Look Around You!

     I have often wondered how all things are a part of God's plan, haven't you?  When we are immersed in our everyday lives, we tend to miss the opportunities and events that God lays smack dab in front of us.  Nothing shows this better than a simple little joke about how God actually takes care of us, but we just dont see it.  Enjoy.

A religious man is on top of a roof during a great flood. A man comes by in a boat and says "get in, get in!" The religious man replies, "No I have faith in God, he will grant me a miracle."

Later the water is up to his waist and another boat comes by and the guy tells him to get in again. He responds that he has faith in God and God will give him a miracle. With the water at about chest high, another boat comes to rescue him, but he turns down the offer again: "God will grant me a miracle."


With the water at chin high, a helicopter throws down a ladder and they tell him to get in, mumbling with the water in his mouth, he again turns down the request for help for the faith of God.
He drowns and finds himself heading to heaven. 

He arrives at the gates of heaven with broken faith and says to Peter, I thought God would grant me a miracle and I have been let down." St. Peter chuckles and responds, "I don't know what you're complaining about, we sent you three boats and a helicopter."

      Isn't that all too true?  Today, I invite you to stop and take a look around and see where God is active in your life, and don't just wait for a miracle to happen in your life, acknowledge the little miracles that have already happened.
 
Peace and Prayers...

What's in "The Box"?

     About a year or two ago, a classmate and I at Trinity Lutheran Seminary  were discussing the possibility of letting the children guide the children's sermons on a given Sunday, and I had it in my head that once I became the pastor at a church, I would come up with an idea to stimulate conversation among the youth. 
That time is now, and I came up with "The Box."

     "The Box" is a teaching tool.  It is a way to interact with the youth and let them see how everyday items are given to us by God, and we use them to find out where God is working in our lives.
     "The Box" is nothing glamorous, it is a simple black shoe box (from Payless no doubt) and every Sunday, "The Box" goes home with one of the children for the week.  I do not get the pleasure of seeing what is in "The Box" until it makes its way forward for the youth sermon.
     There are only two (2) stipulations for "The Box."
1.  "The Box" must come back next week.
2.  The item that the children's sermon will be about must fit in "The Box."

Week 1 - There was an apple.  We celebrated Johnny Appleseed and talked about how God scatters seeds through us, and we watch them grow.
Week 2 - We had a football blanket.  We talked about how God wraps his arms around us and keeps us safe.
Week 3 - A Puzzle. - We are all a piece of God's plan, and we need each other to be a complete puzzle.
Week 4 - A Banana - We talked about how we are all bananas, and when Jesus died on the cross for us, he peeled the sin off of us and threw it away.
Week 5 - A pair of sunglasses - We talked about how Jesus helps protect us from the things that can harm us like UV rays.

     That is it, so far "The Box" has been back every Sunday, and this has been a blast.  The kids have created an excitement level, and are running up to the front to see what is in "The Box" this week.  They want to be a part of the church service, because they are the ones who lead the discussion.
     It is exciting to see what happens when we let God out of "The Box" and it is sheer joy to watch the eyes light up of children who want to learn more about God.

Peace and prayers,
J

RBV - Zechariah 10:1

Zechariah 10:1 - 1 Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, who gives showers of rain to you, the vegetation in the field to everyone.

It is truly incredible when the Lord works. I was bored, watching the first of four Harry Potter movies on ABC Family. I thought I might just check out my blog and add a post. Rather than ramble on about nothing, I thought I might do an RBV. So I decided to open my Bible and write on the first verse that I opened to, and it was Zechariah 10. My bible (NRSV) captions the first two verses of Z10 as "The Lord of The Rains." (I wonder if this is where JRR Tolkien got the inspiration for "The Lord of the Rings". )

This "Rain" passage may not have meant much any other time, but it just so happens that we are in the middle of a rain storm which we really needed. How often do you open your bible (very often ...I'm sure) and something that you read applies directly to your life at that time? Try it. It is amazing how God works.

Don't just let God be the Lord of the Rains, but let God be the Lord of your Life as well!!
Peace to you this day...J

RBV - Psalm 54:3

Psalm 54:3 - (NIV) Strangers are attacking me; ruthless men seek my life— men without regard for God.

An interesting verse isn't it? How many times have we felt overwhelmed and wonder why we are being attacked. Road Rage, TV, Video Games, abusive relationships, these are just a few things that are attacking us on a daily basis. Now, I am not against TV or Video Games, but they have the potential to corrupt our minds if not used with care, as many things in this life can.

We don't always look at our neighbors or others as people without regard for God, because that would be judgemental on our part. We are a very judgemental people however. We all have a bit of disregard for God at times. It is called sin! We sin on a daily basis, and that is why we rejoice in the gift of eternal life that Jesus Christ gave us in his death and resurrection.

I invite you to read the rest of Psalm 54. It is only 7 verses, and it proclaims the greatness of God in times of trouble. We could all use the greatness of God in our lives.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...One God, now and forever. Amen.

Happy Father's Day

I have been give the honor and joy of being a father to three incredibly wonderful children.
They all have their own style, their own character, and their own favorite "guitar hero" songs. These three kids are the joy of my life and my wife and I are trying to allow them their own identies yet keep them connected through the Jackson family name.
As I reflect upon the joy of being a father. I reflect on Jesus Christ who provided us the "abba father" imagery in the gospels. I thank God for giving me the joy of children, and while I know some men have not been gifted the ability to experince this joy, and while I also know some men don't appreciate the joy of being a father, none the less, being a father is a gift from the one who we call the Father in the Trinity.
So to you men who have been given the gift of fatherhood, stop and thank God. Even when it is hard, trying, challenging, frustrating... (add synonym here) our children are a blessing from God and will always be a blessing. So, I thank you God for what you have given me in my children.
Happy Father's Day.

RBV - Random Bible Verse

If you are one who attends a traditional mainline denomination that uses the Revised Common Lectionary, good for you! However, unless you are reading your Bible at home (but of course you are...) you may be missing out on some interesting and challenging biblical themes, stories and verses.

RBV's are Random Bible Verses that are not found in the lectionary cycle. They are not going to be posted daily or weekly, but as I continue to read walk through my bible, I will post RBV's that are unique. I may post two in a day, or two in a month, but they will be random, and lots of fun.

If you have any RBV's that you would like to talk about please feel free to post them.