I've been reminded once more of the amazing support and consolation derived from the prayers of friends during the illness of my father. He is now recovering and the prognosis is very good. Prayers of many people contributed not only to his recovery, but also in my estimation they helped the health professionals come to a diagnosis and treatment that made all the difference.
I know that frequently we cannot see the answers to our prayers, and that many devoted and faithful people do not experience the restoration of health or resolution of other difficulties they had prayed for. Yet there is divine mercy and providence at work far beyond our capacity to understand, even when our prayer intention is not met. When there is an obvious transformation, though, that is a cause for thanksgiving to God and a renewed confidence that God hears and responds to our concerns always.
Sometimes, in visiting with folks who are not Christians it is helpful to ask if they have specific concerns for loved ones that we could remember in prayer. Even if they have no belief in the power of prayer, they may appreciate our asking them and praying in their behalf. And in our prayer for their request, we can offer a silent addendum, that they may see the grace of God at work in their lives and the lives of the ones they care for.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Hospitals
As I write this, I'm sitting in my father's hospital room. He has been experiencing some difficulties in coordination in recent weeks, and a few days ago began suffering from seizures. The cause is not known as this point. But for the past few days I have become part of the incessant routine of hospital life. The nurses, aides, and physicians have been kind, considerate and helpful. It has reminded me of the vast universe of round-the-clock endeavors that few of us think of regularly.
At the moment I'm waiting for the doctors. Waiting is not my long suit. I have many questions, and my concern is that there may be few answers. Yet I am grateful to God for the medical knowledge and technology available to us these days. And I'm asking for the grace to be a quiet witness for Christ in these circumstances.
At the moment I'm waiting for the doctors. Waiting is not my long suit. I have many questions, and my concern is that there may be few answers. Yet I am grateful to God for the medical knowledge and technology available to us these days. And I'm asking for the grace to be a quiet witness for Christ in these circumstances.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
New every morning
One of my favorite Christian hymns features a refrain with these lines:
"Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father!
Morning by morning new mercies I see..."
This sentiment from the pen of Thomas O. Chisolm in the late 1800s was perhaps suggested by a passage in the Old Testament from the seldom-referenced Book of Lamentations.
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is thy faithfulness." [Lam. 3:22]
God's mercy may too often be taken for granted by believers, but it should not be. Each new day is a gift from God, and within that gift are many others. The circumstances of our lives fluctuate from good times to rough times, from health to illness, from disappointment to achievement. Yet the person of faith knows that God's love never fails, never fluctuates, but comes fresh to us day by day. In the midst of our busy and sometimes difficult lives, we need the reminder of God's great faithfulness and mercy. Perhaps there is someone else who will need that encouragement through us today as well.
"Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father!
Morning by morning new mercies I see..."
This sentiment from the pen of Thomas O. Chisolm in the late 1800s was perhaps suggested by a passage in the Old Testament from the seldom-referenced Book of Lamentations.
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is thy faithfulness." [Lam. 3:22]
God's mercy may too often be taken for granted by believers, but it should not be. Each new day is a gift from God, and within that gift are many others. The circumstances of our lives fluctuate from good times to rough times, from health to illness, from disappointment to achievement. Yet the person of faith knows that God's love never fails, never fluctuates, but comes fresh to us day by day. In the midst of our busy and sometimes difficult lives, we need the reminder of God's great faithfulness and mercy. Perhaps there is someone else who will need that encouragement through us today as well.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Leaves
The fall foliage is pretty, and the last few days of sunshine have really brought out the colors in our area. But with the change of seasons comes the inevitable falling of leaves, and that means raking, leaf-blowing, bagging. Some people enjoy yard work of that sort, but I'm more like the local newscaster who commented yesterday that he hates everything about gathering fallen leaves. Actually, I don't mind taking care of the leaves once I get started with it, but it's the getting started that's tough for me.
Maybe that's the way it is with our faith-sharing, too. It's the idea of doing it that seems intimidating. But once we're in a conversation that turns to spiritual matters, it is more natural than we thought it would be.
Another aspect of leaf collection is that it has to be done several times over the course of the season. Once is not enough. The leaves don't all fall at once, and even if they did, not everyone on the street gets around to taking care of them at the same time.
Isn't that the case with our witness, too? Sometimes we get the notion that sharing our faith ought to be easy, or a one-time experience. Really, it is an ongoing challenge and opportunity.
Maybe that's the way it is with our faith-sharing, too. It's the idea of doing it that seems intimidating. But once we're in a conversation that turns to spiritual matters, it is more natural than we thought it would be.
Another aspect of leaf collection is that it has to be done several times over the course of the season. Once is not enough. The leaves don't all fall at once, and even if they did, not everyone on the street gets around to taking care of them at the same time.
Isn't that the case with our witness, too? Sometimes we get the notion that sharing our faith ought to be easy, or a one-time experience. Really, it is an ongoing challenge and opportunity.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sunshine on my shoulder
The weather in my area over the last couple of days has been terrific: beautiful, high blue skies, brilliant sunshine, moderate temps. This, after weeks of rain, has been a welcome and unexpected start to November. I'm reminded of one of the late John Denver's lyrics: "Sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy..." I suppose almost everyone feels better when the sun is shining. I have more energy and tend to be more optimistic in general when the weather is nice.
From the standpoint of Christian discipleship, I know that there is a kind of spiritual sunshine that strengthens me, even when the days are gloomy. "Thy word is a lamp unto my path," says the Psalmist. "I am the Light of the world," says Jesus Christ. This is "Son-shine" that truly makes me happy!
From the standpoint of Christian discipleship, I know that there is a kind of spiritual sunshine that strengthens me, even when the days are gloomy. "Thy word is a lamp unto my path," says the Psalmist. "I am the Light of the world," says Jesus Christ. This is "Son-shine" that truly makes me happy!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Peace like a river
There was a chorus I learned as a child in Sunday school that goes something like this.
"I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river in my soul."
This is repeated, and then there are a couple of other verses: Love like a river, Joy like a river. Then the kids all enjoyed singing all three together in the final verse. It's a happy song, one that makes you feel good.
Last evening I was reminded of that little chorus when a person told me she has been experiencing afresh the peace of God this week. That's a wonderful experience in these times, for surely there is great anxiety in our society and often in our personal lives. The peace of God is not the absence of all conflict or concern. It is the abiding presence of the assurance of God's love and care in the midst of our struggles. This peace of God, says the New Testament, "passes all understanding." In other words, it is deeper than we can fathom or express. But the assurance that a relationship with God brings offers hope and meaning for a daily living, and it confirms to us our place in the family of God. Do you have that "peace like a river?" It is made available to us through the One we call the Prince of Peace: Jesus Christ.
"I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river in my soul."
This is repeated, and then there are a couple of other verses: Love like a river, Joy like a river. Then the kids all enjoyed singing all three together in the final verse. It's a happy song, one that makes you feel good.
Last evening I was reminded of that little chorus when a person told me she has been experiencing afresh the peace of God this week. That's a wonderful experience in these times, for surely there is great anxiety in our society and often in our personal lives. The peace of God is not the absence of all conflict or concern. It is the abiding presence of the assurance of God's love and care in the midst of our struggles. This peace of God, says the New Testament, "passes all understanding." In other words, it is deeper than we can fathom or express. But the assurance that a relationship with God brings offers hope and meaning for a daily living, and it confirms to us our place in the family of God. Do you have that "peace like a river?" It is made available to us through the One we call the Prince of Peace: Jesus Christ.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The big switch
For months leading up to the change-over to digital format, television stations around the country tried to prepare folks for "the big switch." It would be necessary, if one didn't have an updated TV, to obtain a special converter box that would facilitate the transfer from analog to digital broadcasting. Despite repeated messages, the original "deadline" had to be pushed back because it was clear that many people weren't getting the information. Even now, months after the switch, there are folks without television service.
There's a "big switch" in one of the Gospel stories about Jesus, too. One day a scribe -- a well-educated man -- sought to undermine Christ's influence with the populace by asking, which is the greatest commandment. From his doctrinal perspective, there was no commandment greater than another. Luke’s version of this experience is a bit different from Matthew’s, where Christ's indisputable response was to love God with all your heart, soul and mind, and a second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself. In Luke’s account, Jesus turns the tables on the fellow and asks him what the scriptures say about this question. The lawyer then does repeat these two great commandments. Then, seeing that he hadn't accomplished his goal of embarrassing Jesus, he pushed forward: 'Who, then, is my neighbor?' This, too, was intended to be a trick question, but Jesus answered by telling a story. It's what has become famously known as The Parable of the Good Samaritan. The story centers around an unfortunate crime victim, and the fact that two representatives of the religious establishment of that day "passed by on the other side." The person who came to the injured man's aid was a despised Samaritan. This is where "the big switch" comes in. Jesus then asked the interlocutor: 'Who do you think was neighbor to this man?' The scribe said, 'The one who showed him compassion.' And Jesus said, 'Go and do likewise.'
In other words, the issue was not, ' Who is MY neighbor,' but rather, 'Who am I to be a neighbor to?' From a faith-sharing standpoint, that's worth thinking about.
There's a "big switch" in one of the Gospel stories about Jesus, too. One day a scribe -- a well-educated man -- sought to undermine Christ's influence with the populace by asking, which is the greatest commandment. From his doctrinal perspective, there was no commandment greater than another. Luke’s version of this experience is a bit different from Matthew’s, where Christ's indisputable response was to love God with all your heart, soul and mind, and a second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself. In Luke’s account, Jesus turns the tables on the fellow and asks him what the scriptures say about this question. The lawyer then does repeat these two great commandments. Then, seeing that he hadn't accomplished his goal of embarrassing Jesus, he pushed forward: 'Who, then, is my neighbor?' This, too, was intended to be a trick question, but Jesus answered by telling a story. It's what has become famously known as The Parable of the Good Samaritan. The story centers around an unfortunate crime victim, and the fact that two representatives of the religious establishment of that day "passed by on the other side." The person who came to the injured man's aid was a despised Samaritan. This is where "the big switch" comes in. Jesus then asked the interlocutor: 'Who do you think was neighbor to this man?' The scribe said, 'The one who showed him compassion.' And Jesus said, 'Go and do likewise.'
In other words, the issue was not, ' Who is MY neighbor,' but rather, 'Who am I to be a neighbor to?' From a faith-sharing standpoint, that's worth thinking about.
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