March '23

March 1

“Pray then in this way:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven…”

Matthew 6:9-10

I like the suggestion made by theologian, writer and pastor, Anna Madsen - that perhaps we should “think about the Holy Spirit as a Holy Disrupter.”

Interesting.

At worship tonight, we will talk about the spiritual discipline of holy longing. God has called you into God’s family, and given the Gospel for your salvation, and the Commandments to help shape our lives and our communities. 

I think of the liturgy for Confirmation. The confirmand is asked: 

“You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism: to live among God's faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord's supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?”

The answer is: “I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.”

Talk about a Holy Disrupter; one who calls us to strive for justice and peace in all the earth!

May our longings be shaped by the Gospel of God’s disrupting love!

Blessings to you, Pastor Phil

March 2

“But strive first 

for the kingdom of God 

and his righteousness, 

and all these things 

will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:33

In worship last night I shared part of a reflection by Sister Joan Chittister about yearning as a spiritual discipline, Holy Longing. Her reflection ended with this powerful observation:

“…The only question for the restless soul is: For what do we yearn? If we yearn only for more of ourselves, we will never be satisfied because in our smallness we are not enough for ourselves. If we yearn for God, we will not be satisfied either but we will at least know that we have what we are alive to discover: the Glory of God…”

Illuminated Life: Monastic Wisdom for Seekers of Light page 132

May we join God in yearning for justice and peace in all the world.

Peace, Pastor Phil

March 3

“Indeed, 

God did not send the Son 

into the world to condemn the world, 

but in order that the world 

might be saved through him.”

John 3:17

On Sunday we will hear that well known and wonderful verse from the 3rd chapter of John; “For God so loved the world…” 

These words proclaim God’s great gift of sending Jesus so that we might have life with God now and forever.

While 3:16 offers the Gospel promise, verse 17 speaks a further word of God’s grace. I liked a comment I saw on social media, that since God did not send Jesus to condemn, that is probably not our job either.

Ezekiel 18:32 says: “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD. Turn, then, and live.” This is quite far from the widely held belief that God in one way or another, is intent on punishing people who go astray.

In Jesus, God is one who seeks to save the lost, and calls us to join with God in loving this world God has made.

Blessings to you this weekend, Pastor Phil

March 4

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

John 3:16

THE GOSPEL

John 3

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.*

In the name of the Father

with us from our beginning;

you so loved the world

that you gave

your Son.

Protect us, Father.

And of the Son …

who came to live among us,

your everlasting gift

 of your-

self.

Be with us now,

Jesus.

 And of the Holy Spirit …

always with us now,

within our hearts,

our soul-mate.

Enlighten us to find cures for

virus and all other crises.

Help us respond to

“the cries of the

earth and of

the poor.”

________

 * We can only stand 

in awe-struck silence before such love 

that is beyond boldest expectation, beyond all telling. 

(Karl Rahner).

Copyright © 2020, Anne M. Osdieck. All rights reserved. 

Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.

2nd Sunday in Lent

March 5

I hope to see you in worship - 8:30 and 11:00.

The service will be posted online.

The Prayer of the Day today:

O God, our leader and guide,

in the waters of baptism you bring us to new birth

to live as your children.

Strengthen our faith in your promises,

that by your Spirit we may lift up your life to all the world

through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen

March 6

For we know, 

brothers and sisters beloved by God, 

that he has chosen you…

I Thessalonians 1:4

We welcomed a number of wonderful people as new members of Trinity Lutheran Church yesterday. They’ve been a part of our community for a while, and I hope many of you can get to know them better…

As we continue this season of Lent, here is an invitation to pray for these “fellow members of the body of Christ.”

Further, I encourage you to consider our own membership in this body - in the body of Christ, in Trinity, in our community of Sheridan.

God is at work here more than we often realize.

God is at work through you, extending love, care, friendship and grace. 

Thank you for the many ways you embody God’s grace in this world!

Here is a Prayer for New Members we used in worship yesterday:

Almighty God, 

by the love of Jesus Christ you draw people to yourself 

and welcome them into the household of faith. 

May we show your joy by embracing new brothers and sisters 

as we bear your creative and redeeming word to all the world. 

Keep us close together in your Spirit, 

in the breaking of bread and the prayers, and in service to others, 

following the example of Jesus Christ, our servant and Lord.

Amen.

Blessings, Pastor Phil

March 7

“…those who drink of the water that I will give them 

will never be thirsty. 

The water that I will give 

will become in them a spring of water 

gushing up to eternal life.”

John 4:14

The 2nd-5th Sundays of Lent we hear four of the very rich and wonderful stories from the Gospel of John. This coming 3rd Sunday in Lent we will hear the story of the Samaritan woman whom Jesus asked to give him a drink from the well. In their conversation, Jesus offers her the water of life. 

With the Gospel of John, an image like the water, is so very filled with potential meanings. We make a mistake if we try to narrow down and define what exactly the water of life is.

John gives us a vision of Jesus that is filled with possibilities for each and every one of us. 

There are myriad questions you could ask of this text. Here’s one: “How does the water Jesus gives, promise to quench your thirst?” 

May the water of life wash over you today.

Blessings, Pastor Phil

March 8

“The water that I will give 

will become in them a spring of water 

gushing up to eternal life.”

John 4:14

Today, in our Wednesday noon class, we are considering the image of “the kingdom of heaven.” So often, this is understood to be a place where we will be called into God’s presence after we die. 

Yet Jesus promises water that is given now, and enriches our present lives, alongside the eternal gift it bears. Living in the arid land of Israel, his original hearers were more aware than we, that in the image of water, Jesus is speaking of life itself.

The life Jesus has for you springs forth today, and is so prodigious that it gushes forth forever.

I suspect that often we fail to note how wonderful and varied and astonishing the gifts of life in Christ truly are. 

May you take note of the wonder of this day, and the eternal promise of belonging to God in Christ!

Pax, Pastor Phil

March 9

“…give, and it will be given to you. 

A good measure, pressed down, 

shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; 

for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

Luke 6:38

Last night in worship, we talked about the spiritual practice of generosity. I liked the insight of a writer who said that while the generosity of financial giving is important, there are other shapes to generosity. 

She quoted from Luke 6, where Jesus says: “give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” 

She then commented about how this verses is often spoken of when talking of financial generosity. But, she notes, “While Luke 6:38 is certainly a beautiful verse about giving in general, the context invites me to think about generosity in a new way.”

What context is that? Well, these words are the conclusion of Jesus’ comments that state: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

What a wonderful suggestion, that the spiritual discipline of generosity might well speak of a generosity of spirit towards those around us. A generosity of heart, that forgives prodigiously, and seeks to “explain our neighbors actions in the kindest way” - to quote from Luther’s Small Catechism. 

May you look and act with the generosity of toward those around you, (and perhaps toward your own self as well!)

Peace, Pastor Phil

March 10

“…those who drink of the water that I will give them 

will never be thirsty.”

John 4:14

On Sunday we hear the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. 

They have quite a conversation. Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.”

John goes on: 

“The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!”

While often people interpret this to mean that this woman has a shady past, David Lose, in a very excellent essay, says that this is not necessarily so…

She could have been widowed or abandoned numerous times. In those days, divorce laws were akin to abandonment… 

David Lose points out that: “she could now be living with someone that she was dependent on, or be in what's called a Levirate marriage (where a childless woman is married to her deceased husband's brother in order to produce an heir yet is not always technically considered the brother's wife). There are any number of ways, in fact, that one might imagine this woman's story as tragic rather than scandalous, yet [we often] assume the latter.”

Interesting. Could this be a story of Jesus taking note of her tragic circumstances? Does she declare him a prophet because she’s never had someone note her hurt and loneliness? 

I suspect we all want to be seen. I believe that Jesus has “seen” her in profound ways, and this is what sends her in to town to tell others about Jesus.

Jesus sees into your heart as well, calling you to live in God’s amazing love. May you know this gift today.

Blessings, Pastor Phil

March 11

“…those who drink of the water that I will give them 

will never be thirsty.”

John 4:14

THE GOSPEL
John 4:5-42

“But whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst;
the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water
        welling up to eternal life.”

 Lord,

when
you declare to
a woman at the well
everything about her life,

we think of our own lives as well.

You know each
of our ins and outs too,
when we sit and when we stand.

when we
yearn for light, love, beauty and peace, for
worship of you in Spirit and truth.
Still, often we remain dry!
Come, Lord Jesus,
quench our thirst
for life within
your

living water.

Copyright © 2023, Anne M. Osdieck. All rights reserved.

Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.

3rd Sunday in Lent

March 12

Worship at 8:30 and 11:00 today. The service will be posted online.

The Prayer of the Day today:

Merciful God,

the fountain of living water,

you quench our thirst

and wash away our sin.

Give us this water always.

Bring us to drink

from the well that flows

with the beauty of your truth

through Jesus Christ,

our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit,

one God,

now and forever. 

Amen.

March 13

“…those who drink of the water that I will give them 

will never be thirsty.”

John 4:14

I liked this prayer phrase from a prayer based on yesterday's

Gospel story from John 4.

Pour your love into our hearts, that,

refreshed and renewed,

we may invite others

to the living water

given to us in

Jesus Christ

our Lord.

Amen.

I suspect we could reflect on that for quite a while...

Blessings to you today, Pastor Phil

March 14

I think this quote by Verna Dozier is fitting.

Verna Dozier (1917-2006), was a high school English teacher and Christian educator. She was a leading female lay theologian of the Episcopal Church, and she was influential in speaking and advocating for the role of the laity in the Church.

Biblical faith

posits a God

it cannot understand completely.

The Prophet Isaiah understood this fact.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Human beings have always had trouble with this idea.

 Verna Dozier, “The Dream of God” pg 15

I suspect that there are some who are more able than others to deal with the reality that God is beyond our understanding. I invite you to wonder with me at how this capacity might help to serve us in our discipleship.

Peace, Pastor Phil

March 15

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,

to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

to declare your steadfast love in the morning,

and your faithfulness by night,

Psalm 92:1-2

Tonight in worship we will consider the spiritual discipline of gratitude. Gratitude takes on all sorts of shapes and textures. 

On Friday, we will gather at Kane’s Funeral Home and give thanks for the life and faith of Barb Plummer. On Tuesday, we will gather at Trinity to commend Inez Johnson to God’s eternal care, with gratitude for the gifts she has brought to our community and to our lives.

May gratitude give a joyful shape to your discipleship.

Peace, Pastor Phil

March 16

This blessing was written by Jan Richardson as part of a reflection for the beginning of Lent.

She looked at Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, and pointed out that Jesus was driven into the wilderness immediately after he had been baptized by John. 

At the river Jordan, he had heard God proclaim, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

She suggests that this blessing announced at his baptism had sustained him on his pilgrimage in the desert. 

I would like to remind you and recall you to note that we are well on our way, yet still in the midst of our pilgrimage to Holy Week and Easter. 

I invite you to have this blessing wash over you for the days to come…

Beloved Is Where We Begin - Jan Richardson

If you would enter

into the wilderness,

do not begin

without a blessing.

Do not leave

without hearing

who you are:

Beloved,

named by the One

who has traveled this path

before you.

Do not go

without letting it echo

in your ears,

and if you find

it is hard

to let it into your heart,

do not despair.

That is what

this journey is for.

I cannot promise

this blessing will free you

from danger,

from fear,

from hunger

or thirst,

from the scorching

of sun

or the fall

of the night.

But I can tell you

that on this path

there will be help.

I can tell you

that on this way

there will be rest.

I can tell you

that you will know

the strange graces

that come to our aid

only on a road

such as this,

that fly to meet us

bearing comfort

and strength,

that come alongside us

for no other cause

than to lean themselves

toward our ear

and with their

curious insistence

whisper our name:

Beloved.

Beloved.

Beloved.

—Jan Richardson from Circle of Grace

© Jan Richardson. janrichardson.com.

March 17

You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;

you are my God, I will extol you.

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 118:28-29

On Wednesday we touched base with the spiritual discipline of gratitude. In seeking a verse from the Psalms to fuel our conversation, there were myriad verses to choose from. 

Much has been said about gratitude of late. Self help writers suggest it can help to enrich your life. For our walk with God, gratitude connects us to the one who gives, and to whom we turn in thanksgiving. 

Here is a great line by biblical scholar, Alan Culpepper.

Are we self-made individuals beholden to no one, 

or are we blessed daily in ways we seldom perceive, 

cannot repay and for which we often fail to be grateful? 

Here is a barometer of spiritual health: 

although gratitude is not synonymous with faith, 

neither response to God can be separated from the other.

I am grateful for you.

Peace, Pastor Phil

March 18

Jesus smeared the clay on his eyes 

and he said to him,
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam.”

John 9:1-41

National Quilting Day:  Remember, you are invited to come to see our quilters at work here in the Fellowship Hall from noon until 2:00. 

They will provide soup and bread, a bit of fellowship, and inspiration as well, as they work together to provide quilts for people in need throughout the world. 

Here is a prayer grounded in our Gospel story for tomorrow.

Blessings to you this Saturday,

Jesus,
won’t you cleanse our
    blind eyes? …

Wash away the
    Mud? …

and move us from
unseeing souls to believers—

from bystanders to disciples,
walkers in darkness
to lamps for
your
light.

O
let
our
souls
see!

Copyright © 2023, Anne M. Osdieck. All rights reserved.

Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.

March 19

4th Sunday in Lent

Worship at 8:30 and 11:00 today. The service will be posted online.

The Prayer of the Day today:

Bend your ear to our prayers,

Lord Christ,

and come among us.

By your gracious life and death for us,

bring light into the darkness of our hearts,

and anoint us with your Spirit,

for you live and reign with the Father

and the Holy Spirit,

one God,

now and forever.

Amen.

March 20

And the peace of God, 

which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds 

in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

This “Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Lent” by Henri Nouwen came to my inbox, and when I read it, I immediately decided to share it with you today. 

Blessings to you as we seek to be “thankful for God’s gentle way.”

Pastor Phil 

A Cry for Mercy

O Lord, this holy season of Lent is passing quickly. I entered into it with fear, but also with great expectations. I hoped for a great breakthrough, a powerful conversion, a real change of heart; I wanted Easter to be a day so full of light that not even a trace of darkness would be left in my soul.

But I know that you do not come to your people with thunder and lightning. Even St. Paul and St. Francis journeyed through much darkness before they could see your light. Let me be thankful for your gentle way. I know you are at work. I know you will not leave me alone. I know you are quickening me for Easter - but in a way fitting to my own history and my own temperament.

I pray that these last three weeks, in which you invite me to enter more fully into the mystery of your passion, will bring me a greater desire to follow you on the way that you create for me and to accept the cross that you give to me. Let me die to the desire to choose my own way and select my own desire. You do not want to make me a hero but a servant who loves you.

Be with me tomorrow and in the days to come, and let me experience your gentle presence. Amen -- Henri Nouwen, A Cry for Mercy: Prayers from the Genesee 

March 21

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.

Isaiah 55:8

Here is a great line by Rachel Held Evans:

“God's ways

are higher than our ways

not because God

is less compassionate

than we are

but because God

is more compassionate

than we can

ever imagine.”

May you know the loving presence of God today.

Peace, Pastor Phil

March 22

“Blessed are those who hunger 

and thirst for righteousness, 

for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:6

In our Wednesday Noon class we are looking at the Gospel of Matthew and lately we have been talking about the Kingdom of Heaven. We have been considering how this is so much more than a place. It is about God’s rule in the world. (You are welcome to join us today - noon o’clock - we will be talking about parables of Jesus.)

Here is another quote by Rachel Held Evans. (She was a writer and journalist who died at age 37 in 2019. She spoke to people who were questioning their faith, seeking to call forth a more open and questioning approach to our walk with Christ.)

I love the line; “a kingdom for the hungry.”

“The Gospel doesn’t need a coalition devoted to keeping the wrong people out. 

It needs a family of sinners, saved by grace, committed to tearing down the walls, 

throwing open the doors and shouting, ‘Welcome! 

There’s bread and wine. Come eat with us and talk.’ 

This isn’t a kingdom for the worthy; it’s a kingdom for the hungry.”

Rachel Held Evans, Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church

Blessings to you today, may God kindle in us a holy hunger, and may Christ help to satisfy our hunger. Pastor Phil 

March 23

For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

Psalm 62:1

Last night we spoke about the spiritual discipline of silence. 

(I know. But I was able to read some folks who DO observe silence, and to share some of their insights.)

It occurs to me that one thing that needs to be silenced in our prayer lives, is that voice that accuses you. Therefore, when turning to God in prayer, it would be wise to begin with God’s great love for you, God’s gracious acceptance and forgiveness, as well as God’s passionate desire to be in relationship with you. 

It is perhaps a turning things on their head, to see that dwelling in the presence of God is the starting point, not the end result of your meditation. 

I suspect that we can’t say this too often; God is the author of your relationship of faith. 

Thanks be to God, for this makes your walk with God, sure and certain as the faithfulness of the God who created and redeemed you.

Peace to you this day, Pastor Phil  

March 24

Jesus said to her, 

“I am the resurrection and the life..."

John 11:25

On Sunday we will hear the story of the raising of Lazarus. 

Here is a marvelous reflection on this story by Episcopal priest, Rick Morley. I thought I would share it with you...

rick morley

a garden path

who stinketh? – a reflection on John 11:32-44

While I don’t use the King James Version of the Bible often, I do happen to love its rendering of the raising of Lazarus. Jesus, after weeping and being emotionally moved, commands those around him to open Lazarus’ tomb.

There’s instant protest. Lazarus had been dead for a few days, and everyone knew that rolling that stone away wouldn’t be pretty.

Martha calls out: But Lord, he stinketh!

I love that.

Of course, John is the Gospel of Signs. There are seven signs, and the raising of Lazarus is that ultimate seventh sign, revealing Jesus’ identity as the Christ. But, as much as this sign is about Jesus, it’s also about us.

Because we are all Lazarus.

We are all dead and lifeless. We are all wrapped up corpses, bound in the grave clothes which the world lays on us. We are stiff and we have all begun to smell a little rank.

We stinketh.

Until – until! – Jesus calls us out of the tomb. Until he orders everything that binds us and holds us down, to be stripped off of us and tossed aside. Until he breathes his holy breath into us again and makes us a new creation.

The Body of Christ, the community of the baptized, and the Communion of Saints – we are all Lazarus. We stinketh, until Jesus calls us out, frees us, and gives us life. In fact this is what binds us together, the biologically alive church and the biologically dead church: we have all been called out of the tomb and unwrapped.

In this sense, the raising of Lazarus isn’t just a miracle that Jesus performed thousands of years ago in a land far, far away. It’s the work of Jesus today.

And, I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that Jesus still calls us out, because I still need it. I still stinketh. And some days I stinketh more than others.

I still find myself from time to time bound up and wound up; by the expectations of others, by my own insecurities, by my sin.

But, the promise of the story of Lazarus is that, like Lazarus, Jesus loves us. He weeps for us. He is deeply moved by us. And he brings life to our death, freedom to our bondage, and a shining light to our every darkness.

http://www.rickmorley.com/archives/2025

Listen, I have a suspicion that Jesus is calling to you as well.

Blessings, Pastor Phil 

March 25

When he had said this, 

[Jesus] cried with a loud voice, 

“Lazarus, come out!” 

The dead man came out, 

his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, 

and his face wrapped in a cloth. 

Jesus said to them, 

“Unbind him, and let him go.”

John 11:43-44

On Sunday we will hear two wonderful stories. Ezekiel's vision of the valley of the dry bones, as well as the story of the raising of Lazarus. 

Here is prayer based on our lessons…

God of all consolation and compassion,
your Son comforted the grieving sisters, Martha and Mary;
your breath alone brings life
to dry bones and weary souls.
Pour out your Spirit upon us,
that we may face despair and death
with the hope of resurrection
and faith in the One
who called Lazarus forth from the grave. Amen.

Reproduced from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission.

March 26

4th Sunday in Lent

Worship at 8:30 and 11:00 today. The service will be posted online.

The Prayer of the Day today:

Almighty God,

your Son came into the world

to free us all from sin and death.

Breathe upon us the power of your Spirit,

that we may be raised to new life in Christ

and serve you in righteousness all our days,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

March 27

As a deer longs for flowing streams,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

Psalm 42:1

In this last week before Holy Week, I thought we could touch on the Spiritual Disciplines that we have considered in midweek worship. 

We began with yearning.

To consider yearning a spiritual discipline can seem counter-intuitive. Many traditions see emptying oneself of desire as a spiritual goal. More often, in the Christian tradition, we have sought to shape our desires.

I like to joke that I am excited, because I received an email from Publishers Clearing House, and they are about to give me lots of money. Perhaps I should be a bit careful. Do I want their promises to shape my desires? Do I want the dream of big money to determine my sense of joy today?

(The answer is “no”, but many times I’ve pointed my thoughts too much in that direction, and I’m tempted to come to the wrong conclusion!)

Here is wonderful reflection on “Yearning” by Sister Joan Chittister.

“WHO is THERE who hasn’t, at some time or other,

wanted life to be different than it is?

Who of us has not wanted it ourselves? 

…All we know is that we yearn for what we do not have. 

…Yearning is, in fact, a sign of the spiritual life. 

…The contemplative yearns always

for the Light that suffuses all of life…”

May our hopes be shaped by God’s great gifts given in Jesus Christ our Lord!

Peace to you today, Pastor Phil 

March 28

“Where your treasure is,

there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:21

Generosity truly is a spiritual practice. 

Mark Allan Powell wrote a book titled: “Giving to God” with the subtitle: “The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life.” - He tells about someone asking him how to love God more. He concluded that the most biblical recipe for spiritual growth was giving away your money.

Interesting. 

He says that Jesus’ teaching: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” - is a promise, not a threat or a demand. If you want your heart to be generous, if you want to share God’s concern for the hungry and the poor, then give to help them, and your heart will follow.

Michael Binder, Professor of Congregational Mission and Leadership at Luther Seminary likes to say:

“Generosity is what God wants for us, not from us.”

May you enjoy the generosity that God intends for you,

Peace, Pastor Phil

p.s. I just ran across this quote from Miroslav Volf, and I had to add it to today's Connections - "…the true God gives so we can become joyful givers and not just self-absorbed receivers."

March 29

“I lift my eyes to the hills,

from where does my help come?”

Psalm 121

This evening the spiritual discipline we will touch on in our midweek worship service is wonder.

In January, there was an article in the NY Times titled “How a Bit of Awe Can Improve Your Health.” That caught my eye.

The article quoted a professor describing awe as: "the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your understanding of the world.”

In our age, which can be overly cynical, to look at the world and to consider God’s gifts with wonder is counter-cultural. Wonder can feed our gratitude, our generosity, and more. 

I remember driving through Wonder, Oregon, and delighting in the name of a church by the road; “Wonder Bible Church.” What a great name for a Church. 

May we be filled with wonder as we arrive at Easter this year.

May blessings abound to you, Pastor Phil 

March 30

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; 

teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; 

and with gratitude in your hearts 

sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.

Colossians 3:16

The spiritual discipline we talked about in midweek worship two weeks ago is gratitude. It might be interesting to criticize how gifts like gratitude are addressed our culture. Writers will wax poetic about the many health benefits of gratitude.

I have a suspicion that as a spiritual discipline, we would not deny that it is good for our health, but the reasons to practice gratitude have more to do with the connection we grow with our Creator. Gratitude is simply a reasonable and faithful response to being receivers of the many gifts God pours forth for us all.

May today be a day of taking note of all that gives life to gratitude in you, and may your thanksgiving be a prayer of praise to God the giver of all good things.

Here is a wonderful line I set aside years and years ago. It is by A.J. Gossip, who was a preacher of the first half of the 20th century: “Thanksgiving is the language of heaven, and we had better start to learn it if we are not to be mere dumb aliens there.”

I’m grateful for you, Pastor Phil

March 31

For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress; I shall never be shaken.

Psalm 62:1-2

For me to speak of the spiritual discipline of silence leaves me open to some ribbing, I know. I like the insight of Will Willimon that God is one who, like a good kindergarten teacher, keeps on talking and talking to us. Walking about the room, placing a hand on that one wiggling child while continuing to share insight and love. 

If we take time for silence, we will find that God has quite a bit to say. 

Like the practice of wonder, silence can prepare you for rich encounters with the God who loves you, and seeks to live in relationship with you. 

As we mark the important and life-transforming days of Holy Week, may you listen for the awe inspiring Word of God’s redeeming love.

Blessings, Pastor Phil