All the Heavens

This week closes out another church year.  Last Sunday was Christ the King Sunday that is the pinnacle to the season of Kingdomtide.  This coming Sunday everything begins again with the season of Advent.  Since Christmas has become such a huge commercial endeavor, Advent has become nothing more than a countdown to Christmas Day for most people.  But there really is so much more than that to this season of preparation.

The last few years during Advent I have been reflecting on the amazing paradox in the lives of Christian believers.  Solomon, in all of his wisdom, seems to be the first one that really brought out the amazing reality of God in his greatness (transcendence) and in his closeness (immanence).  Remember with me for a moment to the dedication of the great temple in Jerusalem built under Solomon's reign.  When the people came together to dedicate the temple to God, Solomon prayed one of the most amazing prayers recorded in Scripture.  It begins in 2 Chronicles 5:14, but I will pick up the prayer in verse 18:

"But will God indeed reside with mortals on earth?  Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built!  Regard your servant's prayer and his plea, O LORD my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you.  May your eyes be open day and night toward this house, the place where you promised to set your name, and may you heed the prayer that your servant prays toward this place.  And hear the plea of your servant an of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; may you hear from heaven your dwelling place; hear and forgive."

Solomon knew that the great creator of the universe could not be contained in the expanse of the heavens, much less within a building made with human hands.  However, he also knew that God so desired to be with the people that he could make his presence known even within the four walls of a temple made with human hands.  How that is possible is beyond human comprehension.  God did come and dwell among the people of Israel within their temple.  After he finished praying, we are told that "fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple."

Artist's rendition of Solomon's Temple filled with Glory of God

The same paradox becomes even more evident in the birth of Jesus Christ.  John's gospel states it this way, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."  The awesome God that the heavens could not hold became close to humanity by taking on the body of a man-child.  How is this possible?  How can something that is beyond the scope of containment be contained?  I'm sure there are all kinds of philosophy terms that someone smarter than I am can use to explain it.  However, when it comes right down to it the answer is love.

St. Paul tells us that all true followers of God are built into a temple together upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone.  The Holy Spirit dwells there, within us, the temple of God just as the glory of God filled Solomon's temple.    How is that possible?  Once again, it comes from the love of God the Father for a broken and hurting humanity.  It is good for us to pause during the weeks leading up to Christmas to meditate on God's out-pouring glory into his holy temple.  It is good for us to remember that love is the motivation and the reason that the paradox of God's transcendence and God's immanence are both found within our savior Jesus Christ.  Until next time...

+May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.




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Work Honestly...So As To Have Something To Share

This past June when Myranda and I packed up the kids to move them back to Texas from Kentucky we were told by several different people how severe the drought was back in this part of the country.  To be honest with you, I had a hard time believing that it was any different than any other year.  From the time I can remember, West Texas has never received enough rain to satisfy folks.  Prayers for rain have been uttered from our lips almost continually since the first settlers built their homesteads on the plains.

But as we waved goodbye to the lush green of the Bluegrass in Kentucky, I had no idea what was in store for us as our small "wagon train" headed west.  All was well until we got to Oklahoma City.  As we pushed further into the Western half of the United States the grass went from green to yellow to brown to dirt.  That's right, dirt.  It really was a shock to me to see just how dry it really was here.  When we finally got settled in Haskell, it was the same here as it was everywhere else.  We went days, then weeks, then months and we still had no moisture.  We were really in a drought like I had never seen before.

Parishioners of my church continually asked for us to pray for rain.  We prayed and believed that God was hearing our prayers and that he would indeed send the moisture that we so desperately needed.  Thanks be to God, we have gotten rain.  We are still behind on our yearly average, but the wheat has sprouted and the grass did green up some before the cold weather arrived.

But in the midst of all of this drought and severe heat, God spoke to me.  He reminded me that even though we have been going through a terrible time of want that he has continued to provide for us.  We are still a blessed people.  Our church is doing well and the Holy Spirit is actively engaging us as we study the Word of God together.  The other night in our Ephesians Bible study, we came across some expectations St. Paul had for the Gentile Christians.  One of these expectations was this, "Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy" (4:28).  Our small group had a great discussion about this verse.  Paul instructed these men and women to turn away from sin not to just help themselves, but to give to those who were in need.

Christianity is not just about turning away from sin and trespasses; it is also about turning towards God.  That is Paul's message to the "thieves."  Quit doing the worldly things and turn towards God by encountering those who are needy.  I look at the church here in Haskell and I think about all the things I want.  The list is long.  But when I look at the list of the things we need, it is almost non-existent.  Just like God has continued to provide during the time of drought, he has continued to supply all that we need.  So this year, our church is reaching out to those in need.  We are working so that we can share the blessings that God has given us with people who cannot help themselves.  We are taking the proceeds of a fundraiser that we normally use in-house and we are planning on blessing others with those funds.

We can all examine how richly we have been blessed compared to those in need.  When we do, we realize that God has given far more than we ever can.  God has sustained us this past year in ways that we can't even imagine.  We do serve a mighty God and he has given from his great storehouse; not for us to keep but for us to give away.  A week from today our nation has set aside a day of thanksgiving.  On that day, let's all remember to turn away from ourselves and turn towards God.  So come, ye thankful people, come and remember that we work not to gain for our wants, but so that we too "have something to share with the needy."  Until next time...

+May God richly bless you and keep you during this season of Thanksgiving.  May you also go and give from your abundance.



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For All The Saints...

This week we celebrate one of my favorite holy days of the Christian year.  Each year as we approach the first of November, I find myself looking to it with great anticipation.  I'm not sure exactly why, but All Saints Day has become a day that I cherish.  It has become a holy day that touches me deep inside.  It has become a beloved way for me to reflect upon the previous year and give glory to the Father, rejoice the Son, and praise the Holy Spirit.

When All Saints Day comes around each year, it helps me to pause in my daily walk with the LORD.  It gives me an opportunity to slow down for a few precious moments and remember.  I remember those men and women of faith from church history who boldly and courageously stood their ground when they were  attacked for their beliefs.  I remember the fathers and mothers of the Church who did not give up, even in the midst of strife.  I remember men and women of faith who saw corruption in churches world wide and allowed their faith in Jesus Christ to stand above denominational loyalties.  I remember Sunday school teachers, preachers, and others who helped shape me from birth.  I remember brothers and sisters who sat with me in times of need.  I remember words of advice, encouragement, and truth spoken in love.

Solemnity of All Saints--Albrecht  Durer

Sometimes the path that the LORD God places us on to walk is not an easy one.  Sometimes we hit bumps and pot holes that jar our teeth and make us want to turn around and go back.  All Saints Day helps me to keep moving forward.  That great cloud of witnesses makes me want to keep running the race.  They make me want to keep fighting the fight.  They help me to keep moving forward.

Through the Holy Spirit we are united with all people who have been the people of God at all times.  The Holy Spirit draws us together as the communion of the saints.  We truly are built up into a body with Christ as our head.  All Saints Day reinforces this for us each year.  It widens our perspective on what it means to be a part of Christ's Holy Church.

This coming Sunday we will celebrate the saints who have passed over into glory from our local church.  We will also celebrate the fact that we are the communion of saints united to one another and to the Father through the Son.  All Saints Day is truly a celebration that focuses us on the past and helps us to push forward into the future.  And for that, we can all be truly thankful!  Until next time...

+May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.



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