Today’s reading in “Bread and Wine” comes from Wenedell Berry’s novel, Jayber Crow, and is Crow’s reflection on the suffering of Christ on the cross. Jayber, a barber from the fictional town of Port William, Kentucky, questions why Christ bled on a cross and died instead of showing the full extent of his Divine power. Crow knows the answer, admittedly most of us do. Christ’s power rest in His sacrifice, His purchase of our salvation, and His identity with the lowliest of people. Therefore, in Jayber’s words, “Those who wish to see him must see him in the poor, the hungry, the hurt, the wordless creatures, the groaning and travailing beautiful world.” That’s the line the gets me, “the groaning and travailing beautiful world.” The book of Romans speaks of the groaning of a waiting world and our own groans that only the Holy Spirit can translate. In the midst of those groans both corporate and personal, in the midst of a deplorable death, there is magnificent beauty. We know that to find God we have to look in the lowly, helpless places of this world yet we are not always willing to really look. May today be different.
GREAT MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY
The Chaplaincy office at SSM health (Saint Anthonys) in Shawnee is inviting churches and individuals to be a part of a great effort to support the hospital staff. This flyer details what they are doing. There is a drop-off place at the hospital but you can drop it off at the church opposite the mobile food pantry outside the glass doors. Also if you will call/text Justin he will come and get your items off your porch. Thank You.
Lenten Reading Day 30
Today’s Lenten reading was written by Edith Stein known later in life and in death as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross . The entire essay is drawing from the imagery of the blood of Jesus, its efficacy and call for all followers to deny self and follow Him
I would like to focus on Stein’s opening sentences. “‘Thy Will Be Done,’ in its full extent, must be the guideline for the Christian life. It must regulate the day from morning to evening, the course of the year, and the entire of life. Only then will it be the sole concern of the Christian.” As to the answer of what that will is you could go to scripture and cite Deuteronomy 6:5, Micah 6:8, and other places that call on God’s people to do and more precisely be this to align with the Divine character. Over a year ago I heard a sermon from Dale Griffin on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 that had a tremendous impact on my understanding of the will of God. If we can focus our desires on rejoice continually, praying fervently, and giving thanks always that is full life only possible in the fullness of God’s Holy Spirit. Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks, and repeat.
Grace and Peace
What a different pretty cool day
I would always choose to be with people in church on Sunday, especially the people of UBC. But, that just wasn’t possible today. What was possible was the opportunity to worship albeit quite differently. Thank you for all of your texts and recounting of your worship experiences. If you’d like to comment on worship today feel free to do so below. Also go to this link to find all the messages from today including the lay led message by Dr. Warren Mcwilliams entitled “What’s on your tombstone?”
Lenten Reading Day 29
The reading from “Bread and Wine” today comes from G.K. Chesterson’s “God the Rebel.” Chesterson is centering the passion of Christ on victory of God over the bleakest of obstacles, namely death. One line in particular struck me as an attribute of God exemplified in Jesus that I don’t think we often consider. Chesterson says, “ Alone of all creeds, Christianity has added courage to the virtues of the Creator. For the only courage worth calling courage must necessarily mean that the soul passes a breaking point - and does not break.” Our God, the Christ is courageous. A word search through any common concordance, online or other, reveals the prevalence of “courage” in Scripture. But I don’t often think of it as a divine characteristic. If God calls His people to courage (Joshua 1:9) than it must be a part of who He is, because He doesn’t command of us what is not available in Him. Furthermore, in 2 Timothy 1:7 were told that we (Christ followers) are not given a spirit (Divine quality of Divine origin) of timidity (the opposite of courage). God calls us to be strong and courageous and that courage is on display in Christ and calls us to go past our own souls breaking point. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6.