Isaiah 57:16-19 Baby Step14

O, Father, my Father, you are the high and lofty one.

You are greater than all gods.

You are beyond what I can perceive.

Yet you are known by little children.

O, Jesus, sweet Jesus you inhabit eternity.

You are outside and beyond time.

You are the unmoved mover.

Yet you chose to step into time and space.

O, Spirit, Holy Spirit, you are the Holy Breath.

You are the creator of order from chaos.

You are the sacred fire, all wisdom, and power.

Yet you heal, revive, and lead with gentleness and mercy.

O, Blessed Trinity, you are exalted, lifted on high

You are gift and giver, filled with mystery and grace.

You ask from me a humble spirit and a contrite heart.

You promise to repay me with comfort and peace.

Amen.

Recognition – Baby Step 13

READ: Psalm 88

My Song is Love Unknown Samuel Crossman (1664)

1 My song is love unknown, 
my Savior’s love to me. 
Love to the loveless shown, 
that they might lovely be. 
Oh, who am I that for my sake, 
oh, who am I that for my sake 
my Lord should take frail flesh and die?

2 He came from heaven’s throne 
salvation to bestow; 
but they refused, and none 
the longed-for Christ would know. 
This is my friend, my friend indeed, 
this is my friend, my friend indeed, 
who at my need, his life did spend.

3 Sometimes they crowd his way 
and his sweet praises sing, 
resounding all the day 
hosannas to their King. 
Then, “Crucify!” is all their breath, 
then, “Crucify!” is all their breath, 
and for his death they thirst and cry.

4 Why, what has my Lord done 
to cause this rage and spite? 
He made the lame to run 
and gave the blind their sight. 
What injuries, yet these are why, 
what injuries, yet these are why 
the Lord Most High so cruelly dies.

5 With angry shouts they have 
my dear Lord done away;
a murderer they save, 
the Prince of Life they slay.
Yet willingly, he bears the shame,
yet willingly, he bears the shame,
that through his name all might be free.

6 Here might I stay and sing 
of him my soul adores:
never was love, dear King, 
never was grief like yours.
This is my friend in whose sweet praise,
this is my friend in whose sweet praise
I all my days would gladly spend.

https://youtu.be/oOEjZb-rHc0

The Daily Office from The Mission of St. Clare, June 17, 2016

PRAYER:

Oh, Lord, please break my heart as my body is broken, that I might see the gift of your Salvation. May I recognize my frailty as an opportunity to show ways I might run though lame, might see though blind, might be free though bound. Let me see the willingness of the Prince of Life to set aside his throne, take on the frailty of human life, and willingly allow Himself to be broken so I might be free. Let me find the freedom beyond my pain in praise. I would gladly spend all my days lost in wonder and praise. Amen.

Baby Step Twelve: Second Chances

June 11, 2016

Read Acts 4:32-37 and Psalm 15

Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement,” is first made known in scripture when he sells his field and brings all the proceeds to the apostles to encourage the spread of the Good News of Jesus' death and resurrection. As the Acts of the Apostles continues to unfold, Barnabas becomes the disciple of second chances.

Paul comes to Jerusalem to seek the blessing of the Apostles. Only Barnabas is willing to listen to Paul’s story, take him before the Apostles, and vouch for him. Paul a “second chance” to carry the Good News beyond the Jewish community. Barnabas and Mark go with Paul on his next missionary journey. Part way into the trip, Mark turns around and goes home.




Paul considers Mark as undependable. It is Barnabas, who gives Mark a “second chance.” Rather than go with Paul, Barnabas goes on a missionary journey with Mark. Paul subsequently asks for Mark to be warmly received because he has been useful in ministry.

I think of the many “second chances” my parents, my husband, my children, my friends have given me. We all fall short.  We take a wrong turn and end up somewhere we didn’t plan to go.

We tell a little lie that doesn’t stay so small. We hurt our friends and blame others for actions we have willingly and knowingly taken. We fail to keep our word because it seems too costly. We take bribes, just to get a little bit ahead of our neighbor. We cut a corner here or there.

Oh, that we could all be a Barnabas. Son of encouragement. Giver of second chances.

Prayer: We thank you for the second chances we received today and yesterday. We are thankful for Barnabas, who reminds us we serve a God of second chances. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Baby Step Eleven: Smile, Laugh Sing

Each morning during the season of Pentecost, I am reminded of God’s creative power. Of the Holy Spirit that “moved over the face of the waters to bring light and life to God’s creation.” I begin by asking God to “pour out His Spirit on this day that I might walk as a child of light.” I am reminded to watch as the “Spirit of God fills the whole world.” (Morning Prayer, Monday - Pentecost)

What power, what grace, what joy is mine. I do not walk alone in the darkness. I need not shuffle, barely moving my feet. In one sweeping Word my Lord and Savior “forgives all my sins and heals all my infirmities.” Does that mean all pain is swept away? No, but by focusing on His light and my lightness in each new day, I can set my pain aside. I can concentrate on His goodness. (Psalm 103)

This morning, and every morning, the shades are drawn back so I can see the power of God in my life where I find forgiveness for my anger, healing for my anxiety, a way out from my depression. I can raise my head. I need not watch my feet. I can stand tall holding not just my walker, but grasping God’s steadfast love and mercy.

I am reminded God’s Pentecostal power opens His this day and every day love and mercy. I can be a mirror, a reflection of His forgiving nature. I can choose to hold on to the creative power of decency, kindness, honesty, and integrity. When I walk as a child of the light, that should be what

others see: Him in me.

Smile; don’t frown. Laugh; don’t cry. Sing; don’t whine. Be a window for His goodness. Be door to his righteousness. The path is well-lighted. I am His and He is mine. He renews my strength for each baby step I take this day. 

Baby Step 10: As Simple As 1, 2, 3

The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.”[1]

--John Pierpoint “J.P.” Morgan

  ‘Can’t they keep their minds on God for five minutes?
    Do they simply refuse to walk down my road?’[2]

It is easiest in the morning. Assuming you slept the night before, you have the energy to look forward. The willingness to follow your plan. The focus to honor your boundaries. Preparedness to accept the covenant you made with God.

Then evening comes, energy dissipates, willingness becomes buried in the need to escape, our attentiveness moves from plan to business as usual, focus and boundaries become blurred; we neglect to stay prepared.

How can you make positive changes in your life and behavior when each day is a struggle just to survive? How can you keep your mind on God when you fear the change you need to make will just leave you alone on the other end?

I wonder if Jesus, as he resolutely set his face toward Jerusalem and death, worried about this daily drift? Did he look at his disciples’ fear and lack of understanding would create a carelessness ending in an unintended destination?

God created a perfect plan to take the slaves known to the Egyptians as the Hebrews and form them into a nation of spiritual fortitude and power. He even hand-picked a leader and prepared him in the house of the Pharaoh, and among the herds and wilderness of the Midianites.

The nation that would become Israel and the disciples that would become the early church looked good on the surface. However, could they pay the price of success?

Today, like them, “each day is filled with thousands of opportunities to change the story of our lives. . . . [We need to position ourselves] to make the most proactive, intentional and beneficial decisions possible.” [3]

^7-12 If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best![4]

It is as simple as:

1.       Deciding not stay where you are;

2.       Staying focused on God and his plan five minutes at a time; and

3.       Being willing to carry the visible message of salvation visible in our   brokenness. and weakness.

Bibliography

Hyatt, Michael, and Daniel Harkavy. 2016. Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. Accessed March 2016. LivingForwardBook.com.

Petersen, Eugene H. 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. The Message. Carol Stream, Illinois: NavPress Publishing Group. Accessed March 18, 2016. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Message-MSG-Bible/.

---

[1] (Hyatt and Harkavy 2016) p. 15

[2] (Petersen 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002) Psalm 95:12 MSG

[3] (Hyatt and Harkavy 2016) pp. 18, 19

[4] (Petersen 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002) 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 MSG

Baby Step Nine - Trusting God for Deliverance

Baby Steps - March 12, 2016

Psalms 107 and 108

James Cameron, the writer and director of the 1997 “epic romantic disaster film “(Wikepedia) felt that the juxtaposition of a “love story interspersed with the human loss would be essential to convey the emotional impact of the disaster.” The musical score including the love song,  My Heart Will Go On, was composed by James Horner. Although it is the only song on the soundtrack that has lyrics, my favorite rendition is a piano solo by Mike Strickland.

I find the intensity of the music, originally written without lyrics, to convey my experiences of my emotional connectivity with our daughters, and the love and power of God to act in the midst of many troubles and calling upon His promise to bring his authority and victory to every situation.

In Psalms 107 and 108, (Wesley Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version, 2009), we are called as a people of God regathered from exile to give our “Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles” and to offer our “Praise and Prayer for Victory.”

“O give thanks to the Lord for he is good;

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

    those he redeemed from trouble.” (107:1-2 NRSV)

“but he raises up the needy out of distress . . .

Let those who are wise give heed to these things,

     and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.” (107:41, 43 NRSV)

All God’s redeeming acts encourage and teach the faithful.

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,

     and let your glory be over all the earth.

Give victory with your right hand, and answer me,

     so that those whom you love may be rescued.” (108:5-6 NRSV)

“O grant us help against the foe

     for human help is worthless.” (108:12 NRSV)

“Give us help for the hard task.” (108:12 MSG, (Petersen, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002))

DELIVERANCE

“In a world of often dueling oppression we may overlook the fact that everyone encounters times of discomfort, danger and distress. The severity and duration of our experiences differ, but no comparison is necessary.” These Psalms assure us, whoever we are: no matter our “race, gender, age ethnicity or belief.” Let the redeemed, “whoever we are, wherever we live, whatever we are going through, let us ‘say so’ to recognize God’s power to help us overcome.” (Wesley Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version, 2009, p. 734)

Somehow, someway, God has given me a special connection with my daughters. No matter how near or far, I somehow feel and own their emotional pain, distress, or danger. They don’t need to call, I just know. My heart responds intuitively. My body responds viscerally.  I would never ask for this pain, distress, and trouble be lifted from me, because somehow, someway God helps me carry their burdens and breathes life into my prayers.  I know we are the redeemed. I believe this connectivity between our girls, myself, and my God grants the opportunity to “say so” on behalf of those I love. We can, through God’s power, overcome the needs of the day, the season, even the extended exile because we know.

Run to the God-light

God’s love is meteoric,
    his loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic,
    his verdicts oceanic.
Yet in his largeness
    nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse,
    slips through the cracks. (Psalm 36:5-6 MSG) 1/20/15

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

 “This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.” (John 3:16-21 MSG)

Let your love, God, shape my life
    with salvation, exactly as you promised;
Then I’ll be able to stand up to mockery
    because I trusted your Word.
Don’t ever deprive me of truth, not ever—
    your commandments are what I depend on.
Oh, I’ll guard with my life what you’ve revealed to me,
    guard it now, guard it ever;
And I’ll stride freely through wide open spaces
    as I look for your truth and your wisdom;
Then I’ll tell the world what I find,
    speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed. (Psalm 119: 41-47 MSG)

 “That’s why my cup is running over. This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.

“The One who comes from above is head and shoulders over other messengers from God. The earthborn is earthbound and speaks earth language; the heavenborn is in a league of his own. He sets out the evidence of what he saw and heard in heaven. No one wants to deal with these facts. But anyone who examines this evidence will come to stake his life on this: that God himself is the truth.

^“The One that God sent speaks God’s words. And don’t think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces. The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to him so he could give it away—a lavish distribution of gifts. That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn’t see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that.” (John 3:29-30 MSG)

 I run to you, God; I run for dear life.
    Don’t let me down!
    Take me seriously this time!
Get down on my level and listen,
    and please—no procrastination!
Your granite cave a hiding place,
    your high cliff aerie a place of safety.(Psalm 31:1-2 MSG)

 “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.” (John 4:23-24 MSG)

God gave his best, he asks for no less from me. When I bury myself in darkness, I am like the chaos before creation. When I run to the God-light, I am not creating light. That is already done. As I grow closer and closer to His love and truth, I become more and more reflective of His light. As I move nearer and nearer, more and more of me disappears, greater and greater His light shines, so they too run to the God-light.

Peterson, Eugene H. The Message (MSG). Carol Stream, IL: NavPress, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.