Compassion Fatigue

And Jesus said to them,

“How many loaves have you?”

Luke 15:34

          For three days the crowd gathered around Jesus.  They brought “the lame, the maimed, the blind, the deaf, and many others.”  Jesus healed all comers.  On the sidelines the disciples watched, happy to have front row seats that allowed them to see the action close up.

          But, three days is a long time away from home, especially when this spur-of-the-moment revival brought people into the country without much preparation.  They were getting hungry.  Jesus thought it best to wrap things up and send them home, but he worried that some may have fasted for three days now and would not have the strength for the journey.

          It would be best to feed them first.  Nice sentiment, but where would the food come from?  Jesus looked each disciple straight in the eye and asked, “How many loaves have you?”  Well, it’s one thing to sit front row center and watch Jesus perform mighty acts of God, and quite another to get involved, especially if that participation requires sacrifice.  Besides, the bean counters among the disciples counted the beans and quickly determined that there would not be nearly enough.  What’s the use?  The need outpaced the resources.  Why try?

          What they did not figure on was God’s power to multiply offerings of faith.  After a long silence some loaves and a few fish were placed in the offering plate. Jesus prayed and passed it around. The need was met and thousands were fed. No one went home hungry, because some shared and God increased the blessing.  God has blessed us and calls us to bless us others even when the need seems too great and our resources too small. One preacher put it this way, "Without God we can’t - without us God won’t."

You have created us God of grace and generosity in your image and so we are called to share even when we grow weary in well-doing.  Let us trust once more in your power to use our small resources in big ways.  Amen.

  

Sufficient Grace  

 “You know it was because of a physical infirmity

that I first announced the gospel to you.”

Galatians 4:13

          Sometimes people say, “If you have your health; you have everything”, but most of the time we don’t think much about it. We take it for granted. Only when we are sick or have received a serious diagnosis do we start to pay attention. If the illness is bad enough it will soon consume all of our thoughts. It can affect our spirits as well. 

          The Apostle Paul had a physical problem that was so severe it inhibited his missionary travels. That’s why he preached the gospel in Galatia. He couldn’t travel anywhere else at that time. We don’t know the specific nature of his problem, but most believe it affected his sight. His reference in verse 15 concerning their willingness to give him their own eyes, and his “large print” salutation at the end of the letter indicates that he had some problem with his vision.

          His response to that handicap was probably the same as anyone who faces this kind of challenge. He prayed and prayed persistently. “Three times I appealed to the Lord about this thorn in the flesh that it would leave me.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)  God’s response was not what he was looking for.  Paul wanted to see clearly, but God said instead, “My grace is sufficient for thee, my power is made perfect in your weakness.” Paul would have to learn to live with this particular disability. 

          That’s what he did.  His spirit was not trampled by the limitations of his body. His ministry was hindered, but his faith was not crushed. He really did seem to believe that “God’s grace would be sufficient.” He continued to preach “Good News” and may even have been more effective in reaching people who had problems like his own. They would know he understood what they were going through and that can make a big difference. 

          When facing a serious illness there are two spiritual paths one can follow. You can get angry with God and go it alone, or you can turn to the Lord and ask his help and comfort even when you do not understand why and the pain seems too great. When the body fails all we can do is turn to God if we are to find any hope at all. 

     David cried out to you O Lord and you answered his prayer and “increased the strength of his soul.” (Psalm 138:3)  So do I call upon you for encouragement and hope and for “your very present help in times of trouble.” Through Jesus Christ the great physician I pray.  Amen.

         

         

Follow Me 

 “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.”

Immediately they left their nets and followed.

Matthew 4:19-20 

          The Gospels are elegant in their simplicity, but sometimes their economy of words can be frustrating. When Jesus asked Peter and Andrew, James and John to drop what they were doing and follow him – they did.  Just like that they turned on a dime.  There has to be more to the story. Something else must have been said. People don’t just quit their jobs like that and begin a new spiritual journey.  Or do they? 

          Sometimes they do. Seminaries are filled with “second career” folks who left lucrative positions to prepare for a ministry that will never pay them what they used to make. When you ask them, “Why”, there is always more to the story. Long before they made the decision God had been working in their lives – preparing them for that pivotal moment. 

What probably wasn’t described in the gospel account was the Spirit prompting Peter to look for deeper meaning and greater hope.  He would not have dropped his nets and followed Jesus had he not already been thinking that there must be something more to life than what he was experiencing.  He would not have followed Jesus had he not some idea that Jesus might be able to lead him to what he was looking for. 

          In those beginning days with Jesus, Peter just followed his “gut”.  He had no theology of Christ, of who Jesus really was and what God was calling him to do. Still, deep inside he knew that the important answers to life’s questions only come from God and Jesus seemed nearer to God than anyone he knew. So, he dropped his net and followed.  I doubt he thought this would lead to a permanent career change.  Even after Jesus’ resurrection we find Peter back at the nets. But, he was willing to put down the nets for a little while so that he could attend to the matters of the soul. 

If there’s a lesson for us in that story – this is it. Sometimes we have to drop our nets if only for a Sabbath’s rest and worship on a Sunday morning to make time to attend to the matters of the soul.  Faith is a day-by-day journey.  Life situation and circumstance calls to make the choice to follow Jesus again and again. The words of the old hymn remind us:

“I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus,

I have decided to follow Jesus,

no turning back, no turning back.” 

Lord, the poet once wrote, “Two roads diverged in the woods and I took the road less traveled – and that has made all the difference.” So does the decision I make to follow you. Keep me on the narrow path I pray in the name and through the power of Christ.  Amen.

Seckman Network 1

Seckman Network 2

Statement of Faith

Gregory D. Seckman 

            “In the beginning God…” This is the first statement of faith.  All that follows is the attempt to understand the nature and character of God “whose ways are not our ways and whose thoughts are not our thoughts.”  Knowing God focuses on “the Word made flesh” and the Word revealed in scripture.  Faithful interpretation of the Word requires conversation with others and personal reflection as one listens for the “still small voice” of God.

            “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  Everything seen and unseen, everything that has ever been and ever will be comes through God.  That which God creates, God creates to be good. 

            “In the beginning God created humanity, male and female in God’s image.” In that act of creation we were given the responsibility to care for the garden and the opportunity to grow in love and community with the Lord and each other.  With one commandment God gave the gift of freedom and the responsibility to use that gift faithfully. This freedom includes both possibilities of fulfillment of God’s intent or resistance to and even rejection of those hopes and dreams for humanity. 

            From the beginning we have resisted God’s call to live in love and rejected the Lord’s hope for life lived in a faithful caring community of faith.  This rejection, which the Bible calls sin has severe consequence: separation from God, which leads to destruction and separation from others which leads to isolation. 

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Out of great love God came into our world through a babe born in Bethlehem to redeem and bring reconciliation.  Jesus Christ is unique in all of history because in him God and humanity inseparably intertwined into one individual. In Jesus’ words and actions and especially his death and resurrection “the fullness of God was pleased to dwell”. 

            By the cross Christ redeems and reconciles.  Justice and mercy, righteousness and grace come together.  The holiness and love of God expressed and demonstrated through this sacrifice offer the way that leads to salvation.  This was confirmed by the historical resurrection and is revealed in the heart of every believer who affirms Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 

            As we are called to become the Church, the body of Christ, God continues to move in an ongoing way.  The Holy Spirit calls people to repentance that leads to salvation and follows with guidance, healing, and comfort.  The movement of the Holy Spirit is always confirmed and never contradicted by the revealed Word. 

            God’s people are called to express their faith through attitude and action, through word and deed to fulfill both the great commandment and the great commission.  We are to minister to body and soul.  In order to help us to this end, the Lord has given means of grace to unite the community of faith and strengthen our resolve.  We mark entrance into the faith community with water.  In Baptism God extends a hand of grace to individuals welcoming them into the community and initiating a covenant between that community and the individual.  The community commits to nurture and lead the individual to decision and discipleship. 

            The Lord’s Supper reminds us of God’s redeeming work in the past and promises Christ’s presence and power for today.  Worship, prayer, study, service and participation in the fellowship of believers are also means of grace God has given to help us grow. 

            God exists in a community of three-in-one, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  They are equal and interwoven with each other. In the Trinity the functions of creating, redeeming, and sustaining are carried out. Those in the community of faith also have different functions, yet each is also equal and connected with the other.  In this way we better reflect the image of God “in whom we live and move and have our being.” 

Plumb Line

 “Like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house.”

1 Peter 2:5

His name was George and he laid bricks.  Each day when he went to work he placed one brick on top of another and eventually a home or office building or church appeared.  One day I asked George what was the secret to laying bricks?  I knew there was more to it than meets the eye.

George said, “Two things.”  First and most important is the plumb line.  That is the standard against which all the bricks are measured.  Forget that and after a while bit by bit the wall begins to tilt and eventually fall over. The second thing is that good bricklayers will not be rushed. Before moving on to the next brick measure and re-measure what you’ve done and compare it to the architect’s plan.

The Apostle Peter used this image to describe the construction of the church – the church as the people of God.  The most important thing in that is the plumb line, the standard against which we are measured.  It is clear the life and words of Jesus Christ serve as our plumb line. He is the one to whom we measure ourselves.  Second, we need to reflect on what we’ve done and consider what we do in relationship to the architect’s plan. Spiritual growth takes time.  It cannot be rushed, so make the time to pray and study the architect’s plans so that you can stand tall and straight in the sight of God.

The building of God’s church continues, and we are the living stones God uses.  Pray that we – that you will yield yourself to His hand.

The church was your idea, O Lord. You have called us to be your body. Help us when we rely on our own plans rather than yours. Build us to be the people you’ve called us to be. Amen

What's Your App? Part 1 Video Sermon

John 7:37-38

What's Your App? Part 2

John 7:37-38

Ash Wednesday

“So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplication, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.”

Daniel 9:3

          This form of prayer is foreign to many in modern times, but it was standard practice in the ancient world.  In order to convey to the Lord the seriousness of your request, you prayed after you had fasted, dressed in rough clothing and covered your head in ashes.  Presumably such a pitiful sight would appeal to God’s compassion, and your prayer request would be granted.  At least that’s how this practice was often understood.

          There may be another reason for this custom.  In the next verse Daniel acknowledged the faithfulness and compassion of God.  He believed God’s grace was not stingy waiting only for our humiliation.  He believed God would provide out of love and compassion.

          Perhaps the ashes are to serve as reminders of our spiritual condition.  They prompt us to remember that “we have sinned, committed iniquity, and rebelled.”  They are not the only material markers for our spiritual discipline.  Many wear a cross around their necks, or carry a nail in their pockets, or hang a picture of Jesus on a wall. We use water to baptize and eat the bread and drink of the cup.  We don’t worship these things, but they can help us to focus on what is important. They direct our attention to matters of the spirit.

          The ashes which mark the beginning of the season of Lent take us back to ancient days.  Christians have worn the smudge of the cross not to convince God to be merciful, but rather to remind us of how gracious God is.  “To the Lord belongs compassion and forgiveness.”

“From dust we have come and to dust we shall return, but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through his son Jesus Christ.”

Covered by Love

“Above all, maintain constant love for one another,

for love covers a multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 4:8

            When Peter wrote these words, was he thinking of that day on the shores of Galilee years before when Jesus asked him, Peter do you love me?”  Was he thinking of the night on which Jesus was betrayed and Peter denied him again and again, “I never knew the man.”  When Peter wrote these words was he remembering the love Jesus showed on that Galilean shore reflected in the words, “Feed my sheep”?

            Love does indeed cover a multitude of sins, which is fortunate because sin seems to be part and parcel of our daily existence.  All of us have been hurt and have hurt others in ways we never intended. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  If everyone operated by the Levitical law “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”, then we’d all be half-blind and toothless. Only grace can break the endless cycle of retribution. Only love can cover a multitude of sins.

            Why? Well, it is the soil in which the seeds of forgiveness can be planted and grow. That’s why Jesus repeatedly calls those who follow him to lead lives governed by love and forgiveness.  His very life bears testimony to God’s love for each of us, and the crosses we wear around our necks or see on Church steeples remind us of the promise, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

“We love, O Lord, because you first loved us. Grant that our lives may reflect more and more of your love that covers a multitude of sins. Amen”

No Comparison 

“When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”

Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?  Follow me.”

John 21: 22

            From the time we first become aware we begin to compare.  Toddlers will carefully measure their parent’s love to insure that a sibling does not get more time and attention than they.  Christmas presents are counted to make sure everyone is treated the same in number and quality, and if the distribution seems unfair will quickly exclaim, “She got more than me!”  When we go to school we soon learn that our performance will be graded and measured against our classmates and that continues into the workplace.  Most of us spend our whole lives evaluating ourselves to see if we measure up.

            Churches do that as well.  There is always a congregation nearby that seems to be doing better: drawing more young people, filling up the parking lot, and building a new addition.  Folks will drive by that church and then gather over coffee in their own and wonder, “Why can’t our church be like that? Why can’t we be like them?” The answer to that question often leads to a feeble attempt at imitation.  Churches try to replicate programs or worship styles of their more successful neighbor, but it never turns out the same.  They can’t really become like their neighbor and it may be that they are not supposed to.

            At the end of the gospel of John, after Jesus gave Peter his marching orders, “Feed my sheep”. Peter swivels his head around and points to John and asks, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus essentially responds, “What is that to you?”  The implication is clear.  Peter is supposed to focus on the mission Jesus gave him and not worry about the mission Jesus gives to John.  Each has their calling and their own ministry.

            Jesus concludes his message to Peter, “Follow me.”  That’s all that matters. Focus on where God is leading you and on what the Lord may be calling your church to do and let others do the same.

            Lord, you have created each of us unique with our own gifts and abilities.  You called us to use those in our own way. But, we confess we often covet others and so try to become a pale imitation.  Keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith so that we may be who you created us to be.  Amen.

Freedom Bible Study Part I

"Freedom Bible Study" Part II

Resurrection Hope

 “I am the resurrection and the life,

those who believe in me, even though they die,

yet shall they live.”

John 11:24

          Clergy at a graveside often repeat these words, and that is fitting because they were first spoken at a graveside.  Lazarus lay in a tomb four days, and he’d been pretty sick a while before that.  Only afterward did Jesus show up, and Martha was a little irritated at the delay.  “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  She had faith enough to believe that Jesus could have made a difference when Lazarus lived, but now she thought it too late because death always has the final word.

          Jesus challenged that assumption with a promise of resurrection and life.  For those who stand over an open grave this assurance is the only thing that keeps knees from buckling and shoulders from sagging.  This hope speaks to more than the fear we all have of the great void.  It speaks to more than our ability to let go or say goodbye.  The resurrection is God’s promise that this life also has meaning and purpose.  What we believe and how we live as a consequence do matter.

          The reason Jesus attached this promise to faith is because it is faith that ultimately guides and strengthens us.  Erase faith and hope falls out of the picture and where hope fades our future matters not at all.  All we are left with is ourselves, and for many that is too much to bear.

          When next you stand at a graveside and hear these words, remember they are not just for some far distant future.  They are for us today – right now.