Sermon Video: "hope does not put us to shame" - Romans 5:3-5

Suffering is an oft misunderstood topic.  Many religions and philosophies, including people within Christianity, get it wrong.  Suffering isn't necessary, for evil will ultimately be vanquished, and it can be opposed and lessened, nor does God cause it in the hopes of bending it to his will.  Suffering is, however, a reality in this present life, but so is hope.  Hope is not only possible but guaranteed if we trust in God, live righteously no matter what, and persevere by faith.

Sermon Video: "Woman, why are you crying?" - John 20:1-15

In the Easter resurrection appearance of the Gospel of John, the focus is upon the emotional state of the three participants.  Mary Magdalene is filled with anguish upon learning that the stone has been rolled away and fearing that Jesus' body has been stolen by those who would desecrate it.  She runs to tell Peter and John who both come to see the empty tomb for themselves, ponder the mystery of the burial cloths left behind, and leave believing that Jesus is alive but confused as to how and why this has happened.
As Mary remains behind, still in anguish over the apparently stolen body of Jesus, she first sees two angels, and then Jesus himself whom Mary mistakes for a moment as the gardener.  Jesus asks Mary, "Woman, why are you crying?"  When she doesn't recognize him, he simply says, "Mary" to which she responds with recognition, "Rabboni" (Teacher).  At once the cloud of sorrow is lifted off of Mary and replaced by extreme joy.  Jesus gives her the important task, and high honor, of being the first Christian missionary to spread the Good News that Jesus is alive.  As she runs to tell the disciples, the words of Jesus that he will soon be returning to his Father are a sobering thought amidst the joy that the worldwide task of preaching the Gospel will be the task of this small band of disciples; this is just the beginning.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
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Sermon Video, "Hannah's Sorrow" I Samuel 1:1-10

In part 1 of this 3 part series on Hannah, we learn of the pain that Hannah had to endure because the LORD had closed her womb.  Elkanah, her husband, marries and 2nd wife in order to continue his line, and while he continues to love Hannah, her lack of children is a source of cultural shame.  After years of humiliation at the hands of Elkanah's 2nd wife, Peninnah, Hannah stands before the Lord at the Tabernacle in Shiloh and weeps "in bitterness of soul".  Hannah was honest with God, approached him in her misery, and prayed.  All those who have pain, anger, sorrow, bitterness, or regret can follow Hannah's example and seek the Lord honestly in prayer.  The content of the prayer is less important than the willingness to pray.  Those in need can also find shelter and comfort among God's people who are likewise on a journey from repentance to salvation, who have submitted to God's will, and who have lain their burdens down at the foot of the cross.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
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Sermon Video: Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem - Luke 19:41-44

On his day of triumph, as Jesus approaches Jerusalem, he is overcome with emotion as he considers the fate of this city and it's people.  The Messiah was the last prophet to come to the Covenant people in hopes that they would repent, but the misconception that the Messiah would be a political savior and not a spiritual one was too firmly rooted for the people to listen to Jesus' message of repentance.  An so, the Son of Man weeps for the hardness of men's hearts and reminds us today that we too must listen to God's call for repentance when we hear because we are not guaranteed another chance.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
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Ed's Story

I've been watching the film series "Ed's Story" that is seven (5 completed, 2 in the works) episodes about the life of Ed Dobson as he has battled with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) for the past ten years.  If you know anyony who is facing a difficult disease, perhaps cancer or Alzheimer's, or depression; or anyone who has dealt with a severe loss, perhaps a marriage break-up or the death of a loved one.  Please recommend this series to them.  I can be downloaded from the website for under $10, the DVD's are about $20.
The series itself offers powerful insight into what it means to trust God, to put your faith in his lovingkindness even when your life seems to be all but over.  Our Sunday school class is using one episode each week as a springboard to talk about the Scripture references in them as well.
Ed also wrote the book, The Year of Living Like Jesus on the topic of what it takes to really live like Jesus would have.  Often funny, and very insightful, it'll open your eyes to the real cost of discipleship.
Those of us who followed Ed's career at Calvary Church in Grand Rapids would never have imagined that God could use him more mightily than he already was, but having read the book and watched the videos, it is clear that God, in his wisdom, chose to use his servant for a higher purpose.  As John the Baptist said, "he must become greater, I must become less."

Some hurts can't be healed

"The realm of Sauron is ended!"  said Gandalf, "The Ring-bearer has fulfilled his Quest."  I just reread that portion of Tolkien's The Return of the King (For the 15th time?  Maybe, I know I've read the series at least that many times; it is, afterall, my favorite.) today.  In the book, a great evil is removed from the world with Frodo's victory over Sauron.  Sauron hopes to enslave the world in his lust for power but is done in by a humble hobbit who has no desire to lord anything over anybody.  That moral lesson is itself a profound one for Tolkien, but another emerges as you read the last few chapters of the book.  Over time, it becomes clear that all of the hurts caused by Sauron, and others, cannot be healed.  Some of the wounds are too deep, some must be lived with even when evil has been defeated.  Tolkien's brilliant novels are a work of homage to those who risk everything in service to a greater good and whose sacrifices he witnessed first-hand in life on the Western Front in WWI.  His service in war taught Tolkien that evil cannot be wholly removed from our world.  The "war to end all wars" only put a stop to war long enough for a new generation to grow in its shadow and start a new bloodier war.  For many veterans, Tolkien's words hit especially close to home.  They may have returned "whole", or nearly so, from war, but a part of them has been forever left behind with the brothers in arms they lost and the horrors they witnessed.
In the end, Tolkien's hero Frodo, and his trusty servant Sam are permitted to sail over the sea to the Undying Lands where they can find rest and peace at last.  In our world, we can offer comfort to those who mourn, honor to those who have sacrificed, and gratitude to those who have served, but we cannot heal all wounds.  It is beyond our power to do so. 
Is there hope, for healing in the end?  How can troubled souls find peace?
"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  - Revelation 21:3-4
There is hope, there will be peace, and sorrow will be turned to joy when one day we all stand in the presence of our savior and feel the warmth of the embrace of God's own Son.

Thoughts on "The Lovely Bones"

As an alternative education teacher, I'm always on the look-out for books that are high quality that my students will actually read.  Over the years I've had some success (notably with Stephen King's "Eyes of the Dragon") and some flops ("Jurassic Park" and "Runaway Jury" haven't gone over as well as I hoped).  I recently had to pick a new book on short notice (to cover classes for another teacher for a quarter; Get well Angi!).  At Barnes and Noble, I stumbled across "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold.  I'd heard about the movie (Directed by Peter Jackson!!), so I sat down and read a bit to see if I could decide if it would work...
In the end, I'm teaching the book right now (going great, they're into it) and I'd like to just share a few thoughts about it for those of you who may read it or see the movie (Yikes!  Always read the book when you have a choice)

The premise of the book is that the death of Susie (revealed on the 1st page, I'm not spoiling it) is the hole in the lives of her family around which their futures are knit together.  They go through some really rough times, deal with raw emotions; make mistakes; and basically do what people do when life beats them down.  Ultimately, they do find peace; but I can't help but wonder how the story may have been different had there been a religious element to it.  Surely, one of the greatest benefits to being a Christian is the HOPE that we have in Christ.  The ability to look past today's sorrows and know that the future is still in God's hands.  I'm not saying that Christian parents wouldn't have a problem with losing a child (obviously they would), but that Christians have someone to turn to when it seems like we've been abandoned in life.  "I will never leave you nor forsake you"; the words of the Savior have special power for those who cling to them through the storm.

The book also contains a variety of other ways that characters try to cope with their loss (from drugs to sex to rage); all of which ultimately doesn't work {a postive message if you choose to see it}, and it certainly contains an interesting view of what Heaven is {good for conversation starting with teens esp.}.  If it sounds like I'd recommend this book to Christian readers, I would.  It does contain some material that isn't suitable for younger kids (the murder of Susie being #1 on that list, rather graphic, and some sex too later on), but it definately contains material that will generate questions, thoughts, comments; etc.  Our world is in desperate need of answers to the big questions about the meaning and purpose of this life and what happens when it's over.  This book certainly will show the frailty of trying to cope with life alone, the kind of thing that a parent, mentor, or friend could use to help show the healing hand of Christ to someone in need.

What I've learned about marriage and failure

Over the years my wife has wondered if I ever get really upset; I've built up a reputation as a Stoic because of my even tempermant.  Not that there haven't been a few times when I've been pushed beyond my limit to endure, but they've been the rare exception.  In our marriage, this has at times been a blessing, allowing me to be a "rock" for Nicole to lean on.  At others times I've envied the way Nicole can find such release for her emotions, purging herself of the pain or sorrow through tears on my shoulder.
Because of this outward appearance, it may be assumed by some that I'm not all that affected by the emotions in others.  Actually, the opposite is true; nothing brought tears to my eyes quicker as a youth than the sight of my mother's tears (at a couple of funerals in particular); that connection was powerful, but I've found through our years of marriage that it isn't in the same league as the emotins connected to pain in the eyes of my wife.
I grew up being able to do most of the things that I wanted to do; school was easy, sports were not so much, but I found a home in cross-country and eventually in basketball when I finally grew.  My early disappointments (in particular being picked on by bullies as a small kid) were things that I could shake off with a joke or well-timed zinger.
Even during college when I was in a long-term relationship that didn't work out I didn't have that same connection to her that I now have with Nicole.  The end of that relationship hurt a lot, but it was still she and I and not we.  Being married changed everything. (that it doesn't for so many may have something to do with those high divorce statistics)  I no longer faced disappointment alone; if something that I was hoping for didn't happen (a job opportunity for example) I could no longer just laugh it off and allow my natural personality to insulate me.
During the last several years I have had to watch my wife struggle with the financial and job difficulties that we have faced.  I've done everything within my own power to help; but I can't fix the problem.  I've prayed for the situation endlessly; I've prayed for Nicole daily, but I can't make that hurt in her eyes go away.  If I succeed at something, she shares my joy, which is nice, but if I fail at something, Nicole ends up being the one who feels the pain.  Of all of the things in life that I wish I could take back or change, these top the list.  As a man who loves his wife more than anyone else he's ever met, how can I reconcile that love and desire for her to only have good things from our relationship with the stress and pain she feels when I'm not able to "fix" the problem we're facing?  I've spent nights staring up at the ceiling wondering about that; hoping for an answer.
I've always said, "the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord" (I didn't make that up of course), but until Nicole and I became one in the eyes of God I never knew how hard it was to say that for the both of us.

When Bad things Happen to Good People

Nicole and I have suffered several job related setbacks in recent years; the most recent happening just this past week.  As a pastor, people might assume that I have some fancy answer ready to go for such situations, like "don't worry, God will work it all out in the end".  I don't.  I always cringe when I hear well-meaning people give a pep talk to those who are suffering from a loss (esp. after the death of a loved one).  Not only does this approach make light of the very real emotions that person is feeling, but it also casts God in a light that does not reflect the true nature of the situation.  Make no mistake, God does indeed know that our sorrow or pain is real.  God doesn't want you to pretend that you're not hurting, or put on a happy face in order to appear a "good" Christian.  That's foolishness.  There is indeed a time for sorrow (ask Solomon, he wrote it), and a reason for tears (Jesus wept at Lazarus' tomb).  We live in a fallen world full of pain, disease, sin, and death.  Isn't there plenty of reasons why Christians should feel sorrow too? 
So now you're asking, what's the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian in terms of sorrow?  The answer is simple: the Christian may feel sorrow today, and it may last for a while, even years; but the Christian has HOPE in the future.  The Christian knows that God is indeed in control (regardless of today's circumstances), and that ultimately, God will work for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).
So when my wife asks me, "when is this going to end?" "why is this happening to us?" I don't pretend to offer answers, nor do I try to be a cheerleader; sorrow is real, troubles are real, pain is real.  To minimize them is un-Christian, but so is despair.  Because we know that our souls are safe in God's hands, we can endure far worse than this.  Because we know how blessed we are by God, we can be thankful in far worse than this.  The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.