Did you catch it?

In the Gospel reading for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, series B in the 3 year series, there was a line that I caught yesterday. I am sure that I heard it before but it never struck me until I was reading it in worship in the early service here at St. Paul's, Troy. It is John 6:62. The lead up to this is that Jesus is telling the disciples that He is the bread of life. There is the discussion about eating His body and drinking His blood (to which there is the ongoing debate about what He means. I fall on the side of the fence that He is talking about the Lord's Supper. ).  All of this is following the feeding of the 5,000 and the people wanting to make Him the Bread King and the topic of manna in the wilderness. You can get a feel for that when Jesus says, "This is the bread that came down from heaven, not as the fathers ate and died." (John 6:58 ESV).

So what is the verse that struck me? The disciples (not just the 12 but the crowds that had gathered around him) said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it." (John 6:60 ESV) It was difficult for them to understand and take hold of what Jesus was saying. Folks today still struggle with the Real Presence of the body and blood of Christ in, with and under the bread and wine in the Supper. There are those who find it difficult to understand and don't really want to listen to it.

Then Jesus says to the disciples, "Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?" (John 6:61b-62 ESV) What if you saw the Son of Man ascending to heaven, the place He was before? There will be some of those standing there that day who would indeed see Jesus ascend into heaven. How would that be so difficult to accept and understand?

In the ascension we see that Jesus did not come to set up and earthly kingdom but that He ascended to take His place at the right hand of the Father, to that heavenly, eternal kingdom. The disciples continued to look for the worldly Messiah, the One who would set up the earthly kingdom. In Acts, right before the ascension, they even ask Jesus, (as I read it I always think of them asking in breathless anticipation), "Are You going to set up the kingdom now? Are you going to get rid of the Romans? Are you going to make Israel great again?" Yes, I am paraphrasing, but that seems to be the thoughts they were having.

When Jesus doesn't set up an earthly kingdom but instead ascends into heaven, it could have been very confusing for them. Just like they struggled to understand the bread of life discussion, they were going to have to face the ascension discussion. What does it mean? Why did Jesus ascend? Why are the Romans still here?

The ascension, seeing the Son of Man ascending to heaven, would be confusing and difficult thing for them. And I think it is for us too. Today, many churches, and many Christians, don't even think about the ascension and what it means. Ascension Day services, if they are held any longer, tend to be sparsely attended. Folks don't have time for such a service. My opinion? I think it is because we don't understand the ascension. So like other things that are hard to get our mind around, we just ignore it. The whole Real Presence discussion gets pushed off to later since it is difficult and may cause some problems. In the same way, the ascension gets pushed off because it is difficult to understand and may cause so discomfort.

The disciples had no clue what Jesus meant that day when He said this. I often wonder if they thought back to this time when they were in Jerusalem those 10 days between the ascension and Pentecost. John must have had this in his mind for some time because it came out in the writing of this gospel. Maybe he had connected the dots by then, or maybe he hadn't.

Just sitting here thinking on a Monday morning. Blessings on your day.

A new month, a new ramble

A new month. Can you believe it is August? If you are a teacher, like Penny, you probably are very aware that it is August. If you are a student, you are moaning about it being August already. This last weekend, I asked each of our college students when they were heading back. Without fail, it was within the next week and a half to two weeks. They were going to be back at whatever college they are attending, getting ready for another year. Here at St. Paul's, our teachers report back here in this month. With younger kids, school is exciting and uplifting. For older students, there is a bit of dread that comes with it (though they too may be excited but don't want to admit it).

For a pastor, things change. The pastor is busy all summer, whether he is at a church that has a school or not. Things don't stop at a church just because the school is on summer break. There is still plenty going on. With the start of school, this pastor does get busier since not only do I teach confirmation 3 days a week (then after Labor day, the Wednesday class begins), I also begin to lead chapel weekly, and get into each one of the classrooms once a week to teach one of the religion lessons or to read to the preschool classes.

What did you do this summer? Penny and I were talking about that this week. We didn't do the things we wanted to do. Why not? It seemed like there was too much going on. Matthew and Chelsey's wedding. VBS. Doctor of Ministry class. Call to Antioch, IL. We did get a 4 day weekend away this summer. During that time we made it to a Cubs game. That was fun. But we didn't make it to the zoo or the Museum of Transportation. We didn't get to do the Friday drives like we wanted (Friday is my day off). Like you, like your family, there was just too much going on.

This teaches us a lesson. We make our plans but like James writes: Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit" - yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring....Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."  (James 4:13-15 ESV) Yes, Penny and I approached the summer with the thought, we would like to do this or that. But we also approached it with the thought, "Lord willing, we will do this or that."

Each day, we trust in the Lord. Each day is in His hand. each day is guided by Him. And I thank His holy name that this is the case. He knows much better what my life needs than I do.

Lord, I pray that you will guide me through the month of August, whatever it holds for me and my family. Lord willing, I will do ________________ today. (Fill in the blank.) Lord, I am Your child, lead me.

From the morning reading

I was coming to the end of Hosea. Quite a fascinating book. Talk about an object lesson! The Lord was doing all He could to get the attention of His people Israel. And they were not listening. I read this book and wonder, "How could they not get it?" It is pretty obvious to me what the Lord was trying to do. The people just didn't pay attention. Then I quickly turn my thoughts away from myself and my life, for in many ways, I am just like the people of Israel. I fail to see when the Lord is calling me back to Him. My hardness of heart kicks in. I figure that the Lord isn't talking to me, not me, not little ol' me. Have you been there?

But that isn't what I actually was going to write about. I read: "But I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior." (Hosea 13:4 ESV) Truth! God saved them from Egypt. They didn't do it. For 400 years they cried out. They were not able to just up and leave any time they wanted. Otherwise they would have. Why? At first they had it good. Instead of returning to the land of their fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, they stayed in Egypt because they had a good life. Joseph saw to that. Plenty of food, good jobs, life of leisure, and no fears. So they stayed and you can say they overstayed their welcome. For soon all was forgotten and they just became another people trying to take over the nation of Egypt and were treated as such. Made slaves, forced to work, the good times part of their history but not part of their current situation. Then they cried to the Lord because they couldn't save themselves. When they realized it, things were in too bad of a shape and they were stuck.

God saved them. Moses, the plagues, the crossing of the Red Sea, Mt. Sinai, the wanderings, the water from rock, manna in the mornings, clothes that never wore out and a new land, which was really the old land. He saved them. No one else. Yet they would go to all the other 'gods' and worship them. They gave what should have been given to God to something else. How often have you done that? I know I have. Too often. You?  He alone saves. He alone has sent His only-begotten Son to be the Savior, of all people! All people! You, your neighbor, the person you work with, the person driving down the road! Everyone. He is the God who saves. Praise be to God.

Thank You Lord for speaking to me through Hosea. Please continue to speak through Your Word. Continue to guide me, for by myself, I am lost.

What a book. What amazing words. I will keep reading.

The Good Shepherd Leads You

Do you have trouble following the Lord's will in your life? Do you find it easy to follow His will? I would venture to say it depends on the situation. Each one of us are called to follow the Lord and do His will daily. As we do so, we will face temptations, trials and tribulations. While the Lord has promised to always be with us, to never leave us or forsake us, the things of life often cause us to take our eyes off the Lord.

We can say, "I will pray more." or "I will read the Bible more." We can focus on what we do, and think that will help us to follow the way of the Lord. Unfortunately, if we are relying upon ourselves to follow the Lord, we will be like sheep who stray. Something will attract our attention and we will find ourselves wandering off one direction or another. 

So what can we do? We can receive the gifts of God that are meant to strengthen us in our daily walk of faith. Notice I say "receive." They are given to us by the Lord. What are these gifts? Word and Sacrament. The Means of Grace. Where do we receive these? Right where the Lord tells us they will be - in worship. That is what worship is all about - receiving from the Lord. Yes, we do praise the Lord in worship, but that is in response to what He does for us. That is in response to receiving both Word and Sacrament. He promises to be there for us. His Word is trustworthy and true.

Then throughout the day, we listen to His voice. Have you ever noticed that the times when you struggle the most, is when you haven't listened for the voice of your shepherd? I know that happens to me. I get busy. I start to rely upon myself. And that is when I find myself starting to focus on ME and not on the LORD. When you focus on yourself, you will lose focus on the Lord. The Shepherd goes before you. You need to have eyes on Him and not on the things around you. If you are watching the Shepherd, those tufts of grass off the path don't entice. If you are following the Shepherd, those trials and tribulations aren't so big. You know that your Savior is bigger than they are.

So today, as I begin this day, as the focus is going to be on my Lord and not on my will, on His guidance and not my desire, on His love and not on my love for the world. For there, in Him, I know that He will lead me beside still waters, He will restore my soul, He will anoint my head with oil, He will keep me in His hand all day long. Thank You, Lord. 

Stormy weather

Flash! Crash! Boom! The sounds of the evening as storms roll in. Blue skies give way to dark skies, almost black, rolling clouds, wind, then driving rain. Lots of rain. Water from the skies. Yes, I did say at breakfast yesterday that we really needed some rain. We got it. Plus. Roads flooded. People out of power. Results of storms that we cannot stop.

But He can! He can stop storms. Remember the disciples, terrified as they battled a storm on the Sea of Galilee? Wind. Rain. Lightning. They were used to storms. But this one got them. They battled it. Rowed to keep turned the right way. All the while, Jesus slept in the back of the boat. He slept! Really? Jesus slept while a storm raged? Yep. That is what happened. "Don't you care that we are perishing?" the disciples ask Jesus. Don't you care that the storm is raging in my life? Don't you care that I am being overwhelmed by the storms that continue to roll in, one after another? Help! Lord save us!

What did they expect? For Jesus to help bail the water from the boat? To pull on an oar with them? To help keep the sails filled with air so they could perhaps run out of the storm? What did they expect? What do you expect? When you cry out to Jesus, what are you wanting? Help to make it through the day? Strength to pull on the oars? What?

Be quiet! Be calm! Jesus commands the wind and the waves. He calls out to them. Oh how often I have tried to calm the storm by telling it to go away. Never happens. The winds howl. The rain slashes. The lightning flashes. The wave crashes. The storm rages. Jesus slept. Wake up! Be quiet! Be calm! And the the winds stop. The rain ceases. The sea becomes calm. Just like that. It was over. Why? Because Jesus told it to stop. He calmed the storm.

Expected? Doubtful. The disciples didn't think He could do that! Nor do we think He can calm our storms. He can't make our waves to cease. He can't make the pains stop. He can't bring back the blue skies. Yet He can! And He does. He gives us the rainbow. He gives us the sunshine. He gives us hope in the midst of the struggles. It is amazing how the Lord can give peace, even while the storm rages. He gives hope even while the pains continue. He gives strength even while the arms and legs give out. It is through Him that we survive the day, the hour, the minute. He gives us what we need.

Sleep? Nope, not when we need Him most. Turn to Him. Cry out! And know that He has done and continues to do some amazing things for you in your life. Don't trust in yourself. Trust in the One who can calm the storm.

The Lord's will be done.

Corn. Some tall, some short. Some shooting tassel and others not quite ready to do that. Bean fields that were clean, bean fields that had many weeds and volunteer corn. All a part of the drive through Illinois. There is much to see. Train museum in Rossville. Route 66 items along the road. It all depends on where you are and what road you drive. One way north. One way south. Enjoyable time.

So why not take the interstate? We could have. Nothing wrong with that. But we had time. If you are in a hurry, then the interstate might be the way to go. Unless you want to get through Chicago. Then 290 was a parking lot. Others were not moving. Was not the way we wanted to go. There are times when you are in a hurry and other times when you aren't. There is a road for all.

Thinking. Praying. Asking for direction. Not directions on the roads but direction for life. We know which way to go when we look at a map, watch the signs. They tell us where to go. In life, there is not always such clear direction on where to go and what to do. So what can you do? Pray. Listen. Ask the Lord for direction.

Know this. God will give direction in some way or another. That is exactly what I am looking for at this time. Direction. And I am sure that in the end, the Lord's direction will be right. One prays this direction. One prays that direction. All should be able to ask for the same thing - the Lord's will to be done, to be shown. The Lord's will. the Lord's will is what we ask for. Lord, Thy will be done.

Calm Waters, Hot Day

Friday, the waves on Lake Michigan were big, washing over the breakwater. Rip currents kept people out of the water. Sunday, the beach was full, people were everywhere. Waves, yes. Not so big. Not so dangerous. People enjoying a Sunday in the sun. Amazing. This morning, as I looked out of the window, I saw calm. Yes, the lake was calm. Smooth. Amazing. I couldn't believe it. The change was dramatic.

 Changes. They happen. Rapidly. Completely. Here is on of those changes. How can such a huge lake change so quickly? I thought of Jesus on the Sea of Galilee. "Be still," He says. And it is calm. Immediately. That is beyond comprehension. How can that do that? A sea, a lake, doesn't just calm immediately. It does when the Creator tells it to.

The day grows hotter. Walking around you feel the heat, the humidity. Yes, it is summer in the city. Boy does it feel like it. Hot here? Just imagine. This is nothing compared to an eternity. Yes, I believe in hell. I believe that it is a terrible place. A place without God, without His loving presence. How is that possible since He is omnipresent? He chooses to make it so. That is the only answer. He can do what He chooses to do. He says it is so, it is so.

I keep thinking about God in my life. How amazing He is. How forgiving He is. He has to be. I know my sin. He knows it. And yet He forgives it. All because of what Jesus did on the cross. How amazing. Amazing grace. The Lord's love shown in the most unusual way. Many do not accept it. Many do not believe it. OK. That doesn't change the reality. My heart breaks for those who do not know Jesus as their Savior, those who do not have Him in their lives.

So we find ourselves waiting. Texas Eagle will board around 1:00 p.m. Train travel. Wonderful way to go. Relaxing. Watch the world go by. See America like you cannot from a plane. Or a car, unless you get off the big roads and take the road less traveled. Then you can see America again. Not too many do that. Not enough time. Have to get there and back quickly. I have that happen often too. But when I can, then I slow down. All is a way to travel depending on your time and your desires. One better than another? Of course not. Each are unique and different. Me, I love trains. So here I sit. Relaxing, waiting. It will happen soon.

Where was I going with this blog? I don't remember. Just rambling. Always rambling.