Faith in Action

Growing up is hard…

My two little boys are ages two and six, and they are both a ton of fun.  However, the age difference between them is such that it can be really hard to find things for them to do together.  The six year old wants to climb a mountain, and the two year old wants to throw his pancakes on the floor.  Then when the two year old is ready to go to the park, the six year old is busy with his legos. (And two year olds really struggle with legos…) Besides all of this, both boys are trying to assert their own independence, and that means they love to say:  NO!  Getting out of the house can feel impossible with all of this going on.  

However, the weather in Las Vegas has been pretty amazing recently.  The temperature has been perfect, and aside from a few windy days, I couldn’t ask for anything better.  My wife and I have really been feeling the urge to take the kids exploring, so we made the extra effort to take the kids to the mountains.  For a while, it seemed like no one was going to be happy, but when we arrived at a nice picnic spot near a patch of leftover snow, the kids started to have a blast.  They were excited to play with each other and laugh and enjoy the moment.  Sometimes it takes quite a bit of extra effort, but it is always so amazing to see their relationship deepen.

This week we are taking time to think about our identity in the Church.  Here at CLC, we have lifted up six words that pertain to our ideals:  REAL PEOPLE, INCLUSIVE GOD, and RADICAL GRACE.  As a church, we believe these six words describe what we believe.  In addition to a statement of faith, they are also part of our mission.  We are called to go forth and share these gifts as the very ministry of Christ.  Putting our faith into action isn’t always easy.  In fact, we can find countless reasons why it’s easier to give up in the face of the chaos in the world.  

In some ways, we all have to grow up in our faith and put our words into action.  This is going to be difficult, but if we believe the words of Christ, it is always worth it.  Personally I have made plenty of mistakes in my ministry and in parenting, but God shows up in the mistakes.  I’ve seen growth in my own family and I’ve seen the church accomplish great things.   We can’t be afraid of falling on our faces at times.  We are called to live out our faith with love.

Blessings!

Brian

Believe!

Do not doubt, but believe...

-John 20:27

 

Jesus told Thomas to stop living in doubt and believe that Christ was still very much alive and in his midst.  Jesus told him to stop believing only in death, and embrace the New Life for all people.  Today Christ is still calling us to believe and not doubt.  As you look out at the world, do you hold faith over doubt?  

 

Personally, I can see examples of war and violence as well as bigotry and discrimination.  Jesus spoke of a world where all are loved, but it is hard not to see the world like Thomas did so long ago… How can Christ possibly be present? 

A few weeks ago, my son received a birthday present for his 6th birthday from a woman who has very few resources.  Even though she didn’t have a ton of money, she gave him a gift… a couple of toy cars.  I explained to my child where the gift came from and a little about the person who gave it, and I could see him thinking all of this over.  He experienced a blessing, and he looked at me and he asked what we could do for her. He wanted to share the love.

 

Sometimes we may not be able to offer the largest or most expensive gifts to others.  We may not be able to single handedly end wars in Ukraine, Syria, or Afghanistan.  However, we can see one another with compassion.  We can take a bit of time and empathize with our neighbors instead of judging them.  God is calling us to do great things, but we are also called to do the small things.  We can bless others with small acts of kindness and love. 

 

Today I hope we can all see that Christ is still present in our lives.  Hope and love are here. 

 

Blessings!

 

 

Brian

Whom are you looking for?

“Whom are you looking for?”

-Jesus

 

Jesus asks this question twice in the last few chapters of the Gospel of John.  In the first instance, Judas Iscariot was leading a squadron of Roman Soldiers to arrest Jesus.  Judas appears to have become disillusioned.  He may have begun to doubt the ability of peace to change the world.  He may have succumbed to the need for revenge and prefer a warrior revolutionary, or perhaps Judas just wanted the money.  Whatever the reason, Judas betrayed his friend and the other disciples ran away.  When Jesus asks, “Whom are you looking for,” the response of Judas and the soldiers is a scapegoat.  The people wanted to place their fears and anger on Jesus… and that is exactly what they did.

The second time Jesus asks this question comes in John chapter 20.  Here Jesus has risen from the dead, but the disciples are still in a state of confusion and fear.  They believe someone has taken Christ’s body to another location, and Mary Magdalene is left weeping outside the tomb.  It is at this moment that Jesus appears and asks her, “Whom are you looking for?”  At first she cannot see who is calling out to her.  However when Jesus says her name, her eyes are opened.  Christ had never been far from her.  Jesus was present with her then, and He is present with us now.

 

Today Jesus is still asking us what we are looking for.  If we are searching for a scapegoat or someone to blame for our troubles, we are going to find that.  If we are looking for a source of hope and love in the world, then that is what we will find.  

 

This Holy week and Easter I hope we can all search for love.  Perhaps you can feel the warmth and love from a family member or friend this Easter.  Perhaps you can feel God’s presence in worship, or in the beauty of nature.  However we search for Christ, let us find God’s love here and now. 

 

Blessings!

 

Brian