This was not the first time that the Israelites were impatient with God and it was not the last. In part, impatience played a role in all the times that they broke the covenant. Impatient to be delivered from the chaos that surrounded them.
The Israelites are not alone. We too are often impatient.
Read MoreWe seem to have a love-hate relationship to law. If the rules keep another from hurting us it is good. If it keeps us from doing what we want it is bad.
Read MoreThose unwritten intangible unbreakable never-clear rules of how to be a son, daughter, mother, father . . . Some good. Some bad. Others less so.
Read MoreThat means faith has always been the criteria of being children of God. The Law which came later was how a person lived out their faith. ...It is only by faith that we can become the children of God.
Read MoreThe question is, “What will your life look like if only the good is remembered?” Will it be full of activity or an empty slate? We know that we do not always do those things that God desires as well as doing those things that God despises. That is what Lent is about. We are called to reflect on our life and question ourselves and our actions and strive to do more of those things that God will remember.
Read MoreNo matter how prepared I am I find myself confused and babbling so much so that I often miss the opportunity to see, hear, and experience God’s call. But then, that is the usual way people react to God. Elisha is one of the exceptions.
Read MoreGod’s people certainly needed comfort. They had been defeated as a people, their temple and great city destroyed, and they were held in bondage in a foreign land. It was a time when they questioned their history, belief, and God. Had they been wrong all along?
Read MoreThis year Ash Wednesday will also be different. There is much to think about with the Covid-19 death toll reaching half a million, Ash Wednesday will be a more poignant experience reminding you of your mortality.
Read MoreWe are called just like the Corinthians to evaluate our words and actions to make sure that they do not cause one of our brothers or sisters to fall in faith. While you may not be a prophet you are still called to speak and do so that others will hear and see Jesus through you.
Read MoreWe find that in our lives as well. We have our minds made up. We usually “know” what God should do. We have our own enemies and see many others as not worthy of what we have. The emotions around this are so strong that we, like Jonah, shirk our call from God. While we do not run away physically, we just ignore God’s call and convince ourselves that what we are doing, what we like to do, is what God is calling us to do.
Read MoreWhen Eli asked what the Lord said it seems that Samuel was hesitant to tell him afraid of what Eli might do hearing God’s punishment for the acts of his adult children. Despite his fear, Samuel spoke the truth. As a prophet of God he was called to do so many more times; even to the king. That is a lesson we may need to learn as well. It is not always easy to speak the truth. In fact it takes courage especially when it endangers our lives.
Read MoreWhen this story was composed – during the Babylonian captivity – the Israelites were not interested in how the world came about. They were questioning their whole lives, their faith, and their God. Their lives were in chaos.
Read MoreMy father used to joke that God created time so that everything did not happen at once. But, whatever it is it is not fair. Time treats individuals differently. Just scan the obituaries and you will see this. Right beside those who are in their nineties are others in their thirties or younger. Who has not looked into heaven and pondered how short life is in the vast plan of God?
Read MoreWhile we have not been forcefully removed from our homes, nor are we threatened by foreign powers, our lives often seem so fragile. We are bombarded by concerns, worries, and doubts. Our lives are not what we wish them to be. These past nine months have certainly been trying. Yet, through it all God has been present in our lives.
Read MoreThey were the beauty of God’s crown and his royal diadem not because of their wealth, position, power, or ability. They were people who struggled. They had doubts, fears, and worries and were often confused and lost. But they are God’s glory because God held them in his hand.
Read MoreThat [first Christmas] celebration was not filled with gifts, friends, family, or feast. Instead it was darkness, fear, and curiosity, giving way to wonder. “Let us go and see this thing that has taken place.”
Read MoreThus Luke’s message may be that God is present in all of our lives. It does not matter who you are or how old you are, God calls you to God’s kingdom and gives you a task to do.
Read MoreWe also struggle to make sense of a world turned upside- down because of the Covid-19 virus. While governments try to decide how to save lives others complain about their rights. In a world where people think it is alright to send death threats because things did not go the way they wanted, we hear Jesus echoing Isaiah’s words. Words of comfort, but also words of action. We are called, as God’s people not to act out of selfish desires but in order to help others.
Read MoreGod did not make the Israelites return to the promised land free and easy. In fact, as last week’s text from Isaiah showed, it was hard work and struggle. What God is offering here is to change the rules of the game. God is promising a new way to salvation.
Read MoreInstead of teaching us what my mom used to always say when I got antsy, “All good things take time,” we are learning to be rude and angry when we have to wait. Those are two qualities that Christians should not incorporate into their lives especially since waiting is a Christian’s life.
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