Acts 3:12
12When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, ‘You Israelites,* why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?
Peter has healed a man in the verses previously, and those surrounding them are surprised. Peter addresses them, going on to indict them for the crucifixion of Jesus. But this verse gives credence to a power that is not their own, but from God.
Do we attribute our accomplishments to ourselves, or do we recognize that our power comes from God? Perhaps you don't think that you've made someone walk, but your words, your caring, your love and attention have given life to those around you when God speaks through you. These are not our words, but God's, not our power, but God's.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Tuesday
1 Samuel 10:1
1Samuel took a phial of oil and poured it on [Saul's] head, and kissed him; he said, ‘The Lord has anointed you ruler over his people Israel. You shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their enemies all around.
We sometimes use oil at various points in people's lives -- baptism and death, most notably. There are many scriptural references to oil dripping from foreheads, about oil being poured on the anointed one, etc. It becomes a symbol of being chosen, of being claimed.
In your baptism you were claimed and chosen, and the sign of the cross was made on your forehead -- not as something that can be wiped away, but as something permanent. The oil of course dries, soaks in, gets washed off, but God's claim doesn't. I hope you feel a little oily today, oily with the promise of God's love, and oily with God's saving grace.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
1Samuel took a phial of oil and poured it on [Saul's] head, and kissed him; he said, ‘The Lord has anointed you ruler over his people Israel. You shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their enemies all around.
We sometimes use oil at various points in people's lives -- baptism and death, most notably. There are many scriptural references to oil dripping from foreheads, about oil being poured on the anointed one, etc. It becomes a symbol of being chosen, of being claimed.
In your baptism you were claimed and chosen, and the sign of the cross was made on your forehead -- not as something that can be wiped away, but as something permanent. The oil of course dries, soaks in, gets washed off, but God's claim doesn't. I hope you feel a little oily today, oily with the promise of God's love, and oily with God's saving grace.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Monday, February 8, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Monday
Judges 5:3
3‘Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes;
to the Lord I will sing,
I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel.
Then Deborah and Barak sang that day, and they invited kings and princes to hear them. But the scripture makes it very clear that they're singing to the Lord, the God of Israel. It might be a fine line, a subtle nuance perhaps, but I appreciate the difference between singing to the kings and princes and inviting them to listen.
I wonder how our lives would be different if the songs of praise and story that we sang (literally sang or figuratively sang) were melodies to the Lord, and we invited the rest of the world to listen. All too often, I think, we sing to the rulers of this world, and simply invite God to eavesdrop on our lives. Is your life one of praise to God, or do you just hope that God happens to be listening?
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
3‘Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes;
to the Lord I will sing,
I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel.
Then Deborah and Barak sang that day, and they invited kings and princes to hear them. But the scripture makes it very clear that they're singing to the Lord, the God of Israel. It might be a fine line, a subtle nuance perhaps, but I appreciate the difference between singing to the kings and princes and inviting them to listen.
I wonder how our lives would be different if the songs of praise and story that we sang (literally sang or figuratively sang) were melodies to the Lord, and we invited the rest of the world to listen. All too often, I think, we sing to the rulers of this world, and simply invite God to eavesdrop on our lives. Is your life one of praise to God, or do you just hope that God happens to be listening?
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Friday, February 5, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Friday
Acts 9:31 Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Do you know what I'm most impressed with in this little summary report of the early church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria.
I'll give you a hint: it's not that they increased in numbers. That's all well and good, but what's most amazing comes earlier in the report.
They had peace.
They lived in the fear of the Lord.
They lived in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
I don't know how to measure those things, but I know them when I see them. And when I see that in the church, I feel truly blessed.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
For further conversation, visit http://aslcsdevotions.blogspot.com. Come and join us for Youth Sunday worship this weekend: 8:30 and 11:00 with Education Hour in between.
Do you know what I'm most impressed with in this little summary report of the early church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria.
I'll give you a hint: it's not that they increased in numbers. That's all well and good, but what's most amazing comes earlier in the report.
They had peace.
They lived in the fear of the Lord.
They lived in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
I don't know how to measure those things, but I know them when I see them. And when I see that in the church, I feel truly blessed.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
For further conversation, visit http://aslcsdevotions.blogspot.com. Come and join us for Youth Sunday worship this weekend: 8:30 and 11:00 with Education Hour in between.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Thursday
Acts 9:19-20 For several days Saul was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’
I hope you know the precursor to this story. Saul is a leader of the Jewish contingent working on stamping out the early Christians. He's on his way to Damascus to arrest the disciples and haul them back to Jerusalem for trial and execution. On the way, Jesus speaks to him and Saul is converted to faith that Jesus is the Messiah. He goes from the biggest persecutor of Christians to the biggest preacher of Christianity in a matter of a few hours. And he continues on his way to Damascus... it's just that he's switched sides.
My favorite part of this story to think about is the disciples in Damascus. Put yourself in their shoes. You've heard of Saul. You know he's on the way to town and what he's going to do. Then he shows up and tells you he's changed. He tells you a crazy story about being struck blind. How do you respond? Do you welcome him? Are you wary? Do you trust?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
For further conversation, visit http://aslcsdevotions.blogspot.com. Come and join us for Youth Sunday worship this weekend: 8:30 and 11:00 with Education Hour in between.
I hope you know the precursor to this story. Saul is a leader of the Jewish contingent working on stamping out the early Christians. He's on his way to Damascus to arrest the disciples and haul them back to Jerusalem for trial and execution. On the way, Jesus speaks to him and Saul is converted to faith that Jesus is the Messiah. He goes from the biggest persecutor of Christians to the biggest preacher of Christianity in a matter of a few hours. And he continues on his way to Damascus... it's just that he's switched sides.
My favorite part of this story to think about is the disciples in Damascus. Put yourself in their shoes. You've heard of Saul. You know he's on the way to town and what he's going to do. Then he shows up and tells you he's changed. He tells you a crazy story about being struck blind. How do you respond? Do you welcome him? Are you wary? Do you trust?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
For further conversation, visit http://aslcsdevotions.blogspot.com. Come and join us for Youth Sunday worship this weekend: 8:30 and 11:00 with Education Hour in between.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
ALSC Devotions--Tuesday
Luke 2:26-32 It had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.* Guided by the Spirit, Simeon* came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon* took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant* in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’
Today is one of what we call the minor festivals. It's the day of the "Presentation of our Lord." We celebrate the day that his parents brought the infant Jesus to the temple for the ritual of presenting their firstborn child to the Lord, as all of their ancestors had done. In Jesus' case, the prophet Simeon interrupted the expected proceedings with praise of God. Simeon recognized the infant Jesus for who he was and for what God was doing in and through him. Simeon recognized it and praised God that he had lived long enough to see it.
Simeon's song has become a part of our liturgy. Many Sundays we sing Simeon's song. In Latin it's called the Nunc Dimitis. In English we usually call it the less poetic "Post-Communion Song." But the next time you are in worship and you find yourself singing: "Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled...." I want you to think of Simeon. And remember that the Lord has been presented to you... in Word and in Meal. And join Simeon in praise.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
For further conversation, visit http://aslcsdevotions.blogspot.com. Come and join us for Youth Sunday worship this weekend: 8:30 and 11:00 with Education Hour in between.
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant* in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’
Today is one of what we call the minor festivals. It's the day of the "Presentation of our Lord." We celebrate the day that his parents brought the infant Jesus to the temple for the ritual of presenting their firstborn child to the Lord, as all of their ancestors had done. In Jesus' case, the prophet Simeon interrupted the expected proceedings with praise of God. Simeon recognized the infant Jesus for who he was and for what God was doing in and through him. Simeon recognized it and praised God that he had lived long enough to see it.
Simeon's song has become a part of our liturgy. Many Sundays we sing Simeon's song. In Latin it's called the Nunc Dimitis. In English we usually call it the less poetic "Post-Communion Song." But the next time you are in worship and you find yourself singing: "Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled...." I want you to think of Simeon. And remember that the Lord has been presented to you... in Word and in Meal. And join Simeon in praise.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
For further conversation, visit http://aslcsdevotions.blogspot.com. Come and join us for Youth Sunday worship this weekend: 8:30 and 11:00 with Education Hour in between.
Monday, February 1, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Monday
1 Kings 17:12-13 But she said, ‘As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.’ Elijah said to her, ‘Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son.'
When faced with a widow's desperation, Elijah responded with faith. When faced with a mother's dying plan, Elijah called faithfulness out of her.
The widow of Zarephath was preparing a last meal for she and her son in their famine-stricken land. She was going to use up the last of her meal and her final drops of oil to make a cake for she and her son that they could eat for they lay down to die. Elijah's response seems (to put it mildly) a little cold-hearted and selfish: "Fine, but make me something to eat first." But notice his first little theme words, possibly God's fundamental message to humanity: "Do not be afraid."
Do not be afraid of what you lack. Do not be afraid of the empty cupboard. Do not be afraid of running out. Continue to faithfully serve those whom God brings to your doorstep. Continue to faithfully welcome the stranger and alien in your midst. Do not be afraid. God will take care of the rest.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
For further conversation, visit http://aslcsdevotions.blogspot.com. Come and join us for Youth Sunday worship this weekend: 8:30 and 11:00 with Education Hour in between.
When faced with a widow's desperation, Elijah responded with faith. When faced with a mother's dying plan, Elijah called faithfulness out of her.
The widow of Zarephath was preparing a last meal for she and her son in their famine-stricken land. She was going to use up the last of her meal and her final drops of oil to make a cake for she and her son that they could eat for they lay down to die. Elijah's response seems (to put it mildly) a little cold-hearted and selfish: "Fine, but make me something to eat first." But notice his first little theme words, possibly God's fundamental message to humanity: "Do not be afraid."
Do not be afraid of what you lack. Do not be afraid of the empty cupboard. Do not be afraid of running out. Continue to faithfully serve those whom God brings to your doorstep. Continue to faithfully welcome the stranger and alien in your midst. Do not be afraid. God will take care of the rest.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
For further conversation, visit http://aslcsdevotions.blogspot.com. Come and join us for Youth Sunday worship this weekend: 8:30 and 11:00 with Education Hour in between.
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