A friend of mine listed his 75 gallon fish tank on Craigslist to include pump, hoses, and all parts and accessories. It was free and all you had to do was come and pick it up. He was remodeling his home and cleaning out rooms and wanted the tank, which was fabulous to just go to a good home. He wanted it to be a blessing to someone.
A woman answered with the first email in and asked the approximate dimension of the tank. My friend supplied her with the dimensions. Then in a few days she sent another email asking what it weighs and wondered if her teenage son would be able to lift it. My friend replied and ask how “beefy” her kid is, also noting that most physically fit teenage boys would be able to help her load it. In another day or two she sent another email asking if it would fit in the back of a certain type of vehicle. My friend had sent dimensions and approximate weight info previously.
So this continued on for another two weeks and every few days the woman would email with additional questions and some of the same she had already asked. She at one point ask my friend to deliver the free tank. He said he would not be able to do that. She continued to send email questions. She would not set a time and date to see or pick up the tank.
Finally my friend responded to the second email from a soldier at our local base. They young man asked a few questions, said he could borrow a pick up and would be there in 45 minutes. My friend said, “Come and get it.”
An email was sent to the first woman letting her know the tank was no longer available. She replied with a scathing, and angry, name-calling email. Wow. She had two or three weeks to come get the tank. Every other day, there was something that stopped her. She never committed to simply pick it up.
Do we let this happen to the good in our lives? Do we ask God for something and then never accept it? Some people put things off. Some people do things right away. Maybe this is about personality type. What is with the anger and telling someone off who spent two or three weeks trying to give you something that you wanted absolutely free?
The celebration of Easter has just passed. God sent redemption and hope to an angry, hurting world. It cost him dearly, but to us it is free.
Do we find a reason every day to not accept the good he has for us, or this amazing gift of redemption? Do we have questions about it we need to explore?
John 13:34 A new commandment I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another.
Davinci Last Supper
Father God, Let us love each other as you have loved us. Thank you for your grace and the redemption that was brought to us through this sacrafice.
- Photo by Michal Marcol
The journey begins. The week that changed the world as we know it starts today. It is the journey to the cross.
Palm Sunday is a celebration. We look from our perspective today, and 2000 years ago Jesus rode into Jerusalem. People laid down their cloaks, and palm branches and celebrated the spirit of God made known to us. We sing songs. We rejoice.
There was great excitement as Jesus entered the city. People crowded around and watched and cried out “Hosanna”. Some understood the Messiah had come without a doubt. Some had heard rumors, some were curious, some were skeptics. No one knew that day what would happen in a week.
It is a different perspective for us today, as we know what is in store. We know there will be trials, betrayal, suffering, pain, and death. There will be a resurrection.
My friend and teacher Rev. Randy Jessen asks, “Would you lay down your cloak? What would you lay down? Would you go back later and retrieve what you had laid down?”
With joy we come before the most Holy God. Let us lay down our pain and suffering. Let us release our anger and heavy burdens. Let us keep moving forward with you Father God, so that we do not return to retrieve those things we laid down and need to leave behind. Let us know the spirit of God. Let us sing new songs to you and celebrate. The celebration of our blessing of redemption is a week away. Help us find comfort, truth and grace. Amen.
Jerusalem photo by Linda & Arta Gjakove
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, King of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. The king ordered the chief of his officials to bring some of the sons of Israel showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding, and discerning knowledge and who had ability for serving in the king’s court.
Daniel was one of these guys. In chapter two the king had dreams. He wanted interpretation. Daniel requested compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery. (The king was going to get an interpretation, or the wise men would die.)
Verse 19 ”Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; Verse 20 Daniel answered and said “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever. for wisdom and power belong to Him. Verse 21 And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; he removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise men and knowledge to men of understanding. Verse 22 It is He who reveals profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells with Him. Verse 23 To Thee O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For Thou hast given me wisdom and power; Even now Thou hast made known to me what we requested of Thee;” (he had prayed with three other friends).
God of heaven. These are uncertain times and have been difficult times for some. I would ask for compassion from you to hear our prayers. We all need wisdom and understanding. We want to walk in your ways. We want to use our gifts. We want to be a blessing for our families, friends and co-workers. Let us find wisdom and strength. Give us a night vision and show us the way. Reveal profound and hidden things to us. We may be finding new careers and building new lives and we need vision to see beyond those things of the past that limit us. We praise you God from whom all blessings flow. Amen
I like Lent. My husband says it appeals to my minimalist side. It is a time of preparation. It is a journey of the spirit.
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, gird your minds for actions, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1:14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 1:15 but like the Holy one who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.
Father God, help me be holy. Help me to be as Peter says with my mind ready for action, sober in spirit (steady, reliable) and my hope completely on the grace brought by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Yes, let me be completely about the grace.
This is a time of preparation for Easter, for the symbol of sacrifice. It is a journey to discover the mystery of you and you loved each of us first, even before we loved you. It is good to travel the path with other seekers of holiness. It is good to go to Lenten studies and share a humble bowl of soup, to sing, to read and especially to pray. It is good to feel called and loved and be part of the body of Christ. Thank you God. Amen.
