After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:27 - 32 It was going to be another normal day at the office and finding ways to make life difficult for those in the community. The life of a tax collector in the days of Jesus were moments filled with corruption, unfair decisions, and needing reformation. In modern standards, I don't think we have to look too far to get an idea of what this role was like. There still exists people who are like this today. But what was it that day that Levi went to work that when he met Jesus he simply walked away? As Levi's feet hit the floor that morning, did he wipe the sleep from his eyes, and scratch his head. Did he know that his life was about to change? Pulling on his tunic and adjusting his clothing, grabbing a piece of bread, did he feel something inside as he took the last bite before walking out the door of his home. Walking the dirt path that he had for some time, each day, going to the place where he would find ways to collect money for a foreign ruling government. Even he was a slave to a certain degree. Did he see Jesus right away among the people that gathered around where he would sit each day, and when he did, what made him decide to immediately have him over for dinner, inviting others to come and meet the man who simply said, "follow me." God has blessed my life with people that I simply enjoy being around. It doesn't matter if we are walking together on a path in the park, or at a place to eat that serves up some of our favorite foods. There are just some people that you just love having in your life. When you find these individuals, you then discover ways to do more together. Jesus and Levi seemed to have that connection. And like so many people, when you really get to know them, sometimes you even come up with names to call one another. Jesus begins calling Levi, "Matthew" and the rest is history for us. Before Matthew emerges from the crowd of people that he once associated with, he invites them all together for a large party. Because he was a tax collector, that is what the majority of the guests do for a living. Of course, Jesus is told by those who already have their eye on him that what he is doing is wrong. They don't get it. Jesus is right where he needs to be, reminding them that what he is doing is just as important as a doctor visiting sick patients. We still see that today. The environment for helping one another has changed. While this blog is meant for encouragement, I refrain from political statements, however, one example of this is the church that offers to help resettle a Syrian family and suddenly is accused of assisting terrorists. Jesus and Matthew walk away together when it is all said and done. Sometimes I think that Levi had to become Matthew to help others see that he had changed. I'm sure that there were those who said, "Hey, isn't that Levi the tax collector?" as they point to Matthew. Matthew then had to correct them, but then gets to tell the story of how Jesus has changed, not just his name, but his life. Inviting Jesus to walk with us each day is about inviting change. It's about helping those who are seeking a different life, and being the living Christ in the world today, while we all take on the name Christian. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, help me to follow You more closely each day, even when I find myself surrounded by those who do not understand what it means to walk with You. Amen.
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"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you. ~ Isaiah 54:10 One of the things that I am often reminded of, especially when serving at the communion table at church, is that we talk alot about brokenness. The bread when lifted, "This is my body, which is broken for you..." I share, as bread is broken, a body broken, and then I will lift a cup, "This is my blood which is poured out for you. A new covenant I make with each of. Take and drink..." "For as often as we take the bread and cup, we remember Christ's brokenness for us. His death. His resurrection, and that one day we ALL shall see him. Face to face. These are the gifts of God, for the people of God..." Brokenness. Jesus was broken on the cross. He lived his suffering and death not as an evil to avoid at all costs, but as a mission to embrace. We too are broken. We live with broken bodies, broken hearts, broken minds or broken spirits. How can we live our brokenness? Christ invites us to embrace our brokenness as he embraced the cross and live it as part of our mission. Christ asks us not to reject our brokenness as a punishment from God that reminds us of the times when poor choices or bad judgement has created distance between us and the Creator, but to accept it and put it under God's blessing to allow for grace and forgiveness. Two of the things our broken world needs most at this point. The brokenness that we witness and experience is truly the gateway for a new life and a much stronger and loving society. Praying that in our brokenness we learn to love one another as God has loved us. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, help me to understand the brokenness that I may feel at times, as I strive to become whole. Amen. The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,‘” John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” ~ Mark 1:1 - 11 I would have loved to have gone to one of Jesus' family reunions. Seriously, think about it. You have Mary and Elizabeth, raising two boys that are about to go into Biblical history. Mary and Elizabeth's husbands, both of whom God has had to spend some extra time with, helping them to understand the young men that would grow up in their homes. And then you have the two boys themselves, Jesus and John (later known as John the Baptist). In my family, the family reunion was just as much about food as it was family. The long table that would be laid out before us, with clothes pins generally holding the corners of the table cloth down, so that the wind would not catch the fabric and risk it folding over on top of a piece of cake, even in a closed room! The salads would be followed by meats and sides that would lead to the largest portion of the table... sweet and tasty desserts! Imagine two mothers, holding the plates of their sons. Asking what they would like on their plates. John, of course, turning his nose up at everything. Jesus looking over some of his favorites, wishing that there were more, and mysteriously, another platter containing fish appears! (Okay, I'm just having some Biblical fun here, but you get the idea.) At the end of the day, the two boys and their families return to their homes and life goes on until one day when John is out in the wilderness, telling people that they must repent, and wearing his own designer clothes and eating nothing but locusts and honey meets up with his cousin. This time it is not around a table of family favorites. It is in the water, and John realizes that the Kingdom of God is truly at hand, as he takes the hand of Jesus and leads him into the water. While the Gospel writers share that John doesn't feel worthy of what is about to happen, I can almost sense Jesus telling him, it's okay. We are family. I have to believe it is an emotional moment as well. Two cousins uniting in a common bond that brings faith into the present, and the sacred into perspective. Jesus enters the water, with John looking into his face. I have often wondered as the waters rippled as they encircled the face of Jesus that day, did it reflect the clouds that floated above, and perhaps, a doorway to heaven. Did Jesus shut his eyes as he peered through the water, looking towards the home he left, and held his breath, understanding that the breath he breathed in was indeed the breath of God that had first touched the lungs of Adam in the garden. The skies opened up and there were words from above, sharing of the importance and significant pleasure of the Creator as these two both were standing, embracing, and then continuing on their own journeys. The fullness of what it means to be family and the reality that the Kingdom of God comes to full fruition and the declaration that Jesus is the Son of God happens in minutes. For us today, these two cousins provide for us a window into what it means to be family while also providing an understanding of what it means to follow our hearts. The faith of God and God's kingdom come together in the story of these two men, and is our story today. We are part of this legacy as well. I'm looking forward to the table in heaven where our family gathers and the Kingdom of God is realized. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, what a day that will be when we gather for the great family reunion! Help me to remain faithful through each day of my life. Amen. While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. ~ Luke 24:36-43 Jesus and those disciples! While they had seen Lazarus rise from the dead, the idea that Jesus would rise, especially after what they all witnessed, had to have been difficult to understand. Have you ever looked at an auto accident and wondered how anyone even survived? My nephew a few years ago was in a horrific auto accident. The vehicle he was driving skidded on black ice and became airborne as it hit the embankment. The vehicle was turning in the air as it hit an electric pole, snapping the structure. When his car landed, the pole came down onto the vehicle, crushing it and power piles began dancing all around, even burning the inside lining of his jacket. Cinder blocks that he had placed in the back of the vehicle for traction on the snowy roads had been thrown forward during the impact with the pole, breaking his back. Alone on the country highway, he pulled himself from the wreckage. In shock, he began walking down the road until someone stopped and then rushed him to the closest hospital, which happened to be where his mother worked as a nurse. It was amazing first of all that he was able to free himself from the wreck at all, it was more amazing after seeing what was left of the vehicle and the space where he had been seated, him surviving at all. Today he lives a full and healthy life, thanks to some steel rods that had to be placed in his back, but to look and think about the wreck, the odds are that he shouldn't be here at all. While my nephew didn't die, there were those who were shocked to see him at all after hearing of the accident. The disciples were Jesus' closest friends. What they had witnessed was as horrific as an auto accident. They watched him take his last breath after beatings, displays, and the sound of the crowd yelling out for his death. So when Jesus appeared to them, they were a bit uneasy. I think any of us would have been. Jesus tries to reassure them with his words. I have often wondered how I would have reacted had I been present that day? I'm unsure how peaceful I would have felt, even after Jesus telling me to be calm, and I definitely wouldn't necessarily be offering him fish! But the gathering continues, and the reality begins to make sense. Jesus had told them of his returning, and fulfilling what the scriptures had proclaimed. He was there! For us today, our faith has to go one step further. It's not just about believing in something or someone we cannot see, but we must find peace in a world that seems to be filled with chaos. It is seeking Jesus and believing while having peace. Have a great day while staying in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, help me to remain peaceful while I look for You in the world each day. Amen. 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 I wish that I could explain why we encounter "good days," and "bad days." When God was busy creating everything that we see and know around us, at the end of each day, God pronounced that the creation was, "Good." The alarm clock gets hit one too many times, and you have snoozed away time to prepare for work. The toaster doesn't seem to toast fast enough, the coffee, well, let's say it's not your favorite, and you are out of creamer. The dog has to be walked, and it is raining when you open the door. The dog bolts for the opposite direction. The phone rings and you are out the door again. I haven't had one of THOSE days in forever, and frankly, I'm so grateful to be a morning type person, but even on the best of days, there can be things that might prevent us from acknowledging just how "good" the day really is. I have shared before that I went through a significant period in my life where I was depressed. It didn't seem to matter what doctors tried or family and friends prayed, I was just in a state of depression. It wasn't until a therapist friend asked me to take a picture of something that brought me joy and to bring it to his office and we would talk about what it was that made me feel good when I looked at the photo. Before long, I was taking photos each day and documenting the things that made me joyful. It reminds me that finding things to proclaim as "good" can sometimes take a little work. If you turn on any morning talk show, you will quickly discover what is "bad" in the world. That is way too easy! Discovering joy may take a little work, but at the end of the day, it makes calling the day "good" a whole lot easier. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, help me to realize that the place that You created You once declared as being "good." Help me to recognize the goodness in each new day. Amen. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment. But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. ~ Luke 23:56b-24:11 (12) "That will never happen." "I doubt it." "It will never work." How many of us have either said or heard these words in our lifetime? While the disciples saw some pretty amazing things when Jesus was alive, the whole idea that Jesus himself would rise from the grave had to seem like an amazing tale. In fact, even today's gospel writer refers to it as an "idle tale." Our ability to grasp what God has done sometimes takes us by surprise. While onlookers are ready to cast doubt, or surround you with unbelief statements, God just goes on ahead and performs a miracle. There have been many times while serving as a chaplain in the hospital that a diagnosis suddenly changes. Even my own doctor realized at some point that the "cell anomaly" was a "M I R A C L E." I always find it interesting that when the women go and tell those present back at home that Jesus is gone, that only one of the disciples, Peter, runs to see for himself. It's liken to the time that Jesus heals the lepers and only one returns to say "thank you." It's not that God isn't making things happen. It's simply the fact that we tend to forget when something does happen, that God is making it happen! When we pray for a miracle. Expect a miracle! While it may not always be exactly what we hoped, if you have offered it up to God with your whole heart, then God is part of it! We forget that when we talk to God, or ask God for something, God is listening! Always! And it is not selective hearing! The omnipotent presence of God places God with you at all times. The realization of that presence, and the ability for God to know what we are thinking, hoping and praying for all coincide with that relationship! I don't know about you, but I think I would have raced Peter to the tomb that morning. Of course I was not there, but I am present today, and it is today that I will seek those moments when I can say without a doubt that God did THIS! Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, help me to proclaim the things that You are doing in my life! Thank You! Amen! This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:24 A now comes a new day. Well, each day is new, with new opportunities. I am beginning a new chapter in my life today, as I have been called to serve as a Chaplain for Houston Hospice in Houston, Texas. As I ready myself for my first full day, there is some excitement. There are some chapters in our lives that we simply get excited about. First day of school, a first date, a promotion, getting married, having children and grandchildren, retirement and on and on. Sometimes I'd like to think that God was excited when the words, "Let there be light," were first uttered and upon all the darkness, for the first time, there were shadows and color. How marvelous it must have felt to see dry land push up out of the depths of the deep, and that first mountain top experience, all created with the intention that this was going to be something "good." So much of the time I think that there are things that happen in our life that we forget that life is meant to be lived with anticipation and excitement. John the Baptist was shouting, "the Kingdom of God is at hand," with excitement. It wasn't just a call to humanity to be ready, there was anticipation! Even the morning the stone was rolled away, as the women went to complete the burial process, their sorrow was turned to excitement when they realized that Jesus had risen! We are reminded that "this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!" While the day ahead may seem to be challenging, or even overwhelming, for many, don't let it consume the reality that the day can begin with the anticipation that God's blessings are just beginning anew. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, thank You for this new day that You have created. May the joys of the day overcome any challenge that may arise. Thank You for making this day a time of anticipation and excitement. Amen. Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” ~ Matthew 22:1-14 I love a good wedding story, but this one takes the cake. Every now and then I will read the lectionary selection for Sunday and think about how I would be preaching this if I were still serving in a church setting. For me, the first thing about today's lectionary selection that comes to the forefront is the "many are called, but few are chosen." We see this everywhere. On bumper stickers, decorated wood pieces that hang on walls, and is a common sentence that churches often like to share. So much of the time people don't care to read the "rest of the story," as Paul Harvey for years would say on the radio. This is a piece of the gospel that contains more ups and downs than a Shonda Rhimes drama. It involves a wedding, a king, slaves that go out and try to even bribe people to come to a wedding, a bad wedding outfit, and of course, death. Often when I read this, I wonder what each of the characters must have been thinking, or going through, for them to react this way. So often our take is only from our perspective, but I wonder what was going on from the other side. I can see those who work, and have family responsibilities that prevent them from attending. It's about the priorities that they are consumed by. And then there are the slaves. Being told what to do by the king, only to find themselves enslaved by another, beaten and even dying. There are just every day people who get invited to attend off the street. And then there is the unfortunate soul who basically shows up wearing flip-flops at the ball and is sent out into the darkness, only to be tormented for eternity. What about the bride and the groom? Where is the reaction from them? Why the importance of the wedding? Why is there no one who is interested in attending? Years ago when Prince Charles of England married a somewhat common, Diana, the entire world could not see enough! All networks, newspapers and water fountain conversations at work spoke of the event and the reactions of the people. But let's just talk weddings for a moment. I have officiated at the wedding of nearly fifty couples now in my twenty plus years of ministry. I have seen some real interesting moments, from mother-in-laws who ruled the wedding, to flower girls that insisted they would throw flowers how THEY wanted, and best men who were so nervous that I took the couple's wedding bands and held them myself so they would not be lost or dropped on the floor. Nerves, laughing, one singing, and a few that nearly fainted, all have stood before as friends and families have been present. We forget that marriage is a sacred ceremony that is about covenant. Photographers, planners and magazines have made them out to be public displays, but, like all weddings, it is to be about community. I am sure that the king has really struggled. He has killed his most prized livestock and has lavishly offered much, but still the king waits and no one comes. While I have always been able to remember the verse that many are called and few are chosen, it is harder to remember that this comes at the end of a very trying time. A time, some would say, is our time. God has sent Jesus to us and some have simply not been able to find a way to understand why it is that God has given so much. While we share with others that they can come "just as they are," like the king in the story, it is not necessarily God doing the throwing out into darkness, it is often us. When we see the person for who the person actually is, sometimes it is difficult remain in community. I guess when it is all said and done, I'm always thankful to know that we all have received an invitation to be part of the wedding. While our lives can be filled with so many things to keep us from attending, our ability to love one another remains key to the creation of community and the Kingdom of God. Hoping that you have a great day staying in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, thank You for inviting me each day to be part of this journey with You. For my ability to respond, "yes," and for You to see me for who I am and still love me. Help me to see and treat others just as You do me. Amen. Then He said, "Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." ~ Exodus 3:5 I guess it was the philosopher Virgil who first penned the words, "tempus fugit," that we know as "time flies." Our sense of time just seems to have evolved into segments that arrive and disappear before we manage to catch our breath, leaving very little to remember, unless it is one of those milestones that will remain in your mind forever. The same can be said about sacred moments and sacred places. The grandeur of a cathedral or the canopy of the forest can leave you momentarily without words, only minutes later, to realize that the moment of sacredness has evolved. I'm not sure if it is a requirement in our faith to have such moments, but I think that they obviously happen. I have often wondered what things caught the eye of Jesus as he walked the countryside? Do you think he stopped and touched the wet dew on the grasses, or breathed in the aroma of Sycamores after the rain, remembering the moment he considered it's creation? There have been so many things in creation to allow us these moments. I remember going into a cave once and the lights were turned out. I couldn't see a thing. My hand in front of my face could not be seen. But then, as my eyes explored the darkness I looked down to where a small stream was and I began to see a faint glow, as the fish journeyed, emitted the tiniest of neon glow. It was amazing. I remember the fields of our farm, during the summer months, would make noise as the corn would push forth towards the sky, making sure it was knee-high by the Fourth of July, and as tall as a small tree just weeks later. These are all incredible experiences that made my stop and look, listen, and wonder at the transformation and re-creation of God's amazing presence that we are being invited to experience; the awe of moments, and sights of sacredness. I hope that we all experience at least one of these moments each day as time flies by us. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, help me to recognize You in each moment. That my eyes may see Your beauty, and understand that sacredness. Amen. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:7 The title of the sculpture is "Grief" and is located at the Texas City Memorial, Texas City, Texas, in memory of the those who grieved the blast in 1947 that killed several hundred people in the community. All too often we hear the words, "time heals," when referring to a loss. I am not completely sure about that. In our American culture, we somehow expect people to be "back to normal," just weeks after a loss. When my stepmother died over a decade ago, I read several books on the grief, the loss of a parent, and what to expect. While everything I read described many things I had experienced, I continued to grieve her death. Today I realize that grief, for many things, is a life-long process. But when the expression "time heals" means that faithfulness in a difficult situation can lead us to a deeper understanding of the ways we have been hurt, or hurt one another, then there is much truth in it. "Time heals" doesn't necessarily imply that I am sitting back and waiting for the magic of time to soften or remove the situation, but instead, facing the pain and trusting in the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation. A friend of mine has suggested that "time accepts." Perhaps that provides a better understanding at this point in my life. Stay in God's grip! "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:7 Dear Lord, I have heard others pray to You to help them accept the things that they cannot change. Please help me when I encounter those moments in my life, and give me peace while You hold me. Amen. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. ~ Matthew 11: 28-30 Why do some people treat their faith like a burden? We've all met folks like this. The daily struggle to find joy. The stipulations they place on themselves to be holy or righteous. Sometimes when I meet people like this I want to know what their mentors must have been like. Who is it that taught them that unless there is constant struggles or moments of "sweat like blood," rolling from their foreheads then they obviously aren't living the right life. There is a moment in the movie Sister Act where the nuns are comparing their experiences and one of them shares, "those were the days," when referring to how rough she had it while living out her faith. I won't lead you to believe that living out your faith is always cut out to be easy. If that were the case the world would be a much different place. Every decision you face would be simple. Sacrifice would be a theory, and suffering would be non-existent. It's not that easy. However, Christ invites us each to take on the challenge of living out our faith, reminding us, "look, it shouldn't be that hard, and to show that I'm telling the truth, I'd like to help you out today. Give me your troubles, struggles, and concerns, and in turn, let me give you the opportunity to see what it's like for you to carry, or shall I say, put on me." The challenge should not be that we carry the load of Christ, but the manifestation of Christ in us. To allow Christ to be seen in us. Not the struggles of living a Christ-like life, but to walk with Christ, allowing the Spirit to lead and direct. Righteousness and holiness are signs of that life, and should not be seen as something that should be a burden. The manifestation of Christ in us is meant to be possible. Take on the image of Christ, and give the struggles you face a break. Be gentle and humble in heart and know that God will take care of all you worry about. Dear Lord, help me to remember that living out my faith is meant to be easy. Amen. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! ~ James 2: 12-13 Okay, to be completely honest, if I can only speak when my life is fully engaged in my faith, then I would be forever doomed to remain silent. Sometimes we are called to proclaim God's love, EVEN when we are not fully able to live it. Does that mean that we are all hypocrites? Only when our own words no longer call us to conversion. NOBODY completely lives up to his or her own ideals and visions, but by proclaiming our ideals and visions with great conviction and great humility, we may gradually grow into the truths that we speak. So, before we begin to point fingers, or begin to judge, we must faithfully look in the mirror and realize that we are ALL works in progress. As long as we know that our lives always will speak louder than our words, we can trust that our words will remain humble. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, help me to remain faithful in all times. Amen. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:17 What would be the Fourth of July without a reminder that with God, there is freedom. Perhaps it is not the freedom that as a nation we speak of. We live in a land filled with laws that govern us. Jesus reminds those around him that he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill the law. Our ability to be the living presence of Christ sets us apart. It is not always easy, and some would say that it is a bit challenging. But that is not the body of Christ speaking. It is a reminder that there is a set of rules that the world has created, and then there is the presence of God that reminds us that we are on a greater journey that will last for all time. Our presence in the world should be a sign that there is real freedom when we move with the Spirit of God. What I mean is this, we become the agents of that freedom. Not like a spy! NO! We are a presence that offers freedom to sit with our enemies at tables prepared by God. To have our cups overflow with God's blessings, as we seek still waters and green meadows. To acknowledge that our life is not bound by our first breath or our last. Freedom is the knowledge that as God moves throughout the world and time, we are travelers as well within the Spirit of the living Christ. Freedom in Christ is not celebrated one day out of the year. It is lived each day throughout all eternity! Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, thank You for the freedom to be the living presence of Christ each day. Amen. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!” Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” Then about an hour later yet another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. ~ Luke 22:52-62 I wonder just how many people are bothered by Peter's denial of Jesus after Jesus was arrested? Today cell phones record everything from police shootings to birthday parties. Our whole society seems to be recording something to review later. I can only imagine what life would have been like for Jesus and the disciples had cell phones existed when Jesus first began performing miracles. That first miracle at a wedding would have shown up in someone's wedding video. Lazarus would have been uploaded to YouTube and become an internet sensation, with a huge number of shares, and comments that would have included such things as "Amazing!" to "Prank" to clicks on the "Like" and "Dislike" button. Imagine all the disciples with cell phones watching as Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the water, only to soon sink. The reactions of the disciples would have surely been recorded and gone viral. But here we are, without a video, but definitely chapters written, recording the deep emotion that Peter experienced when confronted and then denying even knowing Jesus. It's never easy for me when I read this passage, because I think that it is a direct reflection of my life at some point and time. It is both painful and realistic. It shows weakness and fear. I don't believe that Peter doubted who Jesus was, he simply didn't know what was going to happen next, and fear got the best of him. I'm not Peter, so I don't really know what was going through his mind, but I do know me, and that being a follower of Jesus is a journey filled with all kinds of moments. At any time we may find ourselves sitting in a group, and being asked if we know Jesus. Being the living Christ in the world today is challenging enough. Being able to answer, "Yes," when asked if we know Jesus, should be something we are ready to respond at any given time. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, help me to be Your hands a feet and a willing example Your living presence for others each day. Amen. "Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I." ~ Isaiah 58: 8, 9a I cannot. A phrase that I rarely say. I think for any of us telling someone that you "cannot" do something is a sign of weakness, or admitting a weakness. I have discovered over the years telling someone that you "cannot" do something doesn't mean either of those things, what it does do is set boundaries. I have known people, including myself, that telling people "yes" all the time can actually cause you to become too stretched. For many of us we want to be able to help others, but sometimes telling someone "no" is actually doing more than saying "yes." It's not something we really ever talk about. I guess this is something that comes with age. It was hard at first to say "no," but it sure changed how I would feel about a situation, and sometimes the person. Additionally, I would discover I felt better about myself. No longer would I get stressed out and begin to "should" on myself. Saying things like, "I should have done this", or "I should have done that." The same can be said about God. Sometimes God also says no. As much as we talk about the blessings that God provides, sometimes the answer is clearly "no." In those moments we must learn to live in grace. In all circumstances, according to scripture, we are to give thanks. In all times, we must remember that the will of God will never lead where God's grace will not sustain. Our lives should reflect the same. Stay in God's grip! G. Todd Williams (c) 2017 Dear Lord, learning to say "no" is sometimes a difficult lesson for us. Help me to define boundaries that are both healthy and filled with Your blessings. 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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