Month: January 2018

Matthew 8:28-9:1

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            At some point all people, including you and me, must deal with Jesus.  Why? Because he is a force to be reckoned with.
            Eventually, we know that a storm will come.  It may be sunny today, and the forecast might predict more sun or partly sunny for a while.  But we know the weather will change.  Here in Wisconsin we’ve had an unusually dry winter so far.  Not very much snow.  It’s coming, though.  There will be a snow storm.  It won’t be here today or tomorrow.  But it will come.
            Jesus will come.  A person might not have to contend with him today, maybe not tomorrow.  But, eventually, there will be a whopper of a storm and you will have to deal with it.  In today’s Gospel lesson, two men described as being severely influenced by demons approached Jesus.  Inside of them was such a terrible inner storm that they shouted at Jesus.
            Jesus, however, has authority over storms.  He commands them as he wills.  As fierce as the men were (the demons were so many that they were exorcised into a herd of pigs), Jesus had the authority to deal with the situation.  The storm within the men subsided.
            Yet, the storm picked up with the townsfolk.  It seems they had been living their merry lives with no thought to Jesus.  But he showed up.  They had to contend with the authority right there in front of them.  They chose poorly.  We are meant to see a connection in the story between the demons who begged Jesus, and the people of the town who begged Jesus.  They didn’t humbly beg to follow him; they begged him to get away from him, to leave them alone.
            Jesus is an authoritative force to be reckoned with… and he’s coming to your town.  Maybe not today, perhaps not tomorrow.  But things will not always be the way they are right now.  People will have to face Jesus.

 

Jesus Christ, Son of God, you are Lord over the wind, the waves, and the weather.  You also command the unseen, and they obey.  You are God with us.  Oh, that all people would beg to follow you and not beg you to leave!  I am grateful for your power and authority over all things.  Amen.

On the Need for Metaphysicians

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality BlogLeave a comment

metaphysician

Hospitals and health clinics are probably not on your A-list of fun places to hang out.  But you go.  Maybe begrudgingly, and perhaps because your spouse or significant other insisted or even made threats.  You and I go because we recognize the need.  When there is a change in our health, or an emergency arises, or even because we understand its good to get an annual physical, we take the time out of our lives to go.  What’s more, we in the U.S. are blessed with some of the best healthcare in the world.  You know the importance and the need for competent physicians who have a good bedside manner.

All of that is for our bodies.  Yet, we are not one-dimensional blobs of protoplasm who walk around needing our cells fixed once-in-awhile.  We are living breathing human beings with as much need for doctors of the soul as we need doctors for the body.  To ignore that we need competent “metaphysicians” [more than just the physical] with a good bedside manner is to not recognize the high value of the unseen inner person.

In some ways I feel like the old country doctor you see in Westerns – patching up people who got shot in the street in a gunfight – and getting paid with a bushel of apples or a basket of eggs.  I admit I would much rather operate (pun intended) more like the modern-day family physician who insists on annual physicals, med checks, and makes good referrals to other competent professionals.

Imagine with me if you saw as much importance to go to your local pastor to get an adjustment for your soul as you did going to your local chiropractor for a back adjustment; if you believed there was value in scheduling an annual “metaphysical” on your calendar; and, if you were faithful to take some needed biblical medicine every day and come in every so often to your soul doctor for a check to see how it was all going.

I can hear some of your objections.  Yes, I know that there are a great many metaphysical quack pastors out there who only give unhelpful panaceas and have questionable educational credentials.  But that doesn’t take away from your need to find a good metaphysician and stick with him/her.  They are out there, and there are a lot of good ones.

Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body…” (Matthew 10:28).  It’s important and necessary to care for your body; to address disease; to do the things necessary to restore your health through medication, surgery, and/or therapy.  It is equally important to care for your soul; to address the sickness of your heart; and to do the things necessary to restore your spiritual health through metaphysical therapy.

You need to schedule an appointment – maybe with your physician – but also, and just as necessary with your metaphysician.  Even if you’re feeling fine.  Get that annual metaphysical and catch any warning signs of danger in the future of your spiritual health and well-being….  What are you waiting for?

Psalm 111

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            One of the great things about the psalms is that they enlighten us about God.  To read and pray the psalter is to have a crash course in Theology 101.
We pray because we believe we will be heard.
We believe we will be heard because we believe there is a God who listens.
We believe there is a God who listens because we believe that the One who listens is always merciful, kind, and good.
The basis of all prayer is our view of God.  Nobody sustains a prayer life to a fickle distant God who is only attentive when he feels like it.  But if God is really God – fair, just, committed, and full of good deeds – then, prayer is an effortless interaction and we are eager to do so.
            Notice the descriptions of God in the psalm:
·         “Everything the LORD does is glorious and majestic”
·         “His power to bring justice will never end”
·         “He is kind and merciful”
·         “He always keeps His agreements”
·         “God is always honest and fair”
·         “He will never break his agreement”
The psalm concludes with the sage observation that the first step to wisdom and good sense is to respect and obey the LORD.  Because God is the very definition of gracious and tenacious loyalty, respect and obedience to Him is willing and joyful.  Entrusting oneself to a benevolent God who makes and keeps promises to His people is easy.  You don’t need to be coerced to have allegiance to such a God.; and, you don’t have to convince other people who God is – all you’ve got to do is declare the good things God has done for you.

 

Loyal and gracious God, you always keep your promises, and there is never a time when you renege on them.  Thank you for promising deliverance from sin, death, and hell through your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ who with you and the Holy Spirit benevolently reign forever and ever.  Amen.

Aliens and Strangers

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Exploring Church Ministry BlogLeave a comment
“Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul.” –1 Peter 2:11
 
 
 
            It will get better.  God promises it will.  It will not always be this way.  If you and I will not surrender to our desires to get even, fight back, cajole, manipulate, intimidate, talk under our breath to others, and live like the natives – and if you and I continue to do good in both speech and action – then, by God’s grace, we will together bring honor to Jesus Christ on the day he comes again.
            You might think I’m talking about all the worldly people out there who assault the faith.  Yes, they are in the back of my mind.  But, to be honest, I’m thinking primarily about the culture within many (not all or even most) churches today.  Maybe you can relate to these kinds of scenarios:
·         Suzy sits in the back of church, all by herself.  Everyone else seems to have it all together.  But today she is hurting, lonely, and scared.  Suzy wants to live for Jesus, to learn more about him, but no one seems to share her deep passion for this.  She quietly cries, the tears streaming down her face.  She cries alone with no one willing to sit and cry with her.
·         Bill really enjoyed the sermon.  It was as if the pastor were speaking directly to him with solid biblical truth applied with wisdom to his heart.  In the narthex afterward, Bill tries to engage others in discussing what they all just heard.  He only gets blank stares and uncomfortable looks.  The weather, sports, and a dose of how politicians aren’t getting it right are the topics of conversation.  No one will talk with Bill about Jesus.
·         Jim has lots of great relationships with people outside of church.  He enjoys talking with them about his faith because its just a natural point of conversation for him.  Jim loves Jesus, and he wants others to know him, too.  Inside the church, Jim feels like others look at him like he’s weird.  No one seems to share his passion to share Jesus with others.
These, and many more real examples just like them, can be found every Sunday.  Suzy, Bill, and Jim all feel like aliens and strangers in the foreign land of church.  Its tempting to either get angry, or depressed, or just quietly leave, never to return to the awkward place that feels more like a country club for insiders than a church full of broken people in need of the grace and healing ministry of Jesus in their lives.
            The Apostle Peter, writing all those centuries ago, did not tell his readers and listeners that it will all be okay.  On the contrary, he promised them that suffering is a reality.  The point for Peter is whether we suffer as Christians, or as like any garden variety worldly person who doesn’t know Jesus.  It’s one thing to suffer for you own bad decisions, and its another thing to suffer for being a Christian.
            The good news is that Jesus knows what you are going through.  He suffered here on earth.  Now you must be ready to suffer as he did because suffering shows that you belong to him (1 Peter 4:1-2).  Don’t be surprised at how indifferent and even calloused people in the pews can be.  Take heart from this in God’s Word:
“Dear friends, don’t be surprised or shocked that you are going through testing that is like walking through fire. Be glad for the chance to suffer as Christ suffered. It will prepare you for even greater happiness when he makes his glorious return.  Count it a blessing when you suffer for being a Christian. This shows that God’s glorious Spirit is with you. But you deserve to suffer if you are a murderer, a thief, a crook, or a busybody. Don’t be ashamed to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God that you belong to him.” (1 Peter 4:12-16, CEV)
 
I can’t even begin to tell you, my dear friends, how many hurting people I’ve dealt with who have left the church; and, the many folks currently within churches who feel lonely, isolated, and don’t know what to do because they have a sincere passion for Jesus, an ardent desire to know God’s Word, and want to fellowship with others around these longings… but have found a cool reception.
Now, here is the punch line, and why I’ve been speaking with you about the condition of so many congregations today and the hurting people who love Jesus within them:
“God has already begun judging his own people. And if his judgment begins with us, imagine how terrible it will be for those who refuse to obey his message.” (1 Peter 4:17)
 
            I want you to know that you are not alone.  God has chosen and reserved a great number of passionate believers.  You are not Elijah, all by yourself in the cave.  You are not Stephen, the singular saint who stood in front of his own people and was stoned.  You are, however, a precious stone in the building which God is erecting with Christ as the cornerstone. (1 Peter 2:4-8)
            I’m not here to tell you what to do in or with your church.  I am here to communicate grace, mercy, and peace to you in your sincere desire to honor and please Jesus in everything you say and do.  Peter is one of the great witnesses watching over you and cheering you on.

 

            Blessings to you, and may God fulfill every good desire in your heart through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.