Light of the World

Editor's Note: I shared this reflection in our church's December newsletter.

Christmas is coming. In Sunday School, we prepare our hearts for the coming of God’s Son – as a baby who came to grow, teach, and save; as a king who came to rule and reign. God called His Son, Jesus, to bring light into the world, to shine in the darkness, to open our hearts, to teach us heaven’s ways. We call the four weeks before Christmas: The Season of Advent. It’s a Latin word meaning “coming.” Christ is coming.

Let’s pray: Come Lord Jesus. Come into our hearts. Open our minds. Let your Spirit fill us with faith, hope, joy, love and peace as we await your coming. Help us to serve you by reaching out in love and forgiveness to others so that our lives reflect you – The Light of the World. Amen.

Chasing After Answers

I had an awful "morning-after" feeling when I read the election results today. I asked myself: How could this happen? Where is God in this muddle?

I wanted to talk to someone who might provide insight and comfort. Then I remembered many of the people close to me hold different ideas about various issues that were on the ballot. That's when I took time to pray: "Lord, help me understand."

I knelt beside my bed, opened my Bible and I prayed that the Word would shed light on our current situation. The pages fell open, and I began to read: "The book of Hosea is a tragic love story with a happy ending."

I soon learned that Hosea was called by God not only to be a messenger to His people, but also to marry an unfaithful woman. And so, Hosea married Gomer. After bearing three children to Hosea, Gomer acted unfaithfully and shattered their marriage. In the end, Hosea urged Gomer to repent and receive forgiveness and restoration. The second half of the book draws lessons from this symbolic story comparing God's people, who had turned to other gods, to Gomer who had turned to other men. Like Gomer, God's people would receive forgiveness and restoration if they would return to God.

Through its 14 chapters, the Book of Hosea brought me the comfort I was seeking. "We the People" are just as human as God's people were thousands of years ago when this book was written. We all have our own idols, call them what you will: money, status, power, work, political and social agendas, material goods, hobbies, television, sports, video games, the internet, drugs, alcohol, food, and much more. If something distracts us from spending time with God, it's an idol.

God wants a relationship with each one of us. He wants us to acknowledge: He is God and that we need His help. At times, we sink into the darkness - similar to Gomer and God's people thousands of years ago. We're here today...

To answer my earlier questions: "How could this happen? Where's God in this muddle?" I realized "We the People" are like Gomer chasing after something not meant for us. And sometimes, it is necessary to stumble in the darkness and feel hopeless.

In these difficult times, we gain an opportunity to realize: God is right beside us. He's waiting for us to call so that He can reach out, meet our needs and lead us into the light. Meanwhile, we wait patiently and obediently as Hosea did, prayerfully, urging others to return to God too.

"Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those who are discerning listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right." Hosea 14:9a-c

Leading Group Prayer

*Editor's Note: Here's my latest submission to our congregation's monthly newsletter.

Have you ever been asked, “Will you lead us in prayer?”

It need not be a heart-stopping moment. In fact, it’s a natural step up from personal prayer. When we pray alone, we thank God for His blessings and ask Him for help. Doing that with comfort – in front of a group – comes with practice. Why not start now, with mealtime at home or in a small group at church? Here are a few pointers:

Keep it simple.

· Address God aloud so all present can hear you.

· Thank Him for this time together in this place. (Church, home, town hall, hospital, restaurant, etc.)

· Ask His blessings upon those gathered for whatever purpose the gathering occurs. (Worship, fellowship, missionary work, celebration, problem-solving or whatever the case may be.)

· Lift up others unable to be present. (Maybe, those who are ill or serving in the military, and especially those for whom this meeting will benefit. For example, a quilters’ meeting benefits the quilt recipients.)

· Ask Him to send His Spirit to guide the group so that all might know His love, joy and peace.

· Close the prayer: In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Be genuine. There’s no need to use fluffy words or phrases. So, relax!

Believe God hears YOU! In the gospel of Luke, just a few verses after the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus says: “Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.”

Trust HIM, as did Our Lord Jesus Christ, by finishing those requests with “Not my will, but yours, be done.” Amen.

Prayer Prompts

Editor's Note: I shared this thought in the September edition of our church newsletter.

 

When it comes to prayer, some people confess, “I really have no idea what to say.”

The truth is: There is no right or wrong way to talk to God. The main point is to work prayer into every day. Choose a regular quiet moment. Maybe the best time is when you wake up, exercise, eat a meal or lay down to sleep. Here are a few prompts to help you start.

Keep prayer simple.

1. Address God by name. You might say: O Lord; Dear God; Heavenly Father; Lord Jesus; or even, Holy Spirit. The main idea is to come reverently before our Creator, Savior and Helper.

2. Give thanks for God’s blessings. You might say: Thank You for this moment; a roof over head; clean clothes; food to eat; family, friends, teachers, classmates or pets to share my time; sunshine, rain or fresh air; school work, gainful employment or volunteer work; Your listening ear; a chance to begin anew. Remember: This is your moment to count your blessings. Make the most of it!

3. Ask for help. You might say: Help me know what You want me to do. Maybe you need to stop a bad habit; start a better one; forgive someone; or even, assist and encourage someone. Don’t be afraid to name your concern. God is listening. You might also say: Please bless (name someone) who is struggling with (whatever his/her trouble).

4. Close the prayer. It can be as simple as saying “Amen,” or more solemnly by saying, In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Daily practice makes prayer come easier. For more inspiration, listen to how others pray. May God’ Spirit guide you, so that – in time – you will help others pray too. Amen.

One Wondrous Comfort

I woke in the middle of the night and had trouble returning to sleep.

When that happens, I've learned to take my cue. 

I open my Bible.

This time the pages randomly opened to Psalm 121. As I read the opening lines, I was surprised. They were the same ones I'd embroidered on a pillow years ago. Hours earlier while straightening that very pillow, I'd taken time to read the words. I noticed how years of use had worn away the purple floss so that some words were missing letters and how the ada cloth was no longer white.

Still, I couldn't bring myself to throw the pillow away, even though I knew these two verses by heart.

As I lay in bed with my finger on the Bible page, I read the entire psalm. Its words comforted me.

I placed the open book over my heart and slept.

This morning as I walked, I lifted my eyes to the hills. Shortly after, I lifted my camera.

This evening, I lifted the image onto my laptop.

It's amazing how God works.

Three different moments.

Same psalmic thought.

One wondrous comfort.

What is Prayer?

Editor's Note: I shared this message in our church's August newsletter.


In Sunday School, we teach our students to say: "God made me. God loves me. God wants me close to Him." Then we ask, "How can you or I grow closer to God?" This question often leads to another:

"What is prayer?"

Our students often respond, "Prayer is 'talking' to God." It's true. God wants you and me to share with Him whatever is on our heart. We can do this aloud or silently; alone in a quiet place; or by closing our eyes while in a crowd. We can sit, kneel, stand, slouch, walk, run or even jump while talking to God. God wants to know what makes us happy, sad, worried, mad, relieved or grateful.

Then, there's the trickier part of the lesson: God also wants you and me to listen. To do so, we must quiet both our body and mind to focus on an answer. Sometimes God speaks to us through others. Other times, God speaks to us when we read His Word. Often times, God speaks directly to our heart. We recognize God when the answer is good and true. Sometimes we may need to ask a trusted grownup for help to understand God's answer.

What's best of all? Even before you or I pray, God knows what's on our heart. He has an answer ready. It may not always be what we want, but we can always trust God to give us what we need. He wants only what's best for each of us. Whatever His answer, we can be assured that it will help us grow closer to Him and learn to believe that only God can provide exactly what you and I need. Amen.

I'm Sorry. I Forgive You.

Editor's Note: I wrote this message and presented these images for our church's July newsletter. May they bless you too.

I'm Sorry. I Forgive You.

In Sunday School, we use these two simple lines in a role-playing scenario to teach a powerful lesson. The children pair up. One says, "I'm sorry." The other replies, "I forgive you." Then, the two switch roles so that each has an opportunity to ask for and give forgiveness.

Most students find the lesson easy. A few truly struggle to utter the words.

In The Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray: "Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us."

Our Lord's lesson is a healthy habit. We admit that we are human. We make mistakes. We are sorry and want to do better. We admit that other people make mistakes too. When we offer them forgiveness - whether or not they ask for the gift - we free ourselves from the burden and give it over to God.

God loves each one of us. He wants us close to Him. Jesus made that relationship possible. Through Jesus' death on the cross, he bought us by paying for our sins so that, by believing in Him, we might live forever in God's Kingdom. Let's pray:

Good and gracious God, Thank YOU for sending Your Son, Jesus, to teach me how to love others by forgiving them with help from Your Holy Spirit. Amen.