Tell Me the Stories..."

I was fortunate to have been raised in a Christian home, and attended Sunday school and church regularly. I even sang in the “Cherub” Choir! One of the songs I recall learning was “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus.” As I grew older and learned more about the stories in the Bible, the more fascinated I became about how God works in the lives of people and how their lives were transformed by faith in God.

Today when I lead workshops with church pastors, I will often ask, “With what biblical story, or character do you most identify?” The answers are as varied as is the uniqueness of each participant.

Karen Massey suggests that we read stories (told through biographies/autobiographies, and the Bible) not only for the information we can glean from them, but also what we can learn about ourselves. Many of the stories, she suggests, teach us about ourselves and are both an indictment and a challenge. The stories of Jesus certainly do that. They reveal a lifestyle of how to live in obedience to God’s will and challenge us to application in our lives. God works in wonderful ways through God’s stories when we apply the concepts to our life situation, then continue to tell the stories so that others might hear and come to know of God’s transforming power.

Genuine Love

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the church at Rome, “Let love be genuine… ” (Romans 12:9) What do you think he meant by “genuine love?” We can begin to answer that question by looking at the meaning of love as defined by Jesus.

When Jesus spoke of love, the word he used was agape, one of the Greek words for love. This kind of love is best understood as self-giving actions toward another, not expecting anything in return. “Love” in the Christian’s vocabulary is about much more than how we feel toward someone. It is more properly understood as a verb, a word of action -- what we do in relationship to others. As Christians, to love someone means to express actions of compassion, caring, encouragement and support, especially in times of their greatest need.

New Testament scriptures are filled with stories of Jesus’ caring compassion, and concern toward others. He expressed the challenge to his first disciples and all who would be his disciples today in these words: “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13: 34-35) Faithful discipleship involves responding to this “new commandment” and living and loving like Jesus did.

Holy Week Reflections

As we focus on “Holy Week” activities, many of us miss God’s unfolding drama during the last week of Jesus’ earthly life. We get caught up in the excitement and celebration of “Palm Sunday” and then move directly to Easter to celebrate his resurrection.

Palm Sunday marks Jesus triumphal entry into the holy city of Jerusalem. The spreading of palm branches and garments in his path symbolized the welcome of one who was thought to be the promised deliverer. The shouts of “Hosanna” were serious requests for deliverance motivated by high hopes of the people. But as the week progressed, feelings toward the one who came riding on the back of a meek animal changed to cries of “crucify him.” The people were disappointed. Jesus did not meet their desired expectations. His way was one of love and peace, and did not include the expected violent upheaval and overthrow of the controlling oppressive authority.

So here we are, as people of faith, over two thousand years later observing “Holy Week,”seeking to understand the meaning and implications of what transpired. We read of Jesus’ other activities after his entry into Jerusalem: his anger toward the moneychangers, time spent with friends, his reflection, solitude, and planning for the observance of the traditional religious celebration of Passover with his closest friends and followers, all of which culminated in two astounding events.

Today is “Holy Thursday,” and we recall the time when Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of servanthood and the transforming power of his Last Supper with his disciples. Water, basin, a towel, dirty feet, a loaf of bread, and a cup of wine became symbols and signs of God’s love in action. So tonight, we will respond to the invitation: “Do this in remembrance of me.”

“Good Friday” follows as we recall the time when Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of selfless sacrifice and death on a cross. No one part of the story makes complete sense apart from the other. It is all a part of God’s divine drama and message of salvation for humanity, summing up God’s actions of grace and love. And then comes Sunday. It is then that we discover and proclaim the rest of the story. The best is yet to come!

Lenten Journey with Jesus

Lent is the season when Christians are called to examine more closely the gospel story of Jesus’ journey from the wilderness to the cross, and then consider, “Where am I in my spiritual journey?” Jesus’ journey led him to self-examination during a mountain wilderness experience to self-sacrifice on a hill called Golgotha. While these two acts mark the extremes, it is what he did in between that establishes the patterns of faith living according to God’s purposes.

Christianity was born not merely by words, but actions. That's why the story of the development of the first century church is called The Acts of the Apostles. Prayer, expressions of compassion and kindness, concern for the poor and outcast, sharing the good news of God’s redemptive love — these were all acts of grace that characterized Jesus’ life and what he called his disciples to continue. His life of self-giving love and service touched and transformed people’s lives so that they chose to become transformed disciples. They became “imitators of Christ.”

The invitation that Jesus offered at the beginning of his ministry is still offered to all who would become faithful followers. ”Come, follow me.” Learning, living, and loving are the marks of faithful discipleship. Lent calls us to journey from our wilderness experiences to a life of sacrificial love. To do so, by the grace of God, restores and renews us for the challenges and opportunities of discipleship.

I Remember...

In honor of my birthday this week, I’m taking a “walk down memory lane.” Celebrating a birthday provides a time for reviewing and remembering the past. I invite you to join me and perhaps become motivated to do the same and recall those memories that form your story.

My earliest memories come from being an only child, loved and “spoiled” by my parents. I faced challenging health issues at the age of nine, and because of the wonders of medical science, experienced a successful bone transplant. I remember learning to live with the physical scars that resulted from that surgery. I learned early that life has its frustrations, limitations and calls for adjustments and acceptance.

As a youngster, my Saturday mornings included watching “heroes” on the big screen of a local theater (in black and white!) They were cowboys like Hoot Gibson, Tom Mix, Gene Autry, and Roy Rogers. They were the “good guys” who always took care of the “bad guys.” They modeled decency and the pursuit of what was noble and right.

My life was formed by both positive and negative experiences, but there were always those who helped me through the bad times. I discovered that one never has to journey through life alone. Many persons influential in my life are too numerous to mention in this brief writing. Among them are members of my home church (Grace Methodist, Newport News), pastors and youth counselors who became mentors for my faith formation. My call to ordained ministry came as a result of the seeds others planted. Professors and Christian educators provided building blocks for the foundation upon which to form my faith. I remember especially several pastors who became role models of the kind of pastor I wanted to become. I recall many “adult guarantors” who will remain in my memory forever, for their lives became a part of mine. I remember special friends who have shared my journey, through the peaks and valleys, and especially those who offered affirming and encouraging words, and those who didn’t give up on me when I was tempted to give up on myself.

I’m remembering the joy of the birth of my two children and the adventure of parenting which lasts a lifetime. I remember a time when what was broken in my life was renewed by love. I remember the joyous day when my grandson was born, and the day he was recognized as a child of God by being baptized Jacob Franklin. I am grateful that I can still remember all these things and many more, for to a degree, we are what we remember. In my remembering, I have discovered that I have been blessed with many “precious memories.”

Bob Hope is remembered as a comedian, actor, radio and television personality, and doing USO shows for military troops around the world. His signature song was “Thanks for the Memories.” In reflecting on my memories, I rejoin his song and say “thanks for the memories.” I am grateful for all of them. And I’m especially grateful to God for all of my “precious memories” that represent His means of grace.

Rest for Weary Souls

Sometimes life is definitely difficult. We find ourselves facing challenges, standing at crossroads, making tough decisions, dealing with crises, and confronting numerous other issues that drain us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. As a result, we experience times of weariness. In such times we long for clear direction to regain strength for the journey. How do we find rest for a weary soul?

The prophet Jeremiah offers this advice: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16 NIV) I think Jeremiah was trying to tell us that in times of weariness we need to slow down, assess our situation, and use our spiritual resources to renew our strength.

Jeremiah also suggested that we need to ask for direction to gain clarity for what is expected from us as a people of faith. The prophet Micah also offered keen insight into what is required: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

Scriptures not only tell a story of people on a journey, they help us define our story and determine our journey. People of faith are a pilgrim people with a definite destination. When we gain clarity for where we are to go, guided by the road map provided by scriptures and take steps in faith, we can overcome the weariness that often accompanies the journey. Scriptures can speak to us and provide transforming words and direction for our lives if we seek in a spirit of prayer reflection and expectancy. We need to open the communication channel of prayer to “hear the inner voice” for guidance, then be ready to listen and respond.

As a parent, there were times when my children needed to be placed in “time out.” It was a time intended to stop their unacceptable behavior, consider their actions, make amends, and to determine a better way of behavior. Perhaps when we adults grow weary, we should take a self-imposed “time out,” providing a way of self-discipline reconnecting us with our core faith so we can determine a different pathway.

Regular spiritual connections not only help us determine a better pathway, but can provide clarity for direction, personal peace and contentment, and therefore rest for our weary souls.

A Conversation with God

Me: “Good morning Lord, Thanks for the gift of another day.

Lord: “You’re welcome. Use it wisely. Press on.”

Me: “But Lord, I’m not sure exactly what I am to do, or where I am to go.”

Lord: “Listen, and I will guide you. Press on.”

Me: “But Lord, I’m not sure I have the strength to go much farther.”

Lord: “I will give you strength. Press on.”

Me: “But Lord, I’m no longer as good at setting goals as I was in my youth.”

Lord: “My goals are your goals. Press on.”

Me: “But Lord, at times my faith is weak.”

Lord: “Lean on me and I will renew your faith. Press on.”

Me: “But Lord…”

Lord: “But is an eraser. Remember my promise. I am with you. Press on.”

Me: “Forgive me for my weaknesses and frail faith, Lord.”

Lord: “You are forgiven. Press on.”

Me: “Thanks for renewing my faith with assurance that with you I can press on.”

Lord: “You’re welcome. Now, press on!”

Inspiration for this “conversation” comes from reading Paul’s words in his letter to the Philippians:

Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. ~ Philippians 3:10-16 (NRSV)