October 10, 2020

Sharing from our Congregation – Don Parnell

“Comfort each other and edify one another.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” - Galatians 6:2

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” - Philippians 2:4

Throughout the world, the pandemic has added immeasurably to the burdens of people. Guidance has come from physicians, scientists, elected and appointed leaders, as to how to deal, personally and collectively, with the effects of the Covid19 virus.

The domino effect of the virus has included measures to protect the most vulnerable among us, to work toward a vaccine that will prevent the infection, and to put in place a discipline for individuals to wash our hands, wear a mask, and maintain a social distance.

We intellectually understand that these measures are important to our ability to avoid contracting the virus – but we also know that important relationships in our lives have been disrupted, sometimes with tragic outcomes.

We are reminded in these messages written by Paul and Timothy in 1st Thessalonians, Galatians, and Philippians, that there are other measures that we can take that will have us engaging with, and helping how best we can, others who are struggling with illness, but perhaps more so with the effects of isolation, depression, neglect, and sorrow.

St. Mark has a history of embracing these admonitions of Paul and Timothy, and that tradition continues to be evident in the words of comfort and deeds of grace that you as a congregation offer to others.

Gracefully Submitted,
Don Parnell

October 9, 2020

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.  May Your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground.  - Psalm 143:10

I don’t know how many times, I’ve heard it, and I’m sure I’ve said it just as many; that “God is in control.”  But I wonder if our hearts really understand what that means?  I sometimes even wonder if we believe that it’s true?

Everyday life has its share of routines and schedules, we get up, do what we need to do for the day (whether that be school, work, appointments, etc.) then we perhaps spend some time with family, and go to bed.  Each and every day, like clockwork, like cogs in a wheel, we do exactly what needs to be done.  Perhaps we’ve worked up to incorporate the spiritual disciplines of prayer or Bible study into our daily routine, but it’s now and still just part of a daily routine. When does life change?  When does the soul awaken to something better?

I believe we find something better when we begin to seek it out.  Jesus tells his disciples early in his ministry that if you want something you have to ask, if you want to find something you must seek, and if you want to have a door opened you must knock (Matthew 7:7-12).

Perhaps, when we added disciplines of a spiritual nature to our daily routine it was for the purpose of seeking something better; peace, enlightenment, patience, courage, etc.  However, over time our routines again become just routine, if don’t keep our hearts and minds open to the leading of God.  We need, from time-to-time, to acknowledge anew the One whom we want to lead us.  I love the words of the psalmist above: teach me to do Your will…May Your gracious Spirit lead…  The psalmists is reminding us of who and for whom our life has purpose.  The Psalmist reminds us to acknowledge God in and with the depths of our soul, that we might find, again, God’s ways above our own.  It’s hard to know that God is in control, when we only acknowledge God as routine, and have forgotten that it is toward God that we are moving. 

Whatever our current routines, I pray that we will seek God, seek the presence of God’s Holy Spirit, and that God will lead us on level ground to do God’s will, serveing to build God’s kingdom, here and now.

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Sam

October 8, 2020

1 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up,
    my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
    too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
    like a weaned child with its mother;
    my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.
3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
    from this time on and forevermore. – Psalm 131

I wish I could spend every day in the position of quiet trust that this psalm elicits.

In this song of ascent, the psalmist ascribes the calm and quiet soul to be like that of a waned child with its mother.  The beauty in those words, is that the mothers’ love is no longer something that is desired for what the mother provides in physical nourishment. The child has learned to take care of themselves, yet, in the quietness of the evening, they still choose to rest with their mother for the comfort and peace there is in that place.

I feel privileged to get a visual of this almost every day, as our days wined down, and we prepare for its close. The children, can’t help themselves but want to climb as close to their mom as they can, asking her for stories, and hugs, and kisses good nights. 

Sometimes, as parents it can feel smothering to have those moments with all the children pile on, but one day, and too soon, those moments will be missed.  For some, those moments may now seem like a distant memory. Yet, we are reminded in this analogy, we always have arms open wide to hold us in our time of need. the Lord is our hope, our comfort, our place of rest. So even if we miss the physical touch of care, we know that we are still be held in love by a God above who will be with us always.

May God’s care, grace, peace, and love fill you today, that you rest again in His arms of love.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 7, 2020

For I desire loyalty and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.  - Hosea 6:6

What does the Lord require?  “A faithful heart” is the answer than generally comes to mind, and I never knew why until I ran across this verse in Hosea.  What does the Lord require? God has simply asked us to be loyal, to trust, to listen to God’s commands.

The reason for this, is because God wants us to reciprocate a love that is poured out to us, that we might become one with him, in everything, and realize that everything we have or desire is founded on God’s words for eternal life.  Even in the time of the Old Testament, when sacrifice was still common place, the LORD spoke through the prophet Hosea to tell the people that their loyalty to him is far more important than their ritual sacrifices. 

However, God’s teaching and call for loyalty in scripture does not stop there.  In Matthew 9, Jesus calls Matthew the Levite, to leave his tax collection and follow him.  When Jesus and his disciples went to Matthew’s house to eat the Pharisees saw this and began to ask “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  Jesus response to this however, was “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do.  Go and learn what this means:  I desire mercy and not sacrifice.  For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matt 9:9-13). 

God was teaching  even the professionals, the Pharisees, of his own Hebrew people what God has said through the prophets. God echoes this teaching from Jesus down to us today. These same things that he taught long ago; to love God completely, with all our heart, minds, strengths, to seek to be in, and recognize God’s presence in our lives, and to live in loyalty and mercy. 

How often do we still want to “do things for God,” that God might look on us with favor?  God does not desire work that one might boast, but that you love God humbly and obediently, and seek to be in His presence, loyally, as a loving sacrifice.  God desires for us to desire the divine love, more than sacrifice.  The desire of our heart is granted by God (Psalm 20:4), but may our one desire be always for God’s love, God’s mercy, grace, peace and presence in our lives.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 6, 2020

…Out of Christ fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. – John 1:14

Since today, I celebrate the blessing and the grace of another year on this earth, I want to share from one of my favorite authors, Brennon Manning, on grace.

What is grace?  Is it the belief that we have the free and unmerited favor of God?  Is it the manifestation of salvation in the sinner’s life?  Is grace the blessing we receive, whether expected or not?  Yes, grace is all of these things.  Grace is the very essence of knowing the honor and glory of God, having been in the presence of God, even unaware, and knowing that it is all going to be okay.

In his final book before death, Author Bennan Manning says this:

“My message, unchanged for more than fifty years, is this: God loves 
you unconditionally, as you are and not as you should be, because 
nobody is as they should be. It is the message of grace…A grace 
that pays the eager beaver who works all day long the same wages 
as the grinning drunk who shows up at ten till five…A grace that 
hikes up the robe and runs breakneck toward the prodigal reeking 
of sin and wraps him up and decides to throw a party no ifs, ands, 
or buts…This grace is indiscriminate compassion. It works without 
asking anything of us…Grace is sufficient even though we huff and 
puff with all our might to try to find something or someone it cannot 
cover. Grace is enough…Jesus is enough.”

All is grace, Manning would say, it’s there is every breath in the lungs of every person who needs it, and the truth is we all need it.  Nothing is too big for grace, nor is anything too small for grace.  Grace can be found each and every day as we look into the eyes of someone who needs to know they are loved by God, or in the voice telling us we are loved.  From birth till final breath, and everything we may do in between this is what we need most in this life; grace and the understanding that it is already given freely and openly. 

This year’s activities have not been as expected or planned, but I hope that as bad as things seem from time-to-time in this life we would remember that grace is here, grace is in the blessing of each new day, and the love that we share in the name of Jesus Christ.  Go and be grace given to this world in His name.

Grace and Peace,
Sam

October 5, 2020

Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other… - 1 Corinthians 10:24

If we are being truly honest with ourselves, the idea of thinking of our others before ourselves is perhaps the hardest of Christian concepts.  It isn’t that we refuse to what is good or right. It isn’t that we do not know how to care for others and show love.  We are simply hardwired to worry about self, first.

It would seem that if we were made in the image of God that it would make more sense that we are wired to care for others, but we must remember theologically that we gain this image of God, and grow into the image of God through faith and the acceptance of salvation through Jesus Christ.  Thus, before we gain this image we have ‘fallen short of the glory of God.’

Out salvation starts us on a journey that draws us to be more like Christ, and in that we start to consider what it is that we have to offer to God, and how we live out the call to love our neighbor as ourselves.  We, of course, need to first learn how to love ourselves as God loves us, and I know there are times even that is a struggle.  To truly get to the place where we seek to do what we can for the glory of God, and looking out for the interests of others, is to search deep within and realize that there are times when the decision we make as an individual has a great effect on our relationships with others. Or we may be in a position at some point where the decision we make effects the life or livelihood of others. My understanding of Paul’s message is that we should really consider these choices, and honestly think not only to our advantages, but how these decisions will impact our neighbors whom we say we are to love.

There are plenty of times where there are no good decisions, or times when we know a decision might cause hurt or pain to someone else. It’s doesn’t make it a wrong decision, it just means we need to own our choice, and help a person understand we were doing the best we could for the benefit of all.  The higher up we might be on a social, political, professional level, the more difficult those decisions can be. However, I believe through grace, understanding, and having a character of love and compassion might help even those effected negatively to understand we all strive to do the best we can for the glory of our God.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 4, 2020

To worship online please visit: https://www.stmarkknox.org/sermons

43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. – Acts 2:43-47

While some might be perplexed by the notion of this moment in the history of the church, I for one, have always had hope in these few verses. Luke the physician, giving an account of the actions of the early church, in just a couple of lines paints a picture of what I would consider heaven on earth.

Those who had come to believe in the miracle of resurrection, who understood the gift of the Holy Spirit, who have seen their needs met by the Lord, they came together and day-by-day offered the support each on needed.  They spent their time in worship and fellowship.  I know that some have looked at these verse and scoffed thinking of some hippie commune of old, and I’m sure there have been plenty who have tried to recreate a system like this, and most likely have failed.

On this world communion Sunday, however, I hope I might share some of the hope I see in these words.  The words about the work of our Savior for the people of this world.  These words are very eucharistic. Luke is telling us, that the table of our Lord, that experienced by the disciples at the last supper, is not extended to the homes and to the places where the people gather in the name of the Lord.  People are doing exactly what Jesus asked of them, to break bread and remember. In their remembrance of Christ, they see the people who Christ saw, the poor, the outcast, the sick, and lame.  They offered what they had as a blessing to those who were without.  They didn’t rely on the government to fix the problems they saw around them, the church believed in helping and doing good. Those who were able, continued to work in their professions, continued to provide for their families, they chose to help others out of their abundance, but also worked together so that needs were met in their communities.

This vision Acts gives us of the church is less about a society trying to tuck away from the world, and more about a group of people who really see how bad the world is, and choose to try and make it better for all.  I have a great hope in these verse and for the church, because when the church chooses to do what is right and good in the actions and love of Christ, we see this same thing happening. We see a church making a difference to those who are in their community, and we get that glimpse of the heavenly kingdom even now.

I know we are that church, and I pray we continue in that focus to reach deep and wide in the love of Christ.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 3, 2020

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13

Temptation comes at us all the time, especially when your own spirituality and Christianity is at a point when we are “comfortable with God.”  What I mean is that point when we become comfortable with our relationship with God, and we might stop growing or seeking. We may find ourselves in a position of stagnation in faith. Much like a pond that has nothing to move it around it become stagnant and forms of scum or undesirable stuff begins to grow.  Likewise, when we are not seeking after Christ alone, or having anything added to our faith, we may find bad habits, or laziness, or any other unhealthy opportunities catch up to us and find ways to temp us away from Christ.  Our human might take over, and even though we are moving or busy, undesirable stuff grows in our lives.

The power that we have over such temptation is to continue to move towards God through our relationship with His Son, Jesus.   In Jesus we can find solace, community, and the power to stay away from sin.  Jesus is the “way out.” He covered our sin once and for all; therefore, He can keep us from temptation as we trust in his grace and mercy.  Jesus stirs the waters of our souls and helps to filter out the undesirable stuff so that we can move towards becoming a stream of living water.  We may endure many temptations that are thrown our way, and sometimes even falter, but we will be lifted up because “love holds no record of wrongs” (1 Cor. 13:5).  When our true love, Jesus, is our focus, no temptation can overtake us, even though they will remain present. 

The temptation to give up on many aspects of faith has be very present this year, we were closed to gather for almost 6 months, we may have feel we lost track of one another for a bit. We may have had difficulty with the technology of gathering remotely, online. The temptation could be for us to give up. Yet, God does not give up on us, God is still seeing us through, and God has made a way even in the midst of a pandemic for us to share our faith in community.  It might not be “like it always has been,” but still God is who God has always been, offering us grace, mercy, peace through Christ Jesus, and drawing us ever forward in love.  May the God of peace lift you from temptation, and lead you to join with the saints above and below, in spirit and truth.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 2, 2020

25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you endure;
    they will all wear out like a garment.
You change them like clothing, and they pass away;
27     but you are the same, and your years have no end.
28 The children of your servants shall live secure;
    their offspring shall be established in your presence. – Psalm 102:25-28

We’ve reached the days that the leaves are about to change color (some already started), pretty soon, we will be reminded of the beauty that is painted on the mountain trees as the colors shine brightly in the sunlight.  However, as beautiful as these colors are, we know that this means death to the leave on the tree.  Those leaves will soon fall to the ground, and the trees will be bare.

A mentor of mine, who with his wife adopted a child who was from Malaysia, said he remembers the first time this child experienced autumn here in east Tennessee.  The child wanted the tree leaves change color, enjoying the beauty, but as the leaves  began to drop each day the child became sad.  His adopted father asked why the boy was sad at the sight of the tree losing it’s leaves. The boy said that the tree is dying, and he liked that tree. Where the boy was from, when a tree lost its leaves it meant that the tree was dead, and it wasn’t coming back.  The father assured the boy that the tree was fine, and that when spring time would come the tree would bud and sprout new leaves.  It was hard for the boy to understand, and perhaps he didn’t fully believe until the spring.  When spring arrived, however, the boy saw the buds just as his father has said they would appear, and his little faith became sight – the tree was alive and sprouting new growth!

Long ago, the ancient psalmists new the cycle of things, all of their society, all of creation as they knew it, they understood would one day pass away, but in their faith, they believed that God would endure forever. Even more, they believed that their children (or down their family lines) as they remained faithful, would survive. “the children of your servants shall live secure…”

Their understanding has now become one of the great markers of our faith. We have a hope, that though we will one day pass away from this earth, there is a beautiful resurrection (new life) that is waiting for us.  There our faith will be made sight, and we will rejoice in the presence of our God, forever and ever.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

October 1, 2020

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 9:12

Do we have obstacles in the way of our life reflecting the gospel of Christ?

Our obstacles may be different than what Paul is referring in 1 Corinthians. In this chapter and starting in the previous, Paul has been questioned about the appropriate food a Christian should partake. This call is less about any dietary law, but about what is socially part of the culture of the day. In a region where the gospel is new, much of the food especially meat that is prevalent for consumptions comes from animals that had be slaughtered at part of ritual sacrifice to other gods. Should those who profess the One God and father of the Lord, Jesus partake of such food? Wouldn’t that hurt our witness?

Of course for those who understand and have faith, we learn that God is the One true God, and all other gods are nothing more than false idols, in this instances Paul’s argument is food is food, and it is a gift from God, so it shouldn’t matter.  However, Paul understood that there is sometimes a perception that can’t be overcome among those who don’t yet believe. Therefore, the better choice is to not make someone else stumble because of their lack of understanding or faith.

This secondary argument is the reason for Paul saying ‘we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel…’ When we think about the idea of integrity, being of sound Christian character, then we should strive to not feel we have to explain our way out of a situation.  I’ve heard it said before; “If you have to explain, your already losing.” The idea behind that statement is that if you have to try and explain yourself out of a situation, that person to whom you are explaining already feels they have reason to question you integrity. The question of character creates an obstacle to one ability to share faith.

As a leader, I know how difficult it can be to be transparent, to share the reasons behind decisions, or to for people to trust when they don’t understand those decisions. Mistakes are made, and explaining our way out isn’t always an option. The best course of action, I’ve found, in removing obstacles is to acknowledge our choices, own our choices, and if they are brought into question ask forgiveness if those decisions have caused pain or grievance.  Character or integrity is best seen not explaining our way out, but working our way through, so that obstacle do not become barriers, and we are able to reflect the kind of grace we believe is offered from God, through Christ Jesus our Lord.  May we seek to remove our obstacles for the good sharing the gospel now and always.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

September 30, 2020

…yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

7 It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. – 1 Corinthians 8:6-7

Here is an interesting chapter, giving us a glimpse into the challenges of the first century, gentile, church.  Paul is responding to questions about food that is sacrificed to idols and whether or not person should be permitted to eat them.  The idea of where our food comes from might not something that we would even begin to worry about in today’s society. Most of us simply go to the store or restaurant and purchase the food we want to eat and go on with life. Now, we might care about the quality of our food, or the farms which produced it, but I would guess not in the same manner as what Paul is referring.

There is something that we can learn though, that perhaps is important. Paul, in writing about food, reminds us that idols are at the end, worthless.  Paul’s broad claim is that there is only one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus.  Without these, northing would exist. Paul’s claim reminds us that while we might put our faith in many things, anything other than putting faith in God and Jesus is worthless. Yet, Paul acknowledges that not everyone knows or understands this concept.  It is for the latter reason that we continue even in the twenty-first century with people who put their faith in many different things, and may be revealing the alternative places we might place our worship. Not everyone understands how they might be placing faith in things other than God. Not everyone has understood the salvation offered through Christ, nor how the grace, mercy, and love of God are offered.

I find, that this give us, the people of God, all the more reason to reflect God’s love for us in our actions, in our words, and in the way we interact with others.  If we claim to be the church, to be one of Christ’s own, the way we treat others matters so that we can show them where to truly place their faith, and come to understand everything else is just a worthless idol.

I pray, we live today and everyday living a life of praise and worship to the One, true God. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

September 29, 2020

The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD – at the presence of the Lord of all the earth - Psalm 97:5

Living near the mountains we see, every day how beautiful they are shaped by God.  Their beauty is especially made evident at sunrise and sunset, when the glow of the sun changes their color, and we praise the majesty of God’s handiwork. We love, being so close, having the great opportunity to be in those mountains on a regular basis. Whether hiking, driving, camping, there is something amazing about being in those wonderful mountains.

The mountains are majestic and large and full of the beauty of God’s creation.  Yet at the command of God, or just in his presence, those mountains could melt like wax on a candle.  The mightiest of mountains could become as flat as the plains of the mid-west.  If this could occur to the mountains, whose beauty we enjoy, then why is it that a heart is so cold to produce mountains of its own, mountains of resistance, resentment, pain, regret.  Would these mountains also melt in the presence of the same? 

God created us in His image, yet humans often harden their hearts to God’s love and mercy because we become prideful.  Even when we are open to the Lord and pray to him, often are hearts are still hardened because of our in ability to love others as God has loved us.  The mountains of our hearts, then, become strong like the mightiest mountains on this earth.  But they are still not too powerful for the love of God. 

God’s perusing love works to melt those mountains, and help us find a peace within.  God is after us, and God will never let up until He has us.  God is more faithful than we could ever imagine.  His presence is all over this earth; and we shouldn’t be blinded to it any longer… 

Notice how bright the sun may be shining today, or how the morning dew glistens on the leaves of the plants.  All this and much, much more are signs of the Lord’s presence; even the smile on the face of a friend or loved one, in the kindness of their voice. Everything is a reminded of God’s presence. So, as we are in God’s presence today, may we allow the mountain of anguish and strife that may be in our hearts melt like wax before His majesty and grace.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

September 28, 2020

Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:16

The encourager has made it to your email every day since March 20. In the midst of the pandemic, shutdowns, and isolations, it seemed necessary to share messages of hope and encouragement. 

These messages have meant as much to me to share them, as I hope they have to you to receive them.  Together, we have been reminded of the greatness of our God. We have shared in the trails of our times, and hopefully strengthened the faith to overcome the daily struggles.

As I write this, the days are becoming a little more ‘normal’ (whatever that is). Life has picked back up, schedules are filling up, and much of life seems to be getting back up to pace.  For the encourager, this means I need help. 

I know that many of you have enjoyed these daily words, and reminders of God’s grace. I am always glad and grateful when someone takes a moment to respond. Those responses keep me motivated and focused on sharing.  Yet, as we move into the next month, I want to put out this request.  Do you have an encouraging word of devotion you could share with the congregation?

Would you be willing to write and short note of encouragement, a devotion, a prayer? Would you allow me to share those with the congregation to keep the daily encourager going? If so, please write them and send those notes/devotions/prayers, and I will set them to go out each morning to the congregation as has been the practice these many months.

Many have not yet felt ready to join our in-person worship services, so this might be a way to keep them and us connected. Some of these messages have been shared with those far beyond our community, and in doing so the encouragement of God’s love spreads broadly. I would love to see the encouragement continue to reach our congregation and beyond, so with boldness form the throne of God, I ask you to offer help to keep these daily notes going out.

The writer of Hebrews believed that help comes to those in their time of need, and so with great faith, I am asking for help in this need, as we continue to press forward as the people of God.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

remit devotions to sam3ward@gmail.com

September 27, 2020

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1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble… 10“Be still,  and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:1,10

As we have made our way through the Exodus story with Moses these past weeks, we have seen God present with his people. I hope these stories have reminded us that, as God peoples, today we, too, experience the presence of God in our lives. 

God is there to offer us council and help, to give us direction and purpose. God is present with us in our hurting, and in our rejoicing, and sometimes God is the reason we move for former to the latter. God’s strength amazes us, and confounds us. God’s promises to be with us give us the endurance to keep on going through trying times, knowing that God will be with us in the struggle.

I think that’s the best part of studying the history of the Israelites. They, as a people, know that God was with them in the struggle.

I’ve heard from some in our congregation who have been willing to share their struggles with me, asking for prayer on various things. Through these conversations, I become aware that we do not always recognize the struggle that is going on in those around us. We can’t always read the struggle on their faces, or hear in their voices.  Still, as a people of God, we should recognize that we are in this life together. We are a community, a church, and we should pray for and uplift one another even when we don’t recognize they are struggling.

Truth is, we would want someone to do the same for us, if we were in such situation.  I hope, today, and in the days ahead, we would take a moment to pray for those situations of which we are unaware, but know that God knows, and in the stillness of our being, God will be exalted for helping our friends through the struggle, giving them strength in their time of trouble.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

September 26, 2020

On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2     the Lord loves the gates of Zion
    more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are spoken of you,
    O city of God.          Selah

4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
    Philistia too, and Tyre, with Ethiopia—
    “This one was born there,” they say.

5 And of Zion it shall be said,
    “This one and that one were born in it”;
    for the Most High himself will establish it.
6 The Lord records, as he registers the peoples,
    “This one was born there.”             Selah

7 Singers and dancers alike say,
    “All my springs are in you.” – Psalm 87

We might remember singing the hymn “Marching to Zion.” The lyrics states that those who love the Lord should come along as we march towards the gates of the beautiful city of God.  Zion is the name given for thy city or mountain in which God dwells. For many scholars, Zion of synonymous with Jerusalem because so many important things happen in that particular place.

  • There Melchezidek, king and priest of God Most High, reigned and served.

  • There Abraham was willing to offer Isaac on the mount of the Lord where His perfect sacrifice would be provided.

  • There David, Israel’s greatest earthly king, reigned and made it the kingdom’s capital.

  • There the tabernacle of God found its fulfillment and permanence in the great temple David designed and Solomon built.

  • There the institutions of sacrifice, worship, and priestly service were established for centuries.

  • There Jesus recognized and honored the city and observed the feasts and temple rituals.

  • There Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.

  • There the church was born in a day at Pentecost.

  • There the apostles served and sent out the Gospel.

  • There is where many believe God will establish the physical, geographic center of His ultimate kingdom upon earth.

Ultimately we know that Jesus will establish a new heaven and new earth and his church will welcome Jesus back, but the reality is that the new Jerusalem, the new city of peace will be far grander than the old. It will house the saints above and saints below, and it will be a kingdom that lasts forever. It hard to wrap our minds around such a concept, but as we pray this old Psalm of praise, the great joy is to know that all will surround the never-ending wellspring of life, with singing, dancing, and praise to the God who is forever.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

September 25, 2020

14 Those who love me, I will deliver;
    I will protect those who know my name.
15 When they call to me, I will answer them;
    I will be with them in trouble,
    I will rescue them and honor them.
16 With long life I will satisfy them,
    and show them my salvation. – Psalm 91:14-16

I know a saint of God, who told me she prayed psalm 91 any time her children would leave the house when they were younger. For her, the psalm as the best assurance she could offer that her children would be safe and protected when not with her. Both of her children and now grown and have their own families, but she continues to pray this prayer over them and many others whom she loves.

God is the great deliver, and while we know there are dangers we face in this world, the words of this psalm do remind us for God’s assurance, his angels that watch over, his hands that bear us up. In fact, it is a portion of this psalm that the devil uses to tempt Jesus telling him to cast himself off the highest mountain “for as it is written …. you will not dash your foot against a stone” (Matt 4:1-10). Jesus response, however is a greater command from God, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.

While we may believe in the goodness of God to protect us and assure us of help in time of trouble; I also agree with Jesus, we should not test the Lord our God. I think sometimes, we need to be reminded that God watches over us, when we don’t know any better, but we also need to use our own common sense so that we don’t test the Lord. 

God knows that we have seen a lot of death in this world over the last 6 months or so, it’s a struggle to try to get back to life as we once knew it. I believe in God’s protection, but I also choose to wear a mask, keep distance, and pray that others would do the best they can to keep themselves and others safe.  May we strive for the long life that is promised by doing what we can to protect ourselves and others, for the glory of God.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

September 24, 2020

But anyone joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. - 1 Corinthians 6:17

There is no doubt that we are a connected people.  Even as disconnected as we may have felt during the pandemic, we are still connected in many ways. In all previous generations there were never the opportunities to be connected as we have in this current generation.  Meetings that used to obligate our travel, now can happen from the comfort of everyone’s own home. We can ‘see’ each other even if we live thousands of miles apart.

Now I know that this might seem like a “so what” kind of moment, it’s done all the time and the technology has allowed many a people to join together from afar.  However, have you really thought of the implications of this?  We can now visit with relatives and actually see how they are doing even when we or they have moved away.  We can have meetings and attend school and learn from the comfort of our own homes.  We have the ability to be connected to anyone, anywhere in the world.  If this is so, however, why is there still such division and divisiveness in our world?

Paul, in the most connected fashion of his day, wrote a letter to the church at Corinth, and reminded them that they too shared a connection, that if anyone of them be joined in Christ Jesus, then they are all of one Spirit with Him.  As we lay aside what makes us different and unique and take on the one Imago Dei (the image of God) we can be united as one people for a common purpose of sharing God’s grace and love with the world. 

We must confess that we have sometimes used out connectedness to spread things other than kindness and love. We are the most connected people to ever walk on this earth, why not use this connectedness for something that could change the course of the world, or at least the life of another?  Why not use this connectedness to remind others for the presence of God in their lives, that no matter where we go, or where we are, we are connected by the One Spirit, making us one people for the glory of His name. God calls on each of us to share in His love, and calling for unity in His almighty name.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

September 23, 2020

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. – Matthew 5:43-45

Jesus, in the sermon on the mount speaks many truths in which his followers should listen and obey.  Many of the teachings founds in Matthew’s gospel were common among the Jewish audience to whom he was writing.  They would have understood all the “you have heard it said…” saying.  They were part of the regular teaching they heard in the synagogue.  Jesus, however, liked to push the envelope, to get the people to open up their minds and hearts a little further. To dive deeper in their understanding of God’s mercy and grace offered to them through faith.

This above passage is one such teaching. Loving our neighbor seems to be at the very heart of God’s command to us, for we know that the greatest command is to love God and love neighbor as we wish to be loved.  However, the apparent saying, was to love neighbor but hate an enemy.  I don’t know where at some point this idea of hatred for an enemy arises. I know we can point to many psalms and passages of the old testament which state something to the effect of God hates this or that enemy with a perfect hatred.  Yet, Jesus teaches us that God, the Father in heaven is father to all. He makes the sun rise and set on all, regardless of evil or good status; righteous or unrighteous status.

The deeper truth is that as God is God of all, we are to hold closer those with whom we disagree. Hold them in prayer, care about their situation, perhaps have a little empathy.  Enemies today, are not often those who are ‘at war’ with one another, though that is an experience in this life. Instead, Jesus teachings on how to pray for or love our enemies makes me think of those who we have relationship, but that relationship is broken. How could we pray or mend that relationship? How can we find peace with those whom we disagree?

As easy as it is to be angry towards all whom we might disagree, perhaps the better place to be is in prayer for them, and hope that they would pray for us, so that we might move forward together, seeking understanding and peace.

Grace & Peace to you,
Sam

September 22, 2020

I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark saying from of old… - Psalm 78:2

Though I have written on this psalm before, I want to share a little more, as it is again the psalm of the day (following the daily office of the Book of Common Prayer).

The “dark,” or deep, sayings are called such because they have so much of the Law of God given in them, with the charge to teach them to our children, that these laws might abide forever. The teachings from their own history of disobedience, was meant to teach the Israelite people the providence of God, both mercy and judgement. The teaching is meant to encourage them to obey God, even when others hadn’t. God’s work even in our disobedience should strengthen our resolution to keep God’s commands.

The psalms brief summary of religion, containing the principles of faith and obedience, show only our God to be the living and true God. God is God alone, and the only One to be praised. The three-fold mention of the Divine names, and the plural number of the word translated God, seem plainly to intimate a Trinity of persons, even in this express declaration of the unity of the Godhead. Happy those who have this one Lord for their God. It is better to have one fountain than a thousand cisterns; one all-sufficient God than a thousand insufficient friends. This is the first and great commandment of God's law, that we love him; and that we do all parts of our duty to him from a principle of love. We are to love God with all our heart, and soul, and might. That is:

1. with a sincere love; not in word and tongue only, but inwardly in truth.

2. with a strong love. He that is our All, must have our all, and none but he.

3. with a superlative love; we must love God above any creature whatever, and love nothing but what we love for him.

4. with an intelligent love. To love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, we must see good cause to love him.

5. with an entire love; he is ONE, our hearts must be united in his love. Oh that this love of God may be shed abroad in our hearts!

May our lives reflect the love that we have of the One who showers us with mercy and grace, though we do not deserve it. Praise be to the God whom we love.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Worship Update

As we navigate back towards a new normal, for the next several weeks we will continue to meet at 10:00 am.  In addition, the online service will continue to be available at 9:00 am each Sunday for those who wish to remain a part of the online community for any reason.

A few things you will need to know as you plan to worship in-person with us.

1.      Everyone present must wear a mask (we will have some available if you forget)

2.      When you arrive please “check-in” with the ushers. (We are required to keep an accurate account of everyone present. )

3.      Many of the pews in our sanctuary will be roped off, please do only sit in an open area, and we will do our best to keep 6 feet distance between family units.

4.      Tithes and offerings may be left in the offering plates located at designated areas in the back and front of the sanctuary – you may leave these as your enter or as you leave.

I greatly look forward to see you in the Sanctuary next Sunday! I hope you have a blessed week, and find ways to be blessed by blessing others each and every day!

Grace & Peace,
Sam