1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
In the Christian calendar, today is Holy Cross Day. It's a day born of a mama's boy and son and mother's devotion to Christ. Helena went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land some time around the year 325. She found what she believed to be the actual cross where Jesus had been killed. Well, it just so happened that Helena's son was named Constantine and he happened to be the ruler of most of the known world, the Roman emperor. So he built a church on the spot and started a festival to honor the cross, Holy Cross Day, September 14.
This story of an emperor and his mother connect the cross to historical greats and to powerful people with massive influence, more influence than we can even imagine. And Paul reminds us, as he reminded the Corinthians, that the cross is all about foolishness and overcoming power. It's a message of foolishness to say that one killed by another Roman emperor became worshiped and adored by this Roman emperor, and down to thousands and millions of Christians 2000 years later, including you and I. The cross that Helena found may or may not have been the actual cross on which Jesus died. I don't know. But I do know that the cross and what Jesus did there for you and I have opened life to us.
A few light thoughts for your Tuesday morning!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for worship Sunday at 8:30 and 11 with Education Hour for ages 3 through adult at 9:45. More information at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Monday
Amos 7:3 The Lord relented concerning this;
‘It shall not be,’ said the Lord.
Looking for a bit of inspiration, I looked up relent on dictionary.com. Here's what I came up with: "to soften in feeling, temper, or determination; become more mild, compassionate, or forgiving."
I love the image of God softening in feeling, temper, or determination. God softening, God melting, God's angry face turning into a soft and compassionate face of love. It brings to mind one of those tear-jerking Hallmark commercials. Picture the parents coming down the stairs early in the morning bleary-eyed to find their children in the kitchen in the middle of a big mess. Broken eggs on the floor, flour spread all over the place, coffee sputtering out of the pot onto the counter. At first, anger. And then, when the kids look up sweetly offering their homemade breakfast, the parents melt.
God softens toward us. God relents. Even if we're not trying to do something nice like make breakfast. Even if we're not trying to do anything nice at all. God relents. God forgives. God softens. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for worship Sunday at 8:30 and 11 with Education Hour for ages 3 through adult at 9:45. More information at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org
‘It shall not be,’ said the Lord.
Looking for a bit of inspiration, I looked up relent on dictionary.com. Here's what I came up with: "to soften in feeling, temper, or determination; become more mild, compassionate, or forgiving."
I love the image of God softening in feeling, temper, or determination. God softening, God melting, God's angry face turning into a soft and compassionate face of love. It brings to mind one of those tear-jerking Hallmark commercials. Picture the parents coming down the stairs early in the morning bleary-eyed to find their children in the kitchen in the middle of a big mess. Broken eggs on the floor, flour spread all over the place, coffee sputtering out of the pot onto the counter. At first, anger. And then, when the kids look up sweetly offering their homemade breakfast, the parents melt.
God softens toward us. God relents. Even if we're not trying to do something nice like make breakfast. Even if we're not trying to do anything nice at all. God relents. God forgives. God softens. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for worship Sunday at 8:30 and 11 with Education Hour for ages 3 through adult at 9:45. More information at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Wednesday
Psalm 101:1,5
1I will sing of loyalty and of justice;
to you, O Lord, I will sing.
5One who secretly slanders a neighbor I will destroy.
A haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not tolerate.
It can feel pretty innocent, those hushed-tone conversations that happen behind the backs of our neighbors and colleagues, in parking lots and backyards, on the phone or over e-mail. And yet, let's all be really honest -- bullying doesn't stop when we leave school. As adults we often engage in versions of the very behaviors that we find appalling among children. The slandering of neighbors and our arrogant hearts do nothing to sing of our loyalty to the Lord and the justice that God seeks.
God calls us into relationship with one another, and David's psalm rejects the ways that we often function in those relationships. It is my prayer and hope that we can reject the slandering, haughtiness and arrogance that permeates our cultures. Let our song be of loyalty and justice to the Lord. Let us sing that song together.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
1I will sing of loyalty and of justice;
to you, O Lord, I will sing.
5One who secretly slanders a neighbor I will destroy.
A haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not tolerate.
It can feel pretty innocent, those hushed-tone conversations that happen behind the backs of our neighbors and colleagues, in parking lots and backyards, on the phone or over e-mail. And yet, let's all be really honest -- bullying doesn't stop when we leave school. As adults we often engage in versions of the very behaviors that we find appalling among children. The slandering of neighbors and our arrogant hearts do nothing to sing of our loyalty to the Lord and the justice that God seeks.
God calls us into relationship with one another, and David's psalm rejects the ways that we often function in those relationships. It is my prayer and hope that we can reject the slandering, haughtiness and arrogance that permeates our cultures. Let our song be of loyalty and justice to the Lord. Let us sing that song together.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
ASLC Devotions-- Tuesday
1 Timothy 4:14
14Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.*
This section of 1st Timothy contains instructions under the modern heading of "A Good Minister of Jesus Christ." Let me remind you that you are ALL ministers of Jesus Christ. Also, those headings were added by 20th Century editors. There are a number of times when we lay hands on people in the church -- at baptism, at an affirmation of baptism (often called "confirmation"), an ordination, and during times of healing and commissioning.
Within you is a gift, a gift from God. As with most things from God, it seems in poor taste to ignore it or neglect it. Instead, nurture it, use it, expand it, and respect it. A gift from God is far more than an ill-fitting sweater or book you've already read. What is the gift God has given you? How will you use it today?
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
14Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.*
This section of 1st Timothy contains instructions under the modern heading of "A Good Minister of Jesus Christ." Let me remind you that you are ALL ministers of Jesus Christ. Also, those headings were added by 20th Century editors. There are a number of times when we lay hands on people in the church -- at baptism, at an affirmation of baptism (often called "confirmation"), an ordination, and during times of healing and commissioning.
Within you is a gift, a gift from God. As with most things from God, it seems in poor taste to ignore it or neglect it. Instead, nurture it, use it, expand it, and respect it. A gift from God is far more than an ill-fitting sweater or book you've already read. What is the gift God has given you? How will you use it today?
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Monday, September 6, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Monday
Colossians4:15-17
15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters* in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. 17And say to Archippus, ‘See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.’
I forget sometimes, in this age of quick communication and instant messaging, that not that long ago letters (actual hand-written letters) were not only rare, but treasured and shared. The letters, or epistles, included in our scriptures contain teachings and news to particular groups or churches and they have been passed through generations. Originally these letters would have been read in a gathered assembly, and as we see from the verses above, they would have also been shared with neighboring communities that perhaps did not receive a specific letter addressed to them. We can and do still learn from reading these early Christians' mail.
And while we might not write that many letters anymore, there are still similarities to how we communicate today. After you've read this email, share it with someone else, your neighbors or friends or family, and make sure you read their response. And say to the one in your life whom you know has a task from God, "Don't forget to complete what you have been given."
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters* in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. 17And say to Archippus, ‘See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.’
I forget sometimes, in this age of quick communication and instant messaging, that not that long ago letters (actual hand-written letters) were not only rare, but treasured and shared. The letters, or epistles, included in our scriptures contain teachings and news to particular groups or churches and they have been passed through generations. Originally these letters would have been read in a gathered assembly, and as we see from the verses above, they would have also been shared with neighboring communities that perhaps did not receive a specific letter addressed to them. We can and do still learn from reading these early Christians' mail.
And while we might not write that many letters anymore, there are still similarities to how we communicate today. After you've read this email, share it with someone else, your neighbors or friends or family, and make sure you read their response. And say to the one in your life whom you know has a task from God, "Don't forget to complete what you have been given."
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Thursday, September 2, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Thursday
Philippians 2:29-30 Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy, and honour such people, because he came close to death for the work of Christ,* risking his life to make up for those services that you could not give me.
The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the people of Philippi. There was no US Postal Service at the time, so letters were carried by hand ideally by trusted messengers. Paul sent this letter along with his friend and co-worker Epaphroditus. So in the letter he wrote some words of recommendation for good ol' Epaphroditus (his friends maybe called him Paphie). Paul encouraged the people of Philippi to welcome and honor Paphie, for all the work that Paphie had done for the sake of the church and of the gospel.
We live in a very different time and place than Paul did. The church is in a very different position. Very few of us are thrown in jail for our belief, thanks be to God. Very few of us encounter real physical hardships at all because of our faith, thanks be to God.
But we're in the same place in that there are saints among us who show us the way. For Paul, it was Epaphroditus. For me, it's Mrs. Pugh. Mrs. Pugh was the woman in my Teaching Parish congregation who showed up first to make sure all the bulletins were laid out. She turned on all the lights. She made sure the lunch was hot and ready when worship ended. And she sat on the front pew singing her heart out in praise during worship. Mrs. Pugh never came close to death for the work of Christ, but I honour such people anyway. And I honour all of you for the ministry that you do in Christ's name.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for worship Saturday evening at 5 and Sunday morning at 9. More information at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org
The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the people of Philippi. There was no US Postal Service at the time, so letters were carried by hand ideally by trusted messengers. Paul sent this letter along with his friend and co-worker Epaphroditus. So in the letter he wrote some words of recommendation for good ol' Epaphroditus (his friends maybe called him Paphie). Paul encouraged the people of Philippi to welcome and honor Paphie, for all the work that Paphie had done for the sake of the church and of the gospel.
We live in a very different time and place than Paul did. The church is in a very different position. Very few of us are thrown in jail for our belief, thanks be to God. Very few of us encounter real physical hardships at all because of our faith, thanks be to God.
But we're in the same place in that there are saints among us who show us the way. For Paul, it was Epaphroditus. For me, it's Mrs. Pugh. Mrs. Pugh was the woman in my Teaching Parish congregation who showed up first to make sure all the bulletins were laid out. She turned on all the lights. She made sure the lunch was hot and ready when worship ended. And she sat on the front pew singing her heart out in praise during worship. Mrs. Pugh never came close to death for the work of Christ, but I honour such people anyway. And I honour all of you for the ministry that you do in Christ's name.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for worship Saturday evening at 5 and Sunday morning at 9. More information at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
ASLC Devotions -- Wednesday
Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I was humbled,
so that I might learn your statutes.
The psalmist is on the other side of a bad experience. This bad experience presumably reminded him that he couldn't go through life all on his own and that he didn't have all the answers. This was presumably one of those biblical bad experiences that drove the psalmist back to a dependence on God and on God's teaching (what he calls statutes). Looking back through this experience to the blessings that have come to him on the other side, he says "It is good for me that I was humbled, so that I might learn your statutes."
Easy for him to say.
Easy for me to say. It's easy enough to say from a place of blessing and a place of looking backward through hard times to see the blessings that have come through it. The silver lining is easiest to see when you've gone through the cloud, not when you're in the middle of it. In the middle of the cloud, we don't say "It is good for me to be here." What we do is trust. We trust that God will always be God and that God is good all the time. And we hold on.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for worship Saturday evening at 5 and Sunday morning at 9. More information at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org
so that I might learn your statutes.
The psalmist is on the other side of a bad experience. This bad experience presumably reminded him that he couldn't go through life all on his own and that he didn't have all the answers. This was presumably one of those biblical bad experiences that drove the psalmist back to a dependence on God and on God's teaching (what he calls statutes). Looking back through this experience to the blessings that have come to him on the other side, he says "It is good for me that I was humbled, so that I might learn your statutes."
Easy for him to say.
Easy for me to say. It's easy enough to say from a place of blessing and a place of looking backward through hard times to see the blessings that have come through it. The silver lining is easiest to see when you've gone through the cloud, not when you're in the middle of it. In the middle of the cloud, we don't say "It is good for me to be here." What we do is trust. We trust that God will always be God and that God is good all the time. And we hold on.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for worship Saturday evening at 5 and Sunday morning at 9. More information at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org
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