Tag Archives: God’s Plan

Jesus the Visionary

Ordinary Times

February 26, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:28-36

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. –Luke 9:28-43

When I was a child, I had a recurring dream that the school bus did not stop for me, and I ran and ran to catch up with the bus but never did in the dream. I am the youngest child in my family and for two years had to watch my siblings get on the bus when I could not. Some of my other dreams were not that easy to understand. I am not sure I have ever had a vision, but I have experienced anxiety that something bad was going to happen and it did. When my dad died, I called his siblings to let them know of his death. One of my aunts when I identified myself, said “Carl is dead isn’t he.” She had dreamed the night before that she and my dad were playing hide and seek and as hard as she looked, she never found him. I trust that since God knows each of us better than anyone that God communicates in the best way possible for us to receive God’s messages.

I just heard news interviews this morning with Ukrainian citizens both in Ukraine and living in the USA. Even with all the warnings from the US State Department of an imminent attack, the interviewees said they really did not believe it was going to happen. Humans often learn and grow through retrospect. The stories preserved for us in the Bible allow us to look back on the life of Jesus in retrospect and glean the wisdom it has to offer. This story when retold after Jesus’s resurrection reassured Peter, John, James, and the others with whom they shared it that God prepares us for facing the future.

Jesus told us that his plan for us was that we would be one and that he would overcome the world. Let it be so.

Prayer: Thank you for loving us enough to prepare us for the challenges of life. Guide us in being open to your plan and the implementation of our part in it.  Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

God’s Oneness

Lent
April 11, 2017

Scripture Reading: Acts 10:34-43

That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’ –Acts 10:37-43

My background is in planning.   After developing a vision, mission, goals, and objectives it is important to track progress to determine if our actions are attaining the desired outcomes. Acts is a report of progress made by the followers of Jesus immediately after his death and resurrection. Acts is a wonderful lesson in how the best laid plans often go astray*. Those pesky temptations of greed and pride and desire for power seep in when least expected. By chapter five we learn of a couple, Ananias and Sapphira, misrepresenting their donation trying to have their cake and eat it too, I guess. Reminded me of when I first moved to the city and learned that membership in certain churches looked good on a resume. Developing a plan with multiple humans is hard. Sticking to it is even harder. Changing it when indicated is the toughest thing of all.

The thing is God created us to work together. Instilled in us skills and knowledge designed to complement each other and produce synergy where the result is greater than the sum of its parts. Such communities of faith work best when their starting point and their continuing emphasis is on being in alignment with God. And yes we even fight over what that might look like but the God who made us is more powerful than all those pesky distractions and will lead us where we need to go as surely as rivers run to the seas.

Prayer: Lord, during this Holy Week, rekindle our desire to be one with you and with each other. Amen.

*The saying is adapted from a line in “To a Mouse,” by Robert Burns : “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft a-gley.”

All scriptures are quoted from the new Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

God’s Agenda

ephesians4-3-oneness-of-body2Living in the Spirit
November 17, 2016

Scripture Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 4For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter. –2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Trauma happened within the Oklahoma City Thunder with the exit of a couple of long-term quality players and the entrance of several new, very talented new players, and a coach in his second year. It is probably a good thing the coach was pulled from the college coaching ranks for they are well acquainted with such turnover. Seniors graduate, first-year students make rookie mistakes. The Coach’s mantra is the same win or lose; we must play our game. We cannot let the other team draw us into their game.

Excellent advice also for people of faith. Our life plan did not change with the recent election. Circumstances changed. We will need to make some adjustments to meet differing situations, but we are still called to love God, still called to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, still called to be the Body of Christ in the world today. With our nation as divided as it is right now our presence as disciples of Christ may be more important than ever.

We have not done a very good job among ourselves in the last several years as we have let the world pull us into their game of divide and conquer. We need to work from the center of the things we do agree on and grow them to the edges where division still exist. In so doing we may find the divisions gone or find answers from new insights gained. We need to work God’s plan of oneness with greater commitment. We also need to set the standard for making justice through peace a reality.

Prayer: Lord, we do need you every hour, but right now your constancy is our only solace as you are with us in the moments. Make us whole make us one. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Edition, 
copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of 
Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights
 reserved. United States

Implementing the Plan

abundant-lifeLiving In the Spirit
July 9, 2015

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14

In [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. –Ephesians 1:7-10

Paul grasped Jesus’ purpose not only on a theological level but Paul also had the skills to take Jesus Christ’s plan and implement it. We still strive for the purposes laid out in that plan today.

Paul describes the plan here in Ephesians as being for the fullness of time. Jesus talked about having an abundant life: I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10b) While we might think of material wealth, he is talking about something far greater than financial riches. Abundant life is tied with loving God, being in full communion with God, being fully the person or people God created us to be in a world that is welcoming to all and where all are one. It is a utopian vision that can only be realized in relationship with God and through God with each other. It is a vision well worth the investment of our whole being. Jesus described it in parables likening it, for example, to a pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45-46) to be cherished, not sold.

It has been around 2000 years since Paul traveled to Ephesus implementing the plan and we are still called to continue the process today. It is worth our life’s investment.

Prayer: God we do not know the depths of your mystery but we know the wonder of your love. Led us forward as we share that wonder with the whole world. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.