Looking for an earlier Watchword?
- Expectations - Expectations: What do we expect of God? Or, better question, what do we believe He expects of us? Oh, sure, we know what Micah says about acting justly and loving mercy, and we can figure out what they mean, day by day. But, then there is that “walking humbly” thing that I am not sure about its meaning. I think about the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well, when He talks to her about living water. She doesn’t understand what He means, because she is defining it in practical, everyday terms. She responds by saying you have nothing to draw water with and the well is deep. Just when you think you know what living water means, Jesus reshapes it in our own practical terms and right away it seems to go far beyond our understanding. Learning to walk by faith, daily. Continue reading
- What Does God Look Like? - What Does God Look Like?:The Youth Pastor sat on the floor in front of the altar in the midst of a small crowd of kids, ages 4 to 10. They had been laughing at a story that the young pastor had told. He had their attention. Then the question, “What does God look like?” With barely a hesitation, a little girl in the yellow dress blurted out: “He looks just like my Grampa!” It was clear that among these kids, God is “old” and appears to be a man. I suppose in the mind of a child we are all old. Is there danger in the child imagining that God is old and that he is a man? Probably not. If the child grows up imagining that God is not only old but is old-fashioned, out of touch with their life, then that might be worth looking at. The “faith-fact” is that God has not moved, nor is God “old fashioned”, but I do believe that many of us make our God too small. Continue reading
- Patience - Patience: Does it seem like patience is in short supply in so many areas of our lives, or we are faced with circumstances that require us to wait, and wait, and we don’t like a lot of waiting. Jesus had a time with his disciples. They wanted to move, He wanted them to wait while He prayed. They got bored while waiting and fell asleep. In James we are reminded to be patient until the Lord’s coming. Scattered throughout the Bible, God is reminding us to wait for his good plan to unfold. So Jesus reminds you and I, to wait patiently and not to complain. But, Lord, it’s hard and we hesitate to pray for patience, because we might not like the lesson. Continue reading
- Doubting - Doubting (your name goes here): I believe that Thomas, the disciple, the Apostle, has been saddled with an unfair label. I would guess that among all of the disciples, Thomas is in the majority when it comes to wonder, a sense of being overwhelmed, being confronted with a mystery, each one seeking some grounding in the reality of the moment. We would like to believe that our faith is strong enough to overcome many obstacles. That we would have absolutely no doubt about the resurrection. Of course, here we are on this of the Resurrection and the Twelve, were not there, yet. It makes a difference. In your walk of faith as a Christian, have you entertained the idea that you would like a little proof, a little certainty. “ Continue reading
- Envy - Envy: How would you define envy? My Webster’s gives me multiple definitions for envy. What would you say is the opposite of envy? I suppose contentment would be one. I think about Joni Eareckson Tada who embodies the same kind of character, rising above her catastrophic disability, to sing and write joy. Living out her God-given purpose. Our task is to live out the enduring word of God to the best of our abilities, those same abilities that God has given us. So, we are perfectly made. No grounds for envy. Continue reading
- Maker of the Stars – Awesome! - Makers of the Stars - Awesome! Psalm 8 would seem to be an appropriate passage during this time of Lent. The psalm proclaims that humans are God’s agents on earth, and this psalm is spoken entirely to God. "The darkness deepened and the silence of the prairie was broken only by the calls of coyotes communicating and the distant bugle of an elk somewhere far out on the prairie. Beautiful music of the night. Then, as they leaned back in their chairs and lifted their eyes toward the heavens; the biggest surprise of all! A sky filled with millions of stars and constellations." Each glimpse of creation is a promise, just as the rainbow is a promise and the sunset, a promise of tomorrow. Lent is a promise of a beautiful dawning of a new day. Continue reading
- Darkness of Lent - WATCHWORD: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of... Continue reading
- Do You Love Me? - Do You Love Me? Peter has his hands full. Jesus knew the worth of Peter, but Peter didn’t his real worth. Peter, the impulsive one, whose words often got him into trouble. Peter whose heart was golden, but he had a lot to learn, and some of those lessons were painful. Can you relate? Peter loved Jesus in the same way that we love a truly good person – emotional love. Jesus says to us: “Do you love Me?”. Then in Luke 12:8 we read His words that define Love, “Whoever confesses Me before men [that is confesses his love by everything he does, not merely his words], him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.” That is a definition of love that strips away all pretense, all deception. Continue reading
- My Faith, My Idol - My Faith, My Idol: “Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led.” How often do we resolved to follow our Lord without question, only to be side-tracked by our own desires, our own wishes, our own idols? You know, the ones we worship, the ones that take precedence over matters of faith. In every life journey that leads to faith, also leads to a change in our character, our priorities, our style of living in the world. Our commitment to the Lord opens our eyes to see what He wants us to see, ears to hear what He would have us hear, and a willingness to act according to His will. Continue reading
- Gratitude Attitude - Gratitude Attitude: Gratitude. Being thankful for ALL that God has given us. That is “all”, everything, right down to the stubbed toe, the hug of a grandchild, the argument with a loved one, the restful night’s sleep, the pain in our knees, the disappointments, a new friend, the sudden loss of a loved one, everything. The goods and the bads. It all flows from the hands of our Lord and makes up our life. Our lives follow a plan that is both smooth and rough. Adversity sets us back, makes us sad and fills us with grief. Then, there are times of insane happiness and we cannot stop singing. A persisting attitude of gratitude would thank Him for the ups, and for the downs. Continue reading
- The Lenten Vigil Begins - The Lenten Vigil Begins: Choosing a theme to base a meditation upon is, let’s say, a challenge. This is a “dark season”, one of confession, persecution and, toward the end, the anguish of Calvary. So much happened in the life of Jesus during these 40 days that we call Lent. So many events that we could call to mind occurred as He and his disciples made their way along the Jordan River to Jericho, then from Jericho up the long, dangerous and steep road that led to Jerusalem and to Calvary. Who is this man, our Lord and Savior,, who willingly made this journey for you and for me? Are we worth it? Continue reading
- Ash Wednesday (Tomorrow) - Ash Wednesday (Tomorrow): Ash Wednesday is always 46 days before Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday is not considered a Holy Day, it simply marks the beginning of Lent, a period of spiritual renewal which informs us and helps us prepare for the celebration of the mystery of Christ, his passion, death and resurrection. The season of Lent is 40-days (not counting Sundays) which is marked by repentance, fasting, and reflection. The season ends with Maundy Thursday, which commemorates the foot washing and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Disciples. In many churches, a Seder, representative of Jesus’ Last Supper, is held on Maundy Thursday. Continue reading
- Conditional Forgiveness? - Conditional Forgiveness? Do we do that, that conditional forgiveness stuff? You know how it goes: I’ll forgive you, if… Really. Does God do that? In effect, does He say, “Do that again, and I’ll take back My forgiveness!” You know there is truth in that little play on words: Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. How about this, do me wrong once, shame on me, do me wrong twice, get out of my life! Isn’t that the way it sometimes goes? Our “forgiveness card” is good for one get out of jail. For Jesus, the “forgiveness card” is different, right? 70 times 7! Oh, come on! Conditional forgiveness? Nothing Christian in that. Continue reading
- Judging - Judging: God certainly doesn’t mean not to judge. Does He? How does one go through a day without judging? Sources tells me that this may be the most often misused verse in the entire Bible. Jesus command gets twisted into never disapprove or correct the actions of another. Jesus does not say never judge. What Jesus did say is that he warns that there is a consequence to each judgment. It all boils down to love, the love Jesus prescribes. Loving others as he loves us. When that is in the equation, then judging is transformed into lifting up, encouraging, and supporting. Continue reading
- Baptism - Baptism: Years ago, a friend of mine, who had been teaching Sunday School at his church for several years, was approached by the new pastor and was told he had to be re-baptized or he could no longer teach. My friend did not understand the thinking of the pastor, so he not only stopped teaching but he and his wife left that church and joined another. I know that in certain churches, infant baptism is only considered a commitment by the parents to raise the child in the faith. That only adult baptism, with the confession, “counts”. As one baptized as an infant, I have a different position. I believe that baptism is between God and the one being baptized, an infilling of God within the heart forever. Continue reading
- Joy or Desire – Which Is It? - Joy or Desire – Which Is It? Desires of your heart. What are the desires of your heart? Do they have anything to do with material things; wealth, friends, recognition? In today’s world, what is the meaning of desire? I think too often we equate it with an element of intimacy. Or, perhaps, greed. In truth, the spiritual intent of the word desire was more in line with interior prayer, our mind on His Spirit. In the hymn, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, the word has a clearer meaning. the message of the hymn is a poetic declaration of all that Christ means to a Christian. So, do the words summarize what Christ means to you? Is He joy, wisdom, love, truth, hope? There does seem to be a longing for the world to come when we will be at peace. Continue reading
- Trust Walking - Trust Walking: here are some questions to think about: How do you feel living under grace? How sure are you of the future? Is it safe to entrust ourselves entirely to the God of grace? It could feel a bit like a Trust Walk, or maybe a game when we were younger, “just fall backwards, I’ll catch you.” Huh! Maybe! To entrust ourselves to the free grace of God in Jesus can feel a little like that, relying on Jesus to help us. So, that final question that we must answer for ourselves -- Is it safe to entrust ourselves entirely to the God of grace? Continue reading
- I Doubt That! - I Doubt That! The moon is made of Swiss cheese. The Cubs will win the World Series in 2022. Next spring you will run the Boston Marathon. Have you ever expressed doubt about something in your life? I mean, something real. Maybe something someone promised you, and because of past experiences with that person, you had reason enough to doubt. I am sure there have been times in our lives when our Joy in the Lord has filled our eyes with tears, and swelled our hearts, and maybe the thought occurred to you, “This is too good to be true.” But it was and you knew there was no doubt. Continue reading
- Greatest Chapter? - Greatest Chapter? Pastor Robert Morris tells us that Romans Chapter 8 is the greatest chapter of the Bible because it captures the essence of God’s Presence in our lives. You know, we hold close some thoughts and words that really have no spiritual meaning. Religion, is an example. God makes it clear, in Romans Chapter 8, that Christianity is NOT a religion. Religions are man-made and shaped according to human thinking and understanding, and each one is subject to splitting on the basis of petty ideas. “I don’t have a religion, I have a Relationship with Christ!” Continue reading
- Do Whatever He Tells You - Do Whatever He Tells You: Shocking! Running out of wine at a wedding? Mary, the mother of Jesus our Lord and Savior, tells US, “Do whatever he tells you.” True, the scripture does not imply that Mary’s instruction was anything other than telling the stewards what to do. Still, it is kind of interesting to think of it MY way, you know, Blessed Mary, Mother of Jesus, telling us what to do! Was this moment at the wedding in Cana the first revealing of Jesus, the Messiah? Continue reading
