A prayer from Robert D. Hershey:
“[Not that many] shopping days 'till Christmas. That, dear God, is bad news. It's not just the shopping, but everything else too: getting presents, buying cards, writing, mailing, baking, meals, parties. Can it be, Lord, that I'm working on the wrong things? Help me to concentrate on the right thing: the good news of your coming again into this darkened world with light and hope. After all, getting ready for Christmas shouldn't mean pressure and weariness at all, but quiet minds and hearts spilling over with joy. Amen.”
For once I think I'm pretty well ready for Christmas. Oh, there are still a few sermons to write. Just a couple more presents to decide on and get wrapped, a few calls to be made, but for the most part I'm ahead of the game.
Why do I feel like Advent has been stolen from me once again?
Maybe if I take a deep breath, slow down, relax, think about what this holy season is about...
God took flesh and lived among us! How amazing is that! He came not in a palace, not in a holy place, not delivered by spaceship, not beamed in and then beamed out when the going got tough.
God took flesh and was carried by a teenage mom and was born – in a barn – a feed trough for a crib! A refugee soon afterwards! An outcast, rejected, condemned, killed for us. The pioneer who defeated death – and all for you and for me!
And he will come again! Jesus will come again and bring the fullness of the Kingdom of God to us! Where all will be as God made it to be. We as we were made to be - in relationship – face to face relationship with our God just as we were meant to have from the beginning.
Breathe that in!
Let God's presence and promise wash over you.
Even for a moment amidst the busyness.
Let our hearts spill with your joy.
Thank you Jesus!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Justification by ________ (Fill in the Blank), 9-23-09
OK, Lutherans – here's your test, how do you fill in the blank?
If you answered “faith,” or “grace through faith,” or “grace through faith in Christ,” or something similar – Congratulations – you really were paying attention in confirmation class.
Maybe you even know some supporting verses like: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8; of “since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:22-23.
Justification by grace through faith and not by works! So we have been taught and so we state with our words.
That's our confession. Why then do we insert other words in the blank?
Justification by “right answer” is a biggie. I've had two pastors tell me that it isn't worship if certain specific parts of the order are missing. Interestingly they claimed different parts as the critical piece. Each had a right answer for their own blank that excluded others.
Once again in the ELCA Churchwide Assembly the turbulent waters of sex and sexuality were roiled, and two opposing sides filled in the blank in ways that created division and hurt – in ways that risk ongoing separation.
Are we justified by our position, our current version of the right answer? I think St. Paul would answer, “By no means!”
For once, I wish we could be as passionate about sharing the good news or feeding the hungry as we are about sex!
When Jesus died for us it wasn't because we had the right answer, but because we were living the wrong answer and continue to live the wrong answer. The wrong answer has a lot of names, sin, separation, pride, presumption, or _______ (fill in your own blank). We all manage to curve in upon our selves – making it about our rights, our thoughts, our right answer.
We curve in but our Lord stretched out – on a cross - to make us right with God – a pure undeserved gift received in faith.
There remains common ground – at the foot of the cross.
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
OK, Lutherans – here's your test, how do you fill in the blank?
If you answered “faith,” or “grace through faith,” or “grace through faith in Christ,” or something similar – Congratulations – you really were paying attention in confirmation class.
Maybe you even know some supporting verses like: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8; of “since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:22-23.
Justification by grace through faith and not by works! So we have been taught and so we state with our words.
That's our confession. Why then do we insert other words in the blank?
Justification by “right answer” is a biggie. I've had two pastors tell me that it isn't worship if certain specific parts of the order are missing. Interestingly they claimed different parts as the critical piece. Each had a right answer for their own blank that excluded others.
Once again in the ELCA Churchwide Assembly the turbulent waters of sex and sexuality were roiled, and two opposing sides filled in the blank in ways that created division and hurt – in ways that risk ongoing separation.
Are we justified by our position, our current version of the right answer? I think St. Paul would answer, “By no means!”
For once, I wish we could be as passionate about sharing the good news or feeding the hungry as we are about sex!
When Jesus died for us it wasn't because we had the right answer, but because we were living the wrong answer and continue to live the wrong answer. The wrong answer has a lot of names, sin, separation, pride, presumption, or _______ (fill in your own blank). We all manage to curve in upon our selves – making it about our rights, our thoughts, our right answer.
We curve in but our Lord stretched out – on a cross - to make us right with God – a pure undeserved gift received in faith.
There remains common ground – at the foot of the cross.
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Work and Prayer 8/19/09
We Lutherans have this fixation on work. We're against it!
Well, not exactly, but sometimes it seems that we are so attuned to avoiding any appearance of works righteousness that we would just rather not talk about it, thank you.
If we are justified by faith in Jesus; if our salvation is dependent not on our decision for Jesus, but on Jesus' decision for us; if God is sovereign – then what is left for us? Why work – why even pray if is all in God's hands?
An early reformer took this line of thinking to its logical conclusion declaring that “doing a good work is detrimental to one's faith.” Along those lines the post-Luther theological faculty of Wittenberg declared itself opposed to missionary work on the grounds that it questioned God's sovereignty.
I think this is called “logical absurdity,” good for a laugh, but how often are we reluctant to call for a response – to invite others and ourselves to claim the gifts of faith and salvation with joy that is reflected in our words, in our lives, in our prayers, and yes, gulp, even in our works.
St. Paul even managed to get “work” and “grace” in one sentence without them being in opposition to each other: “As we work together with him [Christ], we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.” 2 Corinthians 6:1
Work does not preempt grace. Grace does not abolish work. They coexist in us as we live in response to the gift of Jesus.
Let me share with you a few thoughts on the subject by C. S. Lewis from God in the Dock. “The two methods by which we are allowed to produce events may be called work and prayer. Both are alike in this respect – that in both we try to produce a state of affairs which God has not (or at any rate not yet) seen fit to provide 'on His own.'” And from this point of view the old maxim laborare est orare (work is prayer) takes on a new meaning. What we do when we weed a field is not quite different from what we do when we pray for a good harvest.
“You cannot be sure of a good harvest whatever you do to a field. But you can be sure that if you pull up one weed that one weed will no longer be there....”
God in Christ has given us all – even, especially Himself. Believe it? Your salvation is assured. So what are you going to do with it? The weeds await.
Well, not exactly, but sometimes it seems that we are so attuned to avoiding any appearance of works righteousness that we would just rather not talk about it, thank you.
If we are justified by faith in Jesus; if our salvation is dependent not on our decision for Jesus, but on Jesus' decision for us; if God is sovereign – then what is left for us? Why work – why even pray if is all in God's hands?
An early reformer took this line of thinking to its logical conclusion declaring that “doing a good work is detrimental to one's faith.” Along those lines the post-Luther theological faculty of Wittenberg declared itself opposed to missionary work on the grounds that it questioned God's sovereignty.
I think this is called “logical absurdity,” good for a laugh, but how often are we reluctant to call for a response – to invite others and ourselves to claim the gifts of faith and salvation with joy that is reflected in our words, in our lives, in our prayers, and yes, gulp, even in our works.
St. Paul even managed to get “work” and “grace” in one sentence without them being in opposition to each other: “As we work together with him [Christ], we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.” 2 Corinthians 6:1
Work does not preempt grace. Grace does not abolish work. They coexist in us as we live in response to the gift of Jesus.
Let me share with you a few thoughts on the subject by C. S. Lewis from God in the Dock. “The two methods by which we are allowed to produce events may be called work and prayer. Both are alike in this respect – that in both we try to produce a state of affairs which God has not (or at any rate not yet) seen fit to provide 'on His own.'” And from this point of view the old maxim laborare est orare (work is prayer) takes on a new meaning. What we do when we weed a field is not quite different from what we do when we pray for a good harvest.
“You cannot be sure of a good harvest whatever you do to a field. But you can be sure that if you pull up one weed that one weed will no longer be there....”
God in Christ has given us all – even, especially Himself. Believe it? Your salvation is assured. So what are you going to do with it? The weeds await.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Hungry Bellies 7/22/09
I came across an interesting column in the May 2009 issue of Christianity Today, “Why We Need Earthquakes,” http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/may/12.58.html
The contention of the author is that without plate tectonics (the movement of large pieces of the earth's crust over long periods of time) and all the effects that go with that movement including earthquakes and tsunamis the earth could not support creatures like us. No plate tectonics – no continents, little biodiversity, no chance for human beings made “a little lower than the heavenly beings” (Psalm 8:5) to live and breathe and exercise dominion over creation.
My interest was piqued on several levels. First, Christianity Today though appealing to a broad spectrum of Christians has a fair number of readers who hold to literal, 6 day, young earth creationism. Rising mountains and moving continents over eons of time seemed destined to produce a firestorm of angry letters. I'm a little behind on my reading but so far I have not seen that happen. Secondly, though the contention makes sense scientifically, theologically is it an excuse for God. “OK we got God off the hook for earthquakes, someone get working on hurricanes!”
Needing earthquakes is an idea that that might be an exciting thought to wrestle with, being in an earthquake though is an experience that can likely only produce terror.
This brings me to my point – though we may never know why tragedies happen we can, with the love and caring that reflects Jesus, reach out bring love, caring, and compassion to those who are impacted by any of life's tragedies. I'm just back from what I think is my 12th mission trip. As always help was given and it is an amazing privilege to be a part of God's work in ministering to the hurting. But more amazing than that is the sense I have that we have received far more than we have given. There in the poor and the hungry and the hurting is the face of Jesus. In our meager efforts we have touched the hem of his robe and we too receive his healing.
The contention of the author is that without plate tectonics (the movement of large pieces of the earth's crust over long periods of time) and all the effects that go with that movement including earthquakes and tsunamis the earth could not support creatures like us. No plate tectonics – no continents, little biodiversity, no chance for human beings made “a little lower than the heavenly beings” (Psalm 8:5) to live and breathe and exercise dominion over creation.
My interest was piqued on several levels. First, Christianity Today though appealing to a broad spectrum of Christians has a fair number of readers who hold to literal, 6 day, young earth creationism. Rising mountains and moving continents over eons of time seemed destined to produce a firestorm of angry letters. I'm a little behind on my reading but so far I have not seen that happen. Secondly, though the contention makes sense scientifically, theologically is it an excuse for God. “OK we got God off the hook for earthquakes, someone get working on hurricanes!”
Needing earthquakes is an idea that that might be an exciting thought to wrestle with, being in an earthquake though is an experience that can likely only produce terror.
This brings me to my point – though we may never know why tragedies happen we can, with the love and caring that reflects Jesus, reach out bring love, caring, and compassion to those who are impacted by any of life's tragedies. I'm just back from what I think is my 12th mission trip. As always help was given and it is an amazing privilege to be a part of God's work in ministering to the hurting. But more amazing than that is the sense I have that we have received far more than we have given. There in the poor and the hungry and the hurting is the face of Jesus. In our meager efforts we have touched the hem of his robe and we too receive his healing.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Pentecost Redux - May 27, 2009
“Suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind... divided tongues as of fire appeared... All were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability...” Acts 2:2-4
Several million church goers are going to hear this read this Sunday. Many thousands of readers will stumble over the geographic names – kind of ironic since we are reading of the Spirit giving the ability to speak in every dialect. Other thousands will begin to daydream. Children will stare at ceiling fans or count the organ pipes as I used to do. Thousands of preachers will wonder if their message will bring some fresh insight to their parishioners.
Maybe among the millions will be some who wonder if “God declares, 'I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh...,'” (2:17) why aren't we experiencing the outpouring of the Spirit right here, right now?
On that day when Peter declared, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” (2:21) 3000 people responded. Why not today?
Could it be because we don't ask? Or because we don't really expect the Holy Spirit to do amazing things today?
Has our faith been so domesticated that we have stopped looking to be awed?
Following Jesus, whether 2000 years ago or today is a radical departure from the norm. Jesus was never boring and never predictable! Our very faith is a result of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is never boring, never predictable!
Predictability is what we have done to the faith. Boredom is the result.
Let's go back to the story. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak...” (2:4) All of them!
In what languages do you share the love of Jesus? What, not a preacher or an evangelist? All were filled, all spoke... All of them!
Maybe you already speak the language of an engineer, or the language of a teacher, or the language of a teenager, or the language of the sports fan, or the language of the musician, or the language of the social networking media, or one of the other myriad of languages of 21st century culture.
No doubt we are all multilingual. No doubt we can all be filled. No doubt we can in some small way, each of us, share the love, the acceptance or the invitation of Jesus.
Let the amazement begin!
Grace and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
Several million church goers are going to hear this read this Sunday. Many thousands of readers will stumble over the geographic names – kind of ironic since we are reading of the Spirit giving the ability to speak in every dialect. Other thousands will begin to daydream. Children will stare at ceiling fans or count the organ pipes as I used to do. Thousands of preachers will wonder if their message will bring some fresh insight to their parishioners.
Maybe among the millions will be some who wonder if “God declares, 'I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh...,'” (2:17) why aren't we experiencing the outpouring of the Spirit right here, right now?
On that day when Peter declared, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” (2:21) 3000 people responded. Why not today?
Could it be because we don't ask? Or because we don't really expect the Holy Spirit to do amazing things today?
Has our faith been so domesticated that we have stopped looking to be awed?
Following Jesus, whether 2000 years ago or today is a radical departure from the norm. Jesus was never boring and never predictable! Our very faith is a result of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is never boring, never predictable!
Predictability is what we have done to the faith. Boredom is the result.
Let's go back to the story. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak...” (2:4) All of them!
In what languages do you share the love of Jesus? What, not a preacher or an evangelist? All were filled, all spoke... All of them!
Maybe you already speak the language of an engineer, or the language of a teacher, or the language of a teenager, or the language of the sports fan, or the language of the musician, or the language of the social networking media, or one of the other myriad of languages of 21st century culture.
No doubt we are all multilingual. No doubt we can all be filled. No doubt we can in some small way, each of us, share the love, the acceptance or the invitation of Jesus.
Let the amazement begin!
Grace and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Doing, Developing, Bearing 5-6-09
We are now in the season of our New Dreams cottage meetings in which, among other things we are dreaming Spirit-guided dreams for the mission and ministry of Prince of Peace. It is a fun process getting to know one another, hearing your dreams, envisioning your visions, imagining what is possible for this mission outpost for Jesus. With God anything is possible! So it is fun to stretch the horizons of our dreams.
Sometimes we talk about things we should do – they are many good and faithful things that fall into this category. Sometimes we talk about programs we should develop – more great ideas.
Here something else we can talk about – fruit we could bear.
I ran across an interesting quote, “Have you ever noticed the difference in the Christian life between work and fruit? A machine can do work; only life can bear fruit.” Andrew Murray
I have worked in factories where there are production quotas. You should produce x number of pieces in your 8 hour shift, if not you better have a good reason such as the amount of time the machine was down for repairs.
I have also watched the promise in the blossoms of trees this time of year with time and care become the abundant harvest of the fall. Bearing fruit takes more than the machinations of work. Bearing fruit takes the hand of God working together with the essence of life.
St. Paul wrote to the church in Colossae, “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:9-10
Do you see the connection, “bearing fruit in every good work”? We work, yes, but we do so not as a spiritual production quota but as a natural consequence of life that is growing in God. As surely as fruit follows flower so does our doing and developing follow our growing, fruit of our relationship in, with and through Christ.
In Christ's grace and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
Sometimes we talk about things we should do – they are many good and faithful things that fall into this category. Sometimes we talk about programs we should develop – more great ideas.
Here something else we can talk about – fruit we could bear.
I ran across an interesting quote, “Have you ever noticed the difference in the Christian life between work and fruit? A machine can do work; only life can bear fruit.” Andrew Murray
I have worked in factories where there are production quotas. You should produce x number of pieces in your 8 hour shift, if not you better have a good reason such as the amount of time the machine was down for repairs.
I have also watched the promise in the blossoms of trees this time of year with time and care become the abundant harvest of the fall. Bearing fruit takes more than the machinations of work. Bearing fruit takes the hand of God working together with the essence of life.
St. Paul wrote to the church in Colossae, “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:9-10
Do you see the connection, “bearing fruit in every good work”? We work, yes, but we do so not as a spiritual production quota but as a natural consequence of life that is growing in God. As surely as fruit follows flower so does our doing and developing follow our growing, fruit of our relationship in, with and through Christ.
In Christ's grace and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Hidden Jesus – 4/23/09
Do you know those Magic Eye pictures? They are the pictures that may appear to be random colors and patterns but if you stare at them long enough, and your eyes get out of focus enough then suddenly there appears a 3 dimensional figure that comes out of the picture.
You stare and go cross-eyed and just when you are about ready to give up – There it is!
The funny thing is that when you try to see the image that is when it is often the most difficult to see. We had one of these in the office the other day. I would look at it by myself and see a hand coming out of the picture. When I handed it to others they would try and fail to anything more than the surface pattern and when they handed it back to me to point out where the image was I couldn't see it either!
Then in the peace of my office – there was the hand!
In Luke's Gospel there is a story of travelers on the road, on the first Easter Sunday, walking with a stranger. As readers we are let in on the secret – the stranger walking with them is Jesus. “But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” (Luke 24:16)
Even after walking and talking with him they were clueless. Only in the breaking of bread with Jesus at table were their eyes opened.
Sometimes I think life is like a Magic Eye picture. We are stuck in 2 dimensional life, seeing but not really seeing – and then there he is – 3-D Jesus, in the person in need, in the person who is reaching out in love, in the face of a child or in the face of the infirm elder – even in your face as you reflect his love.
Here's hoping and praying for opened eyes that see Jesus in the world.
Grace and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
You stare and go cross-eyed and just when you are about ready to give up – There it is!
The funny thing is that when you try to see the image that is when it is often the most difficult to see. We had one of these in the office the other day. I would look at it by myself and see a hand coming out of the picture. When I handed it to others they would try and fail to anything more than the surface pattern and when they handed it back to me to point out where the image was I couldn't see it either!
Then in the peace of my office – there was the hand!
In Luke's Gospel there is a story of travelers on the road, on the first Easter Sunday, walking with a stranger. As readers we are let in on the secret – the stranger walking with them is Jesus. “But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” (Luke 24:16)
Even after walking and talking with him they were clueless. Only in the breaking of bread with Jesus at table were their eyes opened.
Sometimes I think life is like a Magic Eye picture. We are stuck in 2 dimensional life, seeing but not really seeing – and then there he is – 3-D Jesus, in the person in need, in the person who is reaching out in love, in the face of a child or in the face of the infirm elder – even in your face as you reflect his love.
Here's hoping and praying for opened eyes that see Jesus in the world.
Grace and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Peace Be With You
Peace Be With You - 4/14/09
Jesus is alive and that changes everything! Apologies if you are getting tired of hearing say and write this, but it is true. It is a truth that transforms. Consider the disciples in the Gospel of John. If you follow the text of the 20th Chapter they know the tomb is empty. They have heard the witness of Mary Magdalene, “I have seen the Lord!” But when it was evening on that first Easter day the house in which the disciples had met was locked – get this -
For fear...
For fear of the Jewish leaders as the TEV translation puts it. Empty tomb or not these disciples were in no hurry to get nailed to a cross.
Was it even more? Were they in fear in spite of the report that Jesus was alive, or maybe even a bit because of it?
Sound far fetched? Remember they were no where to be found in Jesus' time of need. If Jesus has the power to walk out of the grave what will be his reaction to those who failed him?
Timidity had carried them this far and they saw no reason to change now.
And then there he was! Before they can even begin forming the words of their excuses and their apologies Jesus says, “Peace be with you.”
Peace! God's shalom to all who have failed him, God's shalom to us, from the Prince of Peace himself.
“Peace be with you.” As we share those words in church consider that this exercise is not the church's equivalent of the 7th inning stretch. We are sharing the very same peace that Jesus gave to his frightened disciples. Giving and receiving God's shalom because Jesus is alive and that changes everything!
Once was not enough. Jesus again said, “Peace be with you.” this time he added, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Fearful disciples became bold proclaimers to the ends of the world – because Jesus is alive and that changes everything. That same Jesus sends you! And because he is alive, with his peace, with his presence, with his wisdom, we can change the world.
Go in peace! Serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!
Shalom,
Jeff Silvernail
Jesus is alive and that changes everything! Apologies if you are getting tired of hearing say and write this, but it is true. It is a truth that transforms. Consider the disciples in the Gospel of John. If you follow the text of the 20th Chapter they know the tomb is empty. They have heard the witness of Mary Magdalene, “I have seen the Lord!” But when it was evening on that first Easter day the house in which the disciples had met was locked – get this -
For fear...
For fear of the Jewish leaders as the TEV translation puts it. Empty tomb or not these disciples were in no hurry to get nailed to a cross.
Was it even more? Were they in fear in spite of the report that Jesus was alive, or maybe even a bit because of it?
Sound far fetched? Remember they were no where to be found in Jesus' time of need. If Jesus has the power to walk out of the grave what will be his reaction to those who failed him?
Timidity had carried them this far and they saw no reason to change now.
And then there he was! Before they can even begin forming the words of their excuses and their apologies Jesus says, “Peace be with you.”
Peace! God's shalom to all who have failed him, God's shalom to us, from the Prince of Peace himself.
“Peace be with you.” As we share those words in church consider that this exercise is not the church's equivalent of the 7th inning stretch. We are sharing the very same peace that Jesus gave to his frightened disciples. Giving and receiving God's shalom because Jesus is alive and that changes everything!
Once was not enough. Jesus again said, “Peace be with you.” this time he added, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Fearful disciples became bold proclaimers to the ends of the world – because Jesus is alive and that changes everything. That same Jesus sends you! And because he is alive, with his peace, with his presence, with his wisdom, we can change the world.
Go in peace! Serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!
Shalom,
Jeff Silvernail
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Waiting at Gethsemane 4/8/09
Each year during Holy Week we invite people to enter into the drama of the passion of Jesus. We wave our palms on Palm Sunday; we remember the Last Supper and foot washing on Maundy Thursday; we revere Jesus on the cross for us on Good Friday, we gather around glimmers of light on the Saturday Easter vigil; and we shout our Alleluias on Easter Sunday.
We walk with Jesus through the events of the passion and on to his glorious victory in a rhythm that has gone on for nearly 2000 years. Powerful stuff!
When though do we pause to watch and wait while Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane?
“I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here and keep awake,” Jesus tells his disciples. The disciples fell asleep, oblivious to the agony of Jesus as he prayed, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” (Mark 14:34, 36)
Could you not keep awake one hour? (14:37)
Let's take a moment to watch and wait and pray.
A prayer from Ephrem of Syria a 4th century church leader:
“You love humankind, O Christ, and I glorify you for that. You are the only Son, the Lord of all things. You alone are without sin. You gave yourself up to death for me, an unworthy dinner, the death of the cross. Through this suffering, you have delivered all human beings from the snare of evil. What shall I render to you, Lord, for such goodness?
“Glory to you, friend of all!
Glory to you, O merciful Lord!
Glory to you, long-suffering God!
Glory to you, who takes away all sins!
Glory to you, who came to save us!
Glory to you, who became flesh in the womb of the virgin!
Glory to you, bound in cords!
Glory to you, whipped and scourged!
Glory to you, mocked and derided!
Glory to you, nailed to the cross!
Glory to you, buried and risen!
Glory to you, proclaimed to all humankind, who believe in you!
Glory to you, ascended to heaven! Amen."
Awed by Christ's sacrificial love,
Jeff Silvernail
We walk with Jesus through the events of the passion and on to his glorious victory in a rhythm that has gone on for nearly 2000 years. Powerful stuff!
When though do we pause to watch and wait while Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane?
“I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here and keep awake,” Jesus tells his disciples. The disciples fell asleep, oblivious to the agony of Jesus as he prayed, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” (Mark 14:34, 36)
Could you not keep awake one hour? (14:37)
Let's take a moment to watch and wait and pray.
A prayer from Ephrem of Syria a 4th century church leader:
“You love humankind, O Christ, and I glorify you for that. You are the only Son, the Lord of all things. You alone are without sin. You gave yourself up to death for me, an unworthy dinner, the death of the cross. Through this suffering, you have delivered all human beings from the snare of evil. What shall I render to you, Lord, for such goodness?
“Glory to you, friend of all!
Glory to you, O merciful Lord!
Glory to you, long-suffering God!
Glory to you, who takes away all sins!
Glory to you, who came to save us!
Glory to you, who became flesh in the womb of the virgin!
Glory to you, bound in cords!
Glory to you, whipped and scourged!
Glory to you, mocked and derided!
Glory to you, nailed to the cross!
Glory to you, buried and risen!
Glory to you, proclaimed to all humankind, who believe in you!
Glory to you, ascended to heaven! Amen."
Awed by Christ's sacrificial love,
Jeff Silvernail
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Across the Divide 4/1/2009
After what might be the costliest congressional election in history, and certainly one of the nastiest we finally have the results and the winner is – (drum roll please)...
NO ONE
The election hangs by a handful of votes. It will be weeks if not longer before the absentee ballots are counted and the affidavit ballots are challenged and resolved. For the last two months both candidates and their political parties have sought to divide us with mud slinging, innuendo, and half truths. They have succeeded admirably.
Today is April Fools' Day – how's that for irony? And the joke is on us.
My devotions this morning took me to John 10 where Jesus says that he is the door of the sheep and he is the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.
Sheepfolds in that time and place were enclosures without a gate as we know one. The sheep were gathered into the sheepfold for the night. Once all were in the shepherd himself would lay across the opening. He was the gate. Anyone who didn't enter by the gate – through the shepherd was a thief or robber. Any predator who sought to kill the sheep would have to go through the shepherd first.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15
If Jesus is the good shepherd then we are the sheep. Politicians certainly treat us like sheep but I doubt they will lay down their lives to protect us.
Jesus did. Sin and death want to snatch us away, but Jesus laid down his life for us - our good shepherd. He laid it down and he took it up again (John 10:17) – our crucified and risen Lord to lead us, his people to unity, peace and life.
“They will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16)
A question to ponder in these tumultuous, divisive and dangerous days:
Who are you listening to, who are you following?
In Christ's love and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
NO ONE
The election hangs by a handful of votes. It will be weeks if not longer before the absentee ballots are counted and the affidavit ballots are challenged and resolved. For the last two months both candidates and their political parties have sought to divide us with mud slinging, innuendo, and half truths. They have succeeded admirably.
Today is April Fools' Day – how's that for irony? And the joke is on us.
My devotions this morning took me to John 10 where Jesus says that he is the door of the sheep and he is the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.
Sheepfolds in that time and place were enclosures without a gate as we know one. The sheep were gathered into the sheepfold for the night. Once all were in the shepherd himself would lay across the opening. He was the gate. Anyone who didn't enter by the gate – through the shepherd was a thief or robber. Any predator who sought to kill the sheep would have to go through the shepherd first.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15
If Jesus is the good shepherd then we are the sheep. Politicians certainly treat us like sheep but I doubt they will lay down their lives to protect us.
Jesus did. Sin and death want to snatch us away, but Jesus laid down his life for us - our good shepherd. He laid it down and he took it up again (John 10:17) – our crucified and risen Lord to lead us, his people to unity, peace and life.
“They will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16)
A question to ponder in these tumultuous, divisive and dangerous days:
Who are you listening to, who are you following?
In Christ's love and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
We Want to See Jesus
In the Gospel of John tucked in between the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and Last Supper is a little request. The out-of-towner's, some Greeks come to Philip, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
Had they heard of signs and wonders and wanted to catch a bit of local color on their junket to Judea? Were they collecting stories to tell the folks back home?
Or was it deeper longing – to come in contact with the one who has the words of eternal life?
We still want to see Jesus. How are we doing at seeing Jesus? How are we doing at showing Jesus?
There are a lot a negatives associated with Jesus' church. Let's imagine a person on the street poll. “Excuse me ma'am what is the first word you associate with the word church?”
What do you suppose we would hear? No doubt we would hear some uplifting words but I bet we would also hear these words: judgmental, hypocrites, close-minded, irrelevant, strange... The church has a lot of baggage.
The funny thing is I bet most of these same folks wouldn't associate any of those negative words with Jesus, whether they believe in him or not.
A good question for churches and church people to ask continually is: Are we faithfully showing Jesus? Are we truly welcoming of all people? If no one greets the visitor it won't matter what is said in the sermon the message will be loud and clear, and it won't be showing Jesus. Beyond worship, if we aren't out in the world are we faithfully showing Jesus? Sure Jesus was in houses of worship, but he didn't stay there. He was with the hurting, the rejected, even the notorious.
How are we showing Jesus? We all fall short. So let's try this first. Look for Jesus. Look for Jesus in your family, at your school or in your workplace, in the person who serves you and in the person that needs service, in the person sitting in the sanctuary and in the person who would never dream of going to a church. Jesus is there.
The better we get at seeing Jesus, the better we will be at showing him. The world waits pleading – We want to see Jesus.
Grace and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
Had they heard of signs and wonders and wanted to catch a bit of local color on their junket to Judea? Were they collecting stories to tell the folks back home?
Or was it deeper longing – to come in contact with the one who has the words of eternal life?
We still want to see Jesus. How are we doing at seeing Jesus? How are we doing at showing Jesus?
There are a lot a negatives associated with Jesus' church. Let's imagine a person on the street poll. “Excuse me ma'am what is the first word you associate with the word church?”
What do you suppose we would hear? No doubt we would hear some uplifting words but I bet we would also hear these words: judgmental, hypocrites, close-minded, irrelevant, strange... The church has a lot of baggage.
The funny thing is I bet most of these same folks wouldn't associate any of those negative words with Jesus, whether they believe in him or not.
A good question for churches and church people to ask continually is: Are we faithfully showing Jesus? Are we truly welcoming of all people? If no one greets the visitor it won't matter what is said in the sermon the message will be loud and clear, and it won't be showing Jesus. Beyond worship, if we aren't out in the world are we faithfully showing Jesus? Sure Jesus was in houses of worship, but he didn't stay there. He was with the hurting, the rejected, even the notorious.
How are we showing Jesus? We all fall short. So let's try this first. Look for Jesus. Look for Jesus in your family, at your school or in your workplace, in the person who serves you and in the person that needs service, in the person sitting in the sanctuary and in the person who would never dream of going to a church. Jesus is there.
The better we get at seeing Jesus, the better we will be at showing him. The world waits pleading – We want to see Jesus.
Grace and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Promise
It is amazing to think about how much has changed for my family in the last few weeks. We said goodbye to the church family, the friends and the community that was our home for nearly 12 years. We bought a house in a couple of whirlwind trips to the Capital District. We packed up our belongings and moved across the state, set up our new home (with lots of help). I organized my new office at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (take a look now while it is still relatively neat) and I began this new call of being Senior Pastor at POP.
According to what psychologists teach about change my stress levels should be off the charts. Honestly, there have been a few moments when I felt a bit stressed. All in all though, I feel a remarkable sense of peace and confidence that this move is God's will, not only for me, but for the people of POP and those whom we will impact with the love of Jesus.
As this whole process began about 6 months ago one of the verses that helped focus my prayers was this: "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." Psalm 37:5
We may not all be moving, beginning new positions or otherwise navigating major changes, but we are all on a journey with the Lord.
God loves you just as you are - that is true. Know this as well, God loves you too much to leave you just as you are.
The earliest name for Christians was "The Way" (see Acts 9:2). We are still on that journey, following Jesus, seeking his way, trusting in his presence we know his peace.
Grace and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
According to what psychologists teach about change my stress levels should be off the charts. Honestly, there have been a few moments when I felt a bit stressed. All in all though, I feel a remarkable sense of peace and confidence that this move is God's will, not only for me, but for the people of POP and those whom we will impact with the love of Jesus.
As this whole process began about 6 months ago one of the verses that helped focus my prayers was this: "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." Psalm 37:5
We may not all be moving, beginning new positions or otherwise navigating major changes, but we are all on a journey with the Lord.
God loves you just as you are - that is true. Know this as well, God loves you too much to leave you just as you are.
The earliest name for Christians was "The Way" (see Acts 9:2). We are still on that journey, following Jesus, seeking his way, trusting in his presence we know his peace.
Grace and peace,
Jeff Silvernail
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