A Meditation on Natalie K. Nelson's "Millennials"

I see a diversity of cups. Some of them draw me in, others push me away. Some seem so empty and lifeless, while others hold promise and hope. I feel that the Lord wants to fill all of those cups to overflowing, to make them complete. Yet, some of those cups would rather settle for mediocrity. Settle for a life half lived or a life not sufficient enough to last forever. This I see symbolized by what appears to be three small shot glasses. I am drawn to the cup at the top with all the colorful stripes. It seems to surpass the others. It is full, its colors represent diversity and not the status quo. It invites whosoever from every race, nation, and tongue to come and drink deeply from it. Its colors are uniform and there is no indication of emptiness. I look at the word "millennials" and I think about the millennial reign of Christ rooted in the various end times theological positions. I ask myself, "What cup do you want to represent your reigning with Him forever?" The cup I am drawn to indicates a peace amidst the chaotic feel of the other cups. Some are too big, some are too small and some are too thin. False imitations of the true "life-giving" cup. I want to reach out and take that cup. But I am reminded that recognizing that "life-giving" cup is recognizing Christ in the midst of all those counterfeits this world presents. Can I recognize Him among the many choices set before me? Yes, as my eyes keep coming back to that one cup, that cup of communion, holding the blood of our Lord for all peoples who would choose to drink from it. I am reminded of Jesus' words to the Samaritan woman, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14) The choices are many, the offers are varied but only one cup contains the truth and brings all the colors together in a unified manner. This is what the Trinity represents, unity in diversity, all pointing back to that great sacrifice, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me." (1 Corinthians 11:25) Even so Lord Jesus, let me drink deeply.

Shalom,
Pastor Sheree

"Expectations"

Well now that "Thanksgivoween" has passed and we are moving towards Christmas we may find ourselves scrambling to get those last minute gifts before the clock strikes midnight on December 24th. And by God’s grace we will see another Christmas Day. In the meantime we expect to be dashing back and forth to the mall or clicking away on line trying to get our shopping completed. We don’t expect anything new or different to happen as we watch the same old Christmas commercials accompanied by the same old Christmas music. We see the media focusing on the same old behavior of people camping out the night before in front of their favorite store and joining the crowds the next day stampeding through the doors of the mall. Then there’s that one person on your Christmas list for whom you have a hard time finding a present. It’s not because they are fussy or difficult to buy for but rather because you have known them for such a long time that you’ve run out of ideas. Do you know someone like that? You’re left scratching your head, what do I get so and so this year? In Matthew 2:1-12, we see Magi who had carefully chosen gifts for a new King that they had heard was born in Bethlehem. But they bring much more to Jesus than the material gifts they have to offer. And their example is one we can easily miss in the frenzy of the Christmas season. Advent is considered a time of expectation, where we await once again the gift of God’s Son, Jesus. In our passage we have a host of characters who are in a time of expectation. The Magi who are sometimes referred to as “Wise Men” were in fact pagan astrologers who were seeking the “King of the Jews” indicating that they were also Gentiles. They had seen a phenomenon which they identified as a “star.” Scholars have debated what these Magi were actually witnessing but nonetheless they have traveled a considerable distance expecting to find this King who the prophet Micah had prophesied was coming. On the other hand, Herod was not expecting his kingship and authority to be challenged by the news of a new King arriving on the scene. His expectation was instead for the Magi to find this new King so Herod could give Him a gift. Unfortunately that gift involved death and destruction. The text doesn’t tell us if Mary was expecting the arrival of these Magi but she may have been waiting and expecting to hear from God as to what was coming next for their family. So the question for all of us is, What are we expecting this Christmas? Are we like Herod, so self focused and absorbed by what we have to get done before Christmas and not expecting anything new or different to interfere with what we have planned? Are we like Mary, waiting and expecting to hear a word from God in the midst of the activity going on around us? Or are we like the Magi seeking and expecting to be surprised by God as we move through this time of Advent, following the simple yet silent signs that God is showing us everyday? You see, too often we can get caught up in focusing on the material gifts and lose the sense of wonder and expectation that this season brings. So, I encourage you to follow the example of the Magi, not so much in the material gifts they presented to Jesus, but rather in their attitude of bowing down and worshipping, presenting to Him the gift of their hearts with humility and the deepest appreciation for the greatest gift God has given to humanity. 

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Pastor Sheree

Give Thanks To The Lord!

  The scene is familiar as folks are gathered around the Thanksgiving table. A delicious feast is laid out before their eyes, ready to be heartily consumed. The blessing has been pronounced and the host or hostess announces, "Why don't we go around the table and say what we are thankful for this Thanksgiving Day." There are quiet sighs by some and others shuffle nervously in their seats hoping they are not the first to be called upon. Then one by one people begin to give thanks for the food or being together with family for another year or their home, etc. While being thankful for what God has given us is not a bad thing, when was the last time you heard someone say, "I give thanks to God for who He is." The psalmist declares, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." "Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men."(Psalm 107:1;8) Even Paul in some of the New Testament Epistles gives thanks and praise to God before mentioning the specifics of his thankfulness. "I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus." (1 Corinthians 1:4) "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." (Ephesians 1:3) "I thank God whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. (2 Timothy 1:3) The apostle Peter follows a similar pattern, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.." (1 Peter 1:3) It is very easy for us to be thankful for tangible things forgetting that it is God who is the Creator of all things. He is the One who gives us life and breath to be able to work for the provisions that we enjoy and can at times take for granted. James puts it this way, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17) The greatest thanksgiving to God is for our Lord Jesus Christ who because of His death and resurrection gives us eternal life. So perhaps you may want to consider starting a new tradition this Thanksgiving. If your family typically asks what you're thankful for on Thanksgiving Day, surprise them and give thanks to God for who He is and who we are in His Son, Jesus Christ.
A Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving to all!
Pastor Sheree