The Crux of the Matter

Have you ever discovered something useful, only to find its usefulness to be limited or nonexistent without some crucial element?

If I heard it once, I’ve heard it a hundred times… “just wait ‘til you own a house of your own!” This phrase came from the lips of my parents (mainly my dad) many times. The context varied from crisis to crisis and challenge to challenge, but the moniker attached to it was still the same, “just wait…” Needless to say, that phrase has pestered my existence from the time we purchased our first home in Kingwood, TX. When the slightest thing would go wrong, I could soon hear in the back of my mind, “just wait,” which was usually accompanied by, “I told you so!”

One occasion that I distinctly heard that voice echoing through my head came within the first few weeks of owning our home. At the back door of our house, there was a double light switch. When the first one was flipped, the light in the garage came on. However, when the second one was triggered…nothing. For the life of me, I could not figure out what that switch was supposed to do. For days, we’d flip the switch and go hunting for what it might control. It quickly became known as the “mystery switch.”

In the coming weeks, all the boxes finally got moved into the house and out of the garage, allowing us to park our cars inside. At first, our automatic garage door worked perfectly. However, as time went by, we noticed that it sometimes stopped working without any explanation. I remember one such instance when the garage door failed to open. It was a Sunday morning. I was already at church, and my wife had the kids loaded in the car and no way to get out of the garage!

Finally (and I do mean as a last resort), I had one of my friends who was a home inspector to come over and check it out. Within seconds, to my dismay and embarrassment, he identified the problem. Familiar with the home builder, he told me that the “mystery switch” worked in tandem as a kill-switch for the garage door opener. Alas, we trotted out his theory and discovered it to be true. How could I have been so blind! The power to open and close the garage door was right at my finger tips all the time – all I had to do was to have eyes to see it and release its power and the usefulness it created. Without doing so, I had useful device with zero chance of being useful.

For the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, the same principle was at play. For three years, they had been witnesses to the person of Jesus. His miracles were widely reported. His conflicts with the Jewish leaders were equally touted. Likewise, his own prediction of his death, burial, and third day resurrection was readily known. Yet, on Sunday evening, just three days after their Master was crucified, it seemed that the power of his life had been squashed by the reality of the cross. What they were soon to discover was that Jesus was about the throw on the switch and show them the power of the resurrection!

In your worship this week, focus on the defining moment of the resurrection and how that thread brought all meaning to gospel story – for without it, Jesus’ life would have been as powerless for us today as a garage door opener without electricity. Also, reflect on your place in the gospel narrative. Are you more like the women who saw the angels and were convinced, or do you find yourself in the place of the Emmaus road walkers, unable to fully see the power of the resurrection standing in their midst? Pray that Jesus will open your eyes once again!

Resounding Themes:
Power of the Resurrection
Magnificent God
Seeing the Risen Christ

Ready, Set, READ

Luke 24

Ready, Set, MEDITATE

· As the scene unfolds on Sunday morning, what are the “women” doing? What was their expectation upon reaching the tomb? Were they surprised? Who confirmed for them that Jesus was not dead? How is the word “remember” used in vv. 6-8?

- Having been convinced that Jesus had arisen as he foretold, what was their first instinct? Why is it special that they acted in such a manner? Are we the same way? How was the women’s testimony received? Have you ever had a hard time communicating something wonderful to those who had not experienced it?

- What were the two men talking about on the road to Emmaus? What is ironic about the visitor that joins them? Have you ever found yourself missing out on the obvious because you didn’t have eyes to see? How does Cleopas respond to the visitor? What crucial part of the story Cleopas tells is absent? How does the visitor (Jesus) respond? At what point was it clear that the visitor was Jesus? Why is this ironic?

- Even in the midst of their blindness and doubt, Jesus chooses to fully reveal himself to the Eleven. How does he do this? What further evidence do the disciples witness that point to the resurrected Christ? How do the “enlightened” disciples respond to Jesus’ blessing? As our eyes are opened fully to the resurrected Christ, how should we respond?

Ready, Set, PRAY

“O God, You are our God. Earnestly, we seek You. Our souls are thirsting for You.”

Father, we do seek You today. In everything our eyes behold as we move about our day, our eyes are wide open to the truth of You. As a person born blind longs to see the magnificent dawn, so, too, we yearn to see you fully. Jehovah, we are reminded that Your fullness was revealed in the sending of Your precious son, Jesus. And as we see the Christ, we see Your unfettered glory – Your very nature of love contained in a single offering of compassion to the world. Yet, God, we realize that Your love-act would be powerless to us today had it not been for the resurrection…for in the resurrection, we are presented with the evidence of the ages and the timing of all prophetic Scripture – at just the right time! As You did to the men on the Emmaus road, once again, reveal Yourself to us, that we would regain the joy of Your salvation and the fire in our bones that stirs our hearts to greater devotion and service. We seek You first, and the revealed Kingdom all around us. As we seek, may we find. As we find, would we be changed. This is our humble prayer. AMEN.

Ready, Set, WORSHIP!

The Man Who Changed My Life

Have you ever known somebody that truly changed your life?

I once knew a man who could fix anything broken, and could equally break anything in perfect working condition.

I once knew a man who was as strong as ten men and could manhandle anything into his submission if he so wanted.

I once knew a man who loved the element of surprise – be it on an unsuspecting person coming around a corner, or on purchases made spontaneously.

I once knew a man who would go to great lengths to embarrass his friends who boasted and lost bets and put them in the place of great humility. At the same time, this same man was so stubborn that, even when vested with the truth in an argument, would not go back on his original opinion.

I once knew a man who would spend $5 to save $50; however, in a great paradox, this same man would often spend $50 to save $5!

I once knew a man who loved to play practical jokes on both the unwitting and deserving alike. His favorite gaff was to take ordinary foods such as pickles and beef jerky and spicing them up to be hotter than the surface of the sun – only to put them on the break room table at work and sit back in the corner and watch the fire works.

However, I also knew a man who cared nothing for the spotlight or glory, but craved to work behind the scenes, unbeknownst to anyone.

I knew a man who understood the concept of friendship so deeply that he risked confronting his best friend about marital infidelity for the sake of assuring him that he was still loved.

I knew a man who knew nothing of selfishness, and gave of everything he had – almost to a fault.

And, I once knew a man who loved life so much that battled through cancer and strokes and heart disease and diabetes to be there for his family as long as he could, even though the daily pain was unbearable.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, this man I speak of was my father. It was six months ago last week that he was taken from this life and into his eternal reward. I miss him with every breath. Not a day has past since his death that I haven’t thought about him. All the times I’ve instinctively thought, “I wonder if dad has that tool,” or “I need to call dad to see if he knows how to do that,” only to be faced with the reality that he is no longer at my beckon call. This is my first Father’s Day without him, and the sting of that early morning phone call on January 11^th about his demise is still very real.

But if there’s something I have learned about my dad in his absence it is that, strangely, he’s not really gone. For I see more of who I am in who he was every day. The things I say, the phrases I choose, the manners in which I act - all point to the model from which I learned them. Only now, years later and too late to tell him, can I truly understand how much like my father I am. Dad didn’t get the joy of seeing the birth of his grandson (due in October), but I’m aware now, even more so than with my two precious daughters, that my son will look to me in the same manner as I did to my dad. My fervent prayer is that I can portray to proper image to him that will cause him to grow as God will have him.

Lord, I want to be just like You, cause he wants to be just like me

I want to be a holy example for his innocent eyes to see

Help me be a living Bible, Lord, that my little boy can read

I want to be just like you, cause he wants to be like me

On this Father’s Day, we are reminded of the eternal truth that permeates everything about us – that despite the role our earthly fathers played in our own development, there is a Father Who, in His very nature, loves us unconditionally and always seeks His glory in our lives. He will not leave us nor forsake us. And for those of us who are fathers or might be fathers in the future, we want to just like our Heavenly Father, because our children want to be like us.

Resounding Themes:
God, Our Constant Father
A Child’s Adoration
Gratitude and Compassion

Ready, Set, READ

Matthew 5-7

Ready, Set, MEDITATE

- As you read through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, are you shocked by the number of times he refers to God as “Father?” What are some of the things Jesus attributes to Father God? What seems to be the major underlying characteristic about the “Father” of Whom Jesus speaks?

- Was/is your earthly father perfect? In what ways was/is he wonderful? What were/are his shortcomings? Overall, was your father a good role model for you growing up?

- When you think about your own father (or at least the person you called daddy), what images come to mind? Was/is your experience with your father growing up? Later in life? If they are still living, how would you describe your relationship with your father currently? If you are a father now, what are some lessons that you learned from your own father that find yourself employing with your own children?

- Have you ever truly thought of God as your Father…not just the ruler of the universe? If so, what comfort does that give you in your specific situation? If not, what keeps you from worshipping God as the Father?

Ready, Set, PRAY

Lord God, You are the God of all times, Lord of lords, King of kings, wonderful, mighty Councilor, and the Price of Peace. For there is none like You in history, O God…and history itself belongs to You and You alone. Your throne is high and exalted, and by no scheme of man can you be accessed or persuaded or comprehended. And yet, by the token of your unsurpassing love for Your creation, You extend Yourself to us – that we might have access to You – and allow us to humbly call You our Father. God, we are thankful to Jesus, Your Son, who taught us what is to trust You as “Abba,” Father, and Daddy. As loving children, Daddy, we long for Your admiration, affection, correction, and instruction to live our lives to the full! So, too, as we parent our own children on this earth, we look to You, our ultimate model, to become the fathers You would have us be to our own children, both young and old. Sweet adoration flows from Your children, as we dance for joy in Your presence, and You cover us with singing. We pray this, Daddy, through Your faithful son. Amen.

Ready, Set, WORSHIP!

Oblivious to the Obvious

Have you been known to ignore the obvious?

As I surf the web, I ran across this joke the other day…maybe you’ve heard it:

One evening, after a long day of roaming the prairie and fighting for the cause of the just and the good, the Lone Ranger and his trusty sidekick Tonto set up camp in the desert. After a hearty meal, the two set up their tent, climb inside, and fall fast asleep. A couple of hours later, the Lone Ranger awakes with a shock! Disturbed but still drowsy, he rolls over and wakes his faithful friend.
He asks him, "Tonto, look up and tell me what you see."
Sleepily, Tonto replies, "Me see millions of stars."
"What does that tell you?" impatiently asks The Lone Ranger.
Tonto ponders for a minute...
"Astronomically speaking,” thoughtfully replied Tonto, “it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.
Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo.
Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three.
Theologically, it's evident the Lord is all powerful and we are small and insignificant.
Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.
What it tell you, Kemo Sabi?"
The Lone Ranger is silent for a moment, and then says condescendingly, "Tonto, you dummy, someone has stolen our tent!"

Ha Ha. But as silly as that little story is, we all know the inherent message to be true; we tend to miss the obvious. People look for hours on end for a set of keys that are in the ignition where they left them. Another is dumbfounded at the location of their glasses, only to discover them on top of their heads. Still yet in similar fashion, we look around, wonder and scratch our heads, searching for God and His movement in the world – when all the while, he’s working and acting and changing all around us. From our lost keys to our search for the Lord, one thing remains constant: evidence exists for those who have eyes to see it…even those with the poorest of vision!

For Gideon, one thing was quite clear – Israel was being oppressed and the “Almighty God” was no where to be seen. Yet, through a series of obvious encounters with the Lord, Gideon’s eyes were finally opened to a greater truth at work; God was indeed busy with the salvation of Israel and he was going to be God’s instrument!

In our worship this week, make it a point to find yourself being very aware of the work of God in the world in which you operate. Have you seen Him there before? If not, why didn’t you? And as you encounter His handiwork and presence in each circumstance, give him the glory for what He’s doing and pledge your eyes to be forever opened to what He’s accomplishing in and around and through you.

Resounding Themes:
Opening Our Eyes to the Almighty
Testing and Discovering God’s Favor
God is above All gods
Clean Heart, Ready Feet

Ready, Set, READ

Judges 6:1-40

Ready, Set, MEDITATE

- Once again, where do we find the Israelites? Has God grown weary of their fickleness? Why or Why Not? Who/how does God remind them of the obvious things they’d so quickly forgotten?

- What obvious manner does God choose to engage Gideon? Why is God’s greater plan hard for Gideon to see? What are the challenges? What excuses do we usually give God for being able to see His obvious call to us? How does God respond?

- Weary of his encounter, what does Gideon ask of the angel for obvious proof of his authority and promises? How does the Lord respond to his testing? How does Gideon respond to God?

- After believing the Lord, what does Gideon do to show his faithfulness? Was this risky? Why? As God revealed his plan to Gideon, what test, again, does he require of the Lord? Was it obvious? Still, did Gideon see? Do we test the Lord and His will? Are we so bold to ask the Lord for obvious signs that we are in His will? If not, is our unwillingness a sign of our unfaithfulness or simply our inability to see the obvious?

Ready, Set, PRAY

O Great Revealer! We give You the eternal praise and glory for the manner in which You have peeled back the veil of darkness and showed us the beauty of Your creating power. For just as You tell the sun where to rise and set, so too You direct our lives in such a way that give You praise! Your handiwork is as obvious as the nose on our face and our exhaled breath on a crisp winter night. For in Your Word, You tell us that, eventually, none of us has an excuse to miss Your presence in the world as witnessed through Your intricate creation. Open our eyes O Righteous One! May we see and taste that You are good! And may we relish in the security that comes only from being alongside – in presence and in mission – the Make of the Universe. Father, as blind Bartimaeus on the side of the road, may we, in faith, come seeking the blessing of seeing the obvious You! This is our humble request through Jesus, AMEN.

Ready, Set, WORSHIP!