3.19.23 From Here to WHERE?" Westminster Presbyterian Church, Pasadena, CA

 1 Samuel 16.1-13; Ephesians 5.8-11

King Saul was not a mighty king … far from it.

He was a decent man, with promise, but in the end, it all fell apart … as things often do … 

No one knew what to do … including Saul … who fumed and fussed, got angry and made everyone afraid.

In the midst of it all, a man called Samuel … a great judge, a prophet, of man with a story.

His story is, as they say, one for the books.

His mother, Hannah, has no children.

She’s frustrated, hurt, and very sad. … she goes to Shiloh to pray, a holy place … again, and again, and again … 

In the course of time, the LORD grants her desire … she gives birth to her son, Samuel … which means God did it, or I borrowed him from the LORD. 

We’re not quite sure what his name means, but whatever it means, Samuel was a gift from God.

Hannah dedicates her son to God … she pledges him to be a Nazarite, sort of like a monk, a holy man.

He wouldn’t touch alcohol, he’d let his grow long, and never, ever, touch a corpse. 

As a young boy, he worked in the holy place of Shiloh, for the priest, Eli … one afternoon, or early evening, when Eli was napping, like older people do, Samuel laid down for some rest.

And then a voice, Samuel, Samuel.

Samuel exclaims, Here I am, and runs to Eli … 

But I didn’t call you, says Eli, go lay down again.

Three times, Samuel, Samuel … finally Eli says, The LORD may be calling you … if the call comes again, say this, Speak LORD, for your servant is listening.

The call came again, and Samuel listened.

The LORD lays out before this boy an immense project that will require of Samuel everything he is, everything he has, and then some … 

The Bible says: Samuel grew in stature, in favor with the LORD, and with the people … Samuel grows up to become one of the great Judges of Israel … and then in his old age, he appoints his sons as judges, to follow in his footsteps.

But his sons did not follow in his ways, they turned aside …; they took bribes and perverted justice. 

The elders of Israel came to Samuel, You’re old, Samuel, your sons aren’t worth a toot … we need a king, just like the other nations; a king to lead us. 

Samuel was unhappy … he said - you’ll go from the frying pan to the fire … 

A king has some value, but kings all behave pretty much the same way, said Samuel … it’ll be the same for you … the strong man, the king, the head honcho, will brag about it and be mean … he’ll demand everything from you, and you won’t like it, and you’ll complain to the LORD, you’ll regret your decision, and the LORD will ignore you.

The people turned a deaf ear to Samuel … they wanted a king, and no one, not even Samuel, was going to talk ‘em out of it.

Samuel talks to God, and God, Well all right, let’s do it!

As the story unfolds, God leads Samuel to a holy place, and there, Samuel meets Saul … a fine young man, handsome and strong … after some eating and drinking, Samuel takes out a flask of oil, and anoints Saul, King of Israel. Just like that.

It’s a troubled story from the start … no one is pleased; no one is satisfied … Saul tries his best, but in the end, he can’t manage it … Samuel turns on him … so does God … in the end … it’s a real mess. God directs Samuel to anoint a successor.

What? Say that again? What do you want me to do? Where do you want me to go?

Saul will find me out, and kill me.

Take it easy, says God.

God suggests a little slight of hand … take a heifer with you, tell folks your going to make a sacrifice to the LORD. And when you’re there, ask to see the sons of Jesse …

One-by-one, Jesse brings his sons to Samuel - they’re all fit to be king, strong and handsome, but the LORD doesn’t approve, so Samuel asks, Are all your sons here?

There was one more, a boy - he’s keeping the sheep, his name is David.

When David is brought to Samuel, the LORD says, He’s the one; anoint him now … and the Spirit of the LORD came upon the boy.

And now you know the rest of the story … 

From here to WHERE?

If you dare nothing, when the day is over, nothing is all you will have gained.”

God asks big things of each of us, actually … to be faithful to Christ, embrace his call for justice and peace, 

Centered in Christ: his courage in crossing boundaries, his determination to break the rules, when the rules no longer serve any real purpose … to heal the broken, defend the House of God, free the captives, clothe the naked, feed the hungry.

There is never an easy way to bring about the peace of God, the healing of the nations, justice for the oppressed … the rules needed to protect the people from the powerful.

That train derailment in Ohio? 

An accident waiting to happen … 

The railroads fought like mad to do away with regulations, inspections, and maintenance … in order to increase profits, please the shareholders, keep Wall Street happy. It was all about money.

The failure of Silicon Valley bank? 

Because the banks fought like mad to do away with regulations, inspections, and safe banking practices, in order to gain more wealth, more power.

A replay of what we saw in 1929, with a wild and wooly stock market … banks, hell-bent for leather.

It’s was all about money. And the love of money is the root of all evil.

Few of us will ever be called upon as Samuel was called … but all of us are called - to be mindful, to pay attention, know what’s going on … be informed, concerned, and available … 

Take up the mantle of responsibility, go the extra mile … pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start all over again, as needed. 

It takes work.

It takes effort.

It takes diligence and determination.

We all have a roll to play … we’re all on the road from here to WHERE? 

To the kingdom of God.

Things to do, only we can do.

People to love, who belong to our sphere of influence.

Gardens to plant.

Children to rear.

A poem to write.

A song to sing.

Laughter to give.

Tears to be shared.

A book to read.

A life to be lived … 

Forever and a day.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

Hallelujah and Amen!

April 22, 2012 - "Jesus and Scripture"

Luke 24.13-35

We often talk about growing.

Growing up into Christ.

Like a tree in the sunshine.

A little here.

A little there.

A bud, a leaf, a branch.

A branch reaching out … to catch ever more sunlight.

To grow a little bit more.

This year.

Next year.

Because if a tree isn’t growing, then what?

If a tree isn’t growing, it’s dying.

If a tree isn’t growing, maybe it’s dead already.

It is the nature of life to keep on growing.

Trees keep on growing.

And for us, as a species, we grow, too.

Wiser, we hope.

Older, for sure.

Maybe a little larger than what we want.

In some of the wrong places.

Ears keep growing … 

Maybe that’s an important lesson.

Listening becomes important as time moves on.

We all grow, in some way or another.

Until we take our last breath.

And, then, here, at least, we grow no more.

Dust to dust.

Earth to earth.

Ashes to ashes.

But until that moment, we grow!

Maybe we grow in the wrong direction.

Like an ingrown toenail.

Or an ingrown hair.

Maybe we grow more stubborn.

Bitter.

Angry.

Lonely.

Frustrated.

I guess we can grow in all the wrong ways.

But we can grow in the best ways, too.

We can grow in our capacities to love and forgive.

To put up with life as it comes our way.

To make the best of it.

To keep on loving.

To hold on to large ideas and generous thoughts.

Psalm 37 says it well:

The righteous are generous and giving.

Plants grow when they’re well-tended.

Good soil … adequate water … some weed-pulling.

It takes time to grow.

Weeds grow up quickly.

Beautiful trees take their time.

So does a tomato plant.

Or a child on her way to adulthood.

It takes time to become a Christian.

We are Christians, for sure, in the love of God.

But we’re always working it out, aren’t we?

Paul the Apostle tells us to work out our salvation, with fear and trembling …

Salvation is ours, because of Christ.

What he gives to us, he truly gives.

Yet we have to work some things out.

Lots of things actually.

It’s never a done deal for us.

There’s always another step to be taken.

A new thought to be pondered.

A new demand … a new moment … a new day.

What we knew yesterday doesn’t quite fit the bill today.

We may have forgiven yesterday, but we have to forgive again today.

What we trusted to be true last year may no longer hold up.

Life is always a challenge.

Life is always a gift.

Life requires that we keep on keepin’ on.

Like a tree in the sunshine.

Like that tomato plant in the backyard.

Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus.

They were disciples!

But now it seemed to them as if the road ahead came to an end the day Jesus died.

Rumors of his empty tomb, that’s one thing.

But who knows?

The road came to an end the day Jesus died.

So they take the road home.

And on the way, they’re met by a stranger who strolls along with them, listening to their conversation, and then asks them, What’s going on?

They’re surprised he doesn’t know.

So they tell him.

And what they tell him tells him they don’t have a clue.

They need to grow a little bit more.

Some weeds need to be pulled.

Some hard soil needs to be broken up.

Jesus says, You’re foolish … and you shouldn’t be … you should be smarter than this.

I guess that’s a compliment.

We can be smarter than this.

But who doesn’t need a good teacher?

To explains a few things, now and then.

Jesus does for them what he always does.

Jesus turns to Scripture.

The disciples know it well.

Jesus knows it well.

But knowing the words is one thing.

Knowing what they could mean is another.

Jesus reminds them that suffering is a part of God’s program.

God chooses the hard road, not the easy one.

God gives, and doesn’t take.

And through the hard road, and all the giving, there is glory.

That’s what catches their attention.

It’s not about power and conquest.

It’s not about sword and bow.

It’s not about might and dominance.

It’s not about self-defense or getting the best of others.

It’s a different way of looking at things.

Jesus reminds them: if you look carefully at Moses and go through all the Prophets, you’ll see it … not what you expected … but you will see it.

But enough of words.

Enough teaching.

Night is falling … they reach Emmaus.

Jesus moves away from them, to be on his way.

But they ask him to stay the night.

A little piece of Middle Eastern social behavior.

One never intrudes … or imposes … or expects hospitality.

And one never allows a stranger to go on at night alone.

Jesus does his part.

The disciples do theirs.

And then at the table, something odd.

Jesus becomes the host.

He takes the bread, blesses it, and gives it to them.

And suddenly, they can see.

Their eyes are opened.

They know him.

And then he’s gone.

That’s all they needed.

Just a little nudge.

Some teaching.

Some bread.

They look at one another.

Weren’t our hearts on fire when he talked with us along the road? … were not our hearts burning when he explained the scriptures for us?

They got up quickly.

They hit the road, again.

This time, back to Jerusalem.

Because the story didn’t end the day Jesus died.

The road ahead goes on.

For those disciples.

And for you and me, too.

To God be the glory.

Amen and Amen!

Disappointment - Dec 16 2007

Matthew 11:2-15

You’re six-years old; you just broke the neighbor’s window with a rock, because you were angry at your playmate … your Dad says, “Son, I’m disappointed in you.”

Your favorite teacher calls you into her office and says, “I expect so much more of you. I’m disappointed in you.”

“I’m disappointed in you!”

We’ve all heard it … we’ve all said it.

Speaking of disappointment, I’m thinking about Christmas gifts …

Now that Christmas is nearing, a little advice about gifts for that man in your life:

Rule #1:
When in doubt - buy him a cordless drill. It does not matter if he already has one. I have a friend who owns 17 and he has yet to complain. As a man, you can never have too many cordless drills. No one knows why.

Rule #2:
If you cannot afford a cordless drill, buy him anything with the word ratchet or socket in it. Men love saying those two words. "Hey George, can I borrow your ratchet?" "OK. Bye-the-way, are you through with my 3/8-inch socket yet?" Again, no one knows why.

Rule #3:
If you are really, really broke, buy him anything for his car. A 99-cent ice scraper, a small bottle of deicer or something to hang from his rear view mirror. Men love gifts for their cars. No one knows why.

Rule #4:
Never buy a man anything that says "some assembly required" on the box. It will ruin his Special Day and he’ll always have parts left over.

Rule #5:
Good places to shop for men include Northwest Iron Works, Parr Lumber, Home Depot, John Deere, Valley RV Center, and Les Schwab Tire. (NAPA Auto Parts and Sear's Clearance Centers are also excellent men's stores. It doesn't matter if he doesn't know what it is. "From NAPA Auto, eh? Must be something I need. Hey! Isn't this a starter for a '68 Ford Fairlane? Wow! Thanks.")

Rule #6:
It's hard to beat a really good wheelbarrow or an aluminum extension ladder. Never buy a real man a step ladder. It must be an extension ladder. No one knows why.

Rule #7:
Rope. Men love rope. It takes us back to our cowboy origins, or at least The Boy Scouts. Nothing says love like a hundred feet of 3/8" manilla rope. No one knows why.

Follow these simple rules, and you’re man won’t be disappointed!

Years ago, I read a book about disappointment. It was really disappointing.

Not really … but one thing I learned and one thing I remember about disappointment … look carefully at the word … the heart of it - appointment.

We expect thus and so … we make appointments for folks …

But …

Children go their own way.
Friends leave us in the lurch.
The pink slip arrives on our desk.
A loved one does something so hurtful, we wonder if we’ll ever recover.
The university of our dreams doesn’t want us …
The boss doesn’t think we’re so hot …
The long-anticipated vacation is mostly a flop.

John says to Jesus, “I’m disappointed in you!”

What did John expect?

The Rev. Dr. John Buchanan, pastor of Fourth Presbyterian in Chicago and editor of the Christian Century, writes:

“What people wanted was a king … who would unify the nation, rally the troops, drive out the occupying Romans and reestablish the monarchy. That’s what a Messiah is supposed to do – make things right by defeating God’s enemies, establish a new order of things based on real power” (Christian Century, Dec. 11, 2007, p.3).

“One who is more powerful than I is coming after me,” said John. “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

What did John expect?

We have to be kind with John …
He’s doing jail-time … Herod’s prison - the end of the road for this rough and ready guy.
A man of the desert … camel’s hair clothing, locusts and wild honey for breakfast.
Passionate about God - a voice crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD!”
Now he’s in the slammer!

“Are you the One?”

Jesus sends back a message:

“The blind receive their sight … the lame walk … lepers are cleansed … the deaf hear … the dead are raised … the poor have good news preached to them.”

This is the work of the Messiah foretold by Isaiah …

But John couldn’t see it … his appointment for Jesus clouded his vision.

Jim and Susie wanted their son to pursue a career in law, because Mom and Dad were lawyers, but the son becomes a photographer instead; has long hair and wears jeans to work … he’s a good photographer, a fine young man, but the parents can’t see it. Every time they’re together, tension and bitterness …

Jesus says to John, “Look carefully at this.”

Like the Ghost of Christmas Present to Scrooge: "Look upon me!”

A second look is warranted … a reconsideration … another go at it.

God is always more … or less … than what we expect, and people are rarely ever what we want them to be!

People are who they are … neither more nor less … innovative and creative, silly and sly … wonderful and loving … self-serving and conniving … mean-spirited and jealous … glorious and gracious … all of that and more in spades!

People are complex … life is full of surprises …

It was the day after Christmas at a church in San Francisco. The pastor of the church was looking over the lawn when he noticed that the baby Jesus was missing from among the figures.

He hurried outside and saw a little boy with a red wagon, and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant Jesus.
So he walked up to the boy and said, "Well, where did you get your passenger, my fine friend?”
The little boy replied, "I got Him at church."
"And why did you take Him?"
The boy explained, "Well, about a week before Christmas I prayed to the little Lord Jesus and I told Him if He would bring me a red wagon for Christmas I would give Him a ride around the block in it” (Thanks to Jan Murphy for this cute story).

Places we never dreamed, experiences we never expected … responsibilities that tax us to the limit and beyond.

“Mom, you never told me it would be like this.”

There’s probably no tougher disappointment than self-disappointment:

We’re going to be a millionaire by the time we’re 30 …
We’ll write a best-seller … join a rock band and go gold … marry the person of our dreams.
We’ll live in exotic lands and see the world …
We’ll have the perfect marriage.
We’ll sign up for great causes and win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Our children will be straight A students and find a cure for cancer.

But life goes its own way …

Perhaps you’re familiar with Bruce Wilkinson, author of The Prayer of Jabeze, a book that transformed the way millions of people pray.
After huge successes on every front, Mr. Wilkinson turned his attention to South Africa … a major effort to take care of the children of AIDs … to promote health and healing, faith and hope … huge dreams, but it all came crashing down … Wilkinson resigned and returned home, heart-stricken and sad.

No one’s immune to disappointment!

What do we do about it?

I think of David & Goliath … David had only a sling & his faith, and on his way to battle, David stopped by a creek bed and gathered up five smooth stones.

When it comes to disappointment, We have spiritual weapons at our disposal … a sling called faith and five smooth stones.

THE FIRST SMOOTH STONE:

Surrender our life to God … day in and day out … moment-by-moment … everything we are and everything we hope to be … “LORD Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, I give myself to you, in faith and obedience.”

THE SECOND SMOOTH STONE:

Christ at the center of our heart, so nothing else can get in there … the light of Christ, the love of Christ, the glory of Christ … His kindness and His mercy … His forgiveness and His patience … His hope and His endurance.

THE THIRD SMOOTH STONE:

To be generous in our estimate of people around us … to let them be more or less of who they are … to appreciate their creative energies and allow them space to a bad day … when I chat with parents, I remind them to let their children have bad day … we all have tough days, and one of the kindest things we can do is make allowances for such things.

THE FOURTH SMOOTH STONE:

To have a sane and sober estimate of life … things happen, things go awry … plans collapse; folks just don’t show up at the all the appointments we make for them, and we fail to meet our self-appointments. A little biblical realism – sin abounds … but so does grace. As Donna says to me: “Get over it!”

THE FIFTH SMOOTH STONE:

A positive mindset:

Life is good; God is good …
Rub the eyes and take a second look.
Determine to see the good, because it’s there
Look for it until you find it … wrestle with it until you get the blessing … Jacob wrestled with the angel all night long and wouldn’t let go until he got the blessing.

Count your blessings and name them one-by-one. Celebrate what you have, not what you’ve lost …
Remember, things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out!

Whatever comes your way, you’ll handle it.
However unusual your pathway, God is right there beside you.
If Goliath stands in your way, sling a smooth stone and send him crashing to the ground in a heap of dust.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Amen!