reread the passage 3 times in the NIV, once in the Message, and once in the New King James.  As much as I've tried I just can't come up with a connection for this upcoming wedding.  No surprise, His ways are not my ways, His thoughts are not my thoughts (Isaiah 55:8).

I occasionally drink wine, but I don't know very much about it.  There are so many choices at the store.  If I took a Facebook quiz on wine I'd fail miserably.  There were obviously different wines during this time of Christ as well. In verse 10 the master of the banquet tastes this wine Jesus has miraculously changed from water and says "everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

I don't know about you but I'm tickled that God provides not what is expected or customary but what is best.  Jesus' mother Mary gets involved with the festivities sees the wine is low and enlists Jesus to fix it.  Women are really good at identifying problems and passing on the work to men.  But we tend to give more instructions than Mary.  She just tells Jesus there is a problem, and for the servants to do whatever he says.  Maybe that's the message God is trying to tell me - just ask, stop giving me advice on how to solve this or that.  Are you like me? I pray so passionately telling God what I think would be best.  The past 3 Lenten seasons I have adopted the 3 word prayer pattern.  All my prayers, there can be multiple ones, can only be 3 words. I wasn't planning to do that this year - could God be telling me otherwise?  Better not offer to pray at the wedding next weekend.

Best - God knows best, God acts best, God loves best, God times best, God is best

2017 Lent Day 3

John 1: 35-50

Jesus calls his first followers. It's our human nature when something new, exciting, unusual happens we want to tell people.  Just look at social media - we will tell perfect strangers about sickness, awards, our kids, where we are eating, you name it we share it.  So I wonder why do we have such a hard time telling others about Jesus?  Testimony....the dreaded word for a Methodist. Please don't ask me to share my testimony.  Goodness you just told me all the details about that nasty sickness in your house.  Why is it so hard to share our faith?

The words that jumped off the page "come and see."

Jesus says these words to two of John the Baptist followers in verse 39. They follow and see.  The
first thing Andrew did was to find his brother and tell him. "We have found the Messiah" verse 41.

We also see Phillip tell a hometown friend about Jesus. Nathaniel is doubtful but Phillip simply says

"Come and see" verse 46.

This made me think about family.  Raise your hand if you have a family member who hasn't accepted Jesus as Messiah of their heart.  We all have one or two or more, don't we!  Maybe you've tried to change hearts and minds.  I can honestly say I haven't done enough.

My extended family please forgive me if telling this embarrasses you.

Christmas time we all get together and stay in a cabin for a week.  It's mostly great - I love being with my family, but you know there are times when our patience get tried.  I will confess I can hold my tongue for only so long before my words bite the hearts of my loved ones. Before you know it we've said some brutally honest, hurtful things to each other.  We always get over it - the Mutz clan is hard headed, and fun loving.

We talk about God, we have theological discussions - but we don't approach certain topics.  Hey why have you stopped going to church? How's your walk with the Lord? What mission work are you doing? Why can I bite at their hearts over insignificant things and fail to discuss the most important things? Am I afraid they will get mad at me? Uhh I think we are past that - as quoted by one of my nieces ... "you've spoiled Christmas over plates."  Yeah I got into a fight with my sister over plates, that seems very trivial today.

Can you relate? I hope this speaks to someone other than me.

What am I taking away from this passage today - come and see

2017 Lent Day 2

John 1:19-34

This passage is about John the Baptist. Talk about giving up for Lent - this man wins the prize. He gives up clothes, comfort, food, never marries or has a family, he does his job. He doesn't seek glory or honor or followers he clearly points the way to Jesus. He knows who Jesus is look at verse 29:

"Look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!"

Earlier he is asked by Priests and Levites sent by Jewish leaders ... who are you .... what do you say about yourself?

Have you ever reflected on those questions? Who are you? What do you say about yourself?

Now go back to yesterday, answer these questions with the Life-Light inside of you.  Would your answer be the same?

I'll be honest I'm not close to living like John the Baptist and I don't want too. Might need some work in this department of materialism but that's for another day. But I do have the same job as John -  in a way.  I minister to children.  This is a good time to reflect on my performance because I don't think every activity or event effectively teaches or directs the children to follow Jesus. Don't worry I'm not going off the deep end I won't be wearing a sign that says if you died today do you know where you would go.  But I do think more prayer and discernment should go into event planning.

Wait a minute - are you are parent? Oh snap you have the same job as me. Are you effectively, deliberately teaching and pointing your children to Jesus?

Wait a minute - are you are a member of my church? Oh snap you have the same job as me. Are you effectively, deliberately pointing the parents of these children to follow Jesus?

Wait a minute - is Jesus your savior? Oh snap you have the same job as me. Are you effectively, deliberately pointing the people in your life to follow Jesus?

I don't think we need to go to the river, wear camel skin, and eat locus and honey to effectively, deliberately point people to Jesus. But has it even crossed your mind today - how can I be the hands of Christ? How can I show the love and mercy that has been so graciously given to me? If we are looking for the Life-Light these are the types of fruit we should be producing.

Without a doubt God is clearly telling me 40 days of giving up is doable.  John gave up everything I treasure - if you know me can you imagine who I'd be without my family?  John what an example you have set for us.

2017 Lent Day 1

It's the first day of Lent.  I've taken on the #40DayChallenge by Margaret Feinberg to read the gospel of John in 40 days.  Today's text is John 1:1-18.  What jumped off the page were verses 4 and 5.
I read this in many different versions and decided to share The Message so these are verses 3-5 of John chapter 1:

Everything was created through him;

   nothing—not one thing!—

    came into being without him.

What came into existence was Life,

    and the Life was Light to live by.

The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;

    the darkness couldn’t put it out.

Such simple words Life - Light - Darkness we understand them so well yet our faith application can be almost extinct,  What am I talking about?  If we would live really live by these few verses our outlook on life would be totally different.  Answer this one question - when was the last time you let this world and what is happening around you affect your mood, actions, thoughts?  Have you allowed politics, illness, physical discomfort, fiances, inconveniences, personalities, injustices negatively affect you?  Of course we have -TODAY, within the last HOUR.  I'm not belittling struggles, trials or temptations - those are real - but our God is bigger.  

Why can't we see that Life-Light blazing?  For me I'd say my focus tends to be on whats going on around me and how that makes me feel and maybe I should say me me me one more time.  I'm not looking for the light.  I'm looking to complain or fix it myself - probably in that order.  When I do that I'm putting a cast iron bathtub over that Light-Life - helping the darkness. 

This scripture ends so beautifully - the darkness couldn't put it out.  No matter how hard we try we can't put Jesus out. Ok I'm assuming you know Jesus and you have taken Him as your personal savior.  The Holy Spirit lives inside us.  We can't put Jesus out.  His Life-Light shines.  We can ignore it, stop seeking it, even get far from it, put we cannot put it out.

Practical application - well we can all stand to pray more, read our bible more, do more service work, etc...  those are all good church answers.  Seriously what can I do?  The next time (oh in probably the next hour) I feel frustrated, annoyed, upset, angry, complainy over something I'm going to try and remember to say.  Let's SHINE some LIGHT on this.  Refocus my point of view from this world to my God who has overcome this world.  Or maybe I should carry a flashlight around and shine it in the eyes of the next person who aggravates me. :)

Lent for me is a time to really focus on where have I been going and doing the last year - and where do I want to be headed.  I don't know about you but I don't see in the dark very well I want the Life-Light to start leading my way.

The Family Team

The Home Team: God's Game Plan for the Family by Clint Archer

In my weekly schedule I listen to D6 Family podcasts.  I was listening to an interview with Todd Meadows, How to Equip Parents to Disciple at Home.  Todd said the best book he had read in a while was The Home Team by Clint Archer.  So I immediately went out and downloaded it.  Of course I was thinking this book will have all the answers I can just give to the parents in the church and EQUIP them.  I loved the premise of team sports relating to the family – right up my alley.

First let me say Clint Archer is my kind of author.  He is easy to read and I didn’t want to put the book down.  But I’ll warn you – I felt short of God’s expectations – and I felt convicted.  The hardest parts are the husband/father and the wife/mother chapters.  Our responsibilities as parents is HUGE and time consuming.  I promise when you read the book – you’ll feel wow this is extreme; does the bible really say this?  Could this guy really be interrupting it correctly? And the tendency you’ll have is to say – well its OK I don’t do it that way because ….

The children’s part of the family team – is broken up into two chapters.  Little kids and older kids – or little league and minor league.  I found his parenting advice excellent.  There is a harvest of information and application in these two chapters.  Don’t speed read this section of the book – soak and bathe in it.

He finishes up with ideas about schools, church, and how others affect and help the family.  Food for thought for sure but I found this part of the book less relevant for my family situation. 

I absolutely loved how Clint wove sports into the text I found it interesting and applicable; of course I love sports.  I recommend reading this book.  Challenge yourself not to make excuses where you feel convicted.  You want to be a better parent?  You want to raise Godly children? This book will point you in the right direction.

Friends have asked me Cynthia what’s your secret to parenting 4 children?  Well I haven’t followed this book completely, I haven’t done everything right, I haven’t …… and the list goes on.  What have I done – God has been a priority.  My children grew up with some devotions, night time prayers, going to church, seeing the commitment I’ve made to God. Do we miss church – well yes they all four have played travel sports.  There isn’t a magic pill, or a perfect program to put them in; it requires hard work, love, patience, and lots of prayer.

Looking for a New Year’s Resolution – read the book

https://www.amazon.com/Home-Team-Gods-Game-Family/dp/1633420841/ref=la_B00MMJUAI4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480699165&sr=1-1

http://www.shepherdpress.com/appreciation-for-the-home-team-by-clint-archer/

Are You A Jonah?

We all know the story of Jonah right?  God tells this prophet to go to Nineveh and preach against their wickedness.  Jonah hops on a ship sailing as far away from Nineveh as he can get. (Shouldn't this prophet know you can hide from God?) God sends a storm, Jonah gets tossed overboard, a big fish swallows him up,  Jonah prays and repents, big fish spits him on the sand (my version says vomit - yuck), and Jonah goes to Nineveh. He obeys the Lord preaches against their wickedness.  The people change their ways and repent and God relented and did not destroy Nineveh.  Great right?  How many people get to do God's work and see the fruit that quickly?  Was Jonah jumping up and down with joy? Nope!  This is the part of the story we don't tell.  Jonah and the whale a beloved children's bible story minus the ending.  Jonah is angry, frustrated, ill headed.  He thought this was very wrong.  He tells God about it - see I could have just stayed home - I knew this is what you would do. Verse 2 - "I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity."  That sounds like jumping up and down for joy words to me.  What does Jonah say in verse 3 "Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live." Whhaatt? Where is chapter 2 praying, repenting Jonah inside the whale?

Why did God put this story on my heart - I really don't know why.  But the last month has been a tough one.  Once you hit 50 the people you love start dying - I've had 3 now in a month.  Two nights ago I said good bye to a wonderful woman who I considered my 2nd mom.  As I tried to fall asleep that night (who are we kidding I didn't sleep much), this story of Jonah kept coming to my mind.

Am I a Jonah?  Are you?  Do we disregard another's life because we think they deserve less than God has afforded them?  Are they different than us - color, wealth, beliefs, life style, etc.  Or can it be even more trivial - we find them annoying, conceited, a know it all, pretty, ugly, etc.  If the love of Jesus is inside us - how then can we not love others - all others?  Cause I'm here to tell you - I am way different than Jesus.  Why don't we have more compassion for others, especially others that are lost?

Life is a precious gift from God.  We should share our love for the Lord with everyone.  When is the last time you told someone about the Lord Jesus Christ?  Invited someone to church?  Took someone a meal or a coffee?  (That's a christian woman's right of passage fixing food).  Seriously life is too short and too hard to hate other people just because they are different or annoying or they didn't choose the path we think is best.  Forgiveness, that's the key.  I'm so glad Jonah called God out like he is - that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.  Oh Lord pour that into our souls so we can be more like you and less like us.