As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?”  Psalm 42:1-3

The Psalmist gives us such a powerful image of our need for God.  This is not a “Sunday school” answer, rather a deep, internal need for the Living God – and then the Psalmist admits his pain – he does not feel God’s presence during a difficult time. 

If you have ever been there (and who among us hasn’t?), it is a deeply painful existence.  It is hard to go through trials and tribulations without feeling God’s presence, or feeling like your prayers have no answer.  Sometimes it even feels like God is not listening or your prayers are useless.  No amount of clever preaching or teaching can lift this feeling.  However, I can turn back to the Word as the Psalmist continues:

These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God (v4-6).

If you are going through one of these times, know you are not alone. 

Peace,

Pastor Bill

 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

When we celebrate, what do we do?  We have a meal, we gather around the table.  When things are bad, what do we do?  We have a meal, we gather around a table.  When we are going through conflict in our lives, God still invites us to the meal, even with our enemies, our struggles around us; God invites us. 

Throughout the bible, anointing with oil is a symbol of God’s blessings and healing.  Even when we are going through trials and tribulations, God abundantly blesses us, anoints us and guides us.

As you journey through this week, consider how God prepares a table for you, blesses you and offers you abundance.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

In just over a month, we will see children walking around our streets wearing costumes including ghosts, monsters and vampires.  I was asked once about my thoughts on Halloween and all the new decorations available.  I responded that there is real evil in the world and it is not a kid asking for a piece of candy while wearing a monster mask.  Real evil, evil that allows children to starve, evil that continues warfare, evil that denies our humanity is real.  But God is stronger.

Every day we walk with God we need not fear evil for God is with us – that is the eternal promise.  And, not only does God walk with us, but God guides us, just as a shepherd.  The shepherd uses his staff and rod to guide the sheep, and chase away the predators.  In the same way, we can follow God’s guidance and avoid the evil around us (or better yet, not be afraid to confront it).

As you journey through this week, allow God to guide you.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

This is the heart of the gospel message, that we can be forgiven and restored.  We can be reconciled to God, through God alone. 

No matter what you have done in your past, you can be restored, God can restore your soul and lead you towards righteousness.  This is the good news!

As you journey through this week, know that God guides you and God restores you daily.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

God is aware we need to rest, so much that God create the Sabbath, a day of rest (not that we follow the concept very well). Yet here the psalmist after telling us that God will provide, immediately tells us God gives us something good – a place to rest.

I love the outdoors, especially sitting near water. It is a place of peace, a place where I can relax and even work out issues in my mind.

I assume David did the same thing as he sat in a green field or by still waters, writing his poetry, contemplating the universe and enjoying God’s provision.

As you journey through this week, spend some time in nature and allow God to speak to you.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

It is, perhaps, one of the most well known and loved pieces of scripture/poetry ever.  It is recognized the world over by people of many faith traditions as a meaningful writing.  The 23^rd Psalm, the Shepherd’s Psalm, is a very special word of God. Over the next few weeks, let us contemplate this important writing.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  God is in control, and God will provide.  So often we get lost in the many perceived needs of our day, as well as the necessities of life and yet God will provide.  This is especially true when we think we do not have enough resources to do what God calls us to do – and yet the Good Shepherd will give us all we need to go out into the world with hope.

As you journey through this week, know that the Shepherd leads you, and will provide.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die,  a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,  a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

When you think about it, we are governed by seasons.  We have the four climate seasons, summer, fall, winter and spring, and each brings its own excitement.  We have holiday seasons (which are just around the corner), and in this end of summer/end of August, we have the back to school season (as well as back to full church activities).

This is a bittersweet time for many parents as school begins.  For some, it is the change from elementary to middle, or middle to high school.  And for many the change from high school to college – meaning our little children are no longer little and have reached a different point in their lives. 

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heaven.

As we watch our children grow and explore the world, we must remember that God is with them (and us), and our prayers go with them.

For our students, may you have a wonderful school year and take the opportunity to learn beyond the subjects.  And remember, God goes with you.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. Matthew 4:23-25

I never noticed this before.  As I was pondering a scripture for today’s message, I came across this interesting tidbit.  Matthew tells us how news about Jesus was spreading among the area of the Jews, and Matthew’s gospel is written to Jews, including a lot of Hebrew scriptures related to the Messiah. 

But there it is, “Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.”  Galilee, Jerusalem and Judea makes sense, but Matthew points out the Decapolis, a region of ten Hellenistic cities.  These Greek cities followed their own culture, more in line with Roman beliefs than that of the Hebrews.  Yet they heard the stories of Jesus and followed Him.

This is good news for us in our segmented society.  Some of us might live in completely homogenous communities, while others very diverse.  In all cases, the story of Jesus can be powerful and will be heard – as long as we tell it.

This brief scripture also reminds me that even when people are “different”, God includes them into the family.

As you journey through this week, be on the lookout for someone that might be “different” and show them some love.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Mark 10:17-22

Often, we interpret this passage in a very exclusive way.  Jesus told this man, and this man alone, to sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow Jesus.  Yes, you can point to many wealthy people in the gospels who follow Christ, and even support the ministry so one could conceivably interpret this passage for the man alone.  But what do you need to give up so you can follow Jesus better?  Is there something that holds you back from greater discipleship?

Most of us have something.  It might not be wealth or possessions, rather it might be a relationship, or a hobby or a habit.  It might even be a combination of things.  What we frequently need to do is practice self-examination (or Holy Spirit led self-examination) and ask the Spirit to show us areas where we lack.  This does not mean we have to give up everything, we just need to put God first and allow God to put everything else in perspective.

As you journey through this week, practice the prayer of examen.  Ask the Spirit to show you areas that are placed above God, and ask for help. 

Peace,

Pastor Bill

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” John 1:43-46

Notice how Philip does not argue with Nathanael, nor does Philip reject him.  Nathanael has a counter to Philip’s claim of finding the Messiah.  Nathanael’s argument is downright nasty and prejudice, but Philip answers him with a very simple statement; come and see.

Come and see.  If someone wants to know who Jesus is, can you invite them to come and see?  Do you have a place to take them to show them Jesus in action?  How about a place to show great devotion? 

Have you ever invited someone to come with you on a mission project? Imagine your skeptical friends watching not only you, but your fellow congregation members working side by side in unity serving the hungry, or someone in need.  Imagine how the greater church can grow if we simply say “come and see”.  Come and see what we do for others.  Come and see, experience a peaceful and prayerful experience.  Come and see what we do in the name of Jesus.

As you travel through this week, consider how you could invite someone to come and see.

Peace,

Pastor Bill