Feeding Each Other

A friend of mine who is on the worship team recently remarked that the only thing cooler than getting to serve Jesus is to look out into the Sanctuary and see people worshipping Jesus.  I totally understand what she means, for I have participated as a musician myself.  And I have found this to be true whether in a secular setting or a sacred one.  A few of my fondest memories include an ASU Band Day performance in 1980, a tour choir concert in Tallinn, Estonia in 1990, and a Phoenix Symphony performance of "Messiah" in 2002.  In each of those performances, I recall the reaction of the audiences - and how we fed off of them.  One Sunday in choir at my previous church, we had a guest artist who told us that when we're up there singing about the Holy Spirit, God sometimes gives us some of that Holy Spirit back to us. So true! Experienced musicians know that at just the right moment, the performers and the audience feed off of each other.

Feeding off of each other not only applies in artistic performance.  I've seen it happen when an audience responds enthusiastically to a speaker.  We see it when our favorite sports team performs well.

Most importantly, however, I believe that feeding off of each other is most meaningful when the sharing occurs within a small group or even between two individuals.  I've witnessed this during table discussions in our classes at church.  I've witnessed this interaction amongst people gathering in our lobby.  I've witnessed this when a client receives a food box at our Resource Center - a spiritual feeding as well as a physical one.

Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him.  Three times Peter said yes.  And three times Jesus told Peter, "Feed my sheep."  This is a command for all of us.  For a healthy Christian community to survive, it is necessary that we feed and be fed by each other.  We all need Pauls and Timothys and Barnabases to speak life into each other.  That is what feeds us.

As I reflect upon my own faith journey, I recall times when I was fed and when I was able to feed others.  Each of these were a growth experience for me.  During each of these encounters, it was never required that I perform a miracle (as if I could!).  All that was required was for someone to provide the loaves and fishes.  It was God that multiplied the blessing and performed the miracle!

Read:  John 21:15-17, Acts 11:25-26, 1 Corinthians 4:16-17, John 6:9-14

Have You Seen Jesus My Lord?

One day Philip asked Jesue to show the Father to the disciples.  Jesus replied to him stating that if you have seen me then you have seen the Father.

That was then, when Jesus walked the Earth.  but what about now?  Have you seen Jesus?  Let alone the Father?

That question is easily answered in a contemporary hymn entitled, "Have You Seen Jesus My Lord?"  Composed in 1970, John Fischer was inspired by the view from his California home.  The lyrics ask the listener if they have ever seen a sunset with sky changing colors, or if they have ever stood at the edge of the ocean and felt the awesome power of the waves pounding at their feet.  

I recall a time when I was serving at a church camp on Mingus Mountain and marveling at the stars and the Milky Way blazing in the night sky.  I asked the question, "How can anyone gaze upon this scene and not believe in God?"  Indeed, Psalm 19:1 states that the heavens themselves proclaim the Glory of God and His Creation.

As recorded in Genesis and again in the first chapter of John, Jesus was present at the Creation.  So if you've seen a sunset, felt the ocean waves, and gazed upon the night sky - as well as countless other wonders of nature - then you've seen Jesus.  AND the Father.

Read: John 14:8-10, Isaiah 33:17, Psalm 19:1, Genesis 1:26, John 1:1-3

I Am The Resurrection...and Love

I had a friend who often shared the story of his fatal heart attack.  It wasn't a story of pain and suffering.  It wasn't even a story of his miraculous healing when his failing heart was revived.  Rather, the story he shared was of the feeling he had while he was clinically dead.  All he could feel was an overwhelming sense of love.  Not long before this incident took place, Tom had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  This incident served to affirm his faith and his hope in the eternal life that Jesus promises.  1 Corinthians 13, also known as the love chapter, reminds us of the power of faith, hope, and love - emphasizing that love is the greatest of them.  And 1st John tells us that God Himself is love.

Tom's story is unique as very few people have gone through an experience such as this.  Lazarus - whom Jesus raised from the dead - comes to mind.  I often wondered how Lazarus reacted after Jesus brought him back to life.  Did Lazarus resent being snatched away from Heaven?  But as I reflect on Tom's testimony, I believe Lazarus may have been grateful to have the opportunity to share his experience.  Most certainly he did not fear death for he knew firsthand what awaited him when that moment came again.

After his new lease on life, Tom loved to share this his testimony of faith, hope, and love to everyone who would listen.  Tom has since passed on to live in the Presence of God himself.  No longer does he need faith and hope because he is experiencing the presence of Love itself - a love that was always there. A love that is always there.  A love that will always be there.

Read: 1 Corinthians 13, 1 John 4:16, John 11:25-26

Sabbath And the Rhythm of Life

 

I love mornings. There's just something about staring out fresh each day. I am fortunate most of the time to start each day, sitting on my porch with a cup of coffee and listening to the birds as the sun slowly makes its way up for its daily journey across the sky.  Often I get to watch other activity as the neighborhood wakes up, such as people walking their dogs, cats making their morning rounds, and saying hello to neighbors as they start their day.

It is these peaceful moments that help me to prepare my mind and my heart for my daily time with God.  It is at this time - before I do anything else - that I read a devotion and some Scripture, pray, and meditate. I've made it a habit to carve out this time in my schedule each day. It's this routine that helps me start my day on a positive note - even if the day turns out anything but routine. 

Setting a regular rhythm that includes rest is vital to our physical, mental, and spiritual selves.  Jesus often took time out to be alone with His Father.  God Himself took a day of rest after creating the Earth - and commands us to do the same each week.  And not only does God command us to keep a Sabbath - the Bible even states that we are blessed by doing so.

After incorporating a Sabbath day in my routine, I have found better balance in my life.  I also consider my daily devotional routine as a "mini-Sabbath."

Life is crazy - there is no doubt about that.  And in all the noise of the craziness, it's nearly impossible to hear God speaking. Are you taking time for your soul to rest?  If not, try adding a routine of Sabbath to the rhythm of your life - even if you can only manage to squeeze in a mini-Sabbath each day.  You may be surprised what happens!

Read:  Exodus 20:8-11, Isaiah 56:2, Mark 1:35, Matthew 6:6

Discipleship Is A Two-Way Street

The word protégé comes from the French proteger, meaning to protect.  Websters Dictionary defines protégé as one who is protected or trained or whose career is further influenced by a person of experience prominence or influence. 

The Bible has several examples of protégés. The Apostle Paul is a great example of this relationship. Although he authored several letters in the New Testament to serve as examples to all Christians, Paul did not come upon this wisdom and knowledge immediately after his conversion on the Damascus road.  In fact, when he first tried to join the disciples in Jerusalem, they did not trust this pharisee-turned-apostle; instead, Barnabas had to speak on Paul's behalf.  Barnabas was essentially Paul's protector and teacher.

As Paul grew in his faith and his ministry grew as well, he had taken several under his wing - most notably Timothy.  Young Timothy became Paul's protégé. 

Discipleship is a two-way street.  Just as Paul was discipled by Paul, and Paul, in turn, discipled Timothy, we are also required to have the same kinds of relationships in order to mature in our own Christian faith. 

As a Christian for nearly 30 years, there are those with whom I've sought to be in their presence in order to glean wisdom and knowledge from them.  Their words and actions have guided me.  Even today, on Sunday mornings, I like to hang out with a particular pastor on campus so I can glean wisdom from him.  I have also found great joy in discipling other Christians - especially those newer in their faith - and watching them grow and learn in their journey with the Lord.

Even Jesus had His protégés. He did not pick twelve religious scholars to join Him in His ministry; He instead picked twelve unlikely men from various and unexpected backgrounds to learn from Him.  They, in turn, became leaders of the Church whom we look up to.

Read:  Acts 9:26-28, Acts 11:25-26, 1st Corinthians 4:16-17, Philippians 2:21-23

First Full Day of Retirement: Back to Work

Well that was an interesting day! I had a career in the banking industry spanning 36 years, and every day I would log into a computer. Upon my retirement on Monday, I relinquished my credentials. Then the following day, I reported for my volunteer work at the church and was promptly assigned a username and password. I also learned a new computer program and did a little data entry. Kind of ironic! But I enjoyed it immensely.

Signpost: Transitions

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship.  - Romans 12:1 NIV

My impending retirement form a banking career that spans 36 years has brought feelings of joy and excitement.  But in the last couple of days, I've found myself reaching out to a few people to say goodbye.  And frankly it caught up with me, for yesterday I woke up feeling a little blue.  Given the circumstances, it was a strange feeling that was hard to shake.

Fortunately, I knew that I needed to go to church last evening and worship.  I got there a little early, and as customary, our senior pastor was sitting at the platform quietly studying his notes.  I don't like to disturb him when he's doing that, but I did say hi. He asked how I was doing, and I told him I was feeling a little weird.  After a moment, it was apparent to both of us that I was feeling a little bit of grief over my retirement.  That's only natural.

The worship team took the stage and the music soon started.  The second song grabbed my attention.  It was being sung by the female soloist, and she was doing a marvelous job.  She is a friend with whom I've become acquainted in just the last couple of months, but this was the first time I've heard her lead a song; her voice was amazing!  Although it was a song I've heard perhaps a hundred times, I can't tell you the title or even the exact words.  But it hit me like it never hit me before, as if I was hearing it for the very first time.  The words were meant for me in that moment.  I felt the assurance of God holding me tight, knowing that He was with me, and that He had been there all along, preparing me all these years for this next chapter of my life.

The message this weekend was based on Romans 12:1-3.  And it became clear to me - especially the first verse - what the purpose of my retirement was all about.  And what I get to do in this new chapter of my life.  Of course!  I can sum it up with one verse: Romans 12:1. I felt the joy again!

I woke up today feeling positive.  Though bittersweet, the time is fast approaching when I must move on.  Tomorrow marks the last day of a long career.  I stand at the banks of the Jordan awaiting the signal to cross into the Promised Land!