Category: Advent

John 8:2-11: Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them.  The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”  They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground.  When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”  She said, “No one,sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”

If one has ever wondered why Jesus came into the world, I would probably pick these two stories as part of my answer; this story along with the conversation between Jesus and the criminals hanging on the cross.   This story truly illustrates the love of Jesus Christ and how He came to change the world. The Law of Moses was very clear here; the woman was caught in adultery and the penalty was stoning (I always ask – what about the man – takes two to tango).  The law was clear and the penalty was clear, but Jesus came to make us think differently about the way we judge people.  Jesus told all the people gathered to look at their sin first before judging others.

Jesus wants us to see clearly, that He is the only one who had the right to judge.  We do not have that right because of our own sinfulness.  Only Jesus can judge.  How does He judge? Jesus judges with grace and mercy.  This story paints a clear picture of the transformation from the law being a burden to the law being grace.  Infidelity and adultery, both are still sins along with a multitude of other actions, including judging others without judging ourselves.  Jesus is calling us to act as He did, judging with mercy and grace and the call to repent and sin no more.

As we get ready to celebrate Christmas, let us look deeply into the heart and mind of the Man, the Savior we celebrate and show that same grace and mercy, knowing that we could and should be judged just as harshly.

Prayer: Loving Father, what a blessing to see in a story like this just how You want me to love another.  Forgive me when I have judged someone for their sin and not looked at my own sin.  Help me to see sin and not to overlook or affirm it, but to reach out in mercy and grace just as Your Son Jesus did.  Help me to be humble enough to share with another person my sin and forgiveness in order that they will seek the peace, hope, joy, and love that I know in Jesus Christ.   It is in His name I pray, Amen.

With God’s grace and mercy, Pastor Brett

I remember the first play I ever saw in Chicago.  I was on our performing arts group senior trip.  We went to see “Godspell.”  I can still picture John the Baptist coming in and singing, Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord. I could not get that song out of my head – I think I sang that for weeks. The lyrics were difficult to memorize, it repeats the phrase “prepare ye the way of the Lord” twelve times. 

I caught myself singing this song just yesterday and I thought, what am I doing singing this song of Lent in the middle of Advent? Most of us have Christmas carols, songs, and hymns on our lips this time of year. 

Usually we think of John the Baptist at Lent.  In reality though, this song fits great with Advent. After all, we are preparing room in our lives for Jesus. 

It is funny to think of us being in the wildness with John the Baptist, but that is exactly where we are right now.  On the one hand we are forgiven, we celebrate Jesus’ birth and live in hope because of His love.  We have been redeemed, our sins have been forgiven and we live in that right now.  We still find ourselves in the wilderness because as we look around us, we see the stark reality of this world.  Things on the earth are not perfect, and in this wilderness we are called to stay vigilant, for Jesus will return.

There is a little known Advent Hymn, “Bride of the Lamb” and the first three verses certainly convey this thought well of active Advent waiting, preparing the way of the Lord.

Bride of the Lamb, awake, awake!

Why sleep for sorrow now?

The hope of glory, Christ, is thine,

A child of glory thou.

 

Thy spirit, through the lonely night,

From earthly joy apart,

Hath sighed for One that’s far away

The Bridegroom of thy heart.

 

But see!  The night is waning fast,

The breaking morn is near;

And Jesus comes, with voice of love,

Thy drooping heart to cheer.

Prayer:  Father, we cry out to You now.  Hear our voices singing your praises, preparing the way of the Lord in our hearts – both today and tomorrow.  We look forward to the day when we will see your face and gather together as one church to celebrate our wedding supper with you.  Help us to see Your light shining out calling us in the midst of our busy days.   Come Lord Jesus.  Amen

Enjoying preparing with you,  Pastor Brett

A little girl was pushing her mother to the limit.  Together they had cleaned, shopped, baked, wrapped, and had returned home from delivering a couple items to the church.  The little girl wanted some time with mom and all mom wanted to do was get her bathed and in bed.  Both wanted rest.  They finished reading a book and they knelt down to say their prayers and the three year old decided to change things: “and forgive us our Christmases, as we forgive those who Christmas against us!”

We can laugh, but there is some truth in that, or we wouldn’t be laughing.  We’ve talked a lot about holiday stress this year. I know I’ve enjoyed the time writing each day; yes it has added a couple hours each day to my schedule, but it has allowed me two hours each day of devotion unrelated to a sermon or Bible Study. I’m grateful for time to be still and talk with God.

During the World War II years a boy looked frequently at a picture of his daddy on the table. His father had left for Europe when the boy was  young. After several years the boy had forgotten him as a person but he would often look at the picture and say, “If only my father could step out of that picture and be real….”  

The question posed with this story was, if only Jesus could step out of the Bible and be real?  The great thing is, Christ did and does each day.  He is real in the heartfelt note enclosed with a Christmas card, real in the smiles of the Salvation Army Bell Ringers, he is real in the faces of people serve meals and provide company to someone who is lonely. Jesus is real in the person who visits the nursing home and prison, sharing the peace, hope, joy, and love of Jesus Christ. 

He is real in us, because His Holy Spirit is real and living in us.  Let us also remember the words of John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”  God did not want to remain apart from us, but wanted to dwell with us and in us.  He didn’t just write the words in the Bible, He lived them out for us. 

While we can never become God, we can help God to step out of the picture and witness love in a very present way.  We can reflect the light of Christ in the deepest darkness.  As Jesus urges in Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Prayer: Father, you are our light and our salvation.  Help us to never fear the darkness of sin every again.  Help us to rise up today and reflect the light that You have shined on us.  Give us opportunities to step out of the picture and share the love of Jesus with someone today.  It is in His name we pray, Amen.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Brett

Wayne Brouwer in his book “Being a Believer in and Unbelieving World” shares the writing about a women honored by her company. She was attending an awards banquet with roughly 3000 people from the company she worked for.   She walked to the podium to receive the company’s top honor and stood with the trophy smiling, but in reality she was focused on one person; her supervisor named Joan.  The award winner began to share that she had some difficult times years before; personal problems that caused her work to suffer.  This in turn caused many to steer clear of her, seeing her as a liability and going nowhere.  She felt like a loser and had gone to Joan several times with her letter of resignation. Joan would reply, let’s wait a little longer or let’s give this one more try; each time encouraging with words like, “I never would have hired you if I didn’t think you could handle it.” Encouragement one doesn’t often hear in an age where it is easier to cut your losses and move on.

At this point the award winner’s voice broke, tears streaming down her face, she said, “Joan believed in me more than I believed in myself.”

Brouwer suggests, “Isn’t this the message of the Gospel?” 

I must agree.  From the time of the Old Testament until now God always believed in His people.  God sent prophets to pursue, to discipline, to encourage and draw His people back to Him. Just when people were  likely giving up on themselves, God would draw them to Him.  When people thought God was gone, having not heard His voice for a long time, God sends Jesus Christ, His Son, to save the world.  God never gives up on us.

Have you ever found yourself in the same position where someone believes in you more than you believe in yourself?  I think we all have at one time or another. 

I hope this Advent Season we can all spent some time thinking about how much God loves us and believes in us.  I hope as well that we can all find some Joan in us and share our belief and encouragement with others who have little belief in themselves. 

Prayer: Father, thank you for believing in me even when I haven’t believed in myself.  Provide me an opportunity to be like Joan, who not only gave second and third chances to someone ready to give up on herself, but encouraged her all along the way and was rewarded.  Guide me through Your Holy Spirit living in me to be merciful and provide encouragement and hope to others in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

God’s Blessings to you, Pastor Brett

Remember all the Charlie Brown specials surrounding the different holidays?  Poor Charlie Brown, nothing quite works out for him – from the football being pulled away from him, Lucy always disappointing him on the baseball field, and  a rock when trick or treating.  As a junior in high school I was fortunate to play the part of Linus in “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.”  Poor Mrs. King who had to work with me on the singing part… Loveable Linus, he couldn’t let go of his blanket, he gave the term security blanket a whole new meaning.  He tried, but he could not let his blanket go.

I’ve sure we’ve all had the pleasure of watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”  Charlie Brown again disappointed when the tree he chooses for the school play draws everyone’s ridicule.  In response Charlie Brown laments and says, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” 

Linus steps up, blanket in hand, and says; “Sure, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were sore afraid.  And the angel of the Lord said unto them, Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people… (Luke 2:8-14) Have you ever noticed what happens when Linus says the words, “Fear not”?  He drops his blanket; he drops his perceived security blanket as if to say, I no longer need this.

Do you have a security blanket; something you think you have to have to survive, you just can’t live without it?  Do you have things you fear and cannot seem to overcome?  I think we can all learn from Linus and his reaction as he narrated the story of Jesus’ birth.   We are blessed to have a Savior who can overcome all our fears and bring us peace.

I’m grateful that Charles Schulz included this.  As the story goes, the producer was fearful, stating it was dangerous to talk about religion now.  Schulz replied, “If we don’t, who will?”  I encourage you to watch this with your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and take a moment to read Luke 2 to them as well.

Prayer: Father, help us to trust you and drop our fears knowing you are always with us.  Give us the same courage Charles Schulz had over 50 years ago to make sure every child who watched his Christmas special would hear what Christmas is all about. Please bless us with the opportunity to share this story with a child and remember our security is always in Jesus Christ.  It is in His name we pray, Amen.

God’s Blessings, Pastor Brett

The people of Israel had abandoned God’s ways for their own ways.  They had abandoned the one true God for idols and false gods (small g) and found themselves living in exile.  Isaiah 55 is written to God’s people in exile who were uncertain if God had abandoned them. For those Jewish people who sought to remain faithful while in exile, it had to be difficult.  There was no place to worship (no synagogue), no temple in which to sacrifice for forgiveness of sin; instead false gods (small g), idols, and false prophets abounded.  God wants them to have hope and Isaiah’s words (God’s Words) were intended to provide that hope.

So the question to ask is this: Do we ever wonder if God has abandoned us when we sin?  Do we ever think God has abandoned us when things aren’t going particularly well in our lives?  Today’s passage is meant to dispel those thoughts; to remind us that God wants us to be restored and renewed, especially during those times when we feel most alone. 

Through Isaiah, God tells His people who are in need to seek Him.  In other words, those very times when we seem most uncertain, when our sin makes us feel apart from God, God is there saying I’m here and I am close, come near to me. God is saying I am going to come to you, be with you, and restore you.

God uses images we are familiar with to express His promise of renewal, restoration and rebirth.  He says (Isaiah 55:10-11), “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My Word that goes out from My mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire.”

The rain and snow fall from heaven and provide water that will again give life.  Likewise the Word of God comes down from heaven to provide forgiveness and restoration. Yes, one day I will send the Messiah to earth to restore, renew, and forgive my people.  Jesus, the Word made flesh, came down from heaven and He did not return empty. He returned with ransomed sinners (the first being the criminal who was crucified with Him and confessed) after he took on the cross and accomplish exactly what the Father willed.  Through Christ we have been restored to God.  Please find peace knowing that God always seeks to restore us to Him.

Prayer: Father, thank you for never abandoning us even when we depart from You and Your Word.  Thank you for the blessing found in these words of hope.  Give us the courage to express this same hope to others by providing grace to everyone we know.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Brett 

I remember when I was a kid we had an Advent calendar on the wall in our house.  It was hand stitched with 24 pouches each containing a hand stitched ornament with Velcro on the back and every morning whoever woke up first would put that day’s ornament up.  It was always a contest to see who would get to put the ornament up.  We also had an Advent candle wreath we would light every Sunday evening.  The same is true today and all these items are designed to help us wait and prepare during Advent.  Most of these items are designed to help us prepare for Christmas, but the Advent candle scripture and daily devotionals often point to Jesus’ second coming; a healthy balance for Advent.

Waiting is never easy and if we don’t take some time each day to slow down, Advent can become an anxious time.  Advent was never meant to be an anxious time.  After all, consider the Advent Candle themes: hope, peace, love, joy, and Christ. 

None of these wonderful Advent themes (based upon qualities that God seeks for us) should bring about worry or anxiety. It is all the cultural and earthy trimmings of the season that bring about worry, anxiousness, and envy.  What do we worry about; the perfect gift, making sure the traditional baking and meals are perfect.  We stress about getting Christmas cards out on time. All this stress to celebrate the birth and second coming of the Prince of Peace – rather ironic isn’t it. 

I’ve talked before about joy versus happiness, they are not the same. Happiness is an emotion as is sadness, while joy is a choice. We can always be joyful in spite of certain things in life that may cause us sadness.  Peace, hope, and love are like that too.  We can be at perfect peace in our hearts even when we are in the midst of grief, chaos, and uncertainty.  We can always have hope even when things seem very dire in our earthly lives.  What does the Bible tell us about love? “Love never fails.  But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” Love will never end, not matter what, because the source of all love is in God who will never die.  Our hope, peace, and joy are found in that love as well.  With God living in us, in His Holy Spirit, no matter the circumstances of life, we will always have love, hope, peace and Joy.

Prayer: Father, we thank You for love.  Please allow us to know and share the love of Jesus with everyone we come in contact with. Provide us someone today to just smile at, say hi, and Merry Christmas to. That simple gesture might be just what they need to help life them up in a busy day.  Remind us of Your presence, You living inside of us, speaking truth to us. We thank You Father for the few minutes spent reading about Your qualities based in love that never fail us. May these qualities be a blessing for us today and help us to be a blessing to a stranger today.

God’s love, joy, hope, and peace to you and yours today, Pastor Brett

I’ve spent much of the past two weeks praying for God to reveal Himself in a new way this Advent season.  While certainly looking forward to Christmas and preparing for Jesus second coming; my primary focus this Advent has been to spend more time than usual in quiet stillness reflecting on God’s Word and listening for His voice. 

This week my thoughts have focused squarely on the Peace of Christ.  Even the two chapters of Acts we studied on Tuesday morning for women’s Bible Study witnessed to Christ’s peace in the midst of chaos.  I wasn’t surprised this week that the Holy Spirit led me to share a message of peace during devotions at the homeless shelter.  It didn’t take long to realize God had been preparing their hearts as well as mine; our discussion was wonderful.

I arrived at home bathing in Christ’s peace and decided to make a cup of tea, turn on the television and find one of those sentimental Christmas movies to watch while doing the daily crossword puzzle.  My peaceful evening relaxation was all planned…

I turned the television on and immediately faced Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  The image of a bloody and beaten Jesus Christ broke my evening of Advent Peace.  The Passion of the Christ was halfway through to its conclusion.  My first thought was, “What is The Passion of the Christ doing on during Advent?”  Jesus couldn’t have walked into my living room in person and made a more dramatic entrance into my heart and mind.  As He endured the lashings and as I watched the slow motion close up images of His blood being spilled intertwined with the flashbacks to calm and intimate moments of His ministry, I could not stop weeping.  My prayer had been answered; Jesus was in my living room revealing Himself in a new way.  I’ve watched this movie many times, but never with the backdrop of the manger.  I was caught off guard, unprepared to contrast the manger and the cross.  Yes, Jesus had just come like a thief in the night as he will in the future.  As the resurrection scene ended all I could think about was how He would greet His disciples soon: “Peace be with you.”

Prayer: Loving Father, please break into my Advent celebration and remind me that You are the source of all peace in my heart despite what is going on in my life.  Give me strength to rejoice in Christ’s love and live in His peace.  I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

 May Christ’s peace be with you as it is with me, Pastor Brett

Hospitality has a long tradition in the history of Israel.  It was the custom to offer hospitality to travelers, strangers who might be passing through.  In the Biblical eastern world one was considered obligated morally to provide food, shelter, and protection to traveling strangers. Hospitality was essential to the survival of travelers at that time.

Contrast that with society today.  When we travel today we don’t think for a second about this type of hospitality.  Most of us just get into our car and go; when we are hungry we stop at a restaurant and when evening comes we check into a hotel to sleep. 

Rosaria Butterfield states in an interview with Christianity Today; “Christian Hospitality is different from Southern Hospitality.  Christian hospitality is not entertainment.”  She goes on to share a process where we meet strangers, welcome that same stranger to become our neighbor and then getting to know that neighbor well enough, that if God ordains it, the neighbor becomes a member of God’s family.  This is all accomplished through repentance and belief.   

True hospitality is not easy; it requires vulnerability and as a friend told me today; an open heart, open hand, and open mind.  Butterfield also addresses fear as an obstacle; fear of saying the wrong thing, fear of dining with strangers, and fear of thinking we have nothing to offer.  When asked about how to get over that fear, she simply says, “Find someone already doing it and help them.”  I would encourage you to read about Rosaria Butterfields “unlikely” conversion.  Just search her name and you’ll find numerous articles and interviews.

Paul writes in Hebrews 13:2; “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” 

As we journey through Advent, preparing to celebrate God revealing Himself to us in Christ one cannot miss out on the chance to reveal Jesus to a stranger.  After all, Jesus tells us when we welcome a stranger we are welcoming Him.

Prayer:  Gracious Father, forgive me when I have overlooked, been afraid, or just too busy to show hospitality to a stranger.  Please provide me an opportunity this Advent Season to show Christian Hospitality to someone I really do not know well or at all.  Please prepare my heart and mind right now through Your Holy Spirit to be ready for that opportunity.  Grant me the courage to be vulnerable, to open my heart and hand, just as Jesus opened His heart and hands to me.  Remind me that I have much to offer to others.  I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Brett

During this season of Advent I hope that Jesus will reveal Himself to you in a new way or through the actions of someone you never expected.

I’ve had several of those experiences during Advent where I’ve seen the light of Jesus Christ revealed through unexpected encounters.  Bear with me as I share one.

As a senior in high school we were required to take a civics class.  One of the activities of the class was “Project Christmas”.  The class would begin raising money and seeking community contributions in a variety of ways.  The most fun was walking the school halls with tin cans asking for everyone’s change from Halloween to mid-December.  We’d collect information about families; provide gifts, Christmas dinner, and other items for families.  The last day of school before Christmas Break we would divide into groups and deliver everything to the families.  We’d heard stories over the years about how rewarding it was, but nothing prepared me for what was about to happen.

We pulled up to the house for our final delivery and I walked up and knocked on the door.  I was greeted by a smiling woman with a broom who was sweeping her floor.  The look on my face spoke a thousand words.  She said to me; “I know it is a dirt floor, but I still like it to be clean”.  I felt convicted on the spot, but she just smiled, took me by the hand and said how glad she was to have us here.  We brought the gifts and food into the house and she invited us to stay for cookies and hot chocolate.  I still weep today when I think of the generosity she showed to me when my face revealed what I was really thinking.  She revealed the grace of Christ to me that day in an encounter I never expected.   The gifts we brought lasted a season, the gift she gave me will last a lifetime.  She was the voice for me that Isaiah talks about in verse 40:3-5.

Isaiah writes; “A voice of one calling: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.  And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.  For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Prayer: Father, with all the joyous and wonderful chaos of Advent and Christmas, please make straight a path where I can see You.  Reveal Yourself to me this season in a way I was never expecting.  Help me to reveal Your grace and love to someone as well, someone who doesn’t expect it from me and in a way I’ll never know.  I pray this in Jesus name, Amen

Blessings of Christ, Pastor Brett