Open Eyes & Burning Hearts

Have you ever had an epiphany? Its an old Greek word that simply means an appearance. Sometimes it one can come when you are doing the dishes, on a run or walk, or studying a problem. You never know when something you have been turning around in your mind or heart will "click," connecting you to some greater reality or discovery. 

For me, they often happen after I have gotten myself stuck trying to solve a problem on my own with no success. While I'd like to say my first response to any given problem is prayer and reflection, often it is not. This is a discipline God is working out in my life and some days I'm better at it than others. I'm in good company however, many of Jesus disciples had the same tendency. Consider the Moravian Daily Texts...

Psalm 107:1-9; 1 Samuel 5:1-7:1; Luke 24:28-35 


The Lord lives! Blessed be my rock. Psalm 18:46 


Come to Jesus Christ, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in 
God’s sight. 1 Peter 2:4 

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had mulled over the events of the week, in Greek , literally debating or "tossing back and forth" the conversation. They had turned this over in their mind over and over with no luck in figuring it out. It Jesus himself opening their understanding of the scriptures as he walked with them on the road as a stranger. 

When did they recognize him? Not when he gave them amazing teaching, or challenged their understanding.  It was when the "were at table," sitting down for a meal as friends, when he began his regular practice of taking bread, giving thanks, breaking and passing it. It was here that the epiphany happened and their eyes were opened.

There are times when God wants to remind us that he with with us in the most intimate of spaces. A simple meal with a deep and rich significance. In order for the burning of our hearts to be recognized, our eyes must be opened to this simple truth.... God loves us and wants to be in the everyday life with us. From this place of trust we can see that the entire journey has not been one we have taken alone. Whatever you may be mulling over or thinking about, may you be mindful of God's presence with you and his ability to help you carry any load.

Daily Prayer:
Lead us to the rock that is higher than us, O Lord! Let our lives be forever in you. We come to you Jesus, our foundation and strength. Upon you we will build our lives. May we be steadfast in faith and the assurance of life unending. 

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Right Peace

Did you know that there is a wrong kind of peace? Whether it be a peace ushered in by political oppression or the uneasy peace that happens when two sides are just too tired to fight any longer, the result us the same; hate and distrust fester. Consider the DailyMoravian Texts...

Psalm 106:40-48; 1 Samuel 3,4; Luke 24:13-27 

Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Psalm 85:9,10 


Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish. 2 Peter 3:14 

This morning I am mindful and mournful at the status of our world. Some here in the US have misused the beautiful gift or free speech in such a way as to rouse the uneasy tension in the Middle East, a place that has lived under oppression and in violence for the entirety of history. All politics aside, and from having watched the film in question; I can say my heart breaks at its content. Not because of any personal opinion about Islam or the "prophet," but simply because this incident has become an opportunity for those who hate the US to vomit hate in such a way that Innocent champions for freedom are murdered. 

I was listening to an Imam on the radio condemn the attack saying that Islam teaches that the blood of the innocent should not be shed for someone else's action. By that reasoning any offended party would be just in killing the makers of the film. It was at this point in the program that I shut it off and thought long and hard. 

I am grateful for Jesus. He has taught me not to return evil for evil, but to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me (Matt 5-7). I am free, if I choose to be, from the cycle of hate and revenge that consumes the world. Jesus also taught me that I need not fear this world for he has overcome it (John 16). It is in this place that His Righteousness and His Peace "kiss" and I am free to live and love standing for justice without doing evil myself. 

My prayer for all of us this morning is that we would learn to trade the uneasy peace and tainted self-righteousness of this world for the eternally secure peace and freely given righteousness that Jesus offers us. 

Daily Prayer:

You are our salvation, righteousness and peace, O Christ. While we await your coming, fulfill in us your holiness so others may see and know that you are God. The time is now for faith and a holy fear that binds us resolutely to you. O spotless Lamb, take away the sin in us as you have taken away the sin of the world. 

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Not My Best Day

Ever had one of those weeks where you just can't muster up the best version of yourself? This week has been one of those for me. The stress of everyday life can sap us of our ability to listen, reflect, and live the way we would want. The fruit of the spirit in our lives can seem small. But God has this way of reminding us he is in it for the long hall. Consider the Moravian Daily Texts...

Psalm 106:32-39; 1 Samuel 2:12-36; Luke 24:1-12 

The days of our life are seventy years, or perhaps eighty, if we are strong; even then their span is only toil and trouble. Psalm 90:10 

What can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 

I have found that most of the issues that weigh me down are not eternal in nature... Money will come and go, people will sometime treat me poorly at work, I will have family fights. These things are unavoidable parts of a life that full of messy people, my own mess included. As a pastor the OT text for today reminded me that while Eli's sons had become self-serving, God had not forgotten his people. It also reminded me that a couple dropped administrative tasks are nothing in comparison to the mistakes these guys made. Maybe there is hope for me yet. 

In the last line of the Gospel text we find Peter, after having made the biggest mistake of his life in denying Jesus, runs to the empty tomb. Jesus Came back  for the Peter's of the world. Jesus came back for you and I so that we would know that even on our worst days, even when we are not the best versions of our self, he still has a plan and a place for us. May you have the best day, and even if it is not your best, know that tomorrow is another opportunity to love as Jesus loves and serve as Jesus serves.
  
Daily Prayer:
Our love for you, Lord Jesus, shall never die; nor shall we fall again under the curse of the enemy. Though now we see only in part, one day we shall see and know in the fullness of eternity. Through our belief, we live now and forever in your sustaining presence. 

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Making Justice

It is the 11th remembrance of 9/11 today and it occurs to me that Justice is not found in revenge, nor is it found in destroying an army. Justice is found in stopping the cycle of violence and hate, oppression and systemic poverty. Consider today's Moravian Daily Texts:

Psalm 106:13-23; Ruth 4; Luke 23:32-43 

Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. Psalm 139:4 

The good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden. 1 Timothy 5:25 (NKJV) 

Ruth and Naomi needed an intercessor to stand on their behalf and do what was right. They found such a man in Boaz. Though he was not first in-line to reclaim their property and set things right, he was willing to do what was right. He offered the first right to another who refused out of fear that his wealth would be shared. Boaz married Ruth, a woman disdained for her ethnicity, because it stopped the cycle of poverty in her life.

Jesus, while on the cross, gave forgiveness to a criminal that recognized the cycle and his own need to step out of it. God'd grace consistently brings God's Justice; the end to destructive human patterns.

In Afganistan we can defeat an enemy with bullets and drone strikes. The measure of our success however, will be in the number of schools we build, life improvements we make, and freedoms we bring. Theses are the weapons the stop the cycles. As a Christian, I am aware of God's work around me. I am also invited to change to world around me with how I live and love. May you be challenged today to love a Jesus loves and serve as he serves 

Prayer of the Day:
Lord, in you alone we are an unstoppable force. Even when we think you are far away, you are so close. Even when we have hidden from you or run away, you are always there. We will not deny you any longer, but spread the word of your glory and goodness. Let our works magnify you among the peoples. Amen.