"God, I remember you"

At times, over these past several weeks, I have woken up around 4.00 AM with troubled thoughts and anxieties – all stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak and the financial crisis developing.

In the normal course of everyday life, I can mull over problems, and turn that mulling into worrying.

But these moments of early morning wakefulness feel more like an involuntary fearfulness welling up. What are my fears?

That I will not be able to find food for my family members with special dietary needs (the shelves of our local grocery stores are more and more limited, and I’m not referring to toilet paper! Hah)  Or that our vulnerable family members could catch this virus. Or that the financial downturn will take away our savings. 

These thoughts can shake me out of an early morning sleep. But, then what?

I choose to remember how God has provided in my life over the past years. 

I try to follow the example of the psalmist in Psalm 63.6-7:

On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.

So, I choose to remember how God was my help and covering in years past.

For instance: How God provided opportunities for me after college in Ohio, even though I had wasted a couple years in school in reckless living; How God provided a job for me when I moved to Virginia at the depths of the 1980 recession; How God provided work and support for us here in Jacksonville over these many years of mission and ministry.

I recall these times, specifically, one by one. And then I turn them into a prayer.  

Such as, “Lord, just as you provided for me in Ohio…in Virginia…in Jacksonville…so you can provide for me now. I will not allow myself to stay in an anxious place, but I thank you for being my provider, then and now. You chose me, and you love me. And I will rest on You.”

Or to quote the psalmist:  “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

There are many other scriptures that help us look to God for his grace and mercy, such as…

Psalm 143.4-6

So my spirit grows faint within me;
    my heart within me is dismayed.
I remember the days of long ago;
    I meditate on all your works
    and consider what your hands have done.
I spread out my hands to you;
    I thirst for you like a parched land.

Isaiah 46.9

“Remember the former things, those of long ago;
    I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me.”

Why would I say that God cares about me, and that I can bring him my fears and needs? Because he made me his own, through Christ – I belong to him, and he will care for me – and he offers you the same opportunity today.

Please PM me or email me if you want to chat more about what this would mean for you. At such a time as this, we all can reach out to God afresh, for he made a way through Christ to know his love and his care.

"Your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”

There seems to be a pandemic of anxiety and fear. The spread of the COVID-19 virus is causing people to seek quarantine and isolation for protection. Global financial markets continue to plummet, largely spurred by the fear of economic damages from the effects of COVID-19. And now, a new international oil price war is creating more economic havoc. (And ... we can’t forget to mention the ongoing rancor and drama in this current American Presidential election year, which is not really a new thing, if you think about it – but it can add more stress and anxiety to an already fearful environment.)  Whew! Just typing this paragraph is wearying!

Anxious and fearful times are nothing new. We read Jesus’ words to his anxious disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life…” (Luke 12.22) If the disciples weren’t worried about their welfare or protection, Jesus wouldn’t have issued this specific command. Although the disciples’ fears were rooted in a different context, the question expressed in fear or anxiety is the same for us: “Will I be OK in this unsafe world?”

Jesus’ answer is not simply a quick “yes, of course.” But he digs deeper (as he always does!) and draws our attention to our hearts’ affections: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12.34)

In other words, what you treasure expresses what you trust.

And trust is a heart-issue.

God is a realist. He knows our needs. Which is why Jesus says, “For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.” (Luke 12.30) That is meant to reassure us. God knows your personal, private needs. We are known, personally, by the eternal God Most High. And he cares for us.

So because of Jesus, we have a different and better response to anxiety or fear: “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” (Luke 12.31)

To “seek” is another heart-issue. It means to intentionally turn our attention and affections toward God – to his rule and reign, his presence and power in us.

Getting slapped in the face

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”  (Matthew 5.38-39)

There are many billboards in my city that advertise the services of law firms, each with their own slogan. One in particular always stands out to me: “Don’t settle for less than you deserve.” I want to believe that this firm has helped many people find justice in our legal system, but their slogan expresses to me one of our most base human desires – to get what is mine by rights.

This makes sense in the realm of our culture. We do live in a society that values the biggest, the strongest, and the richest. In this realm, our safety and security needs to be defended from bigger and stronger and richer threats. Defending rights and privileges therefore makes sense.

But in Christ, God has transferred us to a different realm – to the “kingdom of God.” (Colossians 3.15)  In this system, the rules of behavior are different, because our source of safety and security are different. We don’t have to be our own defender or advocate – the Lord is our advocate; God is our ultimate defender and provider. This looks “upside down” to the way our world lives.

My late father-in-law, Les, exemplified this heart attitude.  After years of hard work and commitment, he had built his own engineering consulting business with two other partners. But, at the height of his career, his partners were able to restructure the business, essentially cutting Les out. He was basically robbed of his business and livelihood. Remarkably, he did not fight back or bring legal action. His reason was simple, as he expressed to his family: the Word of God tells us to turn the other cheek, and God will provide for us. In the years that followed, Les was able to start a new business that eventually was successful. And through this, God provided for Les and his wife in their final years. After he sold his business upon retirement, they were able to move into a specialized senior health center to care for growing health challenges. God indeed was faithful to his Word.

Paul asks, “Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?” (1 Corinthians 6.7)  Because we live in God’s different realm, and we can trust his power to provide.

"Blessed are you when you're in crisis..."

There are two crises spreading through our world today – COVID-19, and the global financial crisis. Both are life threatening, in their own way: a virus poses the threat of a deadly illness, and the market melt down poses a threat to life-long provision. 

[But Jesus] lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. (Luke 6.20-21)

Poverty. Hunger. Sorrow.  These are three human experiences that most people work hard to avoid. These are not normally personal life-goals, but are seen as life-threatening attacks. In fact, most communities in our society work to end poverty, provide food for the hungry, and give help to those who are suffering.

So why does Jesus seem to give these experiences preferential status?

In fact, he says we are “blessed” when we are poor, hungry, or grieving.  Does God prefer human suffering?  What is going on here?

Jesus is using a provocative teaching technique to make a vivid contrast between our experiences and God’s promises. He wants to draw our attention right into our pain and fear, so to offer an alternative view of that pain and need.

Jesus’ words in this passage are paraphrased in The Message Bible: “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”

In other words, our pain and loss are places where God’s presence works best. They are avenues for hope, not dead-ends of futility.

Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you…”

Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you…” Luke 6.20

A simple posture, and a personal word – Jesus sat and looked at his disciples, and he spoke to them, beginning with the well known (and often misunderstood) phrase, “Blessed are you…”

Such a basic way of being human: to look at someone and speak.  Let’s not miss that – Jesus sat and spoke personally, and directly, to his people.

What a powerfully simple picture of God! 

Would God, the Infinite One, the Holy One, actually want to sit with us and speak with us? Jesus’ life is a resounding answer, “Yes!”

Just as Jesus did this in Galilee in the early 1^st century, so he wants to do this in our lives today, here and now. Just as Jesus was intentional and personal with his people, so he wants to be intentional and personal with you and me.

But here is the question: If Jesus wants to sit with me and speak to me, does this only happen during private times of prayer and contemplation? Is Jesus’ presence and message only relegated to a personal “quiet time?” Or…can I pay attention to him, even in the midst of a busy day, and hear his “still small voice?” Can I hear him in my daily routines, meetings, chores, and conversations? 

This is the question I am asking during this season of “Lent” – how can I retune or recalibrate my heart to be a better receptor of God’s Spirit and Word?

And, that is the point of “Lent” – to retune our hearts and minds to Jesus.

A view from the outside in

This month's blog post is by Carol

A few weeks ago, I succumbed to “The Cold” that had been going around.  Sunday Night is the time of our weekly community gathering, but that week found me bolted into my room, lest I share the nastiness all ‘round.  As I gathered a novel and ensured that water and a tissue box were nearby, I glanced outside. There in the golden dusk, two familiar cars had already pulled up in front of our home, and friendly voices drifted toward me.  Gentle laughs, and the murmur of comfortable conversation. 

I felt a sense of warm inclusion.  I had been in this place before.  The previous year, same scenario (another story for another time). I knew what to expect, and I was not disappointed.

Snuggling under covers to rest, the group downstairs feasted on delicious potluck fare (we have amazing cooks in our group!)  Soon, sweet strains of guitar and voice, first one, then many, filled the room under mine: it was a song long-loved and locally written years ago. (By Josh Young, in case you know him.) The voices were unified and lovely. I didn’t sing, I listened and felt wrapped in the beauty and the worship. Another song, and then a new feature in the sonic undulation of the evening: childish prattle mixed with the clatter of many little feet on the stairs.  The children and their guide were running upstairs to “Narnia,” our 3rd floor playroom filled with donated toys of all sorts, but most importantly, large enough to run in.  The next sound, of course, was of a mini herd of elephants just above my room. (We have all boys, but for one spunky girl.)

Then after a while the herd spilled back downstairs, the conversational rumble swirled around finished thoughts and parting blessings given.  I released myself from confinement, to find a friend had left me a week’s portion of my favorite cabbage dish (especially thoughtful as my food choices are limited: that other story for that other time…).

Need I say it? I hadn’t been absent, or missed out on the evening.  I had missed the dear faces, and the specifics of the conversation and study. But I had been wrapped in their presence, and in the love of Christ, who is present “whenever two or three gather in my name.” (Matthew 18:20)

From St Patrick to Lindisfarne

Happy St Patricks Day!

When we moved into our Riverside home, we felt the house needed a name!  We wanted a constant reminder of why we were moving into this neighborhood, and we felt a name could be such a reminder. Moreover, we wanted a missional name for this place, since we were answering a call to mission.

And so, we chose “Lindisfarne.” 

On this St Patrick’s Day, here is a brief outline of the history behind that name – and why St Patrick’s story is important to us here at Lindisfarne!

Sometime around 450 AD, Patrick returned to Ireland as a missionary bishop. His strategy in mission was simple: establish Christian communities using and adapting local customs and habits as the means to express the Gospel of Christ.

Patrick worked with a team of missionaries who planted a lot of new churches by sending teams to villages where they lived among the people and grew organic church communities. The work suffered opposition and threats, but also experienced healthy, organic growth.

Over one hundred years later, in 563 AD, the Church in Ireland sent Columba, another missionary bishop, to reach the scary and heathen Picts, in modern day Scotland. Columba and his team settled on the island of Iona, from where they sent groups to plant apostolic communities among the Picts. Iona used the same model of mission they experienced in Ireland. And new Christian communities were planted.

Then, around 633 AD, Iona wanted to send another missionary team to another land that needed the good news of Jesus Christ.  They chose Aiden to lead an apostolic group to reach the Anglo-Saxons in northeast Britain. 

Aiden and his team established a new community at Lindisfarne.  Aiden implemented the same model he inherited from Iona (rooted in the Irish Church of Patrick).  However, the Anglo-Saxons were not like the Irish or Scots – there was a hardness and hesitation to hear or respond the Gospel, at first. This mission experienced slow growth, with many set-backs and much opposition. However, after over 100 years the church began to grow, and today, some 1300 year late, Lindisfarne is still the site of several a faith communities.

The name “Lindisfarne” therefore represents three important values in our missional life:

1. Live and serve in community – doing life as Christians is not a solo-act.  This is a “team effort” and requires we learn to live with others, to love others, and to grow in grace with each other. Beginning with Patrick, Celtic Christianity was lived out in relationship with others, and the mission of the gospel was always pursued in groups and teams.

2. Be willing to take risks – embracing a call to share the gospel in our culture will be counter-cultural and therefore not always well received.  Patrick’s model of risking-it-all for the gospel is relevant for us today. Are we trusting in God’s provision to lead and guide our lives?  If so, when we try to share his good news in word or in works of compassion, we can expect his “kingdom will come.”

3. Be patient – “making disciples” is a long, organic process. We can’t expect over-night success or quick results. Reaching our skeptical and broken neighborhoods will happen in God’s time. We can be faithful and strong, but we might not see the “fruit” or results of our work in our life time. 

So, here at “Lindisfarne,” we are seeking to live into our Celtic heritage: trusting that God will grow his church as we plant the gospel!