Tag: coffee

Posted on

The Latter Rain: Celebrating Lent, Day 2

He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water,
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3

Life is full of contrasts; black and white, hot and cold, up and down, in and out. These contrast point out something very important to us. They give us a standard by which we can measure things as they are supposed to be. Take coffee for example. Hot coffee should be served hot. Iced coffee should be served cold. 

If we want to enjoy the pleasure of such a drink, it is always best to drink it as it is supposed to be served. Those of you who drink coffee know what I mean. There is nothing worse than room temp coffee that is brewed to be served hot. Or how about an iced coffee from Starbucks served with no chill? No thanks.

Psalm 1 offers a clear picture of how life should be lived if we want the best experience possible. The psalmist writes of a contrast between the righteous and the unrighteous, the blessed and the wicked. Several modern Bible translations have changed the pronoun in the psalm from the singular ‘he’ to the plural ‘they’. While this does help us to see this psalm calls everyone to righteousness, the change causes us to miss the most important point in the psalm – Jesus is the ‘Blessed Man’. His life is the standard by which we should live.

So what is the secret to such a blessed life? To live with our roots planted deep by the streams of water. When we plant ourselves deeply in God’s word and Spirit, we draw our strength from the stream of Living Water – Jesus.

Lent offers us a time of concentrated effort to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We too must walk through the desert of life to appreciate the blessings and provisions of our Father along the way. The way of Jesus is the way of suffering and sorrow, yet it is also the Blessed way. The life rooted deeply in Jesus produces the fruit of righteousness. In His streams of Living Water we draw all that we need to conquer the wicked ways that masquerade as fun and pleasure, while robbing us all the while of true life itself.

As we begin our celebration of Lent together we are wading out, step by step into the stream of Living Water that is our God and His Word. Our Lenten journey is one best taken together. So, as you read this today, take hold of the hand of someone near you and invite them along on your journey. Take a walk in the latter rain…the shower of blessings we call Lent.

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

Posted on

Rise, Pray & Watch

Give ear to my words, O LORD; give heed to my groaning. Hearken to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to thee do I pray.O LORD, in the morning thou dost hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for thee, and watch.

Psalm 5:1-3

Are you one of those persons who wakes up grumpy? It’s hard for you to get up in the mornings so first thing you do is slowly roll out, stagger to the coffee maker, and wait till there’s just enough coffee in the pot to pour a cup in hopes that you’ll be able to function again in a few minutes. I confess. I was that person for many years – until my Cardiologist took me off all caffeine.

I was always a morning person, once I got started. I just needed a little help from my friend (coffee). I don’t know if they had coffee in Bible days, but David seemed to be a morning person. Often in the Psalms he speaks of rising early, before the dawn, and praying to God. Psalm 5 has been a part of the Morning Prayers of the churches of the Western traditions since the Rule of St. Benedict was formed in the late 5th Century.

In David’s words of Psalm 5 we can also read the voice of Jesus as he rises early to greet the coming day with reverence. Much of the Psalm alternates between His pleas for God to hear Him and lead His way throughout the coming day, and His recognition of His many enemies (vs. 5-13). And, in verse 7 we have a climax as David prophetically speaks of Jesus coming into the House (Temple) of the Lord to worship by the mercy and love of God, and in reverent fear. He even notes that He will bow down and worship in the direction of the Holy Temple.

Are you a morning person? David and Jesus definitely were. Even without the aide of caffeine, I find rising to pray early in the morning is the best way to start my day. The early morning is the best part of the day. Everything is fresh and new. The dew is still on the grass and flowers. Everything is made new again. And so, regardless of the enemies we will face, we can begin with a fresh spirit, renewed not just by sleep, but by time with our Father. Even if your walk with Christ in the Garden is metaphorical, that is you may prefer the easy chair and a cup of coffee to a walk outside as you pray, the important thing is – to rise and pray.

Jesus said, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Rev. 21:5). He is the beginning and the end. Won’t you begin and end your day with Him? If you will, you’ll find yourself with Him a lot more through out the day as well. Jesus didn’t just rise and pray, he also said he would “prepare a sacrifice, and watch” (vs. 3). May our days and all that fills them be as a sacrifice to God as we “watch” for Him to move in our lives.

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

image credit: http://wonderfully-made.net/coffee-with-god-power-of-prayer/

Posted on

Raised from the Ashes: Lent, Day – 13

 

“So will I always sing the praise of your Name, and day by day I will fulfill my vows.”

Psalm 61:8

Read Psalm 61:1-8

Lent 2016 Daily Devotions-4

How Are You Doing?

As we are now in the second full week of Lent, some of you may be growing weary of your discipline. There is something exhilarating about beginning a journey like the Lenten fast. However, there is also something exhausting in the daily temptation to do what we have said we will not do. If you’re new to Lenten fasting and self-denial, this may be particularly true for you.

I remember one Lent when I gave up coffee, eggs, and desserts in the same season. Now for a coffee addict like me, that alone seemed a suicidal goal. Did I mention how much I love eggs? Eggs are, and always have been a part of my morning regimen. I couldn’t even imagine the idea of not eating eggs for 40 days! And desserts, well that seemed difficult around my birthday (which always falls in Lent), but I wasn’t nearly as addicted to desserts as I was to coffee and eggs.

Looking back, I realize I was completely misguided in my understanding of the purpose of a Lenten fast. I thought the purpose was to prove how strong I could be in my resolve to deny myself such pleasures. I thought I was somehow more holy for doing so. Did I mention I was a very young adult at that time? Oh well, no matter, I would probably fail at such an attempt even today in my mid 50’s. That is, I would fail if I attempted it for the wrong reason.

Always Remember

We must always remember our purpose for Lenten fasting and self-denial – to learn to surrender what we desire, for what God desires for us. If we can’t do that with food, how will we do it with the great things of God’s will that He desires for us?

God is not interested in our starving ourselves. However, He is interested in the surrender of our will to His for every detail in life. What better way to practice our surrender to God than through self-denial? The Psalmist says the only way to keep a vow to God (our Lenten fasts count as a vow) is to fulfill it day by day in praise to Him (Vs. 8).

How Are You Doing?

Today is day 13. How are you doing? If you’ve failed, don’t give up. As in all of life, so it is in Lent. Our God is always ready to give us another chance, to lift us up and set us back on a high place…to raise us from the ashes.

Grace & Peace for a Holy Lent,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

Posted on

Are You the Working Dead?

Click Here to Read Today’s Epistle: Hebrews 9:11-14

 

Zombie coffee

Are you the working dead? No I’m not talking about zombies, which are quite popular in the imagination of Television these days. I’m also not talking about missing your morning coffee; although that would certainly render many of us dead for the day (sarcasm intended). I’m talking about that feeling we get when we wonder if anything we do makes any difference in this world.

Perhaps you wonder if the things you do each day matter to anyone? You know, like the money you earn and put into savings; is it really going to matter in the long run? Or, how about the way you try to lead your family? Do they appreciate it? Are the things you do for them making a difference in the persons they are becoming?

A Good Definition

The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us we can work in such a way that everything we do matters. Jesus Christ came into our world not only to be our Savior, but also our High Priest. Let’s get a good working definition of what it means to be a priest so we can better understand one of the most important offices Jesus fills for our lives. A priest is one who makes sacrifices to God on behalf of others.

As a minister of the gospel, and a pastor of a church, I too am a priest (though many Protestants rarely use that word). Each day I remember the flock God has given me in prayer and supplication to the Lord. And, on Sundays and others particular days we pastors lead the people who come to worship in lifting their sacrifices to God as well. We are those who make sacrifices to the Living God on behalf of others – we are priests.

You Too Can Be A Priest

However, we are not the only priests. Scripture tells us that all who believe in Christ are made into a “Royal Priesthood”, and a “Holy Nation” (1 Peter 2:9). While there can be many priests, there can only be one High Priest. Jesus Christ is THE great High Priest. He is the one who went into the heavenly Holy of Holies with his own blood, offered as sacrifice for our redemption. So, in what way are we also priests?

Anyone who works for the sake of others can be said to be offering a sacrifice for them. The money you make at your job is a sacrifice of your time and effort in order to provide for your family. The time you give to help out a friend in need or visit one who is sick, is a sacrifice of yours on their behalf. But here’s the real key point – if you’re not doing it for the Lord Jesus and His glory, your doing it in vain; the people receive the help, but your works are dead.

When we realize that the blood of Jesus not only cleanses us from all sin, it “purifies” our conscience from dead works, and makes the works we do alive before our God it makes them a sweet aroma in His presence, rising before His altar in Heaven. When our works (our lives) are alive in Christ Jesus, they are priestly sacrifices to the Living God.

This Week:

Everything comes back to our awareness, and our intentions. Is our faith alive, and are we offering merciful acts of service, even everyday things all for God’s glory and to the benefit of those whom we serve? In the Colossian letter, St. Paul put it this way, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,“ (Col. 3:23).

If you haven’t already, won’t you give everything over to God as a living sacrifice in praise to Him? And, even if you’ve done that before, I find the best way to live is in daily surrender, coming to God as His faithful priest/servant offering everything to Him everyday. There are no Zombies in the Kingdom of God, only living priests with living works!

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

Image credit: http://thebeanmesilla.com/page/2/

 

Posted on

Finally Then, Be Strong

Click Here for today’s reading from Ephesians 6:10-17

funny-morning-cup-of-coffee

When you wake up to face the coming day, your morning routine probably looks something like taking a shower, getting dressed, and eating some sort of breakfast food. My ritual has always included coffee, the miracle elixir that opens the eyes more fully in the morning, and props them open later in the night. However, about a year ago my Cardiologist restricted me to decaf and cut out all forms of caffeine in my diet in an attempt keep my heart out A-Fib.

So, while my morning routine was seemingly robbed of its power (aka caffeine), guess what I did anyway? No, I didn’t drink the regular coffee. I started drinking a cup of decaf every morning first thing, just as if I were still drinking regular. Why? Because I was used to it. I liked the taste of coffee first thing in the morning. And, even though it didn’t have the same physical effect, I found it could have the same psychological effect. The very aroma and flavor signaled to my brain it was time to wake up and get going; it’s time to get prepared for the day.

Half the Battle

A famous old proverb says, “He who is well prepared has half won the battle.” History is full of examples of armies which were over confident and under prepared for their battles, like the Union army at Bull Run in the American Civil War, and the Hessian forces who fought with British in the Battle of Trenton during the American Revolutionary War. Both armies were unprepared for what lay ahead of them, mostly because they underestimated their adversary.

Sadly, many people have great morning routines to get their day started off right and well organized, but they miss the one thing that has the power to bring victory to their day – Jesus Christ. No amount of organization can prepare us for the real battles of our days without the power of Christ within us. St. Paul speaks to the Ephesians about the importance of preparing properly for the real battles we face – spiritual ones.

Being Prepared

Using the metaphor of putting on the “Armor of God”, the great Apostle shows us how unprepared we are in believing without being equipped. The Ephesians were believers in Jesus. But, the fact they believed wasn’t enough; they had to actualize their faith with preparedness, just as a soldier for battle. We’re no match on our own for Satan and his minions who seek to derail our faith. However, by centering our mind each morning on Jesus (Who is the very word of God), we put on the protection of His Armor, the Holy Spirit.

This Week

If you aren’t preparing for your day and all the battles it will bring by centering yourself on Christ, now is the time to begin. You may be going to church, and even meeting in a small group to grow as a disciple, but if you’re not daily putting on the Armor of God by centering yourself on Jesus Christ and the power of His Spirit, you’re going into battle unprepared. Don’t take the grace of God for granted. Think of the Holy Spirit like you would that morning cup of coffee; don’t leave home without Him. When you reach for that morning cup of whatever gets you going, don’t forget where the real source of power comes from…“Finally then, be strong in the Lord”

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

Image credit: http://www.dumpaday.com/funny-pictures/funny-pictures-38-pics-11/attachment/funny-morning-cup-of-coffee/