ps from ps Our Monday Mantras have been focused in the 23rd Psalm. It’s a part of Scripture that many know by heart but when you slow it down and reflect, it takes on a whole new level of God’s promise. Take the journey through it today or throughout the week.
The Lord is my shepherd. – Where do you feel God watching over you?
I shall not be in want. – How blessed are you? Can you take time to name a few?
He leads me beside still waters. – Where are your still waters today?
He walks with me through the dark valleys. – What are those valleys for you and how do you sense God with you?
My cup overflows. – Where is your cup overflowing today?
Goodness and mercy shall follow me. – Can you name those aspects? Can you thank them?
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Is that house like your current house? If so, how? If not, can you adjust?
ps from ps Did you get a look at the Northern Lights last week? Did you make the time? And if you spent time doing that, did you take your phone and look through that lens? And if you tried to take a picture through that lens, did you remember to use the “long exposure” setting to get a better picture?
Making the time.
Remembering the lens.
Taking long exposure.
I’m talking about trying the see the Northern Lights. And I’m also not just talking about trying to see the Northern Lights.
Those three components were crucial last week for viewing a specular offering from God’s creation. But those three components will also be crucial as we live into lives of faith and discipleship.
Making the time – Are we giving ourselves some time and space to experience, dwell in, and realize God’s love for us? Are we setting our intentions on a daily basis to stop, change directions, turn around and pause to notice God’s love, grace and healing for us?
Remembering the lens – Once we Make the Time and sense that presence of God, do we allow ourselves to use that as a lens for living? Do we look through that lens of justice for all, grace for everyone, forgiveness for our sinful self and hope for a future filled with it? Can we use that lens to deal with our family, friends and neighbor in. a faith-filled way?
Taking Long Exposure – Will we slow down longer and let God’s love wash over us and change us? Can we create space in our days to just be with God, even for a few minutes to read these devotions (good job!) or dive into Scripture or walk in creation? Can we lengthen an hour in church community on Saturday or Sunday into time for service and sharing during the week?
Spectacular things happen in God’s creation often. Sometimes they are in the northern skies at night. And sometimes, they happen more often when we make the time, remember the lens and take longer exposure.
ps from ps If something is impossible, that means it’s pretty darn hard.
Except for God I guess, where all things are possible.
We’re going to launch into a series at St. Paul’s and Church Unleashed that focuses on the Impossible Promises of God. And the first one that comes up is well timed: the Impossible Promise of Generosity.
Spoiler alert: God was, is and will always be generous to us. It’s as simple as that. And because of that Promise of God’s Generosity, we are invited to do the best we can with ours.
Look no further than how the state of our climate is impacting the world around us, especially in the southeast over the past two weeks. Even as I type, Florida is bracing for another enormous blow.
How can we show God’s generosity through our actions in and after these storms?
1. Pray – pray for those who are in the path and for those that will respond to help immediately after. 2. Reach – reach out to those you know who are dealing with the aftermath of these storms. Even when the news cycle moves on, those that were devastated will still be working the problem. 3. Share – generously! Share through financial gifts through an organization you trust. Personally, I give through Lutheran Disaster Response because 100% of my gifts go to the affected area. Or make donation (stuff that is truly asked for and needed, not just stuff you want to get rid of) of supplies through folks that are linked into agencies on the ground and not just people self-deploying and making things more complicated.
The good news is what launches our prayer, reaching and sharing – Jesus was generous for us and gave the impossible promise of redeeming all of us.
May we respond to that Impossible Promise with our own generosity.
Lord, keep them safe. Inspire us to pray, reach and share. Amen
I didn’t mess up that phrase, just morphed it to match the day.
Recently, a family made a decision to use some old stuff for some new people. Some friends that I grew up with unfortunately had both their parents die in the past couple years. They made the decision to donate a ton of furniture and kitchen supplies to St. Paul’s refugee resettlement program and the family that will move into our new house..
Yesterday, a group of people grabbed a U-Haul and moved the belongings “out of the old” house and “into the new” house. These efforts will be part of furnishing an entire home to welcome a family that is resettling into WNY and looking to build a new life here.
“When you welcomed…clothed…fed…visited…those struggling the most, you welcomed me.” – Jesus.
As I experienced their giving this week, it caused me to reflect on my own “stuff” and what Jesus could do with it. How the world and God could use some of it..
As I look out my office window and see the guys working at Wheels for Workers and turning donated bikes into crucial work transportation, I hear Jesus words echo in my head.
As I see the Tiger’s Den Food Pantry volunteers organize donated food, check expiration dates and stock it on the shelves, I realize that the people that show up on Thursdays and Saturdays are the ones that Jesus is speaking of when he says: “Everybody Eats”. (He didn’t say those exact words but he lived them out many times, including for thousands of people with some loaves and fish.)
Out of the old…into the new.
What do we have to offer Jesus today? Jesus, in and through the form of those most in need. Those that need welcome. Those that need food. Those that are imprisoned.
What of our “old,” when shared, could be made “new?”.
Lord, thanks for the resources we have. May we use them for you. Amen
ps from ps (And now back to our Buffalo Bills and Jesus inspired devotions)
“Everybody eats!”
That’s the catch phrase of the current offensive side of the ball for the Bills this season. And it makes them the most Lutheran football team in the NFL!!
After their #1 receiver left last season (don’t let the door hit you in the butt on the way out), the team brought in a few new receivers but also realized that there wasn’t a clear #1 target anymore because everyone had gifts to bring to the team. And therefore, everybody eats! Meaning, everyone is going to get targets and handoffs to spread the wealth and opportunity. And it seems to be working.
How does this make them the most Lutheran team in the league? I’m glad you asked.
First, Martin Luther wholeheartedly believed in the “ministry of all the baptized.” That means, it you’re a baptized child of God, you have gifts to share in the world. Like talents on the football field, everyone has something to offer in God’s kingdom and it’s important that everyone gets a chance to share those gifts.
Second, Paul talked about those same spiritual gifts throughout 1 Corinthians where he emphasizes that there is no #1 Christian but that everyone of us is a needed “part of the body” and is important (see my sermon titled “Even the sphincter has role!” for details).
And third, as the Lutheran community, we announce before communion each week that Everybody Eats. All are welcome to the table. Everyone on the roster (God’s children) and team (God’s team) are invited to receive God’s grace through bread and wine, not because of what we’ve done but because of who God is.
There it is. Three points. That makes it true! The Bills are the Lutheranest. (Biegnerism). And maybe you are too.
So be part of God’s team today. Use the gifts God’s given you for this team and for this world. And enjoy the feast of God’s grace because Everybody Eats!
Lord, thanks for the gifts. And thanks for the feast. Go team! Amen
ps from pk ——- Hopefully you noticed the slight change in the email from “ps from ps” to “ps from pk”. Kristen Arends has joined the pastoral staff at St. Paul’s and will be sharing some of her own “post scripts” periodically in the weeks to come. I’ve always appreciated your feedback on the emails/thoughts/rants over the 26 years of writing. So, feel free to email Kristen at [email protected] as well.
Blessings, ps——- ps from pk
Music is one of my favorite ways to let the Holy Spirit speak to me. Sometimes through Christian artists but usually not. God’s words can speak out in all sorts of unexpected ways and sometimes music that’s not explicitly faithful can give voice to doubts or fears in a way that a Christian musician may not want to be honest about. Because, honesty is hard, it makes you vulnerable. I referenced the Ben Rector song “Sailboat” during my sermon this week. I invite you to listen to it HERE. Close your eyes. Take a minute (or 4) and see what God has to say to you.
(Kristen anxiously awaits your return after hearing the song)Did you catch this part?“I’m pretty sure I’m heard… at least I know I’m speaking… But I feel like a fool… ‘cause I can’t hear you listening” Sounds a lot like prayer to me. And such an honest response to feeling unsure about God’s response to our prayers. Wouldn’t it be so much easier to have faith and feel comforted if we could hear God listening to us?? It’s hard sometimes, to be hoping and praying and to not be able to tell for sure that God is listening. It definitely can make us feel alone. And that’s when God comes close. That’s when God nudges us and brings other people alongside us to remind us that God is right here with us. So if you’re feeling alone today – raise up your sails and let God fill them and lead you home. -pk
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