I am preaching this upcoming weekend on Luke 1:39-45. As I read and re-read that text, I realized it is primarily about women. Specifically, Mary and Elizabeth as they visit together and discuss their pregnancies and their faith, both of which are entertwined. However, this morning, I kept hearing the Angel say to Joseph, "Don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife."
I am so much more aware as I get older how much of my life has been spent making choices motivated by fear and not by other reasons. I wonder if Joseph, since he was older than Mary, was at a similar place in his life. Maybe selecting an older man; one who was less afraid of what others would say about marrying a pregnant woman, was part of God's plan. What do you think?
Pastor Paul
Monday, December 8, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
As I listened to Pastor Dawn this morning, I thought a lot about what it means to be "favored" by God. She made the point that God's favor is a matter of his grace, his unconditional love for us, and as such, is not something we can earn or deserve--it just "is." Has there been a time in your life when you have felt God's favor, especially when you felt unworthy?
Pastor Paul
Pastor Paul
Friday, December 5, 2008
Week 1, Friday
Okay, if I didn't have the 'fear factor' going yesterday, it might be here today!
I try to put myself in Zechariah's position. I've just second-guessed an agent of God. And now he (Gabriel) is reminding me who he is, who he stands next to (God), and why he's here talking to me (Zecheriah). In light of that, his reaction seems fair enough. No talking for the next nine months, when what the angel Gabriel said will come to fruition.
If I'm still trying to feel what Zechariah would have felt, I think I'm thinking "what just happened here?" My mind is reeling. I'm wishing maybe I hadn't blurted out what I did blurt out.
Today, even though this may not be the point of the passage, I'm remembering that it might be better to think before I speak. It might be better not to say something that would betray my faith, even in a moment of temporary uncertainty.
Especially in this holiday season, when I'll be seeing lots of people - some of them family - that I don't see often, I'll try to remember this. I'll try to remember that whatever God puts in my life, I'll examine it in light of my faith first.
What do you think? What would it be like for you to be in Zechariah's shoes in verses 19-20?
peace,
Pastor Judi
I try to put myself in Zechariah's position. I've just second-guessed an agent of God. And now he (Gabriel) is reminding me who he is, who he stands next to (God), and why he's here talking to me (Zecheriah). In light of that, his reaction seems fair enough. No talking for the next nine months, when what the angel Gabriel said will come to fruition.
If I'm still trying to feel what Zechariah would have felt, I think I'm thinking "what just happened here?" My mind is reeling. I'm wishing maybe I hadn't blurted out what I did blurt out.
Today, even though this may not be the point of the passage, I'm remembering that it might be better to think before I speak. It might be better not to say something that would betray my faith, even in a moment of temporary uncertainty.
Especially in this holiday season, when I'll be seeing lots of people - some of them family - that I don't see often, I'll try to remember this. I'll try to remember that whatever God puts in my life, I'll examine it in light of my faith first.
What do you think? What would it be like for you to be in Zechariah's shoes in verses 19-20?
peace,
Pastor Judi
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Week 1, Thursday
The first thing I noticed in today's reading was Zechariah's reaction to the angel..."he was startled and was gripped with fear." But by the end of the passage, he has the courage (okay, the nerve!) to ask the angel, "how can I be sure of this?"
How do you go from fear to courage in the space of one paragraph? What did the angel say or do that brought Zechariah so far? What was in him that responded the way he did?
True, the angel said "do not be afraid," but how often does that work? Then the angel gives Zechariah basically unbelievable news...you and your elderly wife will have a baby.
Makes me wonder about my reaction when God sends a message that seems unbelievable, especially when I'm gripped with fear about something. Sadly, I can recall times when I chose to provide my own solution to my fear, not listening to God at all. Those times didn't turn out so well.
So for today I'm going to examine my heart and my mind and see if I'm carrying around any fear. Then I'm going to give that to God and see what He says about it. I think it'll be better if I listen and go with God's plan.
peace,
Pastor Judi
How do you go from fear to courage in the space of one paragraph? What did the angel say or do that brought Zechariah so far? What was in him that responded the way he did?
True, the angel said "do not be afraid," but how often does that work? Then the angel gives Zechariah basically unbelievable news...you and your elderly wife will have a baby.
Makes me wonder about my reaction when God sends a message that seems unbelievable, especially when I'm gripped with fear about something. Sadly, I can recall times when I chose to provide my own solution to my fear, not listening to God at all. Those times didn't turn out so well.
So for today I'm going to examine my heart and my mind and see if I'm carrying around any fear. Then I'm going to give that to God and see what He says about it. I think it'll be better if I listen and go with God's plan.
peace,
Pastor Judi
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Week 1, Wednesday
Yesterday's scripture ended with the people praying outside the temple...and today we have a prayer. I've always been a little uncomfortable TELLING God what I want Him to do..."come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you." When I think about this prayer, I remember that God invites us to pray our true hearts to Him. I remember that He shows up when we pray authentically. I trust that our prayers are not just noise, but are cherished.
If I close my eyes and sort of picture my prayer rising to the Lord like incense, it's a beautiful thing. I'm going to hold this thought for a while, and go offer my prayer, and lift my hands to the Lord.
I hope that taking this scripture slowly, in small bites, is having an impact on how you read this gospel. It's been hard not to rush to the next section, because I love this story... But I've already read with new eyes, and understood with a new part of my heart.
Would love to hear your thoughts as well...
peace,
Pastor Judi
If I close my eyes and sort of picture my prayer rising to the Lord like incense, it's a beautiful thing. I'm going to hold this thought for a while, and go offer my prayer, and lift my hands to the Lord.
I hope that taking this scripture slowly, in small bites, is having an impact on how you read this gospel. It's been hard not to rush to the next section, because I love this story... But I've already read with new eyes, and understood with a new part of my heart.
Would love to hear your thoughts as well...
peace,
Pastor Judi
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Week one, Tuesday
Do you wonder what it meant that Zechariah and Elizabeth were "upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly"? How can any human observe all of the Lord's commandments without failing somewhere?
I'm going to wrestle with this a little bit...and I'm grateful that I know the 'rest of the story,' but don't want to get ahead of where we are in this study of Luke's gospel.
For today, I think I'll ponder whether it's possible that God could view me as 'upright' in His sight. If He could, it wouldn't be because I succeed at observing all of His commandments blamelessly. It would be only by His grace.
What do you think?
Pastor Judi
I'm going to wrestle with this a little bit...and I'm grateful that I know the 'rest of the story,' but don't want to get ahead of where we are in this study of Luke's gospel.
For today, I think I'll ponder whether it's possible that God could view me as 'upright' in His sight. If He could, it wouldn't be because I succeed at observing all of His commandments blamelessly. It would be only by His grace.
What do you think?
Pastor Judi
Monday, December 1, 2008
Week 1 Day 2, Gospel of Luke
Today's reading is like the other bookend...yesterday we were getting ready to learn about the prophecy and birth of Jesus; today we're reading another assurance that all that has been told about Him is the truth.
Putting these two scriptures together gives me a sense of peace and 'settledness'. It is reassuring to know that the truth of the scriptures is solid and sure; that people like us, people who would question and even doubt, reassured themselves of the truth about Christ long before the stories even got to us.
After reading the passage (R), investigating what God is doing in it (I), praying for wisdom and understanding (P), examining my heart (E)...now I am ready to have my life changed because of what I've read (N)...RIPEN.
I'm ready to read all that Luke has to say about Jesus, "so that (I) may know the certainty of the things (I) have been taught.
I'd love to hear your thoughts...and what God is doing in you because of these passages.
Peace,
Pastor Judi
Putting these two scriptures together gives me a sense of peace and 'settledness'. It is reassuring to know that the truth of the scriptures is solid and sure; that people like us, people who would question and even doubt, reassured themselves of the truth about Christ long before the stories even got to us.
After reading the passage (R), investigating what God is doing in it (I), praying for wisdom and understanding (P), examining my heart (E)...now I am ready to have my life changed because of what I've read (N)...RIPEN.
I'm ready to read all that Luke has to say about Jesus, "so that (I) may know the certainty of the things (I) have been taught.
I'd love to hear your thoughts...and what God is doing in you because of these passages.
Peace,
Pastor Judi
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