Read: Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 Water Words
Water is life. Even more than the air we breathe, or soil we walk upon, water is the primary life supplier. We know there is life without air, such as anaerobic bacteria, however we cannot find life without water. We can find life without soil, such as the water-born protozoa, but water always is involved with life in one of its physical forms of vapor, liquid, or a solid. Water is the essential building block, the foundation of life.
The human body is 65% water. We must take in 80 oz. of water a day, about 2/3 of a gallon, just to maintain that percentage. As my body came into being it took on water. At death my body will dry out, lose its water, and once again become the same “wetness” as the rest of the world. So in an almost strange primordial metaphor, water can be understood to offer life. While we are physically alive our bodies contain significantly more water than the world around us. Without life, our bodies are similar in dryness to the surroundings.
So it is with our spiritual life. As we gain Jesus Christ we become alive in that spirit. The sacrament of baptism uses water at the metaphor to offer this hope. Through the application of water, the spiritual body becomes alive. Without the life of the spirit we remain separated from our own potential. We live spiritually on the same level with the world around us, experiencing no greater power, offering no greater sacrifice.
To hydrate our lives we look to the means of grace such as the sacraments, scripture, friendship, and prayer. Our ordinary lives become extraordinary with the addition of the water of the spirit. Our goal in these 40 days of Lent is to drink in the water of life and allow God to once again give spiritual life to our mortal bodies.
Scripture: Mark 1:9-15
Sermon: “Water Words”
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Notes for Sunday February 22, 2009
Read: Mark 9 & 2 Corinthians 4 The Transfiguration
All our lives we watch things grow. Here in Iowa, we grow things in the midst of the most fertile soil in the world. Our culture is based on growing things. For instance, we have weddings in June because that is when the crops need the least attention through their growing season. Our lives economically depend upon growing. Agriculture is our base, it is our economic rock. We suffer when things do not grow, or are stunted in their growth.
We watch our families grow. The little ones become classmates, who grow into work-mates, who find life-mates, who offer the whole cycle over again.
Growth is a faith journey of maturity and transformation from what was into what will be. This change is ongoing and active. The final stages of growth always rightly produces fruit, or perhaps more profound, seed for another season.
Jesus experienced the transfiguration as a prelude to the fruitfulness that was to follow the growth of the disciples in the church. Even today our lives are changed, transfigured, into something beautiful as we witness the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Growth, change, transfiguration can be hard and painful. The lack of growth however, is a morbid and dying process which will never offer reproduction or find fulfillment. Trust in God. Cling to Jesus. Embrace the Spirit. There is the good news, especially in the midst of growing things.
Scripture: Mark 9:2-9
Sermon: “Change is All Around Us”
All our lives we watch things grow. Here in Iowa, we grow things in the midst of the most fertile soil in the world. Our culture is based on growing things. For instance, we have weddings in June because that is when the crops need the least attention through their growing season. Our lives economically depend upon growing. Agriculture is our base, it is our economic rock. We suffer when things do not grow, or are stunted in their growth.
We watch our families grow. The little ones become classmates, who grow into work-mates, who find life-mates, who offer the whole cycle over again.
Growth is a faith journey of maturity and transformation from what was into what will be. This change is ongoing and active. The final stages of growth always rightly produces fruit, or perhaps more profound, seed for another season.
Jesus experienced the transfiguration as a prelude to the fruitfulness that was to follow the growth of the disciples in the church. Even today our lives are changed, transfigured, into something beautiful as we witness the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Growth, change, transfiguration can be hard and painful. The lack of growth however, is a morbid and dying process which will never offer reproduction or find fulfillment. Trust in God. Cling to Jesus. Embrace the Spirit. There is the good news, especially in the midst of growing things.
Scripture: Mark 9:2-9
Sermon: “Change is All Around Us”
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Notes for Sunday February 15, 2009
Read: Mark 1 Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy
Everyone wants to be loved. Some want the giddy, walking on clouds feelings, new found love offers. Some want the attention toward ourselves which being loved may offer. Still others seek the simple touch and physical contact love offers. As we mature, we seek mature love; something we call “true love.”
True love is comfortable with ourselves and seeks to be in relationship in order to offer grace to the other. True love is outward love, offering the very best of self, and accepting the best of the other without placing requirements or demanding expectations. True love lives best within the rhythm of an ongoing committed relationship. My reading of scripture offers true love as built upon the foundation of sacrifice. That is also my personal experience. Show me sacrifice and I will show you true love.
Feelings are natural when love is experienced. However the feelings of true love may be deceiving to some because it is comfortableness, a security, a pleasure which is deeper than the initial flame of infatuation. The movies rarely come close to exposing true love. Most movies seem to be focused on the love of self; getting my pleasure at any cost to anyone else. Unfortunately these stories can be compelling and we may begin to believe in a world where my needs should come before anything or anyone else. Love suffers in that soil.
True love is for a life time and beyond. The apostle Paul says, “Love never ends.” We do not hold tomorrow within our grasp, but we do have today. And tomorrow will be a reflection of our action today. I say Jesus offers true love to the man with leprosy. Our task is to reflect that love. And everybody wants to be loved.
Scripture: Mark 1:40-45
Sermon: “True Love”
Everyone wants to be loved. Some want the giddy, walking on clouds feelings, new found love offers. Some want the attention toward ourselves which being loved may offer. Still others seek the simple touch and physical contact love offers. As we mature, we seek mature love; something we call “true love.”
True love is comfortable with ourselves and seeks to be in relationship in order to offer grace to the other. True love is outward love, offering the very best of self, and accepting the best of the other without placing requirements or demanding expectations. True love lives best within the rhythm of an ongoing committed relationship. My reading of scripture offers true love as built upon the foundation of sacrifice. That is also my personal experience. Show me sacrifice and I will show you true love.
Feelings are natural when love is experienced. However the feelings of true love may be deceiving to some because it is comfortableness, a security, a pleasure which is deeper than the initial flame of infatuation. The movies rarely come close to exposing true love. Most movies seem to be focused on the love of self; getting my pleasure at any cost to anyone else. Unfortunately these stories can be compelling and we may begin to believe in a world where my needs should come before anything or anyone else. Love suffers in that soil.
True love is for a life time and beyond. The apostle Paul says, “Love never ends.” We do not hold tomorrow within our grasp, but we do have today. And tomorrow will be a reflection of our action today. I say Jesus offers true love to the man with leprosy. Our task is to reflect that love. And everybody wants to be loved.
Scripture: Mark 1:40-45
Sermon: “True Love”
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Notes for Sunday January 25, 2009
Read: Mark 1:14-20
Jesus is sent into the wilderness and calls the disciples in this passage. Why is it that a wilderness experience leaves us focused and ready to gather others and move forward on the big project? While we are in the wilderness all we can think about is what we are missing. When we get out of the wilderness we realize we are now tougher, more prepared, and ready to take on that beast of a thing which has been dogging us for some time. What do you see Jesus doing in this passage?
Scripture: Mark 1:14-20
Sermon: A Failure of Nerve
Jesus is sent into the wilderness and calls the disciples in this passage. Why is it that a wilderness experience leaves us focused and ready to gather others and move forward on the big project? While we are in the wilderness all we can think about is what we are missing. When we get out of the wilderness we realize we are now tougher, more prepared, and ready to take on that beast of a thing which has been dogging us for some time. What do you see Jesus doing in this passage?
Scripture: Mark 1:14-20
Sermon: A Failure of Nerve
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Writings for Sunday January 11, 2009
Read: Mark 1 The Baptism of the Lord
We are overwhelmed with causes and positions which stand against something or someone. Everyone seems to have an axe to grind about some particular issue, be it political, financial, or moral. Some people have more than one hot button issue. They can go off about just about anything at anytime. I am struggling to not place an example here, because it could very well be your pet project to speak out against. We are busy to death being against stuff, and I am against being against stuff. And here is the catch: The more I try to be against something or someone, the more I end up acting and looking just like the person or cause I oppose.
John the Baptist was against the political and cultural system of his day. Look at the way he dressed and lived. He said Jesus was coming to change everything. But John seems to misunderstand how Jesus would go about this work. What do you oppose? What frightens you about change?
Jesus comes to stand with, not to oppose. He submits to John’s baptism (which he surely does not need.) He stands with the people who are struggling to get life together. Watch and see how Jesus does not oppose people but goes with them, stands with them. Even to the cross of death, he does not oppose those who would kill him. He submits to their behavior and foul ways, knowing that faith and love will win the day, if only he can be faithful to the Father. Strange are the ways of Jesus.
I think Jesus did not come to maintain the status quo and keep people comfortable and secure in their own ways. Jesus came to transform life into something radically different; a non-violent life which stands together with the lowly, lost, and the offender and offers peace. And he did this work by standing with, not in opposition.
We are overwhelmed with causes and positions which stand against something or someone. Everyone seems to have an axe to grind about some particular issue, be it political, financial, or moral. Some people have more than one hot button issue. They can go off about just about anything at anytime. I am struggling to not place an example here, because it could very well be your pet project to speak out against. We are busy to death being against stuff, and I am against being against stuff. And here is the catch: The more I try to be against something or someone, the more I end up acting and looking just like the person or cause I oppose.
John the Baptist was against the political and cultural system of his day. Look at the way he dressed and lived. He said Jesus was coming to change everything. But John seems to misunderstand how Jesus would go about this work. What do you oppose? What frightens you about change?
Jesus comes to stand with, not to oppose. He submits to John’s baptism (which he surely does not need.) He stands with the people who are struggling to get life together. Watch and see how Jesus does not oppose people but goes with them, stands with them. Even to the cross of death, he does not oppose those who would kill him. He submits to their behavior and foul ways, knowing that faith and love will win the day, if only he can be faithful to the Father. Strange are the ways of Jesus.
I think Jesus did not come to maintain the status quo and keep people comfortable and secure in their own ways. Jesus came to transform life into something radically different; a non-violent life which stands together with the lowly, lost, and the offender and offers peace. And he did this work by standing with, not in opposition.
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