Pastor Mark’s Devotions, April 18

Posted on 2020-04-18 in BLOG, Devotions, Pastor's Notes, pastors pen | Tags: , , , , ,

“The Dream”

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Ps 73:26

 

I woke up today tired. Tigger, my kitty, was relentlessly chatting at me that it was mealtime. I heated up a cup of leftover coffee and slipped beneath the blanket on the couch. I put on Pandora, exhaled a long sigh and tried to drink in some praise.

I closed my eyes, and asked the Holy Spirit to come. I called on Jesus and the Heavenly Father to meet me. I needed them – all three – in One. I had thoughts about a devotion for the day but they were just rumblings. My head was in a fog and nothing felt quite right. I asked for something more. I asked for something real. “Lord”, I prayed, “I want to write about something deep.”

Immediately, I remembered the dream.

Last night I had a dream. I don’t know the time that the dream played out in my mind, but can tell you it returned to me clear as crystal.

Doors of a café opened. I entered and began to walk across the floor. At a distance I saw one of my longtime friends. He is a soulmate in the Lord. We have journeyed long and far. We have not talked in years but that means nothing. What we have experienced together, the bond is deeper than time and miles.

I saw people sitting at various tables. The tables and the people were gathered comfortably together with generous room between them. Chris rose from one of the tables to meet me. He had that typical smirky smile on his face. He looked down and opened his arms and brought around that huge hug just like old times.

We moved away from the others to a table of our own in the back. We began to catch up. It was as if no time had gone by. We fell right back into comfortable conversation just like we had been together the day before.

To my left, a young girl, around five years old joined us. She was playful and warm. It’s funny, but another word I would use to describe her was “genuine”. She had straight brown hair that hung to her shoulders. She wore a comfortable cotton dress and her face displayed surprising self-assurance. The comfort I felt as she approached was striking. It’s as if she belonged with us but I didn’t know who she was. I looked around wondering who she was with, but it was as if she was alone. She remained with us.

Chris began to tell me about some of the physical challenges he had faced recently. Someone else approached our table and he began to share with him as well. Our meal was served but I did not notice what food was on our plates. We then grabbed hands together to pray. The young girl moved around between us and our hands formed a circle. Holding her hand, I noticed a warmth and comfort. It felt like wearing a well-worn glove. There was no hesitation; it was as if she reached out for our hands first. It was as if we were surrounded by something wonderful and familiar, and sure.  

The thought crossed my mind that maybe we shouldn’t be holding hands. Because of social distancing, maybe we should separate, but that concern immediately faded away.  We bowed our heads and we gave God our thanks.

Wow! What does this dream mean? I’m not completely sure. Why was this dream given now? I don’t know.

I did not awake from sleep this morning aware of a eureka moment. In the moment, I was feeling fatigued. But then, from a place of weakness, God brought to my remembrance something deep. As the cobwebs cleared, I thought, “Could this have been a kind of glimpse of heaven?” What does heaven look like? I’m not sure. John certainly gives us an incredible glimpse of glory in the book of Revelation. What I do know is what I felt – warmth, comfort, friendship, food, love, concern, embrace, hands held in prayer. I felt the love of a child. I felt hands connected in unity. And right now, I can feel the tears run down my cheeks as I recall this moving moment. 

There is so much we do not know. Jesus told his disciples during his final meal with them, “I have so much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:12) Could there be various pictures of heaven that are all woven in unity? People who have died and been given a glimpse of heaven, they recall the endless melodies of music yet they are all harmonious being played in unity. Whatever awaits us in heaven, the one thing we can be assured of – it all centers around Jesus Christ. All love, peace, feasting, prayer, honor and praise will gather around the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. For our God is Alive. He has Risen and He lives forever. AS WILL WE! Hallelujah!!

P.S. – That young girl who brought so much comfort? You might have already guessed. My hunch – Thank you Holy Spirit! Thank you for something deep! Continue to hold our hands!

I praise you, Lord, with all my heart! Indeed, it is another Holy Saturday!

God Bless You All!

Pastor Mark  

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,             your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” Joel 2:28


Pastor Mark’s Easter Devotion

Posted on 2020-04-12 in BLOG, Devotions, Pastor's Notes, pastors pen | Tags: , , , ,

“Three Times”

“Remember how he told you…” Luke 24:6

Early, that first Easter morning, Luke records women, who were followers of Jesus, rose in the dark and made their way to the tomb. The women stumbled upon a stone that had been rolled away and a body that had mysteriously disappeared. Suddenly, two angels, gleaming like lightning, appeared and declared the unbelievable news that Jesus was alive. Then God’s messengers said, “Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” Then we are told, “The women remembered his words”.

As I wrote on Friday, Jesus had been prepared for his death. But it is comforting to know that Jesus also tried to prepare his disciples for his death and resurrection. Three times, at various locations and hours, Jesus forewarned his disciples that He would be arrested, suffer and die – but on the third day be raised to life. On this Easter day, let us remember that Jesus also wants us to be prepared, whether tragedy or triumph. Today, as we center ourselves in Christ, and in his resurrection, no matter what comes, there will be ultimate victory.

It’s interesting that Jesus would speak of his death and resurrection three times. It is also interesting that three times in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus warns his 3 sleeping disciples. He tells them to pray and watch out for temptation. Jesus’ friends were never able to stay awake but it reveals the heart of Jesus. He wanted to prepare his friends for the events of the very near future.  

Even more personally, Jesus forewarns Simon individually. During the Last Supper, after a third discourse about washing feet, Jesus warns Simon that Satan has asked to sift him like wheat. What does “sifting” even mean? Perhaps we can replace the word, “sift” with the verbs, “pulverize” or “crush”. Understanding that Satan has the desire to “crush” Simon is a scary thought. Yet to know that Jesus wanted to prepare Simon, brings great comfort.

It should be noted that while Jesus was wanting to protect Simon, Jesus was preparing for his own “crushing”. You might think of the Garden of Gethsemane primarily as a place where Jesus prayed 3 final prayers to his Father- and that his sweat was like drops of blood. But going even further into the garden, reveals something even greater.  

Jesus gathered in the garden and prayed beneath the olive trees. Olive trees produce olives that when pressed and crushed, produce olive oil. Olive oil was used in anointing. Olive oil was used in anointing kings, anointing for healing, and other special purposes. Olive oil also represented light. Jesus was going to be the anointed King – and it would require a crushing on a cross. He would eventually be anointed King of Kings but it was going to take a mighty crushing in the process. When olives are crushed to produce oil, what process is involved? To extract all the oil from the olives, it requires the olives to be crushed 3 times. There would be three “crushings” required of our Savior – body, mind and spirit – a complete sacrifice to pay the price for sin.

Today is Easter day! May this knowledge of Jesus’ complete crushing and resulting resurrection protect and prepare us for whatever future we might face. May we remember that through his crushing and through his rising, he shines LIGHT upon this world.

So, let us shout three times. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Our anointed King LIVES! And He has CRUSHED DEATH FOREVER!!

Thanks Be to God!

Pastor Mark

 

    


Pastor Mark’s Devotions, April 6

Posted on 2020-04-06 in BLOG, Devotions, Pastor's Notes, pastors pen | Tags: , , , , ,

Please note – the videos for the Palm Sunday sermon are now posted on our website – just click the little “video” icon at the far right. (Thanks, Sharon!!)

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“Spread the Word”

Jesus said, “GO home and TELL how much God has done for you. So, the demoniac went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39

 

EASTER MORNING: “DRIVE THROUGH COMMUNION” –

7:30 – 11 a.m.

EASTER CROSS DECORATED! 

SPREAD THE WORD!

 

I am jumping the gun a bit. This is Monday morning of Holy Week and what’s up with already writing about Easter Morning. We just want you to have time to spread the word. If people want to drive to church and receive Holy Communion while remaining in their cars = we are going to provide the elements for you. The sun is expected to shine. The SON we know will rise. It will be a beautiful Easter morning the celebrate the resurrection of our King. We are going to do what we can to honor him as we also honor the restrictions that have been laid down. The Easter cross will be decorated.                        

 He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed, Hallelujah!!

On that first Easter morning, the angel of the Lord told the women, “Come and see the place where Jesus lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead’”. (Matthew 28:6-7)

The command to “Come and See” and “Go and Tell” has been a directive that has been given many times in Scripture. Easter morning, the women, the most unlikely characters, were invited to witness the evidence of the empty tomb. They  were then directed to share the unfathomable news with their friends. Even though the women’s voices were to carry no weight, there would be no wait for this proclamation. The Gospel of Mark says that the women initially refrained from saying anything to anyone out of fear. But that didn’t last long! Thus, began the spreading of the Easter message that has been spreading over the globe for over 2,000 years.

In the middle of Jesus’ ministry, in the midst of the Decapolis, Jesus calls another most unlikely character to “Go and Tell” the Good News. A demoniac encountered Jesus and was resurrected from a legion of demons. His home was living among the dead, but Jesus raised him to new life. The one restored, wanted to follow Jesus as one of his disciples. But Jesus sends him back to his hometown with the instructions, “Go and Tell how much God has done for you.”

Each morning we are given the opportunity to “Come and See” what God is doing. And then when we see it, to “Go and Tell” anyone who will listen. This is the mission of the church. Whether we gather together in a church building or not, we are to sharing what we know about the One who knows us!

This week, we will not be able to gather together in our sanctuary. But nothing can keep Easter from arriving. And we are determined to do what we can to celebrate Jesus victory over death.

So, we will offer “DRIVE THROUGH COMMUNION” for anyone that wants to participate. The Easter cross will be decorated and “INDIVIDUALLY SEALED” communion sets will be handed out in your cars, as you drive through the parking lot.  

I will be at church from 7:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m.

My thought is you can come to church, receive communion then return home and watch our Easter Worship online.  

We will not be gathering publicly. We will honor safe distancing along with using masks and gloves. The local news covered an Anglican church celebrating in this way yesterday for Palm Sunday.

IF YOU HAVE ANY SAFETY CONCERNS, PLEASE SIMPLY STAY AT HOME!

If you feel directed, Spread the Word.

Worship and Messages will also be on our website for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter!

Pastor Mark