"I Lift My Eyes Unto the Hills..."

Psalm 121  (New International Version)

   A song of ascents.¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?

    ² My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

   

 ³He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;

    ⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

   

 ⁵The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

    ⁶ the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

   

 ⁷The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;

    ⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and for evermore

This passage served as our call to worship last week and it triggered a few thoughts in my brain.  I love this passage and of course, I can't hear this passage without thinking of the Casting Crowns song (listen here) of that verse.  When I first heard that song, it made me think simply of mountains.  Growing up, my grandparents lived in the "hills" of Eastern KY.  Every time we visited it was always a peaceful time.  No one ever seemed to be in a hurry, it was a much different way of life.  When I read that passage, I couldn't help but to think of that.  Even though I needed to escape the pressures of my life, to go back to a slower, more peaceful place, that didn't solve the problems.  They were always right where I left them.  Once I returned from the hills the problems were waiting and acted like I had never left at all.  

This passage actually comes with a much deeper meaning then my original associations.  The hills in this passage refers to two different cultural references.  The first cultural reference refers to idols and temples that were built upon the hills to worship false gods.  The prophets of Baal were well known for building their temples on the hills for worship.  The author of the Psalm was stating that they did not look to the false gods, their help instead came from the Lord...the maker of Heaven and earth.  

The other cultural reference instead comparing the hills of the Psalm to Jerusalem.  Jerusalem, that sits on a hill, was considered to be the "Holy City" or "God's favored city".  People of the time believed that if there was a problem, or if they were at war, that all that they had to do was make it inside the walls of Jerusalem and God would protect them and destroy their enemy.  The Psalmist is stating that a city doesn't protect him and keep him safe, but instead God gives comfort and protection.  

I think we all have a "comfort" item...something that makes us feel safe and protected.  Remember our "help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth."

So what is Lent anyway?

Lent....you mean that stuff in my belly button?  :) NO!  Silly.  Lent is one of my favorite times in the Christian calendar. Lent picks up in the Bible with the story of the temptation of Christ...you know, He was driven(...we'll discuss that on Sunday) into the wilderness where He was tempted for forty days. Lent picks up at that story and follows Jesus' life until the Resurrection - Easter. Lent lasts for forty days (not counting Sundays).  Those forty days are to be days of reflection, prayer and fasting for us.  We are to be humble and reflect upon this time in Jesus' life as He walked the last few moments of His life.

 Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. During Ash Wednesday we have a service to mark the beginning of this time of reflection.  At the end of the service it is tradition for the pastor to make the sign of the cross in ashes on your forehead.  Ashes are a symbol of mortality and repentance.  We come from ashes and to ashes we will return.  The cross reminds us of Jesus' resurrection and triumph.

During the time of Lent we should reflect on the life and journey of Christ.  Many Christians choose to "give up something" for Lent, or to fast from something.  The original intent was to give up something and instead spend that time in prayer and in devotion time to Christ.  Some see it as being tempted as Christ was tempted.  Either way, to fill the void of your missing something, or when you are being tempted by it, spend time in prayer and remember all Christ went through...that is what Lent is about.

For more information about Lent the United Methodist Church has their own resources and you can check them out at www.UMC.org.  To simply get their description of Lent click here.

Can't wait to see you tomorrow!  Ash Wednesday service- 6:30 pm.

~jennifer

What a beautiful day!

Can you believe this gorgeous day so early in March?  Today was a sick day for me....still recovering from those wonderful germies my kiddos shared with me last week.  After rough morning things have finally turned and I think I might live.  :) So I have spent this afternoon (before going to class of course) cleaning.  I opened the kitchen door for a while (to air out those germs of course!), swept and mopped the floor and found my beautiful kitchen table again.  (It has been buried for a while now...) I LOVE spring!  Finally, some sunshine, warm air, and energy!  This time of year reminds me of the many things that we are blessed with in life.  Take a few minutes today to enjoy God's blessings.

What are you most thankful for today?

                                             Coming Soon....hopefully!

Blessings!
~jennifer

"Only a boy named David..."

 Last week we learned more about David.  Usually when I hear about David, I think of David and Goliath.  (and several childrens' songs immediately pop into my head) But this sermon was not about the great battle with Goliath, but rather David's story of weakness in his relationship with Bathsheba.  David's kingdom was at war.  It was expected that all men, including the king, would go off to fight in the battle.  However, David decided that he did not WANT to go fight.  He would rather stay in his comfy castle.  While he was enjoying luxury, David had seen Bathsheba bathing and had decided that he wanted her.  He sent his servants for her and they brought her back to David and he had his way with her.  The only problem was Bathsheba was married to Uriah.  Now this little "incident" could all have been swept under the rug, but unfortunately, Bathsheba became pregnant.   David and Bathsheba knew very well that such acts were punishable by death.  David panicked. He called Uriah home and tried several ways to get him to go home to his wife, however, Uriah was an honorable man.  Knowing that he should be fighting, not home with his wife, he refuses to go home.  David really panics.  So he sent Uriah back to the battle with a letter to give his commander.  The letter asked the commander to put Uriah in the front line of the heaviest part of battle, then retreat, leaving Uriah to die.  The order was followed and David's plan was completed.  He eventually married Bathsheba and their child was born.  But through the prophet Nathan, he eventually saw the error in his ways and repented.
 David made a big ole mess of things. I mean he didn't just break the rules, he violated some of the "biggies" of the 10 commandments.  Even through all of this, God still called David "a man after God's own heart."  What?!? After all of that?  hmmm. 
 David's sin did not define his relationship with God.  God's love defined their relationship.  
Think of a rolling chair.  If I am sitting at a desk and I push off of the desk in the rolling chair, I move...not the desk.  God is like the desk.  When we sin (intentionally do wrong against God, self or others) we separate ourselves from God...God does not move.  Our sin ultimately results in separation from God.  There is a distance between us.
The immediate consequences vary.  Stealing a pack of gum from a store is much different than murdering someone.  The consequences are different.   Please don't misunderstand - a mistake is not sin.  Sin is intentional. 
Even through all of this, there is absolutely nothing you can do to make God love you any less.  There is nothing you can do to make God love you more.  God's love is constant.  Sin may separate us from God, but it does not change His love for us. Thank goodness. Little David and his victory over Goliath is a great story, but being a man after God's own heart, even after all that mess, is the heart of God's message to us and the cross.  Now that's a great story:)

Ruth

So, as previously mentioned, the story of Ruth is right up my alley.  I think I have completed four different studies of the book of Ruth in multiple settings.  The story of Ruth is so very many times overlooked.  We think of her story as a novel one, but not necessarily one of importance.  So why is it in the Bible?  Easy.  Kinsman Redeemer. 

Let's back up a minute.  Naomi was married to Elimelek. They were from Bethlehem, but they had to travel to Moab because of the famine.  They took with them their two sons.  While in Moab the boys fell in love (wuv, sweet wuv...)  and married women from Moab.  (Ruth and Orpah).  Eventually, Elimelek and his sons passed away.  Being a widow left Naomi in a very precarious position. She was poor, had no social status and no way to earn income.  She planned to return to Bethlehem since the famine was over.  (It would be likely - although not explicitly stated - that there would be some sort of family in Bethlehem for her to return to).  Naomi encouraged her daughter in laws to stay in Moab, to return to their families.  Ruth and Orpah were still young, they still had marrying potential.  Orpah took Naomi's advice and returned to her family in Moab.  Ruth, however, was resistant.  She insisted on traveling with Naomi and making her life with her mother in law.  Ruth would be an outsider in Bethlehem.  Life would be difficult for her, especially as a widow.  She still chose to go with Naomi. 

In Bethlehem Naomi and Ruth had a hard time.  They were very poor and they had to glean local farms for food.  Much to the luck of Ruth, she just happened to glean on a farm owned by a man named Boaz.  Boaz noticed Ruth and gave instructions for his workers to leave a little extra for Ruth and Naomi.  He treated Ruth well, giving her some extra food and water.  (He had asked one of his workers who the girl was, the worker explained to Boaz that she was Naomi's daughter in law, to which it is likely that Boaz figured out then that he was a family member to Naomi...again not explicitly stated, but could safely be assumed). 
Eventually Ruth and Naomi took a big risk.  Boaz was staying on the threshing floor (where they separate the grain) with the rest of his men.  When the workers stayed on the threshing floor it was a high time of temptation.  Many prostitutes visited at this time, knowing that the wives were left at home.  Ruth slipped into the threshing floor and slept at Boaz's feet.  This was symbolic, meaning that Ruth was asking for marriage, however this was a big risk on Ruth's behalf. She could have been misunderstood. If she were to be misunderstood, it would mean that she would lose his favor and she would have a very difficult time finding food for both her and Naomi. 
Fortunately, for Ruth and Naomi, Ruth was not misunderstood.  Boaz was willing to take Ruth as a wife and care for her and Naomi.  He had just one problem - there was one man who was a closer relative.  Boaz went to that man, but the man did not want to marry Ruth.  So Boaz took Ruth as his wife.  He became Ruth and Naomi's kinsman redeemer.  A kinsman redeemer is person (a man) who could step in when a woman was widowed to take care of her, but also to provide an heir to continue the family name, so that that prestigious name would not be lost in history. 
Boaz became Ruth and Naomi's kinsman redeemer.  He and Ruth married and had a son - Obed.  Obed had a son named Jesse.  Jesse had a son named David.  As in, King David. As in David and Goliath.  As in Jesus came from the line of David.  Without Ruth and Boaz, that fortunate choice, all of Christian history could have been altered.  That was a close one! 
Boaz became Ruth's kinsman redeemer, Jesus became ours.  He saved us from our time of loneliness and separation from God. Without this precious story, all could have been changed.   Our life could be very different.  Ruth took a risk, Boaz made a choice - all of history was changed. 

The power of one. 

How are you influencing the lives of those around you? 

~jennifer

Network

Beginning on March 6th, Matthew and I will begin an 8 week session using "The Network" program.  This program was developed through Willow Creek Community Church from Bruce Bugbee and Bill Hybels.  The whole point is for each of us to be able to realize that God has made us unique for a reason.  We are going to talk about the difference between your natural talents and your spiritual gifts (there is a difference!).  We are going to learn about our individual personalities and how our God-given passions are like sign posts pointing us towards different areas where we may be fulfilled.

We are so very excited about this opportunity and we hope that you will come join us.  If you would like to join us please let Matthew or myself know so that we may order the correct amount of materials.

Even if you have never gotten involved in Sunday School or another study before we invite you to come and experience a wonderful study that really will help change the way you look at yourself, the world around you, and what God may be calling you to do.  Come check it out.  I know you won't be disappointed.  :0)

~jennifer

Abraham...the weather...and other random thoughts...

Five work days?!?  No way.  Oh, but yes, it did happen!  Are you as tired of snow as I am?  It was funny this past Sunday, many of you were discussing the fact that if we didn't have the weather to complain about what would we have?  My thoughts:  I do not like cold weather.  I am pretty sure that I complain all winter long.  Every 5 weeks or so I have the dreaded "car rider duty" where I must stand out in the cold for 30 minutes each morning and help the students get into the building from the car.  (My poor assistant principal has this glorious job every morning, I really shouldn't complain.)  I dread it in the winter.  I believe that there is nothing worse than being cold.  You won't find me complaining when it is hot outside...bring it on!
So what is my point in that?  Nothing.  Just thought it was amusing.  :)
The new sermon series is on the  "Power of One."  I am pretty sure that I could write for days on this topic.  This series will eventually include a sermon based upon Ruth.  I told Matthew I would take that sermon.  I am pretty sure I have exhausted the story of Ruth in my studies.  (No worries, he wouldn't actually let me preach...he likes lunch.)   There are so many stories in the Bible about how one person had such great influence on the story of history.  Without them, our redemption story could have been much different.
Have you ever had one person that totally changed your perspective?  Or your story?  I am reminded of an incident that occurred near the beginning of this school year.  We were probably a month into school and I was already struggling.  I was working all day each day, going to grad school at night, homework and lesson plans when I wasn't at either of those places, and repeat daily.  I felt like I wasn't doing anything well.  I wasn't being a great teacher, wife, student...nothing. I really felt this in my teaching.  My beginning of the year excitement had been traded for exhaustion.  One sunny (and warm!) morning I had that lovely car rider duty.  The kindergarten was going on a field trip that day...their very first field trip.  The kiddos were super excited - they were bounding out the cars and telling me all about it.  But there was this one sweet girl who got out of the car and told me she was sad.  I quizzically looked at her and asked her why she was sad?  She was going on a field trip, it would be so much fun, she should be excited to come to school today!  She looked at me and said "I am sad because I am going to miss music with you today."  Break my heart!  I cried.  I cry at everything, but that one really got me.  That teenie tiny baby girl changed the entire course of my day.  She made me feel that even though things were crazy and that I didn't feel like I wasn't making a difference, I meant something to her.
   The story of Abraham tells the power of Abraham's faith in God.  He fully trusted that God would take care of him and Isaac.  Even if God took Isaac that day as a sacrifice, Abraham trusted that it was God's will and that it would all work out.  Would we be so trusting?  I'm not sure that I would have responded the way the Abraham did.  (And by the way, Matthew mentioned Sarah's possible reaction...I'm pretty sure I know how I would have responded if I were Sarah...look out!) 
Each day we have such power.  We can be "the one" who influences those around us.  How will you change someones day?  Will you have a positive effect?
Will you smile at everyone you see today? - Maybe to lift their day...
Will you groan and grumble about someone who has mistreated you.....or pray for them.  We never know what is going on in their life today.
Will you be the one who welcomes strangers into your midst....or shun them because they aren't like you....
Will you tell someone how much they mean to you....or let it go unsaid...

Will you be the one?

~jennifer