Monday’s Devotion: The Story Continues

Hebrews 1:3 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

Wow!  Holy Week is finally over.  I feel like I’ve run a week-long marathon. I love Holy Week, it’s such a special time for Christians but experiencing Holy Week as a pastor is a whole different ball game than experiencing it as a church member.  This year I was so blessed to be able to work my recent experiences in the Holy Land into my Good Friday and Easter Sunday sermons.  Those sermons were meaningful to me and I think to those who heard them because of that eye-witness account.  Last night on top of all the normal Holy Week activities, we launched our new Hispanic worship service.  Efrain Diaz,  our assistant pastor for Hispanic ministries preached on Thomas and on seeing and believing vs. believing without seeing.  It helped me to see the places Jesus had been.  I didn’t see Jesus like the disciples did either pre or post resurrection.  However I see Jesus in the lives of other people as I see them living out their role as the Body of Christ – the risen and glorified Christ.  Yesterday I approached the Easter story and the story of Christ’s life as the “Never-Ending Story.”  We are participants in that story. And because of Christ, our story will be never-ending, too.  Praise God.

Thank you Lord, for eternal life and for offering us a Kingdom life.  We ask that you be with us during this week and especially be with pastors and church staffs as they move forward from this meaningful and busy time.  We ask in the name of the one who sits at your right hand. Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: Back from the Holy Land

Matthew 15:29 [ Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand ] Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 

Jesus performed to miracles of the feeding of the multitudes along the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  Last week we went to Tagbha the site of the feeding of the 5,000.  We took a boat trip on the sea (it stormed) and we went up a mountain and sat down where I read the Beatitudes to our group of clergy and their spouses at the very spot where by tradition Jesus taught them.  I suppose you could call all of this a mountaintop experience.  While I am still processing my experiences in the Holy Land I do know that to walk where Jesus walked is a life changing experience.  While everyone may not be able to go to this historical and holy place we can all continue to dig into God’s Holy Word.  There is still so much to learn.  I am glad to be back home although I could have stayed much longer.  I hope my studies and writings in the future will be enhanced by my experience. 

Gracious God, you chose to place your people in a special land.  And yet through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit your presence can be felt throughout this earth of your creation.  No matter where we are we ask that you draw us close to you.  In Christ’s name we pray.  Amen.