Tag: Joy

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The Latter Rain: Celebrate Lent – Day 6

Scripture focus

16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair[a] and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Matthew 6:16-18 NLT

As the first full week of Lent begins we may already be beginning to doubt our resolve to keep a Lenten fast. I know I am. It seems Satan always try to attack my resolve when I commit to a pathway of spiritual reflection. Christians of various traditions offer up different guidelines for fasting; what and when to eat or not eat. Whatever our tradition, let us resolve this year to do this one thing – fast with joy.

Fasting as joy? The idea of skipping meals and doing without certain of my favorite foods does not sound joyful to me. But when I think of all the good things God wants to work into my life if I will put Him first above all things, (yes, even my appetite…especially my appetite!) then I am excited to take up the spiritual disciplines of Lent; fasting, prayer, and almsgiving (giving or acts of mercy toward others).

Jesus commands His followers to fast with bright faces, so that they may be bright souls shining for Him into a dark and lonely world. If we Christians approach Lent with a sense of dearth and darkness, we will miss out on the great blessings that come from concentrated times of personal worship and reflection, of giving to others from a full heart.

Today, as we begin, let us hear the ancient words of this lenten prayer from the Eastern Christian tradition…

“Let us begin the fast with joy. Let us give ourselves to spiritual efforts. Let us cleanse our souls. Let us cleanse our flesh. let us fast from passions as we fast from foods, taking pleasure in the good works of the Spirit and accomplishing them in love that we may be made worthy to see the passion of Christ our God and His Holy Pascha, rejoicing with spiritual joy.”

Forgiveness Sunday Vespers

I hope you are beginning to hear the real message of the Lenten journey upon which we are embarking. To take up our cross daily, as Jesus commands, is to be a labor of love, a journey of joy. It is not to be viewed as some sort of punishment. Life in our world is filled with hard times. But it can also be filled with joy in the midst of pain and difficulty; it depends on our outlook. Lent is a season of discipline to help amend our outlook. A concentrated time to help fill us up with the Holy Spirit that we may see this life as the beautiful journey for which it is meant.

The latter rain is falling. Can you feel it? God’s rain always brings new life. Step out into the bright light of the Lenten season and live refreshed in the showers of blessing and you will find joy for your journey.

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

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Springs of Joy

“The statutes of the Lord are just
and rejoice the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear
and gives light to the eyes… By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.”

Palm 19:8,11

Read Psalm 19

springs-of-joy-music-groupMany people walk through life with heavy hearts. Some are heavy because of sadness or grief, some because of consequence. To some people Lent seems a time for sadness. They dwell upon their sin and sing “woe is me”. They think that in their sadness the Lord is pleased. While it is true that we should be sorrowful for our sins, it’s not true that we should dwell in that sorrow.

Lent comes in the Spring of the year for a purpose. God wants to remind us there is always new life waiting to spring up within us. Repentance should always produce joy, and it is that joy that should be our dwelling place, for joy comes from the Lord.

The Psalmist reminds us that God’s ways are not weary or hard. His laws are not boring or meant to keep us from enjoying life. In fact, God’s laws are the very source of our joy. When we learn to listen to the Lord and obey His teachings, he leads us in paths of refreshing. He renews our hearts.

Are you struggling to keep God’s commandments? Do they seem burdensome to you? Perhaps it’s because you don’t really understand them. Scripture says there is a way that seems right to man, but leads to destruction (Proverbs 14:12). Sometimes we see those who live in open sin and they seem to have everything, even joy. But, what they have is a fleeting moment of euphoria, not true joy. The consequences of their sin catch up to them sooner or later, and there is no real peace in their lives. Like the addict who feels serenity for the brief moments of a high, they soon come crashing down to a state worse than before.

Everything God asks us to do is always for our own good. Christians should be the happiest people on earth. We are always faced with choices of good and evil but they rarely look so stark. Evil is disguised in many ways to look good. If sin wasn’t fun, in some measure, Satan wouldn’t be able to entice us into it. But, to do the right thing always brings a feeling of peace and joy, a joy that comes from the Holy Spirit who confirms the right choices within us.

As you look around you at the signs of Spring, may you see the signs of God’s love and forgiveness washing over you in this Lenten season. Meditate on His statutes, and He will renew your heart with springs of joy.

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

My daily Lenten prayer – “Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and sustain in me a willing spirit. ” NRSV

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Dancing for Joy?

10 Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me! O LORD, be thou my helper!”

11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,

12 that my soul may praise thee and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to thee for ever.

Psalm 30:10-12

When was the last time you danced for joy? Maybe a long time ago, if ever? I hope not. When I was young, I was fascinated with the dance moves of actors like Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Donald O’ Conner. They looked so graceful as they moved about the dance floor in perfect sync with their partners. The Psalms speak of dancing as a kind of release of inner emotions of joy. I can just imagine David being so overwhelmed by the goodness of God he just broke out into dancing.

In High School I was what you might call a ‘Social Introvert’. I wasn’t shy about meeting people or talking to strangers, but I was too shy to ask a girl to dance. The thought of possibly being rejected was more than my fragile self-esteem could handle, so I didn’t ask. In fact, I didn’t even go. I can only remember going to three dances in my growing years. The first was in the fifth-grade. That scared me so much I didn’t try again till my Freshman year of High School. I’m not really sure why I even went then. It must have been peer pressure.

The third time was the Jr./Sr. Prom. Since I had a girl friend at the time I felt sort of obligated. I know what your thinking. “How did this shy kid afraid of rejection get a girl friend?” She asked me out. “Whew!” That was a real relief. But even then, those dances were not something that flowed from my inner being. They weren’t expressions of joy.

However, after High School I began to loosen up a bit. I even joined the community theater. And would you believe it? One of the roles I was cast was as a dance instructor. I thought I was really something then. Talk about an ego booster – but it was short lived.

I don’t know if David grew up dancing at festivals or not. I’m thinking he probably did since dancing was a part of the Jewish culture of celebration. Several times in the Psalms we see dancing as an expression of inner joy, like in Psalm 30:11. Scripture even says God will cause his children to dance. Jeremiah the Prophet spoke of time when God would give such inner joy and peace that God’s children would break out in dance…

“The young women will dance for joy, and the men–old and young–will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.” (Jeremiah 31:13 NLT)

In Psalm 30 we not only hear the voice of David praising God for his deliverance from a life on the run at the hands of King Saul (Psalm 30:1), we also hear the voice of Jesus praising His Father for delivering him from death (Psalm 30:3). Furthermore, throughout the Psalm we can sing our own prayer of thanks for the LORD’s salvation.

I was so thankful for being cast as a leading character in that community theater play all those years ago, I almost broke out in dancing. How ironic that a boy who never really danced was cast as a dance instructor. I thought to myself, “Well, this is my chance to really act. I can make it look like I know what I’m doing without really having to dance”.

But then it happened. Not only would I have to learn to actually dance and teach others, my dance partner in the play was the lady doing the choreography for the production. There was no fooling her. I had to move back and forth and turn and twirl as if I was Fred Astaire and she was Ginger Rogers. Well, at least that was the plan. But in life as well as in the theater, things don’t always go as planned.

One evening during rehearsal there was this one move I just couldn’t get. I tried over and over. I had to actually catch the lady in mid-air, suspend her on the side of my right hip as her left arm went round my shoulder, and my right arm went round her waist to hold her up. Then, at the same moment take her left hand as we turned and swirled around in a circle with her leaping off my hip and onto the floor on the other side of where she began. Those were some real ballet moves. It all sounded so graceful. The only problem was I wasn’t strong enough to hold her on my hip.

We always practiced the motions without my actually having to hold her up in rehearsals. Then came dress rehearsal and the great disaster. Not only could I not hold her on hip long enough to complete the twirl, I dropped her on the floor and as she fell she tore ligaments in her arm that was wrapped around my shoulder. Not only was I embarrassed beyond words, we had to re-write the script and cut a few scenes of dances.

I still love the thought of dancing for joy. Even all these years later and knowing I’m not good at at. I still love the thought of a heart so overjoyed it breaks out in dancing. How are your dance moves? Are they filled with joy? If you’re filled with sadness right now, listen to words of the Psalmist as he praises the LORD in verse 11. God wants to turn your sorrow into dancing, and take it from me, if nobody is watching – go for it! Our God is the one audience who will always give you a standing ovation no matter how bad you dance.

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

image credit: http://www.geocities.jp/artanisjp/510Letsf.htm

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To Where Does Your Heart Run?

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure.

10 For thou dost not give me up to Sheol, or let thy godly one see the Pit.

11 Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fullness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 16:9-11

The Old Testament people of God didn’t have a developed theology of resurrection. There was an understanding that when a person died they descended to ‘Sheol’ (Hebrew) or ‘Hades’ (Greek), a place for the dead. Gradually they understood Sheol to have two sides, one for the righteous who were somehow comforted by God, and the other for those who were not; theirs was a place of darkness and suffering. As we pray with the Psalmist in Psalm 16, we see that he believed the Lord would not abandon him to the ‘Pit’, the dark side of Sheol for the unrighteous dead.

In this Psalm we can hear the voice of Jesus as David prays prophetically. He prays in faith, knowing His Father (the Lord) will not abandon him after death. Jesus always knew His road would lead to the cross. Whenever the knowledge of such impending suffering would overwhelm Him, He took comfort in the Lord’s leading. Ultimately, He knew the “path of life”, lead to “fullness of joy” and “pleasures for evermore” (v. 11).

To where does you heart run when you’re overwhelmed with the pain and struggles of this life? As Christians we can take comfort in knowing our Father will not abandon us to the Pit. We too can know the promises of God are of joy and peace for evermore. St. Peter reminds us that in this life we will have times of trial and testing, but if we will “cast our anxieties on Him”, we can be assured He cares for us, “And after you have suffered a little while, The God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.” (1 Ptr. 5:7,10)

So today, no matter where the day takes you, let you heart be glad, let your soul rejoice, and know that your body will dwell secure (v 9), for there is no good apart from God (v 2). Let you heart run to the promise of resurrection.

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

image credit: alittleperspective.com

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All You’ll Ever Need

 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

Philippians 4:17-18

How you see the world is everything. Take America for instance. We can look at the divisions that seem deep within the people, and we can say that if the nation doesn’t change, the divisions may become irreconcilable. But that’s looking at the glass half full. We could also look at the deep divisions that exist and say what a tremendous opportunity exists to come together and be stronger than before.

It’s a scientific fact that pressure can make things stronger. Humans for example, are stronger if they work out than if they’re lazy. Muscles and bones weaken if they aren’t exposed to pressure. Of course too much pressure can break not only bones and muscles but lives as well. St. Paul shows us the key to understanding how to handle the pressures of life. To be able to be of meager means and feel full, is truly a gift.

The great Apostle was certainly of meager means. He left his plush life as one of society’s elite to give his life for the gospel. He didn’t keep his home in Tarsus and return from his missionary journeys for relaxing weekends. He found everything he needed to feel full and satisfied in the meager means of a Roman jail cell. And, with the offering he received from the Philippians he was over-joyed and considered that he was “abounding”.

While we don’t know what was in the offering they sent to him, it couldn’t have been much. They didn’t have a lot in the fledgling Christian church filled with many of societies outcasts, as was common of the churches of the first century. But whatever it was, it was a sweet smelling sacrifice to God. Paul knew what they sacrificed in order to send it.

The Philippians were living in the power of the resurrection to put Paul’s needs above their own. Paul was living in the power of the resurrection to be able to exist in such meager means and still feel he was abounding in all things. So what about you? Are you feeling full or empty? It really has nothing to do with what you have, that is as long as you’re not talking about having the power of the resurrection. When you have that power, you have all you’ll ever need. So remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

God of all grace and glory, thank you for reminding me that with your Holy Spirit, I have all I’ll ever need! Amen. Alleluia!

 

Image credit:http://www.truefruit.com/2012/06/21/technology-tools-or-toys/

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Real Joy – Part 2

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Yesterday we asked the question of why we struggle with being content. While there is a plethora of possible answers, there is one answer that over-shadows all – we fail to realize the power of the resurrection in our lives. I’m sure St. Paul didn’t enjoy being in jail, or beaten, or shipwrecked, but he knew a secret that brought joy even in such dire circumstances.

Few of us are jailed, beaten or shipwrecked, but we can’t even find contentment when our biggest problems are thinking, “Why can’t I have what they have?” Or perhaps, “Why did this situation happen to me? I’m a good person!” What’s wrong with these scenarios is they fail to recognize the blessing God has given to be who we are, where we are, and with what we have. For most of history, most of humanity has lived poor and with great suffering. Compared to those, even the poor of today are rich, and in the Western modern world we hardly know what real suffering is all about.

However, into all our doubt and pity, the Word of God comes to us with the secret to being content. Paul said the secret is to know that Christ and the power of His resurrection is our strength in any and all situations. Only His power can deliver us from our selfish desires, and self-pity. The good news today is that that power is available to all who believe, to all who will reach out and call upon His name. We can do ALL things through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

So, how do we live in this power every day? By living lives full of gratitude for the life we’ve been given – it could always be worse. When we are grateful for the life we have, and we call upon the name of Jesus when things get tough, then we live in the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy:

“…no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.”

Are you there yet? Have you found real joy in all circumstances? Many days I’m not either, but I want to be, and I bet you do too. So today, forgetting what’s behind us, and thankful for the breath we have and the life we live, let’s move forward calling on the name of the Lord, and remember, Christ is risen…and so are we!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Almighty God, forgive me for my times of doubt and selfishness. Help me to live in the power and name of Jesus Christ my savior, and the power of His resurrection. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: http://citychapeloc.com/real-joy/

 

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Real Joy – Part 1

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Philippians 4:10-11

Just what does contentment look like anyway? The idea of being content is central to the Christian faith, or at least it’s supposed to be according to scripture. We’re called to be content with who we are, where we are, and what we have. But how many of us really are content in any of those areas? Why is all this so important? Because when we find the secret of being content, then we find real joy.

St. Paul apparently was content with all his circumstances by the time of the writing of the Philippian letter, which is amazing considering he was writing from a jail cell having been wrongly accused. In today’s devotional we need to take a long look in the mirror and ask ourselves just how content we really are. Our culture, by all indicators, suggests very few of us are actually content. Consumerism is rampant! We seem to always want something newer, bigger, and better than what we have.

About now some of you are asking the question we all do from time to time; “What’s wrong with wanting something new and better”. Well, the real answer is nothing is ‘wrong’ with it, but when our desire to have something newer, bigger, and better impedes our joy and contentment in what we have and who we are, then something is wrong – we’re really not thankful for what we have. We could always have something less, and believe me many people do.

For today, perhaps it’s enough for us to contemplate our level of contentment, or lack thereof? Tomorrow we will discuss the secret of being St. Paul learned of how to be content, and how we can learn it as well. So, as you contemplate how thankful you are for who you are and what you have, remember Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Father God, show me who I am to you, and reveal to me who it is you want me to be as your child. Convict me of any thanklessness I am showing in my life. Teach me how to be content in you. Amen. Alleluia!

Image Credit: http://citychapeloc.com/real-joy/

 

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The Secret to Joy

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

You know those days when you just don’t have the joy of Jesus down in your heart? Things just haven’t been going your way and you’ve lost your usual optimism. Most of us can relate to those kind of days. However, in reality, we don’t have to go there. To rejoice is always and option. Everything doesn’t have to be going right for us to rejoice, and if you’re waiting for that to happen, don’t hold your breath.

St. Paul commands the people to rejoice! And, not only to rejoice at special times when they feel like it, but to rejoice always! But, how do we do that? Can we really rejoice even when things aren’t going the way we’d like? The answer is definitely yes, but not if we don’t understand what it takes to rejoice.

No this isn’t one of those pie in the sky, unrealistic devotions like, “smile God loves you”. It’s one of those real devotions that acknowledges we don’t always feel like rejoicing – but that doesn’t mean we can’t rejoice, if we know the secret. The secret to rejoicing is to understand that we’re not commanded to rejoice in ourselves at all times, but we we are commanded to “rejoice in the Lord always.”

Just because hard times come, we don’t have to lose our joy. The people of God, after returning to Jerusalem from bondage in Babylon, had to toil and strive to rebuild the city walls; life was difficult and dangerous for them. However, Nehemiah gathered them all together and reminded them of the plan of God in their lives as he had the Word read to them aloud in the city square. Then, he reminded them that their joy isn’t based in their circumstance. He said, “…Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh. 8:10)

The secret to rejoicing always is to understand that joy is not a feeling, it’s a disposition. As children of God with the resurrection power of Christ at work within us, we can determine to have attitudes of joy. No matter what happens we can choose joy. Yes we may still feel sad in our human emotions, but not a sadness that has no hope. We can know a joy-filled sadness.

So, no matter what you face, choose to rejoice in the Lord today and remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to remember you are with me no matter what. Help me to know your joy as my strength, even when it looks like things are going wrong. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: http://seetheartinme27.deviantart.com/art/The-Joy-of-the-Lord-164771971

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The Life You’re Meant to Live

“21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

I think if St. Paul had heard Bobby McFerrin’s song “Don’t Worry”, he would have included those lyrics in the Book of Philippians. Can’t you just heart it… “Don’t worry, be happy”! I often meet Christian people who are so caught up in their cares and problems they don’t really enjoy life. I must confess…I’ve been there too. When that happens, we need to be reminded of Paul’s words – “To live is Christ”.

As followers of Jesus, we need to follow Him in all our being, not just in belief. Our faith should make all the difference in how we approach this life. Paul is saying that to live in this world is to live as Christ would live in it. That doesn’t mean we never have cares and concerns, Jesus had many. Remember His agony in the garden? And, how about all those long nights spent in prayer instead of sleeping? It means we don’t let our cares steal our joy.

“To live is Christ” means we live with an eternal optimism that no matter what happens to us in this world, we will make it through. The power of the resurrection is the power of His Spirit within us to overcome all obstacles. And, even if we die trying, guess what… “to die is gain”!

Sometimes we fail to live with the assurance that death isn’t the end of life, it’s the beginning. Only in death will we fully realize the power of the resurrection, when God raises up even our physical bodies from the grave to life eternal. When we leave this world behind, we also leave time behind. It will seem as if in the twinkling of an eye we’ll all be together again in the resurrection on the last day, until then remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, restore to me the joy of my salvation. Help me to see you and your victory in all I face in this world, until at last I am victorious with you in Heaven. Amen. Alleluia!

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It’s Party Time

Click here to read this week’s gospel: Luke 14:16-24

 

It's party time

Have you ever been invited to a party and when you showed up you felt there wasn’t room for you? It could be the party was such a popular invitation that everyone showed up and there literally wasn’t enough room for you to feel comfortable. But, that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the kind of feeling you get when you feel you don’t belong in a certain place with a certain people.

The problem with that kind of thinking is that it fails to recognize in the kingdom of God there are no “certain” kinds of people; everyone is equal in God’s economy. In the gospel this week (Luke 14), Jesus told a story of a great party thrown by a man of obvious wealth. The man invited the people he knew the best, his friends. Well, at least he thought they were his friends. But, one by one they all turned down the invitation.

Right now you may be thinking, “I wish I would have gotten that invitation. No one ever invites me to great parties. I sure wouldn’t turn that one down.” The man was so angered by the snub of the refusals He opened the party up to everyone, even the people right off the street. You would think he’d know better. No one can throw a party that welcomes everyone, from every place, race, and status; there wouldn’t be enough room for them to all get along; they’re so different.

The truth is, there really is a party that big, and a place big enough to hold it. And what’s more, you and I have already been invited. The party Jesus spoke of is His, the place is His kingdom, and literally everyone is invited. The question for us today is, are we part of the group who turned Him down, or have we accepted His invitation.

Sociologist and Christian writer, Tony Campolo wrote a book titled, The Kingdom of God Is A Party. In the book, Tony tells how God’s plan has always been to bring joy and peace to our lives. Life is supposed to be fun! Sure life can offer us some pretty hard times, but that’s not God’s fault; it’s because we’ve let our own selfish desires crowd out the love we’re supposed to have for one another.

This Week:

As you begin this third week of Advent, take a look at your life. How joyful is it? The third candle of Advent is the Candle of Joy. Sadly, the holiday season is one of the loneliest times for many people. Don’t let yourself be one of them. Do you have any party invitations? I hope so, but even if you don’t seem to have any holiday party invites on the calendar right now, let me remind you you have the greatest party invitation of all waiting for you to accept it – the party of the Kingdom. If you haven’t accepted it yet, there’s still time, and yes, there’s room for you (Vs. 22). So, light the Candle of Joy and come on in. The kingdom of God really is a party, and there’s always room for one more.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Brad

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

Matthew 5:6