Life takes many twists and turns. It can feel like we are on a non-stop rollercoaster and not sure if we will ever reach a destination. We might imagine that we are the bottom person on a game of twister and we continue to get the farthest color away – stretching just to keep going and hoping nothing crashes on top of us. Life poses challenges that we may be ready to tackle and it only takes a small gust of wind to blow us down. But we rise. We keep moving forward. We continue to find our footing. We seek to understand where we are and where we might be going. We fight another day. And we rise.
This tree continues to rise. It has conformed to the place in which it was planted. It has strong roots so that wind does not conquer. It appears, at first to be unstable. It may seem weak and deformed. In reality, the tree is ready for whatever happens. Wind won’t cause it to snap easily because it has adapted to the current. Storms won’t tackle because it grows low to the ground, safer from lightening and torrential rains. The roots are not compromised so the trunk is solid despite the initial appearance. It is ready for whatever may come.
How about you? Has life caused you to twist and feel as though you may be defeated? It just might be that you are being prepared to withstand the storm. You may be just where you need to be for whatever life may throw your way. You could be ready to grow and provide fruit when all else has been beaten and bruised. You may appear to be taken down, but you have been planted for times such as this.
May your roots be planted deep. May you find stability that transforms. May you be guided by God to withstand anything that comes your way. May you see your beauty. Bear fruit no matter what may come your way.
Focus Scripture:
Jeremiah 17:7-8
7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord. 8 They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
and it does not cease to bear fruit.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
Springtime is full of surprises. If we planted during the winter, little promises of life begin to pop out of the dirt seeking the nourishment of sun and rain. We may have forgotten them until they begin to slowly appear. Those plants and trees that had been dormant all winter are now beginning to bud with a renewed sense of life. The ground bursts open with life and the earth transforms. It is an amazing sight to behold.
Plants and trees, flowers and vegetables are not the only things that blossom and grow. Humanity does as well. As God’s good creation, we are blooming with potential as well. Some days, admittedly, we may not feel like it. There are times when we feel like the tree that has no life at all. We may even wonder if our leaves will bear any goodness. What we forget is that God is at work. What we may not realize is that just as God pushes forth new life from the ground, he opens up new life for us. He is working in us for good things. God has not forgotten us. We may have been dormant for what seems like way too long. But God used that time to prepare us to shine and shimmer as a Springtime bloom. He is not done with us and is working in and through us so that we come out more beautiful than we could ever imagine or dream. All we have to do is simply to be. When we allow God to work in us, he lights a fire of excitement and joy that carries us to places he leads. God nourishes us with experiences that we would have otherwise avoided. He provides sun and soil to help us to become all he created us to be. What a gift it is to bloom with life from our Creator.
Bloom with life. Blossom with goodness. Burst forth with love.
Focus Scripture:
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
Friendships, sunsets, home cooked meals, love, work, freedom, family – these are just a few of the parts of our lives that we often take for granted. We just feel like they will always be there. It seems they have no beginning so they also have no end. When we have this idea, we also lack gratefulness. If something will always be there, there is always time to say thank you. There will always be a new day to show our gratitude. There will be tomorrow. And that works fine until that isn’t true any longer.
Our lives are packed with change. As much as we try and control what is going on in our world, there are elements that are beyond our grasp. They slip through our fingers like fine sand when we least expect. And then, we wish we had been more grateful.
Instead of waiting until it is too late, why not take a moment to be grateful today? Why not spend a few moments each day to express thanks? It could be as simple as acknowledging what we have around us that is beautiful and treasured. It could be spending a few extra moments with a friend or picking up a special flower for a family member. It could be that we just stopped in the rush of our day to send a note of gratitude. Often taking a moment to consider what we have that we really do value is a point of awakening. It is a jolt into the realization of the gifts held in each new day.
May we take a moment and realize the treasures unfolding right before our eyes. May our hearts feel the warmth of love. May we sense the forgotten. And may we live grateful today.
Focus Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
Small gems remain hidden among the grass until they rise. Tiny buds hold in the beauty of what is waiting to be uncovered. It can’t be rushed. It shouldn’t be forced. It is a process that is magical and magnificent, even if it is simple and silent.
A garden of blooming flowers speaks louder than most any poem or song. They sing of God’s goodness by opening their buds to blow their trumpets. Their song is one of brightness and color, of life and light. Their notes embody fragrance and their tones are full of vibrancy. Yet, they are frail and helpless in the elements. But they do not worry about it. They still rise, bloom, shine and stand tall. They still sing and play and dance. Their magnificence is seen by those that take a moment to notice. There will be many that pass them by. They may be trampled underfoot. They may be cut and shared. But they continue to shine as if this is what they are made to do.
This is what they are made to do. They are made to brighten the earth with creative colors made by an extraordinary God that cares for them. We are told that the same God that created these beautiful creations also created us. And we are told that he clothes and feeds these wonders. He cares for them tenderly and attentively. They shine for his glory.
If that same God cares so much for them, can you just imagine how much he cares for you? May we shine bright and glorify God. May we bring light and life to those around. May we live as we were created. And may we rest knowing just how much he cares for us. Shine bright mighty flowers. Shine bright.
Focus Scripture:
Matthew 6:27-29
27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
When is enough really enough? When do we call out in loud exclamations of ENOUGH!? How many people have to die at the hands of those who feel superior because of the color of their skin or the location of their upbringing or their sexuality? When do we, as the church, stand up and proclaim the way of Jesus – which doesn’t look anything like any of this!? When do we really make movements to show this is not okay? Are we waiting for a time that it affects us? Are we waiting for a time when we feel threatened? Are we simply passing the buck because it isn’t our homes that are terrorized?
As a white male, I am aware of white privilege and those heavily influenced by white supremacy. I am aware that I am looked at differently because of the color of my skin and being a heterosexual male. I understand that I pastor a mostly white church that operates as a white church in an area where the majority of the population is not white. I get that I have the freedom to move about without worry because I was born here. As someone that exercises outside, I am aware that I can run or bike in pretty much any area without being looked at as suspicious for the color of my skin. I am even more aware of these privileges when I consider what is happening on a regular basis in this country and even perpetuated by key leadership that look like me.
So why mention this as a white heterosexual male minister with privilege in a worship service on a Sunday that is Mother’s Day in the middle of a pandemic, no less? Why not? When does it become a good time? When is it appropriate? Many non-white churches and places of worship have been speaking of this for years and years. How many people have to die before it is a good time for the church to call this out? How much has to happen before enough really is enough for the predominately white church? What has to happen before white people call out our privilege and begin to work towards a different world? And I speak of non-white because it is the African American community – but it is also the community that is non-white or different – Hispanic, Jewish, LGBTQ, Muslim and more.
Sure, the conversation is uncomfortable, terrifying at times, and quite difficult. I can hear people speaking right now…Pastor Brad – you know I am not racist. If everyone that says they are not racist weren’t actually racist, we wouldn’t need to have the conversation. What if racism is so built into our society and into our churches…white privilege so ingrained in our lives…that we don’t even notice when it is being used? What if it isn’t just about being blatantly racist but about embedded racism that rears its ugly head on a regular basis, often unnoticed by those who use it?
With this, I think the time is now. It is Mother’s Day and I cannot imagine the fear a non-white mother must have as she sends her non-white children out into the world, giving them instructions on how to avoid even appearing to do anything wrong. I cannot image giving them directions on the best way to get places so that they are in places where they should not be. What about giving them guidance so that the white people won’t think they are dangerous or a threat? I can’t imagine because I am white. What I can say is that enough is enough.
And I don’t know where else to start when enough is enough than the Bible. I don’t know how else to find direction and guidance than God’s instructions for life – God’s instructions that show love and peace and kindness without any difference. I don’t know any other place to begin than with the grace that is so freely given. I can only begin with the life of Jesus – a non-white person that led the way to love.
There are many places we can go from here. Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors when that was not okay – not only shunned but dangerous. Jesus went and sat down with a Samaritan woman in order to show her love in a time and place that was not acceptable. He taught a parable about who was our neighbor using someone from a different culture and was despised by those he spoke. Jesus gave examples of inviting all people to the table and welcoming the forgotten and the oppressed. He died for all people and gives us the command to love God and love others, regardless. And we have turned that, all too often, into loving people like us. If you don’t believe me, look at those that have been accused of these hate crimes over the years…those that claim faith, that claim to be a part of a church, that also claim superiority and fear of someone different taking over. Wasn’t Jesus hung for similar reasons – fear of someone else taking over and superiority? We tend to forget that Jesus wasn’t a white male American – or the fact that he wasn’t white at all.
In Bible Study this week, we looked at 1 Peter 2:2-10. I want to revisit a particular few verses of this scripture – and for some of us, introduce it for just a moment. Verses 9-10 read, “2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
2:10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” One people, holy to God. That people is not a color or an origin or a sex. One people because we are God’s people. This does not mean white people. This is God’s people.
If indeed, we are to work to become more like Christ, to be one people, where do we begin? As white Christians, I have to believe we begin with repentance. We begin with acknowledgement where we have misunderstood, where we have fallen short, where we have taken advantage of our privilege without fighting for true equality. We acknowledge that our privilege has held others down. We begin to understand that we have allowed our fears to direct our actions. We begin by asking for forgiveness – both from God and from our brothers and sisters that have a different skin color or origin than us. Forgiveness is hard because it is uncomfortable and causes us to confront the issues we have that we might not otherwise acknowledge. Being repentant means we don’t want it to be like that any longer – meaning as white heterosexual people, we are willing to release our power and privilege and fight for the rights of those not like us. Repentance means that we do the frightening work of having conversations of where others have been wronged. When we are willing to sit down and hear the voices of other people unlike us, we can begin to work towards something different.
I want to offer one more scripture as I bring this to a beginning (though nearing the end of the message, I pray the beginning of a new start)
Colossians 1:9-20
9 For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s[d] will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled[e] you[f] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.[g]
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in[h]him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in[i] him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
There is a lot packed in this scripture, but I hear the desire to live a life worthy of the gospel. I want to live fully pleasing to God. I want to have my eyes opened to the truth – even when it hurts. I want to enter conversations that challenge my thoughts and actions so that I can see where I have gone wrong. I want to follow Christ wherever he leads me and his church. I want to lift up my brothers and sisters, as we begin to ask for forgiveness, a small step in moving forward. My prayer is that God would be glorified in it all. I pray that hearts would begin to heal, efforts would be made towards justice, and lives would be changed. I pray my life begins to show the love of God for all of his children.
Church – will you begin with me?
Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.
Have you ever looked at your reflection in a mirror? I don’t mean the type of look that you give to make sure your hair is in place or your make up is applied correctly. I don’t even mean the way you look at yourself and think about all the things you wish you could change. I am asking if you have ever really looked deeply in the mirror at your reflection. If you have, what did you see? We might see our frailties or our insecurities. Our fears and our nightmares may reflect in a way that no one else would ever notice. Hopes and dreams may shine as promises in our eyes. Or the disappointment of lost hopes and dreams may fill our hearts. We could see the strength it took to simply rise from bed and face the day. Or we could see the joys that await this day. But, I wonder – do you ever see God’s child?
I am told that I have a striking resemblance to my Father. When I look in the mirror, I don’t see that. When I look at pictures I do. But that’s not the same view I get in the mirror. I feel like that is how it is with God. We are God’s children, made in his image. I can tell you that. But do you really see that when you look in the mirror?
When I look at this picture, I see God’s image reflected in the water. The breathtaking view of the sky is reflected back to the heavens in the water. The seas that God has created are shining back to God with his amazing creation. And so are you. You are reflecting back to God the goodness that he has given. You are a reflection of his good creation. You are a sight to behold, you are his child.
So maybe we should take one more long look in the mirror. Maybe we should see our Creator at work in us. And maybe we will recognize our Heavenly Father when we look intently. We are, after all, his.
Focus Scripture:
Genesis 1:26-27
25 God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”
27 So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
It definitely is a saying from the south – Come sit a spell. It may sound silly or even ridiculous to some, but for those of us raised in the south, this is an invitation to come and enjoy time together. This is an opportunity to sit and “jaw” (chit chat) over nothing or everything. It speaks of a time to simply listen, to be, to relax. For those of you that are still unfamiliar, it could be translated – come sit for a while and let’s talk, or not.
Growing up in the south, I found that the world operated a bit slower. What was important to some wasn’t as important to others. There was time to sit on the porch and talk. There was an opportunity to spend an afternoon with those you loved with no agenda and no phones. It was a time when you could hang out, drink lemonade or sweet iced tea, and enjoy the day. It wasn’t as if there weren’t things to do. It was just that the more important thing to do sometimes was to sit and listen. Being with people and just enjoying God’s good creation held a high priority. And somehow, that seems to be lost or missing. Somehow, that importance has slipped away.
I don’t think we can blame it on technology or our overly busy schedules. I don’t think we can shift the blame to other activities to support the family or more pressing concerns. I think it is simply a matter of priority. It isn’t as if there weren’t other things to do before. There were still plenty of things that needed to be done in the past. The priority shifted over the years, though. The value of sitting a spell has been diminished by us. We are too busy, too rushed, too (and you insert whatever excuses you can come up with).
Maybe it is time to reevaluate our priorities. Maybe there is great value in simply enjoying the company of others. Maybe it is an opportunity to invite someone else to simply come and sit a spell. There is “jawing” to be done.
Focus Scripture:
Psalm 133
1 How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
life forevermore.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
It seems odd to wish for a cloud. Most wish for sunshine. The sunshine is refreshing and full of vitamins to get you moving. Sunshine helps plants to grow and generally helps to put a smile on our face. It lifts our spirits and soothes our soul. Everything seems a little better when the sun shines bright. So why would anyone wish for a cloud?
I find myself sitting outside today soaking up the sunshine as I work. It is a beautiful day that I am most grateful to enjoy. I cannot complain, except that when the sun is shining directly on me, it is hot. So here I am, wishing for a cloud. I don’t need a big cloud, just a momentary break from the sun. I gaze into the sky, eyes half open, trying to find when the next cloud might roll by. I squint at the brightness but get excited at the prospect. When it happens, that small cloud floating by, it brings a sweet breeze that fills my lungs and offers a brief but valuable reprieve. I guess I am grateful for both, then. I wouldn’t know how powerful and important the sun was with having days full of rays. I also wouldn’t know the relief of a cloud either.
Today, I am simply grateful. I am grateful for the day that God has given. I am grateful for the sun, the clouds, and if he decides, any rain that may fall. I am grateful for the beauty of the earth, the sun by day and the moon by night. I am grateful. May your day be filled with lots of sunshine…and a few small clouds. May you find joy in the gratitude of this day. May God smile on you with his rays.
Focus Scripture:
Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life. 8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.
I admit, sometimes I try too hard. It isn’t intentional. I am not trying to overthink it. I want it to be natural and smooth. But most of the time I make it more of a chore. I just want to find the pure joy and so I seek it out. I want to know where joy is found. I look for it around every corner. I try to identify it in activities or people or places. And I miss it.
This morning, I am sitting on my patio watching my dog play. Anytime I can just sit and watch him is like the best show ever. It is an absolutely beautiful and peaceful spring morning. The birds are singing their songs, the sun is rising with slow yet powerful force, and the breeze is ever so slight. It is a wonderful morning. I watch Leo digging in the dirt. Admittedly, I am not a fan of him digging up my back yard. Most of the time, I try to redirect his attention to catch a ball or chase a lizard. This morning, though, I watch. I just stop to watch him dig without interrupting him. He digs with his all, dirt flying everywhere, nose sniffing out any surprise that might pop up. His paws are covered and his head goes lower and lower into the ground as he digs with such fury. He looks so focused but when he pops his head up to look at me, I see the pure joy on his face. His dirty tongue is hanging out and he exudes excitement. He didn’t catch anything or find any new treasures. He found joy in the digging, in the search, in the simple task of being in the dirt.
I realized – that’s my goal. Not to search for joy so much that it snatches the joy away from me, but to find joy in the search. How might my life change if I found joy in simply doing the things I loved the most, not searching for any outcome? How much joy would I discover is already there if I just enjoy the dig? What if the dirt is enough? If I could do that, would I pop my head up, tongue hanging out, and a smile on my face from the joyful bliss? Lord, may it be so.
Focus Scripture:
James 1:2-4
2 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; 4 and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
The most important growth in our lives can happen at the most unexpected times. I find that when I am really trying to get it right, to learn what is next, to strive toward the place where I feel I should go that I don’t get very far. Instead, it seems that at the times when I stumble the hardest, struggle the deepest, and fall over and over that I grow. It is in my times of difficulty that I learn the most important lessons. It is in those times of failure that I find the most success. It doesn’t seem to make sense.
That’s what I see when I watch flowers bloom so beautifully in the water. I love flowers. I enjoy planting and watching them grow and bloom. My favorite is when they come back out the next year. It is like an unexpected surprise when they sprout up and smile. But these flowers in the water really do amaze me. They grow and bloom and flourish in the middle of a pool of water. They don’t get too much water, even though they live right in the middle of an environment that would drown other flowers. They get the nutrients they need even though the soil is almost nonexistent. They blossom in an otherwise harsh cruel world for flowers.
Now, I do understand they are made this way. They are made to survive and bloom there. But how fascinating is it that God made flowers to bloom in an environment that is adverse to other flowers. How awesome is it that they spring up the most beautiful colors in the middle of the unexpected.
For me, that is a reminder that God can cause us to flourish in those difficult, otherwise harsh environments too. We just might be made to bloom in the vast expanse where others would seem to waste away. We just might find ourselves growing when we should be beat down. May you grow, flourish and bloom wherever you may find yourself today.
Focus Scripture:
Psalm 72 (Select Verses)
12 For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper. 13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy. 14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their blood in his sight.
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land;
may it wave on the tops of the mountains;
may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may people blossom in the cities
like the grass of the field. 17 May his name endure forever,
his fame continue as long as the sun.
May all nations be blessed in him;[c]
may they pronounce him happy.
18 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things. 19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may his glory fill the whole earth.
Amen and Amen.
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 
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