Stuck

Hello! Here is this week’s Living Water. This is a remix of Sunday’s message. Great news – whether you have a pc or a mac you can listen to Walk With Me live on Wednesday nights – 8 pm on http://www.yfnradio.com. We also have just added several new affiliates around the nation. Thanks be to God! Christopher

Feeling stuck today?

Maybe you feel stuck at a job; in a relationship; in a rut or routine that’s not helping; in an addiction; in a spiritual valley; at an organization or group?

You’ve thought about getting out but it never happens. Something else always comes up; rationalizations and compromises are made.

Are you haunted by, or overly attached to the past? Do you often wish or even exist as if the past was great and anything present or new just doesn’t match up?

Or do you avoid thinking about the past altogether because it’s too painful or shameful?

Deep down you know something is not right…

Stay and fight for a solution? Start over? They sound good but seem impossible.

What about something new altogether? That’s it! But a new start…scary.

Let it go (even though you’ve tried so many times before)?

Still stuck, right?

Stuck in the middle between old and new; comfortable and reaching; liking and loving; numbed and compassionate; circling and devoted.

Though stuck may feel safe – it’s not truly alive.

Let’s talk about why we get stuck and how we might get un-stuck.

Here are some ways we get stuck: Denial (“It’s not really over,” and “It never happened” and “I don’t have a problem”) and Pride (“It’s not going/ending the way I want it to”) and Fear (“What will a new beginning be like; who will I be if ____ ends, or I let go?”). All of these together point to something we all wrestle with – avoiding truth, reality, endings and losing control. To make things worse, I cringe when I hear the phrases, “just move on” and “swept under the rug” because they don’t work and cause even more damage beyond being stuck.

As you might imagine, truly getting unstuck might have something to do with shifts on these two – avoiding endings and losing control. Professor Walter Brueggemann explains it as, speaking from a Biblical and spiritual perspective, “only embraced endings permit new beginnings.” Not partial, not hints of endings or temporary ones – only embraced endings.

And he’s right. The Bible is filled with only embraced endings enabling new beginnings. The cross is the ultimate embraced ending…Jesus willingly went to the cross (ending) so that the dominion of sin and death could end and the resurrection and new life would occur. But also, in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:18) in which the son decided to return to his father and repent.

Listen to the words of Psalm 32 that is the voice of stuck to unstuck spiritually speaking, “While I kept silent, my bones wasted away…Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity…and you forgave the guilt of my sin… (Psalm 32:3, 5).” Do you see it? Suffering, strife while in denial or proud or afraid; then acknowledging the truth, embracing the need for God’s grace – new beginning – living forgiven.

Keep in mind, the “new” has already come – Jesus announced that the kingdom “has come near (Mark 1:15).” And in 2 Corinthians 5:17 we hear, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new has come.” So the denial, pride and fear can’t keep the new in anything from materializing (this is a key part of the Gospel). It’s whether or not we are going to engage it by first embracing whatever the appropriate ending is. And frankly when we are not engaged with the new that God is doing (which will always be life-giving), we are usually embracing things that are dying or of death.

So I want to say very lovingly to many of you today that yes it happened and it was awful and it was not your fault. I want to say lovingly that the guilt you carry from what you have done in the past is crushing and suffocating you. I want to lovingly say that there is a problem but you don’t have to suffer under it anymore. I am lovingly saying that you will still be you, in fact a more wonderful you than you have ever known. You know, “we are as sick as our secrets” and I am saying lovingly that all the pretending, denying, pride and fear are only hurting you and keeping you from the goodness and grace God wants to and is ready to pour out on your heart and soul. The irony of course is that to welcome and receive that healing and restoration, you have to embrace the truth of what has happened, what you’ve done, what you can’t control anymore, and what you fear; and it is in that embrace that it’s or their power over you will end and the healing and new beginning can begin.

Maybe it starts like this, “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God…Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love for they are from of old…Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord (Psalm 25:1, 6-7).”

And when you lift up your soul and trust in Him above everything and everyone else, and He supplies you with the strength to embrace whatever ending you need to embrace today, He will absolutely be remembering you according to His love and grace. Then you’ll see that those dreams that seemed so far away will be as close as a whispered prayer. Those dreams of forgiveness and restored relationships, those dreams of getting clean or sober, those dreams of being free of guilt and the expectations of others, those dreams of being and feeling loved unconditionally, those dreams of living fearlessly and purposefully, those dreams of the past being the past, those dreams of no longer being defined by past events or decisions, those dreams of having a future with hope, those dreams of finally more fully experiencing the joy and peace of God’s presence.

Amen.

Rev. Christopher B. Wolf

Isaiah 42:7

cbrianwolf@gmail.com

http://www.christopherbwolf.com

Christopher B. Wolf is pastor of First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook and is the author of Giving Faith a Second Chance: Restarts, Mulligans and Do-Overs (2007) and With You Every Step of the Way; and the host of Walk With Me, Wednesdays 8 pm on WYFN 94.9 FM-NY and on http://www.yfnradio.com.

“It is a matter of sharing and bearing the pain and puzzlement of the world so that the crucified love of God in Christ may be brought to bear healingly upon the world at exactly that point.
N.T. Wright

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Where You Belong

Come with me for a few minutes…I want to take you on a brief tour…

 

It’s a tour of the inside of my church.

 

At the front of the church is a cross. You know, it’s only because of the Jesus’s work on the cross that we became reconciled or “back together” with God.

 

Then there’s the pulpit, where the Bible is placed and the messages flow from. Messages of loving God and loving one another, of daily following Christ, and of the Gospel – that tells of us being new creations, hurts becoming healed, the lost becoming found, and life coming from death – and that absolutely nothing can separate us from belonging to God through Christ.

 

Then there’s the baptism font. That’s where the grace of God becomes visible and we see how through the water, we are cleansed from our sins and promise that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are renewed and we belong to God and to the gathering of people.

 

The communion table is there too. It reminds us that because Jesus’s body was broken, we are restored to a relationship with God and that through Jesus’s blood that covenantal relationship is forever. In addition, that table also shows how we belong to God and one another by partaking in the bread and cup in unity.

 

Right in front of the communion table is usually where joining members promise to make for unity, purity and peace as they are received and to the church. It’s where husbands and wives promise to belong to one another in marriage until death parts them. It’s also where, when we have funerals, the casket is placed during the service and we remember, even through the tears, that the beloved person belonged to God and not even death could stop that.

 

Moving toward the back there are the pews, where perfectly imperfect and devoted believers (including me) sit, praise, pray, listen, give, love and serve one another. Looking to the right and to the left are people who have shared joys and tragedies, made the difference with meals, calls and notes, and have shared life together – who promised to belong to God and one another. You can see orphans and widows cared for, young people taken under wings, rides to church and doctor appointments, those who are weak and broken find strength, hungry are fed and hurts are healed, wisdom found and shared, marriages supported and even reunited, new and old friends welcomed, and a lot of understanding, forgiveness and second chances. To those who have known and experienced these things, this belonging is wonderful and priceless.

 

Finally, there are the doors. There is nothing magical about these doors. You don’t need a special “id” card or badge. Anyone can walk through them and find all of this blessedness of belonging.

 

Each Sunday morning, I celebrate those who God has gathered and brought through those doors as well as grieve and hope for those have yet to come through the doors. As a pastor, leader and brother in Christ, I insist that a church’s proper posture is to have its eyes on Christ, then one arm around someone who is already there and the other arm is outstretched – reaching for and welcoming someone who is not there yet.

 

See, I wanted to take you on this “tour” to highlight that nearly everything about the inside of a church, of our church, is about belonging. The geography and landscape of the inside of a church is of belonging. At the same time, you’ve heard of the unfinished symphony, well, a church is the unfinished community. There is never a cap or limit or threshold as to who belongs – when Jesus returns that is when it is “completed.” Until then, no church on this planet is “complete” or “done” with the people who are currently there. Now, I am well aware that to many who never come though those doors, nearly the opposite is thought of the “inside.” Thoughts that only select people are welcome – that only perfect, holy people are there, that the messages are only for certain people that will understand it – in other words, very exclusive. I am well aware that sometimes both wicked and well-intentioned people have distorted and warped what God intended churches to be.

 

But I also know this: That all of us from 5 year olds to 95 year olds want to and frankly, need to, belong. It’s not just a teenage phenomenon. God designed us to desire and seek community and fellowship with others.

 

And I believe with my whole heart, that more than a club/organization, or a team or workplace or even a neighborhood (and I’ve experienced all of those), that even with all its flaws, a gracious group of Christians sharing Christ and life together is the highest, purest form of community – because the bonds and connections are supernatural (the Holy Spirit) not performance or money or appearances or status – you just come and belong as you are. And it is the closest thing to thing to Heaven – it’s the closest thing to truly experiencing God’s love and presence. After all, a Christian community is an embassy of God’s Kingdom – where joy, love, justice and wholeness reign.

 

So, hey there, what are you doing this Sunday? I know many of you have been hurt by church and by Christians. I know that it is hard to trust again. I know you want to belong and to be a part of something real. I know you might think what I am saying sounds impossible. But remember, with God all things are possible!

 

I would love nothing more than to see you come through those doors, encounter God in new ways, as well as experience the loving embrace of people who may not know you but somehow have been waiting for you…the embrace of brothers and sisters to whom you can belong. I’ve prayed for it, I’ve dreamed about it, and one day…

 

 

Amen.

 

 

Rev. Christopher B. Wolf

Isaiah 42:7

cbrianwolf@gmail.com

www.christopherbwolf.com

 

Christopher B. Wolf is the author of Giving Faith a Second Chance: Restarts, Mulligans and Do-Overs (2007) and the forthcoming, With You: Every Step of the Way (September, 2011).

“It is a matter of sharing and bearing the pain and puzzlement of the world so that the crucified love of God in Christ may be brought to bear healingly upon the world at exactly that point.” N.T. Wright

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Resurrection

My favorite holiday??

 

Easter, of course!! Not because of the chocolate or Peeps; but because of the miracle of the resurrection.

 

The resurrection is the exclamation point of the Gospel. It is the proof of Jesus’ words, “with God, all things are possible.”

 

And in real life and real-time, it says that no matter how lost, no matter how defeated, no matter awful the circumstances, God’s power is greater than anything in our lives and in this world.

 

And it says that new life comes from death. That new beginnings come from endings. That redemption comes out of being lost. That sin and death do not have the last word.

 

And we know this, but sometimes we forget. Spring doesn’t come after summer, right? It comes after…winter, ugh, often after long drawn-out winters.

 

Sometimes we forget that new life, that resurrection and redemption come at a cost and do not emerge easily – it’s the opposite actually – they only emerge and break through impossible circumstances.

 

As I am writing this, blossoms, buds, sprouts, and shoots, botanical ambassadors of new life, are fighting through wind, snow, earth, rocks, and other things to emerge from the ravages of winter, from death. And somehow the breathtaking symphony of color and fragrance always wins. Spring happens no matter how bad the winter was.

You and I will never know what it takes for them to push through all of that to make it through to the other side.

 

But we do know this. That through Jesus suffering and dying on the cross and being dead and buried, new life, resurrection emerged into this world and into our lives through faith. It wasn’t a snap of the fingers, it wasn’t a magic trick, it wasn’t a formula, and it was anything but easy. But it happened…

 

We’re told that we are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and it’s true. But just like resurrection, that new creation happening in us through the power of the Holy Spirit does not happen overnight. It happens surely, purposefully. It happens even when it’s not very visible.

 

We have to remember…

 

We have to remember that when we are trying to restore marriages, when we are trying to overcome addictions, when we are trying to revitalize churches, when we are seeking to follow God more passionately, when we are trying to heal, seeking God’s forgiveness, when we are trying to start over in anything, we have to remember it is challenging, it can be overwhelming, the odds may be against us, it may seem impossible – BUT it’s possible…

 

Thanks to that Sunday morning long ago, when life came from death, light came from darkness, and He was alive!!!

 

 

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The Biggest Sinners

So I know that I am late in grasping the phenomenon of the television show The Biggest Loser (the finale was last night). But having watched just a few episodes, I wanted to share some interesting spiritual connections. As you may know it is a reality show where people who are dangerously overweight, with professional medical, nutrition and fitness help, compete to lose the most amount of weight – thus the bigger loser (of weight).

Well, in order for this to work, I need you to switch weight for sin. In other words, if the contestants on the show have serious weight problems – I want us for this discussion’s sake to imagine what sin makes us look like on the inside. Both sin and weight can have devastating effects on our lives – internal and externally.

For example, Psalm 32 tells us about the effect of sin on us internally, “When I kept it all inside, my bones turned to powder, my words became daylong groans. The pressure never let up; all the juices of my life dried up (The Message).”

On the show, people acknowledge that there is a serious problem and that it is time to change. The reasons often given are improved health, overcoming the past, or being a good example for their kids.

How is this different from sin? They’re no different – with possibly the exception that sin can be easier to hide (for a while).

The show is about the journey of the participants to change their lives – to make a real, actual transformation. It’s visible as they lose the weight. Jillian and Bob, the trainers, are part counselors, part drill sergeants, but they’re always focused on one thing – transformation. Through dieting, exercise, and reflection; owning and trying to cease negativity about themselves; and getting to the core of related issues, these people push and are pushed and challenged.

How is this different from the way Christianity and churches often operate? Unfortunately, it’s very different. Here’s how… (And remember, we’re switching the very visible issue of weight for the often less-visible issue of sin in our lives.)

For example, churches often don’t take the problem (sin) very seriously out of a desire to not offend anyone. In terms of the show, it would be like having contestants who all weigh 400 pounds and talking about their cars or their hair or just giving them different outfits – anything else but the actual situation. Listen, if we don’t talk about and take sin seriously, it will destroy people and churches – as it has already. Also, if we don’t take sin seriously, there’s no need for a savior; Jesus didn’t have to go to the cross. Please hear me – if there is no sin, there is no grace – in theory or in real life.

Now it doesn’t mean we dwell on the sins – because once confessed, God remembers them no more. Again, Psalm 32, “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord – and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Gone. Done. But how many of us carry around sin as if it were 400 pounds of weight – afraid to confess it to God out of guilt or pride as well as not being able to talk to others about it either. It is a silent killer.

Now, on the show, even when trainers Bob and Jillian are hard on contestants, there is little to no judgment – their focus is on transformation. And even though competitors, other contestants are rarely judgmental.  Rather, they are encouraging. It creates an encouraging, authentic atmosphere where transformation is fostered.

Unfortunately, churches and Christians, usually because they don’t want to face their own sins, often focus on others’ sins and thereby create unsafe, judgmental atmospheres. Authentic confession is just not going to be possible there.

Guess what else won’t be possible there? Well, if no one is a sinner and we’re all “good people,” and if there actually are any sinners, but they can’t be honest about it – there will be no grace, growth or transformation. I mean, there is no need for them in that scenario. It sounds comical when I re-read it, but that is how many churches are operating.

On the show, weight loss and progress are met with celebration and the encouragement to do more. The amount of weight loss and progress determines winners for the show. But I can see how Jillian and Bob are encouraging of anyone who is trying – whether they win the show or not. Jesus talked about those who battle for new life, “Count on it – there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue (Luke 15:7, The Message).”

In churches, are growth and transformation celebrated? It’s kind of hard to when we’re pretending that it’s not necessary 😉 So that’s why churches often start to take too much pride in other things that are nice but aren’t central to the cross and to grace. There is a great book on this by Richard Stearns called, The Hole In Our Gospel.

Because the central thing is becoming more like Christ. We’re called to produce fruit in our lives and for the Kingdom. Christianity is, by its very nature, at its core, transformational – lost to found, hurt to healed, weak to strong, blind to seeing, sinful to forgiven, dead to alive and many others. Anywhere it is staying the same by choice or lack of effort – it is dying.

We need to improve at being a like Jillian and Bob by challenging people (including ourselves) to lovingly, fearlessly face sinfulness, embrace grace for themselves and others, and grow and transform closer to God’s best for us. After all, “Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new (2 Corinthians 5:17, The Message).”

Churches should be the places where the “biggest sinners” are welcomed, loved and grace-fully transformed. It’s exactly what Jesus did when he dwelled among us in the flesh. And you and I know, people in our families, communities, nation and world are crying out for help – crying out for a new start!

The most inspiring, touching stories of transformation and new life should come, not from a reality television show, but from communities of Christians who understand and acknowledge they are the biggest sinners and therefore the biggest winners (of grace), and in light and joy of that grace, radically love one another, and seek out others to radically love and restore.

Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the state of your spiritual health? What are some ways to effectively measure it in terms of your relationship with God (in other words, not just using “activities.”)
2. What are some areas that need transformation and growth? What can you do about them?
3. If you belong to a church, what is the approach to transformation there? How is that working?
4. Do you need a new start or second chance today? Please feel free to email or contact me to talk about it more

Rev. Christopher B. Wolf

Isaiah 42:7

cbrianwolf@gmail.com

www.christopherbwolf.com

Christopher B. Wolf is the author of Giving Faith a Second Chance: Restarts, Mulligans and Do-Overs (2007) and the forthcoming, With You: Every Step of the Way (2011).

“It is a matter of sharing and bearing the pain and puzzlement of the world so that the crucified love of God in Christ may be brought to bear healingly upon the world at exactly that point.” N.T. Wright

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New Review of the book Giving Faith a Second Chance

Awesome review of Giving Faith a Second Chance – please read:

In his book, “Giving Faith a Second Chance,” author Christopher B. Wolf appeals to Christians who feel distanced from God. A self-proclaimed “benefactor of second chances and do-overs,” Wolf offers spiritual advice coupled with compassion to bring Christians back into an interactive relationship with God.
The purpose of “Giving Faith a Second Chance” is to restore and renew believers. It describes various emotions and behaviors that keep people from the presence of God. For example, Wolf includes chapters on shame, grief, addiction, anger, fear, depression, sin and others. He then provides the reader with a fresh look at the situation, and then offers both a personal and Biblical perspective on how to deal with these issues of life.

In the “A Homecoming” chapter of the book, Wolf refers to the story of the Prodigal Son and says this: “We start facing the truth, at the rope end. At the same time, it’s incredible how the end of the rope jars our memories of good things like old pictures — of what can still be good.”

I recommend “Giving Faith a Second Chance” to every Christian who has been offended, disappointed, discouraged or who has gotten weary in the spiritual battle. I also recommend this book to Christian leaders and pastors looking for a compassionate approach to reach Christians who have fallen away from God.

— Jamee Rae Pineda, author of Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery

 

http://www.christopherbwolf.com

 

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Passing Through

I never thought I was that kind of person…

The kind of person that needed to learn how to appreciate things. I’ve always tried to be purposefully thankful for everything. Or so I thought.

But the last week has reminded me of what is truly treasured.

It started with being in my hometown, a place I have only visited for the last 16 years. Yet with each visit, the yearning to be near it increases. Last week I was able to live there for a week and go for several bicycle rides around town – something I used to do all the time when I was growing up. One of the great things about Fair Lawn is that you can get to different parts of it quickly and easily on a bike. And so I did. I rode from over by St. Anne’s to Memorial Pool, where I spent nearly every summer day growing up. And I was able to watch my own children play in the pool where we used to play as kids. I rode over to my prayer hill in Radburn (the slope in “B” park between Tot Lot and the school) where I have heard God so many times and where I asked Jenny to marry me. I rode over to my childhood friend Scott’s house and talked about books and his trip to Costa Rica. And I rode by dozens of other people’s homes and other landmarks. And I also got to have a burger on the Dutch House deck, my favorite cookie from the bakery, a couple of Entenmann’s crumb cakes, dinner at Davia, a visit to The College of New Jersey/Trenton State College, and wonderful visits with family and friends.

All the while thinking about how grateful I was for those people, places and moments and the opportunity to visit them again. And how I have missed it all – a lot.

And then there was Dave’s funeral service. Which among other things, reminded me of how as we go on in life, some of the best people we have known and loved are already at our real home – heaven. That place where all tears will be wiped away, where there is no more pain, death or suffering, no more diseases like ALS. That place that can only be reached by faith.

All of it has stirred an aching and a yearning to be home. Home is and could be again Fair Lawn, but ultimately is heaven.

As Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi, who were struggling with oppression and persecution, and needed hope, “But our citizenship is in heaven, Philippians 3:20.” He was reminding them that despite their present circumstances, their true citizenship was not under Roman control but of Christ’s eternal and forever kingdom. And that being mindful of that could help them look beyond the troubled present. Given our circumstances now of the economy and all the stress and pressures, it speaks comfort and hope to us too.

As you know, we can get so focused on this world as if it is permanent. The people, things – we have and want to have, it is very easy to get so attached to it all. And yet, it is only temporary. If you think about it, most of our misery comes from being overly attached to this world and its things – when it and they don’t belong to us.

As Carrie Underwood has poetically expressed in her song Temporary Home, “This is my temporary home, It’s not where I belong. Windows and rooms that I’m passin’ through. This is just a stop, on the way to where I’m going…because I know this is my temporary home.” How much would our perspectives and lives be different if we had a “temporary” yet faith-based outlook on our lives.

And speaking of passing through, nearly five years ago, God whispered to me at the prayer hill, “You’re going to Michigan.” I never imagined leaving New Jersey but we were faithful and went. And I think there were many times when I was so focused on the “mission” that I didn’t remember who I was and from where I come. And now with that mission nearly complete, and God having whispered a few months ago, “You’re going home,” we are quite curious as to how God will make it happen and what it means.

Because in the end, home – on earth or in heaven is about belonging. And whether it is Fair Lawn or TCNJ/TSC or old, dear family and friends or thinking of heaven, I know now very well what it is like to treasure and yearn for those places and people to whom and where we belong.

Because for better or worse, as humans, we often have to lose or be separated from those things which we love in order to truly desire and treasure them. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is essentially about exile and restoration with God on cosmic and personal levels.

It’s also a little bit like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz who talks about cherishing what she has and explains to Auntie Em, “But it was a real place (Oz) and some of it wasn’t very nice, but most of it was beautiful. All the while I kept telling people that I wanted to go home. And they sent me home.” Whether it is Oz or earth, we are just passing through.

I never thought I was one of those people that needed to learn this – but I was, and I have; and I will probably have to learn it again sometime…

Amen.

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Arise

“My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.” Song of Solomon 2:10-11

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.” Isaiah 60:1-2

“They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.” Isaiah 61:4

“He (Jesus) clasped the little girl’s hand and said, “Talitha Koum,” which means, “Little girl, arise.” Mark 5:41

“I’ll say to him, Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son…and he arose and went home to his father.” Luke 15:19-20

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He (Jesus) is not here, but has risen.” Luke 24:5

All throughout history, God has been raising His people up. Up out of slavery, up out of destruction and exile, up out of despair, up out of sin and guilt, up out of wildernesses and being lost, up out of sickness and disease, up out of addictions and prisons, up out of impossible situations, and ultimately – through His Son – up out of death. This is a God of salvation and raising up – it’s His nature and His plan.

In what ways can the Lord raise you up today?

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The Way Back

Hosea 6:1-2

The Way Back  

“Come, let us return to the Lord. For he has torn, that he may heal us. He has stricken, and he will build us up. After two days, he will revive us; on the third day, he will raise us up, that we may live before him.” Hosea 6:1-2 (RSV)

 

The truth is that we all have some “prodigal” in us. It is easy to think of the prodigal son (Luke 15) as a person who needed a lesson and thankfully comes back. But if we are honest about most of our faith journeys, it is a process of going away and returning to the Lord. We spend seasons on the mountaintop only to have everything fall through. We find ourselves in the wilderness, at the end of our rope, finally crawling onto the edges of a promised land. Some of us have lost years, decades even. And then, without any warning, our hearts once again, begin to yearn for God or something about him. As the band Pearl Jam sings in their song “Thumbing My Way (Back to Heaven)” – “No matter how cold the winter, there’s a springtime ahead; I’m thumbing my way back to heaven.”

 

But we have to ask the questions, “Why the wilderness, why the lost years?”

 

The above verses in particular are about how that yearning sometimes comes back. Hosea, as you know was a prophet asking God’s people to wake up to the distance between them and God. “Come, let us return to the Lord (1).”

 

But then the prophet offers what will seem to some as a strange explanation. “For he (the Lord) has torn, that he may heal us.” Why do we have to be torn, so that God can heal us? Why can’t we just stay un-torn or whole? And you know what I am going to say. That we don’t start off whole to begin with. Sins like pride, lust, and others are ever present in our lives. It is the human, fallen condition. If that isn’t bad enough, our denial only makes it worse. When sin leads us to believe that we don’t need God or don’t need to follow his ways, is as they say, insult to injury.

 

And because we believe that God is always purposeful, these words from Hosea cut deeply. “For he has torn (allowing our sins and their consequences), that he may heal (come to understand our need for Him) us. How often have we felt torn, physically, mentally and spiritually? But more importantly, how often have we felt torn and then seen it as God actually trying to heal us or draw us closer? I guess it is easier to blame God for bad circumstances and just be angry. But oh what we miss when we leave it at that. Because the awful truth is that God has to tear us to get us to see that we completely need him for salvation and living. For most of us, without the tearing and wildernesses, we wouldn’t acknowledge the need for a savior.

 

Admittedly, it took many years for me to learn this to the point where I really believe it. And I do. Part of my job is not so much to give answers, but to give sight based on the Word. And more often than not, I find myself with brothers and sisters helping them to see what God is doing in their lives. And this is the principle at work many, many times. And I can say it with hope because of my own tearing experiences.

 

And there is hope in this passage, much hope! “He has stricken, and he will build us up. After two days he will revive us, on the third day, he will raise us up, that we may live before him.” You see as humans, we often look at the torn and stricken and say, “why?” instead of saying “Amen!” to the healing, building up, reviving, and raising up so that we may live parts.

 

By the way, have you caught the echoes of Jesus in these two verses? Our dear savior was torn so that we can be healed; Jesus was stricken for our sins and was built up. Built up when? On the third day he was raised up and because of that we live before God. But remember, Jesus had to be torn and had to die for us to live eternally – it was the only way. And therefore is it also the rhythm for our daily living – tearing down and then building up; dying to our sins and then finding new life in Christ.

 

I know you are torn and stricken. I wish I could take it all away. But even if I could, I would be interrupting what God is trying to do in your life. And that is – trying to get us to return to him; not just to church, although that might be one way; but leading our hearts back to him. Leading us to turn our hearts home to him again. So whether it is the first time you need to come back or the twentieth, as the verse said, “Come let us return to the Lord.”

 

And you know there is nothing like coming home. Whether it is after a long day, or after months or years. A couple of times a year I return home to New Jersey, and it starts with seeing the familiar signs and sights along Route 80 all the way until I enter my hometown Fair Lawn and arrive at my brother’s house – seeing family and friends – those blessed reunions. There is nothing like returning to a place and people where you are known and loved. Just walking up to the door, that first smile or hug, can make the journey all worth it. That is what it is like to return to the Lord.

 

And as the song says, “No matter how cold the winter, there’s a springtime ahead; I’m thumbing my way back to heaven.”

 

I am right beside you walking and praying – we can come home to Him after all.

 

Amen.

  

Discussion Questions

1. What is your gut or first reaction to hearing that God tears us (even though for a purpose)?
2. When you think of tearing times in your life (maybe even right now) what does this passage say to you?
3. Can you think of some times when you felt revived after being in the wilderness? What were they like? Does God get the credit for that too?

4.   Would you like to return to the Lord but don’t know how? Please call or email me, I would love to help.

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Give it a Rest

Genesis 2:1-3

Give It a Rest (Remix of Sunday’s (8/24) message – audio download – http://www.firstgrandville.org/content.cfm?id=213&category_id=4

 

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had done. “ Genesis 2:1-2

 

 

Hey, I have a couple of questions for you.

 

When was the last time you were without your cell phone, Blackberry or PDA?

 

Do you often think that everything will fall apart if you are not there (work, family, etc.)?

 

Do you feel like things are spinning out of control and you don’t know how you will keep it all together?

 

Here we are on the edge of the “busy” season for many businesses, and school and church starting again – as well as all the activities that accompany those commitments. We look at our calendars with dismay and wonder how it will all happen – and what will be left of us by October.  

 

You see, we weren’t designed to be on the brink of falling apart physically and emotionally.

 

There is a better way.

 

It is actually God’s design, which He built into the system. That is what this idea of rest is about in this passage.

 

Think about it. Why does an omnipotent, all-powerful Creator God need to rest? He didn’t and doesn’t. Remember, He neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121).

 

So why is this rest in here. One main reason is that He knew that we are limited. There is only so much a human can take – physically, mentally and emotionally.

 

If you are at the end of your rope now, or are not too far, you know this.

 

But there is spiritual element to rest also. When we try accomplish so much, when we convince ourselves that we are so important, we are essentially saying that we don’t trust the Lord. We are saying we trust our power over God’s power. What can any of us, in any part of life, add or subtract from what God does? This is what happens when we put ourselves in the center rather than God being there. When God built rest into His design, it was in part because He has everything under control. I know it may not seem like it sometimes (many times) but He does. He is sovereign. And so often we think that if we do more, try harder, keep stretching, we can do what God can do. Wrong. And worse, it is dangerous for us, for our relationships and for others.

 

Besides, boundaries mean health. I know our society really likes to hold up over-achievers. But in the end it isn’t health. Again, not the way God designed us. There is a time for work and there is plenty of work to do; but there is also a time for rest.

 

What is sacred today? Very little. Why? Because we refuse to say “no” to so much – no boundaries. Keeping things sacred in society or in our own lives often can start with drawing a line. Saying “no” to the world is saying “yes” to God.

 

And when we think of saying “yes” to God or “yes” to holiness, we often think of a checklist that we need fulfill. This passage offers a path to holiness by abstaining – by resting. Holiness as acknowledging God over ourselves, His power over our power; and by obeying – because He wants to sustain us through our being in relationship with Him.

 

God designed this world and everything in it, and it was good. And He is so good that He designed within His creation, a way of restoration, a way of life giving, a protective seal called rest. God is the author of life; and in a world full of sin, decay and death – He still provides rest, blessing and holiness.

 

Oh what we are missing by ignoring this idea of resting in the Lord! As a pastor and brother in Christ, with this message today, I don’t want to see you work and work and work and ultimately wear out and burn out, when this gift of rest was there for you all along.

 

Hear the tender voice of Jesus calling, “Come to me all you who are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest…(Matthew 11:28).”

 

There can be an end to the chaos and the endless chases that end in emptiness.

 

Amen.

 

Discussion Questions

1. Can you name something that you can start to rest from today?
2. Why do you think it is hard to let go of controlling things?
3. Who is in charge of your life, God or you? Do your actions and thoughts reflect your answer? Is that the way you want it?
4. Do you find it hard to say “no?” Why do you think this is?
5. What is one thing or part of your life that you can start to make sacred today?

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A Life Restored

Psalm 23

A Life Restored (Remix of Sunday’s sermon – audio download – http://www.firstgrandville.org/content.cfm?id=213&category_id=4 )

 

 

To have it all on the outside – money, success, lots of stuff – but falling apart on the inside?

 

Sin, grief, anger – these things have a corrosive effect on our souls. But also, the stress, the pressure of keeping a job, finding a job, keeping a family or relationship together – what does all of this do to our souls? We depend on ourselves; we turn inward; we go off the path; we turn away from the one who loves us most.

 

And ultimately, our souls become like a wilderness or a desert.

           

We need to be restored!

 

Today, when we think of restoration, we probably think of the spa. But there is something better than anything a spa can offer…

 

The definition of restoration is, “to bring back to its former state; to bring back from a state of ruin, decay, disease, or the like.”

 

You see, from the beginning of the Bible in Genesis to the end in Revelation – the goal was reconciliation and restoration between us and God. God’s pursuit of us and then the cross through which the reconciliation was achieved. And because of the person on that cross, Jesus, God got personal, literally. And through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit we can be restored in souls and in our lives.        

 

Psalm 23 offers us this pathway to restoration guided by the Lord, the shepherd. Jesus calls himself the good shepherd in John 10. Think about it, a shepherd is personal, gentle when necessary, but also protective and patient.

 

As you might imagine the biggest obstacle to Jesus the shepherd leading us to being restored is …us…

 

But we are going to change that today…

 

Receive what His hand provides

 

He comforts…

 

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want

            Not lacking in anything spiritual

He makes me lie down in green pastures

            Being fed with and resting in, God’s best

He leads me beside still waters

                        What refreshes you?

Are you thirsty?

           

He restores…

 

He restores my soul

To lead away (Come away with me…) – meaning of restore – in Hebrew

 

Follow His guiding and protecting hand

 

He leads…

 

            He leads me in right paths for his name’ sake

            Not ours battle to win – it’s His.

 

He protects…

           

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me

Imagine being able to say to Satan and challenges – I don’t fear you – my shepherd is with me – I don’t fear a cancer diagnosis, I don’t fear losing my job…

 

            Your rod and your staff they comfort me

                        Shepherd – Rod for protection, staff for guidance

 

Embrace His open arms

 

He welcomes…

 

            You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies

                        Nothing can stop the hospitality of the Lord

            You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows

                        Both point to abundance

                       

He embraces…

           

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

                        Hebrew understanding of “follow” is pursue

Romans 8:28 – God works for the good in all things…

                                   

            And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

                        God’s presence – belonging to Him above all things

 

He knows what we need. We don’t need a day at the spa, we don’t need more money, we need a restored soul. And he wants to give it to us abundantly. This Psalm begins and ends with the Lord – “The Lord is my shepherd, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

 

Our souls were not meant to be deserts, dry and deserted – they were to be places of pastures and quiet waters – overflowing with the presence of God – the Holy Spirit.

 

Whatever is going on in your life today…

If you want rest and comfort,

If you want to feel his protection when you are in the darkest valleys,

If you want the “cup” of your soul to overflow with goodness and mercy,

If you want true abundance,

 

Then say it – The Lord Jesus Christ is my shepherd, and I am going let him lead me, and protect me, and let him fill me, and run to his open arms and never leave.

 

The restoring can start right now…

 

Amen.  

 

Discussion Questions

1. Have you thought of Psalm 23 in this way? Often you hear at funerals, which is completely appropriate. But how about it in the present tense – in the now?
2. What about restoration? What have you thought about it prior to reading this? Do you need some?
3. What is the state of your soul? What can we do about it?  
4. Have you let the Lord touch and restore you? How about today?

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