“I am the Good Shepherd” John 10:11 For the Kingdom to be realized, and for our new life to be made available, the shepherd must suffer. This panel shows the staff against a tree symbolizing his sacrifice on Calvary. Here we see shepherd acting on our behalf, making good on the claim, to be the “Good Shepherd” delivering us from our sin.

Teresa of Avila said, “Let nothing disturb you, nothing dismay you. All things are passing, God never changes. Patient endurance attains all things. God alone suffices.”

Dear God, today I need that assurance that You have not left me alone to travel this path. Instill in me today the knowledge that through Your sacrifice that is enough to meet today’s joys, sadness and trials. Your shepherding, your call to “go” is enough for me today. Amen.

“O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you as the day rises to meet the sun.”

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“I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6). This window depicts the great blessings available to us all: the assurance of eternal life which Jesus made possible through his death and resurrection. Through God’s Holy Word we learn to trust in our Savior’s plan for our lives. To acknowledge that Jesus is the path to truth and hope. We come to realize He has gone ahead to prepare a place for all who love Him, and to receive the glory that will be.

Thirteenth-century mystic Gertrude of Helfta stated, “Inscribe with your precious blood, most merciful Lord, your wounds on my heart, that I may read in them both your sufferings and your love.”

Some of you are struggling today. I know for a fact that many of you reading this blog are going through severe trials. Loss, grief, prejudice, a diagnosis of a terminal illness. Today I ask that our God stir us up, “inscribe” on our hearts the courage, the faith to rise expecting to encounter our Savior this day. To give us the strength to move forward to not nourish self-pity but to be caught up in His love in order to worship, to serve to move forward on the path! Why not? Our tomorrow has been reserved through His sacrifice. Our past is forgiven and today is the day we rejoice in service.

“Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ill be forever”. Amen.

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“I am the King” (John 18:37) We are told through the Passion story, found in the Gospel of John, how Jesus stands before Pilate listening to questions regarding his Kingship. Rome’s representative states, “You are a king then?” Jesus replies, “I am the King.” Neither Pilate, nor the people gathered understood that Jesus’ empire was one of truth not materialism. Today’s window depicts the price Jesus paid for us through the cross, how He wore a crown of thorns for our sins so that we may join Him and be granted the crown of life.

Second-century Ignatius of Antioch said, “Better to die for the sake of Jesus Christ than to be king over the utmost ends of the earth.”

Today Father help me to not make excuses. Today I pledge allegiance to the Lamb of God: and to the kingdom for which He stands. Today I will not disobey, today I will serve my King. Amen.

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“I am the Light of the World” (John 8:12). Tradition states that during the Jewish feast of tabernacles, lamps were lit to commemorate the celebration and then extinguished to bring the festivities to a close. Jesus used this event to state boldly, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Okay some Lenten questions: are you serious about your walk with Jesus? Are you light in the dark places? Honestly there are some really dark places right here right now. Human trafficking, abused children, hunger, people suffering with medical issues that will never be resolved because they can’t get the help. Anger, violence, hate, loss and grief. All within my city alone who knows what you are experiencing in your neighborhoods. So what are you doing about it? How are you being the Light of Christ in this sin filled world?

Maria Skobtsova,a twentieth-century nun remembered as Mother Maria in Russia said this, “I am your message, Lord. Throw me like a blazing torch into the night, that all may see and understand what it means to be a disciple.”

Today be that “blazing torch” of hope to the hopeless. You can do this Jesus said so.He will be with you. May we shine brightly to the hungry, the sick, the lonely, the outcast, the sinner forgiven, and the enemy made a friend. Light the path for another today. Amen

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“I am the Gate” John 10:9 Through this reference to himself as a gate our Savior reveals the unique blessings his shepherding brings to us, his flock. His salvation keeps us safe from the threat and dangers of sin. He is the gate through which we may pass to obtain, hope, compassion and security.

Now that you have passed through the gate. Now that you have the purpose, promise and hope of the Savior what will you do with such security? This Lent how will you give as the Savior sacrificed for you? Basil of Caesarea, a fourth-century monk asked, “Are you not a robber, you who consider your own that which has been given you solely to distribute to others? This bread which you have set aside is the bread of the hungry; this garment you have locked away is the clothing of the naked; those shoes which you let rot are the shoes of him who is barefoot; those riches you have hoarded are the riches of the poor.”

Dear God, keep us from speaking words of love while holding onto the stuff of this world. During our Lenten journey make us a little uncomfortable and discontent with the way things are. Help us clean house emotionally and spiritually. Keep us on the path of service and Christian love. Amen.

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“I Am the Vine” John 15:5. Yesterday we started a short Lenten journey around our sanctuary looking at the stained glass windows as an opportunity for meditation and conversation about our spiritual walk. As we look at this window we are reminded that the vine exists to bear fruit that we are summoned to mission. His death and resurrection was to give us hope and strength to go out into the world until Christ returns. Yes, He is “the vine,” we are the branches.

Twentieth-century nun Edith Stein asked a question to those connected to the vine. “Do you want to be totally united to the Crucified? If you are serious about this, you will be present, by the power of His Cross, at every front, at every place of sorrow, bringing to those who suffer, healing and salvation.”

Where will you be present today? Who needs a call, a letter, a brief email that says, “I’m holding you up today?” Take a moment to lift your life up to God. Take a moment to contemplate your service, your call. Are you holding tight as a branch? Maybe today is the day for you to ask God where He wants you to serve and bear fruit. You are in my prayers as we are all united by His cross. See you on the Lenten path.

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Some of you have written and asked about the banner at the top of this blog. It is a picture of a stained glass window from our sanctuary. Our congregation designed the windows that depict the various “I Ams” from the Bible and then had them created in stained glass. If you are ever in the vicinity you should come and walk the path around our worship center to see them. They are beautiful. But after saying that a thought occurred: why not travel the first few days of Lent by looking at our windows digitally and meditate on their content as well. So here goes join with me as we look at the “I Ams”.

Window One: “I Am Who I Am,” Exodus 3:14 In the book of Exodus we read how Moses, a man chosen by God to lead Israel, observes a bush aflame with a brilliant and dazzling fire, yet it is not burned or consumed. Out of this bush comes a voice of God commanding Moses to lead his people from Egypt. Moses asks, “Who shall I say sent me, what is his name?” To his question God replies, “Tell them that I AM WHO I AM.”

This spiritual divine revelation serves both to provide information but also to hide. God is encouraging us to read further, to come closer, so He can reveal more and more of Himself. But…that doesn’t happen unless we stop, stand on Holy ground and worship.

Sixteenth-century mystic Teresa of Avila said, “Prayer, in my view, is nothing but friendly intercourse and frequent solitary converse with him who we know loves us.”

As you continue your Lenten journey stop today and marvel at a God that wants to have a relationship with you. Take time from your day to praise, to worship, to enjoy this creation. “Hallelujah! Happy are they who fear the Lord…” (Psalm 112:1).

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Last week some young adults I mentor put together a medieval mystery dinner show called, “The Game of Gnomes” for our youth group in the church. I have to say I enjoy these men and women immensely. They are creative, a little nerdy, and ask the best theological questions I’ve ever been challenged with during my ministry. But most of all…they enjoy sharing and being challenged spiritually.

Mary Oliver wrote these words as a poem, “It doesn’t have to be the blue iris, it could be weeds in a vacant lot, or a few small stones; just pay attention, then patch a few words together and don’t try to make them elaborate, this isn’t a contest but the doorway into thanks, and a silence in which another voice may speak.”

Thank you dear younger brothers and sisters in Christ for laughing, singing, being a little silly and most of all for asking and serving. I give thanks for those who stop their busy lives to take a second, a moment to “pay attention” to the voice of our Savior. See you on the path as we seek to bring the Good News of our Risen Savior to the “vacant lots” and empty “doorway(s):.

Dear God, you have appointed some to preach, some to be prophets. You have appointed some to sing and others to celebrate Your love. You have called some to contemplation and others to do acts of service but give us all a singleness of mind to fulfill Your purpose today. Amen.

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Ten years ago I was part of a medical mission to the city of Xining in the province of Qinghai China. During one of our down times I was able to visit Ta’er monastery home of the Gelugpa Sect of Buddhist monks or what are some times called Yellow hats because of their distinctive head covering.

This place is amazing! It has 9,300 rooms and 52 halls with over 400 monks now in attendance. Was a privilege to see, to walk among the statues, gaze at Tibetan art work and marvel at how time almost stands still in such a place of devotion. While there I was gifted a singing bowl by one of the monks and he demonstrated its use. He was able to produce an exquisite tone from the bowl as he chanted. We laughed together when I too gave it a shot. All that came from it was…thunk.

But I stayed with it and years later I am now able to get the bowl to sing. As I run the hammer around the edge a mesmerizing tone wells up and up and up complementing my times of prayer and contemplation. Each time I handle the bowl and prepare to start the process I’m reminded of Julian of Norwich from the fourteenth century who wrote, “The worst has already happened and been repaired…All shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.”

I do not know what you are experiencing today. Joy, sadness, struggle, boredom, or  happiness. But I do know that you do not walk alone you have brothers and sisters in belief. You have our God walking with you through this life. Because of that “All shall be well!”

By the way Happy New Year! Qing jieshou wo jieri de zhuhe (Forgive my typing but my computer doesn’t have the correct punctuation).

I probably need to apologize to one of the men in my congregation. He is dedicated, driven and a good co-worker in our ministry. But…he missed Bible study last Sunday morning and I saw him go by the doors so I knew he was in the building. Later I said, “Missed you at Bible study.”

His reply, “Yes but I got a lot of things accomplished.” My response, “Sure but one thing you didn’t accomplish was time with the Lord through His written word.”

So, why do I need to apologize? Wasn’t for what I said It was the way I said it…with attitude. Instead I should have been like the Good Shepherd and offered kindness and direction not the pointy end of the Shepherds staff.

Yet…the reality remains we must be in the Word of God or we actually “accomplish” very little. Bonaventure, a Franciscan theologian wrote, “The outcome of the fruit of reading Holy Scripture is by no means negligible: it is the fullness of eternal happiness. These are the books which tell us of eternal life, which were written, not only that we might believe, but also that we might have everlasting life. The purpose of the Scriptures, which come to us from God, is to lead us to the fullness of the truth. In order to achieve this, we must study holy Scripture carefully, and teach it and listen to it in the same way.”

Okay I apologize for the tone but I am not sorry for the kick in the Blessed Assurance. If we do not open God’s Word we have little idea of the direction He wants us to go. We lose sight of the grace, the hope, the love of God our Savior. Today open your Bible, today pause and lift your soul up to God. Today pause and read, stay and pray, take a moment on the path just to enjoy your walk with our Lord.

Dear God, remind me to open my Bible so Your Words can take root in my heart. Call me to stillness, to the discipline of study and contemplation. Remind me that Your Word is a living and present thing that nurtures, grows and sustains me along the path. Amen.