Reflections from a fishpond

I wrote--"Another one of those spontaneous, in situ revelations.

I have a small goldfish pond in my front yard and I like to spend some time out there watching the fish and dragonflies and other critters who live around that place.

I usually feed the goldfish a few times a week—somehow they seem to know when it is time to eat, I think they feel the vibrations as I walk up to the edge of the pond.

Anyway a few years ago I was feeding the fish and one of them was blind—she/he had cataract looking eyes.

Again anyway, whenever I would sprinkle the fish food into the water the other fish would come around the food and begin eating. The blind fish would also show up but usually never got anywhere near the food even though its mouth would be making all the proper moves in order to eat but it never really connected with dinner. I would watch that fish and be completely filled with pity and compassion for it so I would purposely drop some food right in front of the fish so it would get something to eat.

One day as I was feeding that fish the Lord spoke to me and said ‘Jim, you are just like that poor fish! You expend a lot of energy, go through the motions, your mouth going and going, trying to get something but left on your own you come up empty and hungry. If it weren’t for Me dropping just what you need in front of your blinded eye face you would starve to death.’

Of course He was right. I realized then and now that if the Lord had not provided for me on a daily basis I would be starving and lost and undone. What a loving Father I have, One who provides for all my needs and is the source and provider of my daily bread. Oh the riches of His mercy and His goodness toward me."

Steve said--"Jim, you're right on about us starving if it weren't for the grace of the Lord dumping stuff in our laps.It makes me wonder, though... can't we learn to sense the vibrations of the Master's footsteps and look in the right direction?"


I replied--"Of course we can learn that, actually we must learn that. That’s what discipleship is all about.

Getting to hear and know the sound of the Lord—whether it be the sound of His voice, or His certain sounding footsteps, or His scent in our noses, or even to recognize His shape or His shadow, even we aren’t seeing too clearly. I have friends (the ones I know well) that I can see 100 yards away and I know it’s him or her.

I have to learn--
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, (Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; KJV) because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. NLT

I have to observe Him--
John 15:15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

I have to imitate Him--
Matthew 10:25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master.

I have to be so infused with the learning of Him that ‘it is no longer I that lives but Christ that lives in me’--
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

This prepares me to recognize Him in whatever way He chooses to reveal Himself to me at any one particular time. Often the Lord comes to me in ways which if I did not know Him in some of His own peculiar ways I might miss Him. I might miss His approach."

Remembering June 6th

Remembering June 6th 1968

A voice of faith and reason fell silent.

Bobby we hardly knew ye!

"We can do well in this country. We will have difficult times. We've had difficult times in the past. And we will have difficult times in the future. It is not the end of violence; it is not the end of lawlessness; and it's not the end of disorder. But the vast majority of white people and the vast majority of black people in this country want to live together, want to improve the quality of our life, and want justice for all human beings that abide in our land."

(Interrupted by applause)

"Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world. Let us dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our country and for our people. Thank you very much."

(Applause)

Robert F. Kennedy - April 4, 1968 on the assassination of Dr ML King




Also remembering June 6, 1944
my Uncle Joe--my Dad's brother,
killed at Normandie on D-Day while liberating Europe
from the Nazi's.

Thanks Uncle Joe

My rights!!

Some random thoughts--

As Christ-followers what rights are we allowed to keep? I hear a lot of talk about the rights we have—happiness, peace, boundaries, love, self-esteem, and others.

Doesn’t the Gospel teach that when we are in Christ we forfeit our own rights and our own lives as well?

Luke 14:25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. 28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost.

“No one should be surprised that they cannot come to believe so long as, in deliberate disobedience, they flee or reject some aspect of Jesus' commandment (to come). You do not want to subject some sinful passion, an enmity, a hope, your life plans, or your reason to Jesus' commandment? Do not be surprised that you do not receive the Holy Spirit, that you cannot pray, that your prayer for faith remains empty! Instead, go and be reconciled with your sister or brother; let go of the sin which keeps you captive; and you will be able to believe again! If you reject God's commanding word, you will not receive God's gracious word. How would you expect to find community while you intentionally withdraw from it at some point? The disobedient cannot believe; only the obedient believe.”- Dietrich Bonhoeffer - from Discipleship p65-66 Fortress Press

"...it could well prove to be a major turning point in our life if we would ask ourselves if we really do intend to be life students of Jesus. Do we really intend to do and be all of the high things we profess to believe in?” Dallas Willard. Adapted from The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering our Hidden Life in God. Reprinted in The Christian Century, 1998.

Too often we want to get out of this cross carrying business. We protest-
'I have rights! I have the right to stop turning the other cheek, I have the right to be angry, I have the right to go my own way and live my own life.'
We look to be rid of what God has given us to endure—

“Perseverance, translated literally, means: remaining underneath, not throwing off the load, but bearing it. We know much too little in the church today about the peculiar blessing of bearing. Bearing, not shaking off; bearing, but not collapsing either; bearing as Christ bore the cross, remaining underneath, and there beneath it - to find Christ. If God imposes a load; then those who persevere bow their heads and believe that it is good for them to be humbled - remain underneath! For remaining steadfast, remaining strong is meant here too; not weak acquiescence or surrender, not masochism, but growing stronger under the load, as under God's grace, imperturbably preserving the peace of God. God's peace is found with those who persevere.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer - from A Testament to Freedom 291 from A Year with Dietrich Bonhoeffer Carla Barnhill, Ed., HarperSan Francisco, 2005

2 Corinthians 1:5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ… 8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. NLT

Spring Is In The Air

So spring is here in Tennessee.

The dogwoods are flowering and the redbuds have peaked. I've got some irises ready to open and this is the first year I've had 5 tulips.

Passover and Orthodox Easter are almost here as well.

Once again I'm reminded of deliverance and resurrection.

I thank God and our Father for sending His only Son for us.

He Is Risen, Indeed

So Christ emerges victoriously from the tomb.

He has conquered sin and death and hell!

He is our Champion!

Revelation 1:18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. NLT

A great day!

It was a beautiful day today here in Tennessee.

I called pastor friend-who is also a best friend-David, and asked him if he wanted to go with me and cut thorns.
I'm fashioning a crown of thorns for the cross on the altar for tomorrow night's service.

We ended up in a hollow with no cars, people, noise.
Just some crows and turkey buzzards flying above us.
Talking about Jesus, a clear blue sky, feeling surrounded by
a 'great cloud of witnesses'.

Sensing the Spirit at work in our lives.

It was a great day!

A Good Friday Service

Here is a Good Friday service I put together for this year.
It is based on the Stations of the Cross.
Station numbers 1, 6 and 8 will be preached as short 5 minute meditations by myself and 2 other pastor friends of mine.
It will be the first time other pastors have agreed to participate.
Actually it is the first time I've asked.

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Good Friday Service—2008

Hymn #193 Red Hymnal (Go to Dark Gethsemane)

I. Jesus Condemned To Death

People: Pilate brought Jesus outside and said to the people, "Look at your King!" At this they shouted, "Away with him! Crucify him!" Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified.

John 19:14,15

II. Jesus Is Made To Bear His Cross

People: Jesus was led away, and carrying the Cross by himself, went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, Golgotha.

Reader: With Jesus the soldiers did their jobs well. Weak from the beating He was made to enter the jeering crowd, stumbling along with the heavy timber. As Isaac carried the wood laid on his back so Jesus also carried the method of His sacrifice on his back. His state was divine, yet He did not cling to equality with God but emptied Himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as men are; humbling Himself to accept death, death on a cross.

All: You were led to Calvary, Lord. Carrying the cross by yourself. Yet was the cross only yours, or was it also mine you bore? By your cross, O Jesus, make me strong and able to take up the cross I must bear.

III. Jesus Meets His Mother

People: O mother of my Savior, you stand beside your Son. With love beyond all telling, you share his grief as one. How shall I know your sorrow, your tears beyond compare?

Song: Mary Did You Know?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new;
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know that your Baby Boy Has walked where Angels trod?
When you kiss your Little Baby, you kiss the Face of God!

Oh, Mary, did you know?
Oh, Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb!
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your Baby Boy Is Heaven's Perfect Lamb?
This sleeping Child you're holding is the Great I Am!

IV. The Cyrenian Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

People: A man named Simon of Cyrene, was coming in from the fields, and they forced him into service to carry the cross.

Reader: Simon, coming into Jerusalem for the Feast was pressed to carry your cross. Did he come to know you, Lord, walking by your side? By your meeting with this Cyrenian, Lord, may we find you in the stranger and in the needy we meet and help along the way. May I be willing, Lord, to bear daily my cross for thee; even Thy cup of grief to share, thou hast borne all for me.

V. A Woman Wipes The Face Of Jesus

People: He who welcomes you welcomes me; and he who welcomes me, welcomes him who sent me.

Reader: As Jesus, bleeding from the wounds from the Thorns on his brow, stumbles as He tries to wipe the blood and filth from His face , a woman steps out from the crowd. Tradition tells us a woman named Veronica kindly washed your face with a towel. She pressed it to your brow, wiping away some of the blood. The parade has never stopped and she is engulfed by the crowd. Such a simple thing! A towel, a cup of water, a loving word, help us value such small things, so great when given in your name. Lord, when those around us suffer and their eyes fill with tears, give us power to listen, comfort and wipe away those tears, so that we too can see the face of Christ in all we do because we do it out of love for you.

VI. Jesus Falls Under The Weight Of His Cross

People: Like water poured out, your strength is gone. Can God fall, a mighty God whose hands uphold all this?

Philippians 2:6-8

Unison reading—Dietrich Bonhoeffer said “When we think we can no longer walk the path with God because it is too difficult. There God’s closeness, God’s faithfulness, God’s strength becomes consolation and help, there only do we really recognize God and the meaning of our Christian life.”

VII. Jesus Speaks To The Women Of Jerusalem

People: A great crowd of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.

Reader: Luke 23:27-31

Reader: Jesus was a good friend to women. It was a characteristic of His ministry that women were treated more fairly than in the surrounding culture. Once again Jesus spoke as an equal to women. He refused to be an object of pity for He was the subject of salvation. He told them “weep not for me but for your children”. The tears of the women were nothing compared with what was yet to come. Yet here on the way to Golgotha they are a symbol of suffering. Lord, keep the grace of this moment, this meeting, alive in our hearts. Keep us concerned for humanity’s children. Amen

VIII. Jesus Is Stripped Of His Garments And Mocked

People: They stripped off his clothes and began to mock him saying: “All hail, king of the Jews!”

Matthew 27:27-31

IX .Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross

People: After carrying his Cross, Jesus came to the Place of the Skull. There they crucified him along with two criminals, one on his right and the other on his left.

Song: When He Was On The Cross…

I'm not on an ego trip, I'm nothing on my own
I make mistakes I often slip, just common flesh and bone
But I'll prove someday, just why I say, I'm of a special kind
For when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

Chorus: For He knew me yet He loved me
He whose glory makes the heavens shine.
So unworthy of such mercy.
Yet when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

The look of love was on His face and thorns were on His head
The blood was on His scarlet robe and stained a crimson red
Though His eyes were on the crowd that day, He looked ahead in time
For when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

Chorus: For He knew me yet He loved me
He whose glory makes the heavens shine.
So unworthy of such mercy.
Yet when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

X. Jesus Dies On The Cross

Reader: Mark 15:33-41

People: Jesus said, “I thirst!” and they gave him wine. “It is finished !” he cried, and gave up his spirit. Out of this hour will come a new hope for the creation. The cross, the symbol of shame, will become a sign of glory. From these few friends watching this event will grow a great fellowship which will last through the centuries. For our brother Jesus the lonely agony ended on that hill. Let us join with those who watched and prayed. Shall we not stand watching Lord, mourning the sins you bore, rejoicing in the pardon you bestow?

XI. Jesus Is Taken Down From The Cross

Reader: When the soldiers came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers thrust a lance into his side, and blood and water flowed out. The crowd that watched Jesus suffer has dispersed, mostly for fear of the forces of nature that the death of this man has released. Our Lord’s body is hastily taken down from the cross in time for the Sabbath. Resting in the arms of those whom you loved when taken from the cross, you died trusting in your Father’s care. Faithful unto death, O Lord, give us an unfailing trust in God, commend us to your Father’s hands and care.

XII. Jesus Is Placed In The Tomb

People: Joseph of Arimethea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus, and wrapped it in perfumed oils. Then he buried Jesus in a tomb close at hand.

Hymn #194 Red Hymnal (O Sacred Head Now Wounded)

Unison Reading-Luke 1:68-79 excerpts:
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.

He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.

Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us.

He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant—the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham.

We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.

Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide us to the path of peace.

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.