Is this not the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house… Isaiah 58:6-7

We are well into the season of Lent and many of us have given up something we like.  Self-denial can be a good spiritual practice, as long as we do not abuse it. 

Another great spiritual practice, not only for Lent but all year long, is to notice the needs of others.  Many do not have enough to eat, many are being denied basics of life, many are just in need.  It is not our “job” to question them as to their needs, rather to help when others need help.  We are not to judge people, nor should we assume someone’s need is due to some unrepentant sin in their lives, rather we are called to love and to give.

As you travel through this week and this Lenten journey, take notice of those around you.  Is there a need you can fill?  If so, do so with love.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Hear, O Israel, the beginning of the statement of faith for Judaism, known as the Shema (for the Hebrew word “hear”).  It is the beginning of Christian faith as well, God alone is God, and we are to love God with all our heart, soul and might.  Jesus will later reinforce this with a passage from Leviticus to love your neighbor as yourself stating this dual commandment of love is the most important in the law.

As we begin this season of Lent this week, keep this in mind.  God alone is God; we are to have no other gods before us.  God calls us to love each other and our neighbor. Let us take this special season in the church and make this the center of our Lenten journey.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” John 10:14-16

Have you ever wandered about this saying of Jesus, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold”?  It can be interpreted in many ways, yet in the end, this saying reminds us that Jesus’ love and compassion goes far beyond what we expect. 

As we go before God in prayer this week, let us remember to pray for the other sheep, those who might not be considered “God’s children” for whatever reason we assign, those who might feel left out of things, those who may have been forgotten, and those who just do not know God’s love, for Jesus is reaching to them as well.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, ²for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. ³This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

There are problems in our world.  There are many places across the globe that are in conflict.  We know the biggies such as Ukraine and Gaza, but there is still ongoing violence in Sudan, Myanmar and more.

There are also conflicts in our own country, political upheaval, civil unrest and ongoing racism. 

Sometimes we feel unable to do anything yet we have one very strong weapon – prayer.  We can pray for the world leaders to do just and right things.  Even if we do not like the leader, pray for them – for peace to pervade their hearts and minds, for each world leader to do good for the planet.

As you journey through this week and hear the news, stop for a moment and pray for all in high positions.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.

That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.  Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Well, the game is over, the Eagles won the Superbowl, Jalen Hurts is the MVP of the game, and a parade will happen on Friday.  Congratulations to the team and the fans, it was a great season.

With all the turmoil going on in the world and the country, it is good to sometimes take a moment and enjoy something fun.  Watching my team dominate the Chiefs was fun!

Yet the Superbowl is not the only good thing we observed yesterday.  Our church participated in the Souperbowl of Sharing and we collected over 300 cans of soup for a local pantry.

This is the beauty of life – we can enjoy a football game and provide for the hungry at the same time.

This week, enjoy the victory (unless you are a Chiefs fan) and look for ways to help.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:2

Everywhere I turn people are nasty.  Comments on social media are nastier than ever.  People speak to each other with disrespect, and even hate.  Civil discourse is all but extinct.

Yet that is not how we, as followers of Christ, are to behave.  We can disagree with each other but we must do so with grace and mercy.  We can have differing opinions on politics, economics, education and even the church, as long as we do so with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

This week, strive to follow this passage.  If you disagree with someone, talk with them, one on one, without the baggage of nastiness.  Look at situations from all viewpoints.  Try to understand the other person.  Remember that they, too, are created in the image of God. 

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25

When we look at the news, when we hear of the devastation of the wild fires, or the hurricanes, or the continuing fighting going on in many countries, we get discouraged.  When we hear of violence and crime, we get disheartened. When we, or someone we know, is ill, and not getting better, we get down spirited.

But the author of Hebrews calls us to encourage one another, to provoke one another to love and good deeds.  Your good deeds may not end the war in Ukraine, they may not stop the wildfires, but they do incredible good.  Your act of kindness towards one person can be magnified – especially if we all do them.

Every time we do a good work, every time we encourage another, every time we show God’s love, we make a difference.

As you travel through this new week, make a difference.  Do something nice for another, spread some cheer, encourage someone who is hurting, and be the difference in the world.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ²with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ^bone God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6

Today is Inauguration Day, when a new president is sworn in and the administration begins.  Today is also Martin Luther King, JR. Day, a day we set aside to remember the work of a man who turned the country around. 

There is still a struggle for freedom and justice in our nation and, while the hope is that our government will work towards “justice for all”, we also know that it begins with us.

Every day, each of us have the opportunity to serve our fellow humans.  We can treat others with grace and dignity, we can lend a helping hand, we can serve like Jesus served. 

Today, we have a chance to lead a life worthy of the calling to which we have been called.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:1-10

Since New Year’s Day, the lights have been going out and the neighborhood getting darker.  Some turned off the Christmas lights immediately, others through the past week (and, some still have them on). 

Over the weekend, we started to take down the decorations and the tree.  We removed all the ornaments and I was taking off the strings of lights when I found one last ornament – one that said Joy.

Joy.  It can be so elusive for many during the holiday season.  For some, it brings up the grief of loss, especially if it is one of the first Christmas seasons without a loved one.  For others, the ongoing crises in the world, the country, and even within our families and friends.  Health has been difficult for a lot of people I know, including a bout within our household before Christmas.  We were unable to do a lot of things we normally do, and that was sad.  We have some friends going through serious issues and know the season was not necessarily the “most wonderful time of the year.”

Yet there was that Joy ornament.  It spoke to me as I removed the lights, and took the tree outside.  While I am not feeling it right now, I know that ultimately joy awaits.  Isaiah reminds us that God will give us strength, God will uphold us.

If you are going through a joyless time, I am not going to tell you that a few scripture verses will fix it.  I will say, however, that God is still with you, God walks with you and you can turn to God.

Peace,

Pastor Bill