"For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you that you may be filled with the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:9)
Have you ever heard a story,m who's imagery was so powerful you never forgot it? Maybe it even changed the way you lived or saw the world? I have one. It's so ingrained in my mind and heart, I've probably shared it with more than a few of you. So bear with me, because I think it's one that needs repeating.
A young pastor, and evangelist, came into a church and preached during a three day revival. he gave an altar call at the end of each service with varying degrees of response. But on the last night ,, the Holy Spirit broke through (as we used to say when i was a kid). many came forward to receive Christ for the first time.
As you can imagine young minister was feeling pretty good about himself, who wouldn't be. But as he began to leave that night he felt a slight tug on his sleeve. It was an older man, one of the dear saints of the church. the man said "You know, it seems to me it takes about 50 people to bring someone to the Lord, like 50 links in a chain. Isn't it funny how we only give credit to the 50th link?" And then he shuffled off into the night.
His point was that almost no one just decides to go to a church service and give their life to Jesus. God has brought many people into that person's life over the years. grandparents who prayed for them. parents who took them to church. A Sunday School teacher, a youth minister. A pastor. Maybe a friend. And while none of those people got to see the end results of their prayers and efforts, God used each of them and their love as a link in that person's salvation.
John Wesley referred to this as Prevenient Grace, the grace that goes before. It's God's efforts to let us know that He loves us and bring us to him long before we were even aware of him. of course it's not just people. God might use a circumstance, both good and bad, a piece of music or a sunset. That's one of the wonderful things about God's grace. There is a wildness to it that we cannot control.
My reason for writing this today is two fold. One is that this might be a good day for you to think about the links in your chain, all the people God used to bring you to him. Give thanks for them in prayer. Maybe, if you know where they are, you might send them a note and thank them. It's your opportunity to be a blessing back to those who have blessed you.
The other reason I write this is to encourage all of you who have a burden for someone on your heart. You have prayed, witnessed, invited them to church. And yet nothing seems to happen. Don't worry. It might just mean you are the 23rd link in a chain of 50. But each link is important and vital. each one is needed. Each is a vital part of the grace of God.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
Monday, January 28, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Success
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matt. 14:29-30)
Epic Fail! You can look it up sometime. If you do you will find online pages and pages of pictures and videos of people failing. Some of them admittedly are funny. Sort of an online America's Funniest Videos. People falling, making a poor decision to cut a limb while they are sitting on it, you know that sort of thing. But some of them can be incredibly cruel.
One of the reasons these are so popular is that we can all relate. We have all field at some point, whether that be trying to walk across an icy parking lot to Ill advisedly believing that we can make it down that steep hill on a bike. I suspect these sites are also popular because it helps us know we aren't the only ones making mistakes or failing. There is a baser part of our natures that enjoys seeing someone else fail, because it keeps us from feeling so bad about ourselves.
And we all fail. None of us has a perfect success rate. None of us gets it right all the time. And today everyone will know about it. It's one of the unfortunate byproducts of our living in the age we do. No one's failings are privater anymore. Fail, and there will certainly be cameras flashing and posting before you get home.
Peter is fortunate he didn't live in today's world. Can you imagine? Here is Peter, walking on the water toward Jesus, and suddenly he panics. The waves are all around him. He begins to flail, sputter and sink. If this happened today, the other 11 disciples would all have their smart phones out videoing Peter.s epic fail.
Or was it? When I read this story it reminds me that God doesn't define success and failure the way we do. we are results oriented. the only way to measure if you are a success is by the results we have at the end of the day. Did we accomplish what we set out to do.
But Jesus doesn't view success in the same way. For Jesus success isn't measured by results, but by obedience. Let me say that again. God does not measure our success by the results of our endeavors, but by our willingness to be obedient to His call.
Isn't that Good News! When we understand this, it frees us from the feelings of anxiety and guilt we often carry. And it allows us to understand that sometimes what we see as a failure, God will use in a completely unexpected way to bring about His kingdom.
When we begin to understand this we see that Peter is not the failure in this story. The failure belongs to the eleven who refused to get out of the boat. Yes, peter needed Jesus to rescue him. It didn't go exactly according to plan. But Peter walked on water. He refused to stay in the boat. He answered His master's call. Just think. Eleven others missed an opportunity because they were too busy worrying about results instead of obedience.
Is God calling you to follow Him into unknown territory? Is He calling you to meet Him out on the water. Then, my friends, by all means start walking. Remember the ones who fail are not the ones who splash around. They are the ones who never get out of the boat.
In Christ,
Dr. Brian Jones <><
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matt. 14:29-30)
Epic Fail! You can look it up sometime. If you do you will find online pages and pages of pictures and videos of people failing. Some of them admittedly are funny. Sort of an online America's Funniest Videos. People falling, making a poor decision to cut a limb while they are sitting on it, you know that sort of thing. But some of them can be incredibly cruel.
One of the reasons these are so popular is that we can all relate. We have all field at some point, whether that be trying to walk across an icy parking lot to Ill advisedly believing that we can make it down that steep hill on a bike. I suspect these sites are also popular because it helps us know we aren't the only ones making mistakes or failing. There is a baser part of our natures that enjoys seeing someone else fail, because it keeps us from feeling so bad about ourselves.
And we all fail. None of us has a perfect success rate. None of us gets it right all the time. And today everyone will know about it. It's one of the unfortunate byproducts of our living in the age we do. No one's failings are privater anymore. Fail, and there will certainly be cameras flashing and posting before you get home.
Peter is fortunate he didn't live in today's world. Can you imagine? Here is Peter, walking on the water toward Jesus, and suddenly he panics. The waves are all around him. He begins to flail, sputter and sink. If this happened today, the other 11 disciples would all have their smart phones out videoing Peter.s epic fail.
Or was it? When I read this story it reminds me that God doesn't define success and failure the way we do. we are results oriented. the only way to measure if you are a success is by the results we have at the end of the day. Did we accomplish what we set out to do.
But Jesus doesn't view success in the same way. For Jesus success isn't measured by results, but by obedience. Let me say that again. God does not measure our success by the results of our endeavors, but by our willingness to be obedient to His call.
Isn't that Good News! When we understand this, it frees us from the feelings of anxiety and guilt we often carry. And it allows us to understand that sometimes what we see as a failure, God will use in a completely unexpected way to bring about His kingdom.
When we begin to understand this we see that Peter is not the failure in this story. The failure belongs to the eleven who refused to get out of the boat. Yes, peter needed Jesus to rescue him. It didn't go exactly according to plan. But Peter walked on water. He refused to stay in the boat. He answered His master's call. Just think. Eleven others missed an opportunity because they were too busy worrying about results instead of obedience.
Is God calling you to follow Him into unknown territory? Is He calling you to meet Him out on the water. Then, my friends, by all means start walking. Remember the ones who fail are not the ones who splash around. They are the ones who never get out of the boat.
In Christ,
Dr. Brian Jones <><
Monday, January 14, 2013
Neverending Story
"For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him" (Acts 28:30-31)
I admit I like closure. I like things wrapped up in a nice bow. It's just a part of my personality. In fact whenever I've taken a personality test that's the part I score the highest on.
Therefore I've never liked movies that have an open end to them. You know the ones I'm talking about don't you? The ones with the cutesy, or artsy ending where you have to draw your own conclusions. My gut reaction has always been "Somebody got paid a lot of money to make this movie. And I know I paid a lot to watch it. Finish the story. I'm not not here to do your work for you." Again my apologies. As I said, that's the place my personality tests come out the strongest.
Maybe that's why for a long time I never cared for the way the book of Acts ends. It ends with the verses on the top of this page. Not exactly a climatic moment is it? I recently read through the book of Acts again, and I was struck by how many threads to the story are left unfinished. Many people, important at the beginning, just disappear. We don't know, for example what happens to many of the Disciples. Peter all but vanishes. We don't even know what happens to Paul. The book just ends with him under house arrest.
Of course one of the reason the story ends the way ti does is that Luke took the story as far as he could. At the time of his writing, Paul and Peter's stories hadn't been finished yet. Luke isn't so much avoiding an ending as he is bringing his readers up to date as best he could. But notice no one ever completed it. Stories such as the upside down crucifixion of Peter, or the death of Paul could have been included a short time later. The story could have been completed. Or could it?
I think there is a very good reason why Acts was left this way. The book is the story of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ. It;'s the story of the church. Where do you end such a story? With the Martyrs? Withe spread of the Gospels to the Western world? With John Wesley? or the 2nd Awakening in America? the early 20th century revivals in Wales? With you in church last Sunday?
Acts doesn't end because God is still writing the story. The Holy Spirit is still working. In the church, in the world, even in you and me. God's power has not Waned. His spirit still does Miracles. He still changes lives. No the problem does not lie in a lack of God's power, but in a lack of vision on our part. We fail to see we are still a part of this story. We've stopped expecting God's Spirit o write a new chapter in our lives.
Maybe it's time we begin to do just that. I wonder what might happen if we would begin to pray, "Lord write the next chapter of the Book Of Acts in my life, in my church today." Would the Holy Spirit move through us? Of course he would! Praise God His story continues, and we are a part of it.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
I admit I like closure. I like things wrapped up in a nice bow. It's just a part of my personality. In fact whenever I've taken a personality test that's the part I score the highest on.
Therefore I've never liked movies that have an open end to them. You know the ones I'm talking about don't you? The ones with the cutesy, or artsy ending where you have to draw your own conclusions. My gut reaction has always been "Somebody got paid a lot of money to make this movie. And I know I paid a lot to watch it. Finish the story. I'm not not here to do your work for you." Again my apologies. As I said, that's the place my personality tests come out the strongest.
Maybe that's why for a long time I never cared for the way the book of Acts ends. It ends with the verses on the top of this page. Not exactly a climatic moment is it? I recently read through the book of Acts again, and I was struck by how many threads to the story are left unfinished. Many people, important at the beginning, just disappear. We don't know, for example what happens to many of the Disciples. Peter all but vanishes. We don't even know what happens to Paul. The book just ends with him under house arrest.
Of course one of the reason the story ends the way ti does is that Luke took the story as far as he could. At the time of his writing, Paul and Peter's stories hadn't been finished yet. Luke isn't so much avoiding an ending as he is bringing his readers up to date as best he could. But notice no one ever completed it. Stories such as the upside down crucifixion of Peter, or the death of Paul could have been included a short time later. The story could have been completed. Or could it?
I think there is a very good reason why Acts was left this way. The book is the story of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ. It;'s the story of the church. Where do you end such a story? With the Martyrs? Withe spread of the Gospels to the Western world? With John Wesley? or the 2nd Awakening in America? the early 20th century revivals in Wales? With you in church last Sunday?
Acts doesn't end because God is still writing the story. The Holy Spirit is still working. In the church, in the world, even in you and me. God's power has not Waned. His spirit still does Miracles. He still changes lives. No the problem does not lie in a lack of God's power, but in a lack of vision on our part. We fail to see we are still a part of this story. We've stopped expecting God's Spirit o write a new chapter in our lives.
Maybe it's time we begin to do just that. I wonder what might happen if we would begin to pray, "Lord write the next chapter of the Book Of Acts in my life, in my church today." Would the Holy Spirit move through us? Of course he would! Praise God His story continues, and we are a part of it.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
Monday, January 7, 2013
The Power Of Grace
"If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven" (John 20:23)
I have been looking with much anticipation to seeing the movie version of Les Miserables. And so it is with a bit of frustration I write this ,today almost two weeks after it's opening that as of yet I've not made it to the theater to see it. Oddly enough Christmas time tends to be busy in the church, so making the time hasn't been easy. Add to that the virus that seems to be running rampant right now has kept at least one of our family members down for the count for over a week now. At least I've avoided that.
There are a few reasons why I wanted to see the movie. One of the main reason I confess is that it was eh musical Kelly and I saw on our Honeymoon in Toronto 23 years ago this past week. So being able to see the movie version come to life on or near our anniversary had a nice symmetry to it.
But it's more than the music as great as that is. It's even more than the reminder of the first days of our marriage, as important as they are to us. What draws me back to the musical , and in all fairness to Victor Hugo the book, is the message.
I've read much lately on how depressing Les Miserables is. And indeed there is more than a fair amount of depression, death, poverty, poverty and cruelty. Yes main characters die. But to only see this is to miss what I believe to be Hugo's main point. What I believe Hugo is trying to show is how one small moment of grace to one person can effect generations. And how if we ignore that grace we lose all hope.
In the story the protagonist Valjean, hating mankind, steals some silver from a Bishop. When caught not only does the Bishop forgive Valjean but gives him the "best of the lot" Silver candlesticks. That one act of Grace, of kindness, changes Valjean forever. In that act he discovers the redemption found in the arms of God.
The Candlesticks are in many scenes for eh rest of the play reminding us of God's life changing grace. Because Valjean is change, he saves others often at great risk to Himself. He even tries to spare the life of the man sworn to capture him, the man who refuses to recognize grace, Javert. In the end Valjean dies with his loved ones around him. Javert, unable to give or receive grace, commits suicide.
Life changing grace, no matter how small can change the world. That's what Jesus is saying in this often misunderstood and enigmatic verse at the top of our blog. Jesus reminds us that an act of forgiveness or grace, even if it seems inconsequential to us may be the difference between heaven and hell for others.
As we begin this New year, I can't help but wonder what would happen is we, who have truly experienced the grace of God, might try to extend in even small ways,. God's grace to someone else? What would happen if you would do this?
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
I have been looking with much anticipation to seeing the movie version of Les Miserables. And so it is with a bit of frustration I write this ,today almost two weeks after it's opening that as of yet I've not made it to the theater to see it. Oddly enough Christmas time tends to be busy in the church, so making the time hasn't been easy. Add to that the virus that seems to be running rampant right now has kept at least one of our family members down for the count for over a week now. At least I've avoided that.
There are a few reasons why I wanted to see the movie. One of the main reason I confess is that it was eh musical Kelly and I saw on our Honeymoon in Toronto 23 years ago this past week. So being able to see the movie version come to life on or near our anniversary had a nice symmetry to it.
But it's more than the music as great as that is. It's even more than the reminder of the first days of our marriage, as important as they are to us. What draws me back to the musical , and in all fairness to Victor Hugo the book, is the message.
I've read much lately on how depressing Les Miserables is. And indeed there is more than a fair amount of depression, death, poverty, poverty and cruelty. Yes main characters die. But to only see this is to miss what I believe to be Hugo's main point. What I believe Hugo is trying to show is how one small moment of grace to one person can effect generations. And how if we ignore that grace we lose all hope.
In the story the protagonist Valjean, hating mankind, steals some silver from a Bishop. When caught not only does the Bishop forgive Valjean but gives him the "best of the lot" Silver candlesticks. That one act of Grace, of kindness, changes Valjean forever. In that act he discovers the redemption found in the arms of God.
The Candlesticks are in many scenes for eh rest of the play reminding us of God's life changing grace. Because Valjean is change, he saves others often at great risk to Himself. He even tries to spare the life of the man sworn to capture him, the man who refuses to recognize grace, Javert. In the end Valjean dies with his loved ones around him. Javert, unable to give or receive grace, commits suicide.
Life changing grace, no matter how small can change the world. That's what Jesus is saying in this often misunderstood and enigmatic verse at the top of our blog. Jesus reminds us that an act of forgiveness or grace, even if it seems inconsequential to us may be the difference between heaven and hell for others.
As we begin this New year, I can't help but wonder what would happen is we, who have truly experienced the grace of God, might try to extend in even small ways,. God's grace to someone else? What would happen if you would do this?
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
Monday, December 31, 2012
Happy New Year
"You Must Be Born Again" (John 3:16)
I admit to having a love hate relationship with snow. When I am at home, or looking out the window of my office,a s I am now, it is very beautiful. I love watching it. I admit the absence of snow last year made winter seem, well, anticlimactic. Asa child I loved running in the snow, diving into it, making forts and snowballs.
Of course that's because my parents drove me everywhere and my dad shoveled the snow. Once that became my job, snow became less a blessing and more of a curse. Now I have to go out in the cold, shovel the drive way, walk the dog, try to drive on slippery snowy slushy roads. As my son and I were shoveling the driveway out the other day, we were talking about how fleeting the beauty of snow is. I am proud to have passed on my legacy to him, as well as my snow shovel.
There is one thing I do still love about snow. I love how it overs everything in purity. It doesn't matter what toys the kids or pets have left in the yard. Or how many branches are in the backyard. It doesn't even matter if there are some leaves I never got to raking up. Once the snow falls everything is clean, beautiful and pure. Of course there is only one problem with that. Once the snow melts the debris is still there. The toys, branches and leaves haven't gone away. They've only been covered up.
Often that's how we treat the debris in our lives. That debris could be sin. Or a wrong done to us. It could be resentment, or bitterness. And we act as if we cover it up it will be gone. If we act like everything is OK, maybe it is. If no one discovers my sin, maybe it didn't happen. Or at the very least, I got away with it.
It never quite works out that way does it. Sin, and hurt, and resentment have away of rising to the surface. Just because we cover up the debris in our lives, doesn't make it go away. It will always resurface. The only we to keep this from happening is to get rid of the debris.
That's why, as we begin a new year, I hope you will keep the verse at the top of the page close to your heart. That's the newness Jesus offers. When we invite Him into our lives we are Born Again. Hear that, please. Not just given a "do over" or another chance. But actually made clean. All the debris in our lives can be swept away. We can be new. be forewarned, nowhere does Jesus promise that this is easy, only that it's possible with Him.
I pray that this New Year brings you a New Hope in the love of Jesus Christ. May you be made new and the debris cleaned from your life. From behalf of all of us at Trinity, we wish you a most Blessed, and Happy New Year.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
I admit to having a love hate relationship with snow. When I am at home, or looking out the window of my office,a s I am now, it is very beautiful. I love watching it. I admit the absence of snow last year made winter seem, well, anticlimactic. Asa child I loved running in the snow, diving into it, making forts and snowballs.
Of course that's because my parents drove me everywhere and my dad shoveled the snow. Once that became my job, snow became less a blessing and more of a curse. Now I have to go out in the cold, shovel the drive way, walk the dog, try to drive on slippery snowy slushy roads. As my son and I were shoveling the driveway out the other day, we were talking about how fleeting the beauty of snow is. I am proud to have passed on my legacy to him, as well as my snow shovel.
There is one thing I do still love about snow. I love how it overs everything in purity. It doesn't matter what toys the kids or pets have left in the yard. Or how many branches are in the backyard. It doesn't even matter if there are some leaves I never got to raking up. Once the snow falls everything is clean, beautiful and pure. Of course there is only one problem with that. Once the snow melts the debris is still there. The toys, branches and leaves haven't gone away. They've only been covered up.
Often that's how we treat the debris in our lives. That debris could be sin. Or a wrong done to us. It could be resentment, or bitterness. And we act as if we cover it up it will be gone. If we act like everything is OK, maybe it is. If no one discovers my sin, maybe it didn't happen. Or at the very least, I got away with it.
It never quite works out that way does it. Sin, and hurt, and resentment have away of rising to the surface. Just because we cover up the debris in our lives, doesn't make it go away. It will always resurface. The only we to keep this from happening is to get rid of the debris.
That's why, as we begin a new year, I hope you will keep the verse at the top of the page close to your heart. That's the newness Jesus offers. When we invite Him into our lives we are Born Again. Hear that, please. Not just given a "do over" or another chance. But actually made clean. All the debris in our lives can be swept away. We can be new. be forewarned, nowhere does Jesus promise that this is easy, only that it's possible with Him.
I pray that this New Year brings you a New Hope in the love of Jesus Christ. May you be made new and the debris cleaned from your life. From behalf of all of us at Trinity, we wish you a most Blessed, and Happy New Year.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
Monday, December 24, 2012
It's Christmas?!
"but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!" (Luke 2:10-12)
Do you have all your shopping done yet? Do you have all your baking done? Is everything ready? You've probably heard something close to that over the past few weeks. Are you ready for Christmas? I know someone, who hen I call them, that is their greeting me. Are you ready for Christmas?
And on one level there is nothing wrong with that is there? After all the church has been int eh season of Advent. And what is Advent but the season of preparation, getting ready for the celebration of the birth of our Savior? Is there anything wrong with asking folks if they are ready?
Perhaps not. But let's be honest. Most of the time when we re asked, or are asking these questions, our minds are far from spiritual things. We are asking about gifts, decorations cookies and candies, pies and getting the house clean for our guests and relatives.
And the truth is we are never really ready are we? There is always one more gift to pick up. One more thing to do or clean. One more card to write, one more person to visit. Often when people ask us these questions they fill us more with guilt than with joy. We feel as if we've lowered the bar for Christmas. We aren't ready. We wonder if we'll ever be truly ready for Christmas.
If that's you, let em let you in on a little secret. Whether you are ready or not, Christmas is coming. You can't stop it. Christmas doesn't care if your cookies are baked. It doesn't care if your carpet gets vacuumed. It doesn't care that all your Christmas cards didn't get written. Christmas will come on Dec. 25th as it always has.
I don't know about you, but there is something comforting in knowing Christmas doesn't depend on me or my circumstances. Whether had a good year or a bad one, Christmas will come. Whether I'm spiritually ready or not, Christmas will come. it's not an excuse to not prepare ourselves. Nor am I suggesting we ever do away with our festivities. Obviously the more prepared we are the more we enjoy the season.
My point is simply this. Christmas doesn't depend on us. It depends on Jesus. His love for us goes beyond our circumstances. His love and joy come to us, sometimes in spite of our circumstances. Sometimes he surprises us with joy, even when we aren't looking for it.
So catch your breath. Don't worry if everything isn't ready. Enjoy the coming of Christmas and a Savior who continues to come even when we aren't ready.
Merry Christmas,
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones
Do you have all your shopping done yet? Do you have all your baking done? Is everything ready? You've probably heard something close to that over the past few weeks. Are you ready for Christmas? I know someone, who hen I call them, that is their greeting me. Are you ready for Christmas?
And on one level there is nothing wrong with that is there? After all the church has been int eh season of Advent. And what is Advent but the season of preparation, getting ready for the celebration of the birth of our Savior? Is there anything wrong with asking folks if they are ready?
Perhaps not. But let's be honest. Most of the time when we re asked, or are asking these questions, our minds are far from spiritual things. We are asking about gifts, decorations cookies and candies, pies and getting the house clean for our guests and relatives.
And the truth is we are never really ready are we? There is always one more gift to pick up. One more thing to do or clean. One more card to write, one more person to visit. Often when people ask us these questions they fill us more with guilt than with joy. We feel as if we've lowered the bar for Christmas. We aren't ready. We wonder if we'll ever be truly ready for Christmas.
If that's you, let em let you in on a little secret. Whether you are ready or not, Christmas is coming. You can't stop it. Christmas doesn't care if your cookies are baked. It doesn't care if your carpet gets vacuumed. It doesn't care that all your Christmas cards didn't get written. Christmas will come on Dec. 25th as it always has.
I don't know about you, but there is something comforting in knowing Christmas doesn't depend on me or my circumstances. Whether had a good year or a bad one, Christmas will come. Whether I'm spiritually ready or not, Christmas will come. it's not an excuse to not prepare ourselves. Nor am I suggesting we ever do away with our festivities. Obviously the more prepared we are the more we enjoy the season.
My point is simply this. Christmas doesn't depend on us. It depends on Jesus. His love for us goes beyond our circumstances. His love and joy come to us, sometimes in spite of our circumstances. Sometimes he surprises us with joy, even when we aren't looking for it.
So catch your breath. Don't worry if everything isn't ready. Enjoy the coming of Christmas and a Savior who continues to come even when we aren't ready.
Merry Christmas,
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones
Monday, December 17, 2012
Rejoice?
"Can anything separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today or our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:35-39 NLT)
There are times in life when we come up against an evil so great, tragedy so unthinkable, that words fail us. They seem inadequate in the face of such unimaginable pain. So it has been for most of us as watched the events unfold around the tragedy in Newtown Connecticut. It quickly went from being their tragedy to being our tragedy. We all grieved, and will continue to grieve for the loss of life. Small towns are supposed to be safe. Children are supposed to be OK. We all know how it works. Those are the rules. What do we do when the rules are suddenly shattered?
As a pastor, father, grandfather I found myself wondering what would I do if I were in that town and had to lead worship that next Sunday. Not just any Sunday. An Advent Sunday. Not just any Advent Sunday, but the Sunday we light that odd pink candle. The one that stands for ....joy. What do you sing on such an Advent Sunday? Did any voices rise singing, Rejoice, Rejoice? "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen?" "Joy To The World?"
I don't know that any did. Or could. I certainly could not fault them if the candles were not lit and the carols not sung. But I hope they did. I pray that at least one voice sang, one candle of joy was lit. While it may seem impossible to celebrate Christmas in the light of such tragedy, I pray they will. For it was for just such tragedies that Jesus came.
Christmas reminds us in that on the darkest of nights in the midst of a broken, sin shattered , tear stained world the cry of a baby pierced the darkness. He did not wait until all was right in the world to come, He came to make the world right. Christmas reminds us God hasn't forgotten us and that all will be redeemed in time. The virgin birth of Jesus reminds us that hope and joy can come in the most impossible or situations. Even in times like these.
The cry of the Christ child began to silence all the evil in the world. It is a reminder that evil will not win, that it cannot defeat the love of God. One day evil will be silenced forever. As surely as the darkness is repelled when we light the Candle of Joy, so will the light of Jesus end the darkness of our world. And we will rejoice.
Christmas reminds us that Jesus is our Emmanuel. He is with us. It is natural, I suppose, when one hears of such tragedy to wonder where was God? Our Scripture reminds us He was there in the school with His arms around every child. He was there next to every teacher. He is there and weeps with every parent and grandparent and friend who lost someone. Our God is not some dispassionate deity who watches from a distance. No, at Christmas we celebrate the birth of Emmanuel, God is with us. As our Scripture reminds us it doesn't mean we will not have incredible pain and loss in life. It does mean we are not alone. God does hear, and loves us.
We have joy because Christmas in its own way reminds us of our true home in heaven. This evil world is not our home, nor is it the home of these children. They gather around the throne of God and for those who have faith in Christ, they will see them again.
It is for this reason we should, even in our darkest moments, light the candle of joy. It's why we should sing "Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel has Come To Ransom Captive Israel". So light the candle and sing the carols. And this year let us do it for those who cannot.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones
There are times in life when we come up against an evil so great, tragedy so unthinkable, that words fail us. They seem inadequate in the face of such unimaginable pain. So it has been for most of us as watched the events unfold around the tragedy in Newtown Connecticut. It quickly went from being their tragedy to being our tragedy. We all grieved, and will continue to grieve for the loss of life. Small towns are supposed to be safe. Children are supposed to be OK. We all know how it works. Those are the rules. What do we do when the rules are suddenly shattered?
As a pastor, father, grandfather I found myself wondering what would I do if I were in that town and had to lead worship that next Sunday. Not just any Sunday. An Advent Sunday. Not just any Advent Sunday, but the Sunday we light that odd pink candle. The one that stands for ....joy. What do you sing on such an Advent Sunday? Did any voices rise singing, Rejoice, Rejoice? "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen?" "Joy To The World?"
I don't know that any did. Or could. I certainly could not fault them if the candles were not lit and the carols not sung. But I hope they did. I pray that at least one voice sang, one candle of joy was lit. While it may seem impossible to celebrate Christmas in the light of such tragedy, I pray they will. For it was for just such tragedies that Jesus came.
Christmas reminds us in that on the darkest of nights in the midst of a broken, sin shattered , tear stained world the cry of a baby pierced the darkness. He did not wait until all was right in the world to come, He came to make the world right. Christmas reminds us God hasn't forgotten us and that all will be redeemed in time. The virgin birth of Jesus reminds us that hope and joy can come in the most impossible or situations. Even in times like these.
The cry of the Christ child began to silence all the evil in the world. It is a reminder that evil will not win, that it cannot defeat the love of God. One day evil will be silenced forever. As surely as the darkness is repelled when we light the Candle of Joy, so will the light of Jesus end the darkness of our world. And we will rejoice.
Christmas reminds us that Jesus is our Emmanuel. He is with us. It is natural, I suppose, when one hears of such tragedy to wonder where was God? Our Scripture reminds us He was there in the school with His arms around every child. He was there next to every teacher. He is there and weeps with every parent and grandparent and friend who lost someone. Our God is not some dispassionate deity who watches from a distance. No, at Christmas we celebrate the birth of Emmanuel, God is with us. As our Scripture reminds us it doesn't mean we will not have incredible pain and loss in life. It does mean we are not alone. God does hear, and loves us.
We have joy because Christmas in its own way reminds us of our true home in heaven. This evil world is not our home, nor is it the home of these children. They gather around the throne of God and for those who have faith in Christ, they will see them again.
It is for this reason we should, even in our darkest moments, light the candle of joy. It's why we should sing "Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel has Come To Ransom Captive Israel". So light the candle and sing the carols. And this year let us do it for those who cannot.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones
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