I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I pray, save my life!” ~ Psalm 116:1 - 4 One of my favorite movies is "Forrest Gump." It's not because of all the adventures that seem to happen to the main character, it's because he provides an opportunity to see what unconditional love looks like. His forever love, Jenny, who he loves, and says that they go together like "peas and carrots" just doesn't ever fully understand just how much he loves her until her own life circumstances reach a place where the shelter of his love provides for her recovery, well-being, and later, a place for their child to grow up. I have often thought of what God's love actually is like for us. I don't know if I can truly relate the love of Forrest to that of God, but the similarities seem to validate God's love for us. There is nothing in this world or the next that prevents God from loving us. While many of us seem to be living our lives, not even giving a second thought to the One who sits back, watches us, occasionally crosses our path with us, and is always willing and ready to care for us when our living in this world seems to overcome our lives. There is no single expression of love that we can point to and say, "Now that is love," because love is as different as there are humans. Ideally we have a sense of what love feels or looks like, but love is something that touches in a unique and special way. I will tell you this, I am no expert on love. I have listened to about fifty couples in my life as an ordained clergy person who talked of getting married, and of those, I have pronounced the couple as married to 47, but each couple was different. There was something unique about what attracted them to one another, and it wasn't always beauty! I have often shared that we love using mind, body and soul. If you have only one of those three, well, I begin to wonder and worry if the couple will make it. Usually two out of three, then the couple has a pretty good chance. Rarely have I met a couple that has all three, unless, the couple has been together for decades. Then, that's usually that couple you meet that has been together so long that they end each other's sentences, look similar, and on and on. While I am not an expert, I will say this, I love seeing people in love. But, one thing I have learned is this... not every person has to be in a relationship or married to experience love. The whole idea of loving yourself begins with God. Jesus reminds us to love ourselves as we would love others. Often the idea of the culture that true happiness only occurs to those who are in love with someone else is not what Jesus was talking about. I will admit, one of the most terrifying times in my life was when my daughter went off to college, and I found myself single. I had not lived by myself in nearly twenty years. I didn't know how to cook for myself, be comfortable with myself alone, or simply what to do! My life had been so focused on doing for others or with others, that I was a mess! But slowly I learned to enjoy my time, and the time I had for myself. Finally, I grew to appreciate this time, and learned that loving myself meant that sometimes I just need to be alone with myself. It is something I would have never learned had I not been in this position. What is it that you love about yourself? What is it about God that you love? These are questions that help us understand what love is, and what love is to us. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, thank you for loving me always. Amen.
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O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts. Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth. ~ Psalm 96 There is a lot to learn about over the years when it comes to God and miracles. Each day there are marvelous occurrences that we announce as a scientific breakthrough, or "an anomaly of a cell" as noted in my own hospital charting once. According to Webster's Dictionary, a miracle is "a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency." In seminary we called it, "A God thing." There really is no clear understanding of what a miracle actually may be, unless, it is announced as one either by the person who has witnessed the event, or the person who has experienced the event! I remember I was working at Baptist Hospital East while attending Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. It was my first unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, and I was working the Emergency Room for the very first time. I had never spent much time in a setting like this, and so, I did a lot of listening, and learning from the nursing staff and doctors. It had been a full-moon weekend, and I was on my third straight day of being on call. I had witnessed a number of things, and I thought I was "getting this chaplaincy thing" down. I had been with doctors as they shared good and bad news with people. I had prayed, and been received well, and I felt confident as I dotted every "i" and crossed every "t" in the chart. And then... By the way, miracle stories often include an "and then" statement, because that denotes that there was a change. A fairly young man, in his late 50's had suffered a major heart attack while on the roof of his home. The family could not get him off the roof, and by the time that EMT's arrived, the man had been on the roof for nearly 20 minutes, with his son's taking turns giving him CPR. It took another 15 minutes to figure out how to get him off the roof, into the ambulance, and another 20 to get him to the hospital. The whole idea of saving his life seemed to have mountain after mountain to climb. As the doctors and staff listened to what was happening, as each moment was transmitted to the hospital, one of the doctors approached me with a plan, stating that the family would be immediately taken into a private room, and that I was to remain with them. Everyone arrived, and a small room with about eight chairs suddenly had 15 people. The young men who had provided the effort to save their father's life were covered in sweat and I had water brought in. Within the next twenty minutes, one of the nurses asked me to step out where she informed me that the doctor wanted me to prepare the family for bad news as it was not looking good. I walked back in and looked at the wife. She looked at me and asked me to not say a word. If I was coming in to tell her that her husband was dying, she didn't want to hear it, and followed it up with, "Don't box in my God." She called everyone together and all joined hands. The next thing I knew, I was in a family circle, and this woman was boldly praying to God, and each child was assuring their mother, with words of praise. I was in the midst of a group of people that were looking to God for a miracle. The husband survived the night, and then a few days. They moved him into ICU, where he remained on a ventilator and in a coma for weeks. It was in my last week of Clinical Pastoral Education when I was paged to the ICU. This patient's wife was wanting to see me. I had seen her often in the cafeteria and the answer to how her husband was doing was the same, "no change." It had been decided he would be discharged to a long-term facility. As I walked into the room, I could see cards covering every inch of the wall, balloons in various states of life, and pictures of family members. This had become home to his wife, who remained by his side each day. I knocked on the door, and she invited me in. As I opened the door, I noticed something different. Her husband was sitting up and was looking at me! Although very weak, he reached out and took my hand in an effort to shake it. "Honey, this is the chaplain that you taught what a real miracle looks like." I had to keep tears from overwhelming me. It would be months later that I received a card from the family. I had graduated from seminary and moved to Texas where I was serving my first congregation in Alvin. She had contacted the seminary to locate me. In the card, a photo of the patient with his family returning home! Not every miracle includes a life or death situation, a miracle is a miracle, is a miracle. You get the point. The still small voice, prompting you to stop somewhere, only to realize five minutes later when you are back on the road, an accident has happened and you note that had you been on the road at that time, YOU would have been involved. When you pray for an answer, or guidance, and there seems to be an overwhelming number of "coincidences" that cause you to have your eyes opened... what do you claim as the reason? Miracles exist each day, if that is what you seek. Sharing the event with others validates the event, and causes others to begin looking at the world in a different way. Hoping you see the miracles of God each day as you remain in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear God, I know I often look to You in prayer for many things, but may I learn to see what You are doing just not as a blessing, but as the miracle that it truly is! Thank you! Amen. Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long. ~ Psalm 146:1 -2 When I first went out into the corporate world, I realized within the first few years that I was a complete micro manager! Not just a little. A whole lot! If there was a problem in the company I worked for, and it was within the area that I had been assigned, it wasn't solved with just a phone call. No! I got into my car and often went to where the issue was located to fix it, and living in Wyoming at the time, I sometimes drove hundreds of miles to solve it. The end result wasn't always the best solution. Many times it left me tired, and with no time to do the real job that I had effectively. I think that is the gift of youth. I had the energy to do all of that! Even as I aged it didn't necessarily get any better. I soon wanted to know exactly what my kids were up to. I monitored computer use, made sure I met friends, and even made sure clothing was appropriate. Yes, I was ONE OF THOSE dads! It wasn't until I found myself in a bad relationship, in a health crisis, and unable to care for myself that I suddenly had a real dose of reality. There are simply things in this world that I cannot control. As I look back, I ask God, "So, you think that you could have found an easier way for me to learn this fact?" You see, it wasn't so much God's doing. I'm part of the human race, and to put it simply, sometimes we mess up and we must learn to live with what has happened. It's an imperfect world, filled with imperfect people, and sometimes that imperfection can really control our lives. We can't fix everything. I would learn that as a chaplain. I was paged to the labor and delivery area of the hospital I was working one day. The page was in response to a code that was in progress. An infant girl, just two days old, was experiencing cardiac arrest. As I watched the team work on the tiny baby, I stood beside the young parents. The father was only 18 and the mother 16. As they watched, the doctor looked at me. I will never forget her eyes. We had worked together for some time, and the look that she gave me let me know that there was nothing in our control. I turned to the young father and said, "Your daughter needs you to be her daddy right now. I'm so sorry, but you need to make a decision. The team is going to keep trying, but this is not going to turn out well, or the way you hoped." The boy responded, "I thought that we would have her longer." "Every father hopes that he will have his children longer, but every father must learn to let go." We must learn that the only real thing that we have control of is the love that we have for one another and for God. The rest, well let me just say, and even to remind myself, sometimes we simply can't do anything about. I wish that I had some words of faith, or encouragement that would somehow make sense, or restore some ability to make the changes that we hope for, but sometimes, we must learn to let it go. Years ago someone told me to let go and let God. As much as I would like to partner with God to still have some control, the response time and time again, is this... "I am with you always... even unto the ends of the earth." Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, in the early morning light, I turn to You and seek Your presence. At noon day, as the sun shines on my face, help me to remember You are there. When the last light of the day is overtaken by shadows and night, may I not forget then that You are with me always. Amen. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. ~ Romans 15:7 Today I seem to be in a reflective mood. Perhaps why it has taken me so long to make it to my laptop to share. One thing that has occurred to me as I write is that we are the living Gospel of Christ. Think about it. In today's world, where books seem to appear more in an electronic form, and we find ways to move at a much faster pace, the time we have to sit and to meditate upon scripture has all but vanished. I have had several Bibles throughout my life, but one in particular, I cherish most. It was given to our family after my grandmother died of cancer, and within that Bible, I have made notations, underlined sentences that have meant something to me at some particular time, comments made by preachers who have brought sermons, and simple thoughts. While the book serves as a reminder of many things, for me, it is filled with milestones and memories. I am reminded that there are many people who do not own a Bible, been to church, or realize that sometimes they hear scripture and don't have a clue that what is being shared are words that have been inspired in the hearts of others. For many people, we are the living Gospel, and the only witness of what that means. Christianity is more than just words. It is a way of life that should bring people together. Paul writes to the Romans and reminds that we are to accept one another, just as Christ has accepted us. It is not a conditional statement filled with a set of rules or criteria. It is simple. Just as we are to be the witness of that acceptance to and for one another. It is meant to be easy, as Christ reminds, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29) May we all learn to be accepting of one another, and serve as the living Gospel today and each day while we remain in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, please help me to be accepting of others as You have accepted me. Amen. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" ~ Mark 4: 37-40 Those poor disciples. How often they must have felt like pure idiots? How often did Jesus feel like he was a babysitter? Whenever I think of real patience I think of Christ. There is an old saying, "Beware the anger of a patient man." I don't know about you, but there is no way on earth, or in heaven in this case, that I could have been responsible for the disciples as Christ was. It's not me. I would have put them out on a lifeboat myself to see what kind of faith they truly possessed. But that's me. And that's why God sent Christ, because for any of us we would have lost it with this group. I have known many patient people in my life, but seriously. The Bible shares that God is slow to anger. God truly acts like a parent, because I have found that it would have to be the love of a parent to have been so patient with these folks. More and more I discover just how thankful I am that God is God and that I am not. The way that Jesus calms the seas. The way he reassures. The constant redirecting of his followers. The question of faith. All reminders of God's power, God's reassurance, and the simple fact that God will not allow for us to be tossed into the sea. Once again, I remind us, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, when the storms around me are all that I can see, help me to know that You are there to say, "Quiet, and be still..." Today Lord, I will trust in You. Amen. "How great is the love which the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" ~ 1 John 3: 1 While I wonder at the world God has created, working behind the counter at a coffee shop has reminded me that there are so many expressions of the image of God. Each day I try to remind myself that each person that I meet, even when we don't look similar, speak the same language, or even believe the same things, are all children of God. I would have to say that there are times when I meet someone that I think, "There is no way I have anything in common with this person." But then I look beyond that statement and realize that every person I meet, seeks many of the same things I do. To seek love, while hoping that each day there is good health, friends and family that surround me, and that my daily needs are met.. that I am fed, that I am safe from harm, and that I have peace. I think that for most of us, one or more of these things might sound like something that we hope for, or share in common. It seems that our identities are marked by many things, but ultimately, we are the children of God. Even those that seem to be the most polar opposite from us! The Divine is present in each of us. From the first flutter in our mother's womb until we release our final breath, the presence and spirit of God is undeniably real. Because of God's presence in our lives, never do we fully belong to the world. It's hard to recognize this because the world has so many appealing things for us, but if we look much closer, we will discover that being a part of that world with all the ways that have been created to divide us, rather than unite us as brothers and sisters, keeps us from seeing our relationship with one another. The world enslaves us with fear; the presence of God frees us from that slavery and restores us to the true relationship. That is what Paul means when he says: "All who are guided by the Spirit of God are sons [and daughters] of God, for what you received was not the spirit of slavery to bring you back into fear; you received the spirit of adoption, enabling us to cry out, 'Abba, Father!'" (Romans 8:15). I'm grateful to see each person as my sister and my brother! Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, help me to see each person I meet today as my brother and sister. Amen. "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." ~ 2 Corinthians 3: 17-18 In each of our lives we have moments when we "know" that something really important is happening within us. Often it is related to a new direction in our life or a significant re-commitment to a path that we are already on. We have a deep sense that the new step we are taking matters very much. Don't ever think that God is not doing "something" in your life. Aging is an interesting process. While I look at photos of myself ten years, twenty and more in the more than half-century I have lived, I recognize different people within me. And now at my age, as I look in the mirror, I have begun to see things that remind me of my grandparents. Genetics is such an art! Although I have changed, the same God who created me is still within. Each of us matters to God. The manifestation of Christ takes many forms. Within the womb of a Hebrew girl. On the steps of our Nation's Capitol where justice seekers stand and hold signs. On the playground where a bully's words have brought out strength unseen before in his victim. Or in the silent moment of prayer where peace seems to roll in like the evening tide. I could go on and on about what God is doing in our lives, but it is up to each of us to seek out the Spirit and allow it to rise up and recognize by living out the manifestation. Today, seek the Lord with all your heart. Seek the Lord with all your soul and strength... and the rejoice with what you have discovered! Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, I may not always recognize Your presence, but I know that You are there. Help me to open my eyes to what You are doing. Amen. Moses said to the Lord, "Oh Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." The Lord said to him, "Who gave a person their mouth? ...Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." ~ Exodus 4: 10-12 Yesterday I spent time with several youth participating in a week-long mission camp in the area. The youth are visiting different locations each day. One day they were assisting at a senior living center, the next, at a thrift store that benefits local ministries, and yesterday, at a community food pantry. It's a great way for the youth to get a hands-on experience helping at a variety of places, and to help a number of people. At each location they have been able to talk with the people they are helping, learn about their circumstances, and what brought them to the place where they now are. Life narratives are important. We each have a story to tell, and for some, when they finally find someone who wants to listen, then that story becomes like a sounding board. Allowing questions to be asked, and for possible answers to be thought out. I spent time talking with a colleague yesterday and she was sharing how her life had somewhat prepared her for her present role. We both found ourselves laughing when we realized that nearly all of us have answered God, "Really?" at some point. Even Moses wanted to provide God with a list of options when called to deliver the Hebrew people out of Egypt. It's so true. Even I can remember a time when I just knew that God wanted me to be the one to do something, and I found every reason not to. I had been praying for God to reveal God's plan for me in my life. I had recently been visiting my grandparents in another state and "happened" to run into friends who shared about a job opening in Wyoming where they were now living, and I just remember thinking, "I don't know a thing about Wyoming." It was a "thank you, but no thank you," moment. I just remember thinking how crazy that would be to leave Indiana for Wyoming, but had really wanted a change. I thought about the idea of moving all the way home from my trip. "Lord, really?" When I went to the post office to pick up my mail that I had held while away, on top of the pile was a brochure, "Travel to Wyoming this Summer... A guide to places and things to do!" The funny thing? It was not addressed to me, it was simply addressed to OCCUPANT. I took that as a sign. Why not? Oh, I still prayed about it, talked to my family about the offer, and then of course, my friends, who in a few weeks welcomed me and my carload of things into their home, as I began this next chapter of my life. So many of us respond, "Really?" when we are reminded that so many people's first response was, "Yes Lord, send me." Something for all of us to think about... Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, I know that I don't always understand that plans that You have for me and my life, but when they are revealed, helped me to say "Yes." Amen. Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you." ~ Luke 17:20 - 21 One of the things that an extended illness and recovery teaches you is that there is uniquely something holy about each of us, and that the kingdom of God is real. Someone once asked me if during my illness if I thought about dying, and what that would be like? Of course I did. Daily, but along the way, I began to realize that God's kingdom was already present within. So often we bump into the kingdom of God and don't realize it. What I mean is this. Jesus came so that we all may experience life fully. Even when that life is consumed by death, there is still a sacredness that exists. Remember, we are the only part of God's creation that received the breath of God, which not only makes us unique, but involves a very sacred gift. We are truly Divine and dust. Sometimes I realize that I can be somewhat "heady" in my thoughts when it comes to the indwelling presence of God in my life. God's presence within is not meant to be something that we must try to discern or validate. God is just there! Even as we breath in and out. When Jesus shares that the kingdom of God is not necessarily a place, or borders with signs saying, "This is the kingdom of God!" No, he reminds us that the kingdom of God is already among US! While so many people wonder when Jesus will return so that the world may once again know real peace and harmony, God has equipped us to begin the process. I love it when I realize that we each possess a sacred center. A place where God remains always. It's that place where a woman discovers the strength to know she cannot live one more day in an abusive relationship and it is time to stand up and go. It's that place where a student who has been bullied on the playground looks into the eyes an accuser and says, "No more!" It's not always about strength, sometimes it is the artist that is inspired to create some place like a cathedral on paper, then see it become a reality on a hill, and people are brought closer to God within the walls surrounded by that inspiration. Sometimes it is words, like that of the Psalmist, that takes us on their journey, and we are inspired to go further. Sometimes it is the prayer at the end of the day of simply stopping, breathing, and saying, "Thank you for this day." For most of us, it is that still, small voice, that reminds us that we will be okay, even when the world seems to be out of control. God's presence in our lives is not meant to be complicated. God's presence simply IS! As the writer, Luke, proclaims, "the kingdom of God is already among YOU!" I pray today you rediscover that sacred center while remaining in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, let today be filled with moments where I realize that Your kingdom is all around and that I have nothing to fear. As the Psalmist has written, Your rod and staff comfort me, for I am Yours. Today I pray that goodness and mercy follows me, and that I never forget that You already dwell within and I shall live with You in the kingdom of God, forever and ever. Amen. On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well." ~ Luke 17:11 - 19 We live in a world where we find ways to separate people who are like "us" and those who are "them." Even Luke is clear to note that it was a Samaritan (them) who returns to give God praise, and not those from Galilee (us), when they are healed from leprosy. Just fill out a random survey and you will soon discover that it wants to know your gender, age group, income range, race, and depending on the survey, wants to know if you shop at one grocery store or another. It's about gathering data, because we know that somewhere there is a person who's entire life is filled with collecting such things. When was the last time that you shopped online, only to later discover that the items that you looked at are now showing up on your news feed somewhere in an ad. It's not by some miracle that it happens. Its research reflecting YOU! Okay, so before I step over into some "big brother" conspiracy or creep some of us out, let me remind you there is already someone who knows us better than some survey. That person is God. Years ago a dear friend shared with me that you should give God three times the amount of praise compared to the time you spent asking for God about a situation when the prayer has been answered. He went on to talk about having an attitude of gratitude. So often when we seek out God's wisdom, healing, or blessing, when it comes, we often forget the process of asking for the blessing, and that time we spent talking to God about the blessing. When it comes, then we are happily on our way. I have to admit, my life would be very different if God responded to the blessing the way that Google does when it tracks your internet use. Could you imagine being in line at the grocery store, and the little television that is above the checkout clerk suddenly turns to a commercial from God, directed at YOU, and saying, "Aren't YOU glad that GOD did this for YOU?" Everyone in the checkout line would suddenly be focused on you, and probably would be chiming in, "Yeah, aren't you glad?" All along, they then start to consider what it is that God has done and suddenly fall to the ground giving thanks before it is their turn to walk up to the checkout person! God doesn't react that way. God just simply loves us and we continue on our way until that next time when we suddenly find ourselves talking to God, often asking for something else. Taking time for the attitude of gratitude is something we can all do, especially while remaining in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear God, thank you! Amen. And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. ~ Matthew 17:20 I wish that I could say that I never question my faith, but I do. I think that Jesus knew that we would have times when we would struggle. He watched as the Disciples, the people closest to him, struggled to believe that they could heal in his name, step out onto the water when called, and even doubted Jesus' experience until he showed the scars in his hands. It's okay. Our faith is meant to be easy, as Jesus shares. However, even in the presence of God, our faith can sometimes be lost among fears, doubt, and just daily struggles. Sitting in the hospital room, a patient shares that she has prayed, but doesn't feel like anyone is listening. A man living under a bridge looks to heaven as the rain continues and his last pair of dry socks get soaked and he looks at the ground and wonders why life is so hard. A mother and child are in a horrific auto accident, and the mother is killed, leaving the father to raise his daughter alone, and he struggles to live with the idea that the man who caused the accident was driving with a suspended license. The world is full of times when people ask "why?" Jesus hangs on the cross dying, and cries out, "Why have you forsaken me?" We struggle. I often have difficulty with people when the response to these struggles is this, "God is just testing you." It's as if by some act of God, God wants to know just the existence of that faith. No, that kind of theology often causes more harm than good. Of course there are going to be times when we have to wonder what it is that is going on, but we must remember this first, we live in an imperfect world surrounded by imperfect people, like ourselves, who are going to mess up and stumble. God's presence provides for us times of mercy, grace and forgiveness, but also times to cry out, wonder, and be silent. As I write my blog each day, I pray that God will provide words that will serve as a reminder of just how amazing the world actually is. I hope for words that will encourage and remind us that God is with us always, throughout all our human experiences. But mostly, that while we strive to love one another, and respect our neighbors as ourselves, that we recognize the sacred within and know that God holds us firmly in God's grip... even when we find that we are looking towards heaven, and only see the ceiling of the room that we are in. God is there. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, I know that there have been times when I have questioned Your presence. Help me today to see You more clearly. Amen. “They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.” ~ John 14:21 - 29 He looked at the people, and then looked towards the heavens. Places he has both known as home. Both contain memories, emotions, and events that have existed since the beginning of time, and now it is time to leave one for the other. I remember the first time I made the drive to Corpus Christi, Texas, where my daughter, Emily, was studying at Texas A & M. While her apartment was reflective of the person she had grown into, I looked around and realized that a part of me was going to be with her always. I guess as a newly designated, "Empty Nester" I tried to find things that she would have at her new apartment that would remind her of me. Something that validates that my child would not forget me, or that somehow, I could continue to journey with her in some other form. As I climbed into my car to leave, one last good-bye hug and kiss, I realized a variety of emotions sweeping over me. Fighting back a few tears, I just smiled and drove away. She had put on her best "game face" and had turned away, "I've got to get back to my laundry, dad..." A response that provided for a quick get away so that any tears on her part would not be seen. While on Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the appearance of the Holy Spirit, the Great Comforter and Advocate that Jesus has spoke of, we also are saying good bye to Jesus' literal presence on earth. He is returning home, while a new presence of God comes to the Disciples and those who have gathered, on the wind. I somewhat understand what God must have been feeling. Leaving behind those who he has called to follow Christ, and hoping and believing, that there is just "something" that they will carry with them. Place in their home, communities, but mostly, within each person. It's that Spirit that validates that Christ has come, and that Christ didn't just lived, but dwells within our hearts. It's that presence that reminds us to be present for one another. It ignites desires to go and to serve. It is still today what calls to each of us, and we respond with, "Yes, Lord..." It is that still, small voice, that becomes shouts in a crowd, and calls out to others! While Jesus turns to leave, no emotions are recorded. Simply, "Peace, I leave with you, MY peace, I give to you." A blessing. May that peace dwell within each of us as we remain in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 A Pentecost Visit by Rev. G. Todd Williams from the book, "Let Us Pray: Reformed Prayers for Christian Worship" Creator, like the breeze of wind in Spring’s March, you blow across the plains, all the earth grows with each breath. Gathering the dawn, and collecting the body of your kingdom, molding the global community that will be. Your entrance, like the warmth of sun poured out on the morning mist of pre-dawn, fills the shadows of darkness and gives new light for illumination. Like the aroma of the tallest of sycamore trees that line the dancing brook, you are carried on the breeze. You clothe our senses, carpet our hopes with shades of purple and gold, the adornment of the One, ushered in as the King, who is Christ. You sweep in, bringing relief to parched soils, and loosen the grip of winter in the tundra. Dissipating the smog, encouraging us to breathe you in, Your sweet ru’ach*, “breath of God.” The gulf hears your roar as you destroy sandy foundations, forfeiting materialistic ideas; quickening us to the center of our soul. Like the lover’s breath, you whisper hope, promising forgiveness, and seal us to you with grace from your Spirit. Some days, the salty tears, which created our oceans in your own loneliness, fall from your face, still; leaving us to wonder what possibilities are availing? But like the first cosmic light of dusk, you are there to greet us. So, you visit us in the evening of our life; when we sense our work is complete, delivering to us your complete peace. I believe in your Holy Spirit, that gives each of us life. Poured out on all flesh. Who, with the Father and the Son, is worshiped and glorified. Amen. * ru’ach - Hebrew from Genesis - the literal breath of God that gave Adam life and his spirit. It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. ~ Psalm 92:1 - 4 Today marks the last day of Easter Time within the church, with tomorrow being Pentecost. It has been a fifty day journey for Christ among the Disciples since the resurrection and within hours, Jesus will ascend and the Holy Spirit will make it's presence known. A lot is going to happen! It's moments like this, knowing the big picture as we do, what it must have been like for those who responded when Jesus said, "Come, follow me." The morning a few fishermen walking along the shore, talking about everyday things, and watching as fish pulled at their nets, meeting a stranger. What was it about Jesus that convinced them to drop their nets by the water's edge? For the tax collector, Levi, who was often feared and hated, what was it about Jesus that when he said, "Your name is now Matthew," that he never again answered to the name given to him by his parents? Young Andrew, following Jesus, like a little brother looking up to his big brother, who celebrated several baskets of fish and loaves of bread when they only began with a handful after feeding 5,000 people, what would he do now? For each of these men, and the women as well, like Mary and Martha whose brother Lazarus died and they watched as he entered into the daylight after being placed in a tomb, Jesus leaving their presence was going to be another change for them. I am reminded of the words Luke writes when the paralyzed man is lowered through the roof of a home where Jesus was speaking, after hearing Jesus tell him to "take up his mat and walk," he then records that the people all commented, "surely today we have seen a great thing." Each of these moments effected everyone around. But now, Jesus is about to leave their presence, and they are going to encounter something that they could never have planned for. Imagine hearing Jesus say, "It's now time for me to leave..." For those who left everything to follow him must be thinking, "now what?" They have literally changed their entire lives. And now this! One of the things that I have discovered about the Christian faith is that God's presence meets us in many ways. Through others, personal experiences, and in the silence of the night. As we go through the various chapters of our life, God addresses our needs as we age, and remains present. How thankful I am that we have a God that has encountered us through creation. We have experienced a God who walked with us through Jesus. And that we have a God that indwells within us through the Holy Spirit. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, how marvelous are the ways that You know me! I am both grateful and humbled by the ways in which You approach me. Help me to recognize Your presence each day. Amen. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! ~ Psalm 148:1 - 2 Years ago the Quaker theological D. Elton Trueblood wrote, "A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.” What he describes involves a remaining presence after a person has died. Some today might ask, "What will your legacy be?" Jesus is just days away from ascending to heaven for a final time, and the disciples are hearing more about this "Comforter," that will come and serve as God's presence. Although for many of us who believe that the Creator, Son and Holy Spirit are all one, the Comforter, or Spirit that Jesus speaks of is already present, but not in the form that the Disciples will soon discover. The idea of leaving something behind as a sign of our presence having been here is something all of us think about. It's not simply a genetic marker through the next generation, or a tombstone that marks where our remains rest. It involves something that is uniquely ours and that will serve as a place, belief, or thought that people will point to and say that you were the author or creator. Lately I have been thinking about what it is that I want people to remember about me. While I can't necessarily point to one particular thing, I can however, look at the people I have met and come to know, and hope that what has happened is that my life has provided encouragement and support, even on difficult days. One thing that I realize is that we don't necessarily get to decide how or what people will remember about us! My apologies to those who are so intent on controlling everything in their life, who just suddenly realized that once you die, it will be others who speak of and remember you how they choose! I'm thankful for the Gospel writers who walked with Jesus and wrote of their experiences with him as he lived among us. His legacy speaks of a time when God came and dwelt among us. Even the word, Emmanuel means "God with us." While it is painful to think of any one person being executed, it is awful when the events leading to Jesus' death involve recorded words of each step, blood being poured out, and consequently his own mother watching as he took his last breath, hanging from a wood cross by nails. Our legacy is something that we are living each day presently. It involves not only our actions, but everything about our life, whether intentional or not. It is what others will remember and speak of after we are gone. It is more than just pointing to something that once belonged to us and hoping that the next generation will know it in the same context as we did. I have a set of china dishes my great grandmother gave to me that was given to her on her wedding day. They are something that I treasure, but my children will never feel about them the way I do because they did not know my grandmother at all. What they will remember is that they were special to me, because they had a special memory attached to them. Christ lives through each of us and that is our legacy that we may live today and leave for the future. Ours is not the need to leave a legacy, it is the need to share our lives with one another, and simply to love one another, as Christ has loved us. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, as I think of my life, and what I hope others will remember of me, may they look at discover You. Amen. "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. The one who receives you receives me, and the one who receives me receives the one who sent me." ~ Matthew 10: 39-40 The whole idea of losing your life is something that we all worry about. As the baby boomers continue to age, we are discovering that 50 is the new 30 and that gray is the new black. It's nothing to be ashamed of. It's who we are as a society. I must admit, getting older can be a challenge at times. The Beatitudes offer us a self-portrait of Jesus, and what God would like for us to mirror daily. At first it might seem to be a most unappealing portrait - who wants to be poor, mourning and persecuted, in any generation? Who can be truly gentle, merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker, and always concerned about justice? Where is the realism here? This would certainly not go well for many of us. Don't we have to survive in this world and use the ways of the world to do so? I will admit that sometimes I wish it were easier to live the life that Jesus speaks of. Modeling our life after that of Christ does open up a new world, and new challenges. While the big picture includes the kingdom of heaven, our ability to live in the here and now still can be a struggle. Surrendering ourselves to the life that Jesus calls us to live will have it's blessings. We will be comforted and have our fill; mercy will be shown to us. While Yes, we will be recognized as God's children and truly see God, not just in an afterlife, but here and now. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, as I begin a new day, please help me to model my life in a way that resembles what Jesus describes, so that I don't lose my life in all the wrong ways throughout the day. Amen. |
AuthorRev. G. Todd Williams is the author of the book, "Remember Me When..." and is a former hospice chaplain and pastor. Archives
February 2024
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