What if Jesus is Coming Soon?

While driving across southern Missouri a few days ago Dotti and I stopped for lunch at a Waffle House restaurant. When I went to pay my check, I noticed a business card holder next to the register with business cards that simply read, "Jesus is Coming Soon." I picked one up, perhaps in part to affirm the person who placed it there. And then, as I awaited my change, I looked behind the counter.

If I managed a roadside restaurant, and was convinced that Jesus was coming soon, I think I'd hurriedly wash up all the dishes and scrub the floor. I'd check to see that the napkin dispensers were filled, and that every table and every booth was scrubbed.

As I drove down the highway that afternoon, the card sat on my dash. I wondered, what would I do if I were truly convinced that Jesus was coming soon? Would I quickly do all the dishes, scrub the floor, and wipe down all the furniture? I doubt it. Those are not my "things" -- they don't represent my gifts or my calling. So I decided that if I truly believed that Jesus were coming soon, I'd get busy using the gifts I've been given (such as writing, teaching, and ministry). Jesus might well expect to find me busy using these gifts he has given me, rather than living up to someone else's responsibility.

What God expects of each of us is different (and perhaps different at various times in our lives). What he does expect of each of us is that we be diligent in the employment of the gifts we are given.

The card remains on the dash of my car. It helps me focus.

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Where do the Ashes Come From?

We just returned from our annual Ash Wednesday service. Using the ashes to place the mark of the cross on the foreheads of those present always reminds me that I'm called upon on some occasions to answer the question, "Where do the ashes come from."

One of our parishioners tonight confessed that several years before I came to the church she had volunteered to take the remaining palms from Palm Sunday of the previous year and convert them into ashes. This was her first try at making usable ashes. She broke up the palms and placed them in a pan. Then she attempted to light the palms in the pan, but they refused.

Undaunted, she went outside and got the charcoal lighter fluid and gave the mixture a good squirt.

That year, the mark of the cross was blacker than ever.

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A Lenten Challenge

Today is Fat Tuesday. I don't make that observation because I've looked in the mirror, but because of the tradition to get all of the fat in the house used up (consumed) before the beginning of Lent at midnight. Others observe the day by celebrating Mardi Gras.

Regardless, most people feel that they ought to do something for Lent, but aren't quite sure what. (Fatalists feel there's no point doing anything for Lent, because they'll only fail at it.)

Here's what I recommended to my congregation:

The official word about Lent is that it is a time for self-examination and self-denial. That’s often been a hard sell for the American church, where our economy and much of our society is committed to self-indulgence. So my mind wanders toward self-indulgence, even though many of our political and economic leaders also tell me that right now self-denial might be more in order.

Two words – opposites – help me envision a productive use of Lent for 2009: “indulgence” and “denial.” Of the two, indulgence is the far easier one for me to focus on. So my thoughts then go to two other words: “God,” and “me.” (OK, so it’s easier again to think of myself than to think of God, but this is a church newsletter, so let’s pretend that thinking about God is somewhat easy.) In truth, when I deny myself, I indulge in God; when I indulge myself, I deny God.

So, for Lent this year, I’d like to focus not so much on denying myself, but on indulging God. How, then, do I indulge God? What does God most want from me? You’ve heard me say before that what God wants most from us is for us to walk with him. So I propose here that an appropriate endeavor for Lent is not to give up chocolate, but to give more time to walking with God. While initially that may seem as difficult as giving up chocolate, it is ultimately far more beneficial.

At least four or five times each year I resolve to read my Bible more often, perhaps even daily, but it doesn’t take long for that resolution to weaken. This year, for Lent, I’m going to try it again. Care to join me? There are so many plans for daily Bible reading (and each one is the best, of course), I’m going to propose a psalm a day. While just about any place you read in the Bible is instructive, the psalms are uniquely worshipful. The Daily Lectionary offers two psalms each day, one for morning and one for evening. I’ll be including these recommended readings each week in our church bulletin. We may even find a certain connectedness knowing that we are each reading the same psalm on a given day.

But don’t just read and run. Close your eyes and think about it. Then say something to God. It doesn’t have to be a formal prayer; conversation with God works great. He’ll like it, and you will too.

So this year for Lent, don’t focus on giving up something. Indulge! Focus on giving something…to God. Give him a few minutes more of your time each day. In so doing, the true spirit of Lent will be well served, and you and I will grow together.

If you lack a list of readings, create your own, or click here for help. This year, let's focus on giving something (rather than giving up something) and in so doing draw closer to God.

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Grasshopper Eyes and Eagle Wings

Last Sunday, our Old Testament lesson was from the 40th chapter of Isaiah. In preparing to share with the congregation, I came across an essay titled Grasshopper Eyes and Eagle Wings. I read it aloud to the congregation as my Further Word. They found it meaningful, and I hope you will as well

Isaiah 40:31 was probably one of the first scriptures I memorized in my youth. It was a great hope to feel that God could lift me up on Eagle’s wings and it still is. I love the idea of soaring above it all, being the swift and strong eagle, with a bird’s eye view of all the grasshoppers below. But honestly, I need to back up to Isaiah 40:22 and remember that so much of my life is lived with the grasshoppers. In describing the greatness of our Creator, Isaiah starts off comparing us to the small leaf-hoppers who are more prey than predator. Isaiah had such a gift for metaphor, so I wonder if he carefully chose contrasting grasshoppers with eagles, or if any small insect or rodent would do for his literary purposes. This week I want to take some time to applaud the grasshopper as well as the eagle.

If you'd like to read the full essay, click here.

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Thinking Spring - photo of church

I looked for an exterior shot of the church in winter, but found only interior shots in my collection. So, I opted to post an exterior shot taken in pleasant weather. If that tells you what's on my mind, so be it.

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First Post

Dotti and I attended a seminar for pastors this afternoon at the Pontiac Convention Center here in Janesville. One of the suggestions made is that every pastor should have a blog. It is, in part, to bear witness to the fact that we are thinking (more than just on Sunday mornings) and that we are open to dialog about our thoughts.

Since my daughter and my grandson already have a blog, I suspect it's time for me to begin.

If, in the process of reading this blog, you find material that is helpful, invite others to subscribe to this blog as well. If, at any time, you'd like to join in the conversation, please feel free.

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