September 2, 2022 – John 3:16, The Funny Shape of Faith

“God so loved the world …” John 3:16

“We blame God for everything from tornadoes to tragic deaths. Many people view God as the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk: “Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman! Be he alive, or be he dead, I’ll have his bones to grind my bread.” That would make some gruesome toast. Christ’s death is shocking, but it’s exactly the opposite of an angry God who kills everyone who gets in the way. It’s more like an old war movie where one soldier throws himself onto a grenade, allowing the rest of the platoon to live. It’s because of love and care for you that Christ gave his life. Better yet, he didn’t stay dead. Christ rose again. You will too.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Locations 248-249). Kindle Edition.)

To Smite or Not to Smite?

In the movie Bruce Almighty, Jim Carey has a famous moment where he is frustrated with G-d. In a moment of sheer anger he shouts out “Smite me O mighty smiter.” It is the age-old shout that many have uttered or prayed or shouted toward G-d. In these words are the expectation that G-d is just waiting to smite each one of us just at the most appropriate or inappropriate moments in our lives whether we deserve it or not.

I realize that when we are at our weakest or most frustrated we like to think that G-d has it out for us. Intuitively we know this is not true, yet we all want someone or something on which to place blame for our troubles. If this were true then why would G-d have sent G-d’s son to the cross to die? G-d could have spared the Son and pulled out his “smiting stick” to get busy with humanity.

Instead of shouting to G-d “Why me G-d?” perhaps we can take a lesson from Job. When his wife tells him to “curse G-d and die…” Job retorts: “Shall we receive good from God and not receive evil? The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”” (Job 1:21 and Job 2:10)

Let us pray,

Lord of forgiveness, we are sorry for blaming you for things that aren’t your fault. Help me see the ways that you care for me. Amen.

Pastor Dave

September 1, 2022 – 2 Corinthians 9:8, The Funny Shape of Faith

“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

“It’s easy to believe the age of miracles is in the past. But even though we may not be pelted with manna, God does send a downpour of blessings to us. These abundant blessings aren’t meant to stop with us. What God gives freely to us-time, talents, money, bread, etc.-we are called to pass on to others. We share abundantly because God first shared abundantly with us.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Locations 239-242). Kindle Edition.)

Will Miracles Ever….Begin?

It is so easy to delude ourselves that we live in an age of no miracles. We go from event to event each day never giving G-d the credit when we see something amazing or even completely mundane happen in front of us. A near miss accident – an unintentional encounter with a long lost friend – all of the ways I believe G-d interacts in our lives.

I believe there are no coincidences in live. I believe we do not move about in this world from random event to random event. But I also believe that G-d never promised us a rose garden. G-d never told us all would be roses and sunshine in this life. Life is meant to be lived and as such we will encounter the good and the bad every day.

Now, does that mean we will not lose faith from time to time? Does that mean we will not occasionally cry to G-d “What are you doing up there?” Again I give you a resounding no. But each day I try my best to remember that G-d is good all the time, and all the time G-d is good.  

Let us pray,

God of surprises, help me neither hide from nor ignore your presence. Instead help me to live into your love and your presence every day. Amen.

Pastor Dave