Are you listening for God's Grace?

This week we are beginning a new sermon series on the book of Jonah in the Bible. Jonah is filled with some pretty wild stories and unbelievable moments. There are people who use the book to say that the Bible is just a made-up tale. How could a man be swallowed by a great fish and live in its belly for three days? How could the great and terrible city of Nineveh repent like the story describes? (They feel so remorseful they even put their animals in sackcloth!) 

I think it is easy to get lost in all the details… We can be so consumed by our questions that we miss the beauty of this little book. 

Every few weeks one of my kids will pull our Children’s Bible off the shelf, and they will want to hear the story of Jonah. This ancient tale is still incredibly meaningful today, and even toddlers can be inspired by its grace. 

The book tells the story of a man who runs away from God’s calling. He doesn’t want God’s gift of grace to show up for his enemies. However, God works through Jonah and miracles happen! As unbelievable as this story may be, there is something timeless and true about it. Today I wonder if miracles are happening in our lives that we are choosing not to see. Are we so tangled up in a web of hatred and fear that we are missing out on God’s Love? 

Let’s open our eyes to the miracles around us. God is doing incredible things… I hope we can enjoy every second of it!

Blessings!

Brian

Love is here...

Psalm 8:3-5

When I consider your heavens,

    the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

    which you have set in place,

what is humankind that you are mindful of them,

   mortals that you care for them?

Do you take time to consider the heavens or the beauty of creation? Our world has inspired people for centuries. I love to imagine the individuals living long ago, whose lives were so different, but they still felt a sense of wonder and awe when regarding the world around them. Today I believe we still need to take time to breathe in everything that God is offering. 

Last week my family took a quick vacation to Pine Valley, Utah. It was a wonderful time for the kids to play in the forest, splash in the creek, and watch the deer and other animals run by. I have always loved camping, but these trips really help me to be mindful of the blessings I have. I need to get away from the heat and smog and realize there is so much more to the life we are living.

Long ago the ancient psalmist looked to the heavens and wondered where human beings fit in. The poet answers the question as follows:

what is humankind that you are mindful of them,

   mortals that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels

    and crowned them with glory and honor.

God has given us glory and honor on par with the angels. I hope we can all take a little time to be mindful of the love that surrounds us. Let us not simply plow through the next day, week, or year. Let's open our hearts to what God is doing. We don’t want to miss the love God is sharing!

Blessings!

Brian

Trusting the Holy Spirit

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in God, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

-Romans 15:13

Are you feeling the Hope of the Spirit?

This season of Covid-19 hasn’t been easy. People are facing uncertainty in careers, finances, and the overall economy. Nobody is sure of what is coming next, and I know I am ready to get back to normal.

Life is always going to have its ups and downs, but I like to convince myself that I am in control. I want to be able to handle any situation that arises. However, that’s not the way life works. It is always good to plan ahead, but I believe it is a mistake to think that we can control the world around us. Life is filled with uncertainty - even when we aren’t dealing with Covid-19. There are plenty of times we have to open our hearts, let go of our need for control and trust in God.

A couple weeks ago I had my own little moment of letting go. My six-year-old started public school. He finished Kindergarten last year, but this was his first experience walking onto a public school campus. It turned out to be a pretty moving experience for my wife and me as we dropped him off at the fence. (Parents weren’t allowed to take their kids to class because of the virus protocols.) We watched him walk off with a friend he made in kindergarten carrying his oversized backpack and new school supplies. The two of them wandered around to a couple different doors trying to figure out where to go. I wanted to run over there and help him, but I couldn’t. Eventually, the two of them made their way to the right door and slipped inside. A few hours later, we picked him up. It turns out he was just fine. He didn't need me to check on him every step of the way. In fact, he grew a lot. Sometimes we need to have faith.

There are so many people, myself included, who want to rescue others any way we can. However, sometimes the best thing for us to do is offer a bit of love and then trust that they will find their own way. Today I hope we can all believe in God's bigger plan for us. I hope we take time to feel the Holy Spirit moving among us. God is guiding us toward grace, and I hope we can all take a breath and follow that lead.

Blessings,

Brian