Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Sunday, January 19, 2025
What are You Looking For?
John 1:35-39 NRSV
“The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon.”
When I was a union rep I cared for the grievances of the 240 people that I represented. They came to me with all kinds of grievances. Many times, while they had a real issue, some came with so much baggage wrapped around the issue itself that I had to unpack what was grievable and what was not grievable. In order to do that I always asked the six w’s:
Who- who was involved, witnesses?
What- what happened
Where- where did it happen?
When- when did it take place?
Why- why do you think it is grievable?
What- what do you want?
We get so caught up with some stuff that it’s not worth the stress. And we miss where we should focus our heart, our time, our energy.
Jesus asks the question, “What are you looking for?” If we are not clear what we are looking for we will look in wrong places and to wrong people that will hinder our spiritual journey. Knowing what we are looking for is a fundamental step on our faith journey. Self reflection, meditation, and prayer helps us explore us.
The disciples followed Jesus as Rabbi (teacher), but recognized him as Messiah (the deliverer). We respond to his question through actively pursuing him, opening our heart, and living intentionally.
We want what not only fills us but fills us to overflowing. We want to be, as an instructor used to say, “Under the spot where the glory comes out.” more later.
Sunday, January 12, 2025
He Is
Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
You know this one. David talks about who God is and shifts to talking with God. This is in two parts, verses 1-4 , God as our shepherd, and verses 5&6, God as our host.
As our shepherd, he guides, provides, protects, comforts, cleans us up. He leads us to safety where we can be refreshed and rest. He guides us along our path, the one he has chosen for us. We have no fear, even in dangerous, or dark times. He has us.
He brings us to his table. He provides for us right smack in our enemies face- favor. We are filled to overflowing, and it must overflow to others. There is so much more to this- go back and mediate in it. But hold on to this “surely goodness and mercy shallow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.” More later.
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Answer
Rev. 3:20 NRSV
“Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.”
This is in context to the church of Laodicea, which was lukewarm. It did not stand for anything and allowed everything. Although it thought it was righteous, It was spiritually pitiful. Theologians see the churches of Revelation not only as historic but covering different periods of time. We are the church of Laodicea. The letter refers to us as believers as the church is us. And yes, Jesus is knocking. He rebukes and her offers hope for us but we must attune our ears to hear, be attentive to his knock, and be accesible to him.
He wants us to be reconciled to him, restored by him, through our repentance. We have places in our heart that we need clearing up. Let do this this year. Let’s kick it off right- by answering the door. We have seen what God can and he has so much more.
One other thing. Hear from Holy Spirit your word or phrase for you for this year. One client’s word is ‘joyful’, another’s is ‘production’. My word, ‘Each Day- New Mercies.’ Happy New Year! more later.
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