Monthly Archives: September 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on September 28, 2015
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We Are Already There — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

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September 28, 2015

“O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.”
Psalm 15

“As much as we may think we are sure of our “salvation,” there are certain times in our lives when we are really pressed that we still sense those lingering questions. What if I don’t have a community to join with in worship? What if I do not feel like I am worthy? What if I don’t know all the rules? Will God still accept me even if I mess up?
 We all feel the pressures of being a “good Christian,” or a “faithful believer.” Often we are tempted to think that it mostly has to do with doing certain things—following the ten commandments, loving one another and the like. But what if at its heart there is really something much more basic? What if there is something more? What if we were to believe that God out of love has already decided to give us the kingdom? And then we were to live as if this moment were already the in-breaking of the kingdom of God? This place and our hearts indeed God’s holy temple? Maybe we are called to act as if we are already there. What if we are already “in”?” (God Pause Devotions — Tuesday, August 25, 2015)

“What if we were to believe that God out of love has already decided to give us the kingdom? And then we were to live as if this moment were already the in-breaking of the kingdom of God?” These are words worth contemplating today. We often get caught up in the “Am I Good Enough?” thoughts — the “Have I done enough?” questions. What if instead we could start each day with “Thank you G*d for choosing me as your beloved child”? Would that change your attitude toward living the Christ-like life? Dare I say “I am already in”?

I would say “Yes, we can dare…” — we can live the “Kingdom Life” now because Christ has won the battle, has defeated death, has said to you and to me “Welcome, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the master.” It is a daring faith that then requires us to live out this “reality of our faith”. Eternal life is quite literally translated “Life Age-Long” — meaning it begins in this “Age” and continues into the “Age to come”. Maybe my friends we are called to live as if we are already there. And if we do, how would that change how you live today?

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on September 27, 2015
Tags: Ecumenism,   

Turf Wars — Rev. David J. Schreffler

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September 27, 2015
Sunday

“John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.” Mark 9:38-41

“…Judging people by whether or not they are ‘one of us’ thwarts God’s reign of justice, generosity and joy. The disciples missed the power and victory of God’s liberating presence in the man casting out demons. Their assumption that only those ‘following us’ could cast out demons blinded them to God’s presence in another. Rather than being grateful that demons were cast out, they were upset that the healing was done through someone outside their group.
“God has a history of acting decisively in and through outsiders. The Hebrew slaves were delivered through the leadership of Moses, a ‘murderer.’ Cyrus, the king of Persia, was referred to as ‘God’s Anointed’ (Messiah) even though he did not acknowledge Yahweh as God. [Jesus]

Confining God’s presence and power to one’s own group is a distortion of the gospel of God’s universal love. How often this gospel is negated by division among those who claim allegiance to it! As one person said, ‘Why would I want to be a Christian? You Christians seem more concerned about protecting your own privileges and proving you are right than doing something about the injustice and suffering in the world.’” Radical Gratitude. Weekly reflections on responding to God’s abundant grace, Sept. 25, 2006 – Vol 1, Issue 33, Northwest United Methodist Foundation

We all, at one time or another, have been guilty of the “because they are not with us, we should assume they are against us” thinking when it comes to some activity in our lives. We like to form groups, and we like to protect those groups from outsiders who might “infect our group in some way, manner, or form”. As the Reformation took shape in the 16th century, it was clear early on that people were going to divide themselves into factions who believed they were more faithful to the Gospel. And the funny truth of the matter is that the things that divided them were usually not about scripture, but about “right practice”. As the devotion mentioned above so eloquently states, “God has a history of acting decisively in and through outsiders.” One good example of this is the story of Joseph. He was always an outsider (once his brothers sold him into slavery) and yet G*d used him to have a profound impact on the known world.

Let us work together to avoid dividing ourselves into “like camps” and instead become a people who truly believe that “Confining God’s presence and power to one’s own group is a distortion of the gospel of God’s universal love.” Maybe, just maybe we might have a chance of doing great things working together, rather than mediocre things while we protect our own turf. G*d doesn’t need anymore turf wars — G*d needs more people working together to defeat evil.

Pastor Dave