May 6, 2024 – The Dollar Spot Devotions: Glowing for G-d

“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellingshere, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” ⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.  As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”  And the disciples asked him, “Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He replied, “Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things;  but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.”   Matthew 17:1-12

In one of the bins of the dollar area in the store are glow products – glow sticks and glow bracelets. My granddaughter loves glow products. Truth be told, most kids like anything that glows. At the roller skating rink, one of the more popular items are glow sticks that the kids can wear around their necks when the lights are turned down low. The same is true at the bowling alley, and anywhere there are kids.

One of the most significant events in the life of Jesus is the Transfiguration event that is recounted in the Gospels.  Some scholars believe this may be a misplaced resurrection appearance – but no matter, the event was significant in the life of Jesus and in the lives of his followers. On this mountain, not only did Jesus glow in a light that was unearthly, he glowed from the affirmation he received from his Father. In both his baptism and now in the Transfiguration the voice of G-d announces “This is my Son, whom I love.” His disciples were charged not to tell anyone, yet it is apparent that the news of this event spread and proved his relationship with the Father. 

Children throughout the Christian church still sing “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” In other words, we are to let the light of Christ shine in our lives through our words and our deeds. Like glow sticks around the necks of children at a skating rink, we are to let the “glow” of Christ shine in our lives no matter where we are.

Pastor Dave

May 5, 2024 – Easter 6B

“While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.” Acts 10:44-48

Do you know what the world’s record is for the longest sermon ever preached? The longest sermon ever preached was by a Unitarian preacher who preached for 60 hours and 31 minutes. I guess you could say it all in that length of time. Now, the shortest sermon I have ever heard of was delivered by a Catholic priest, on Father’s Day, where he stood up in front of the congregation, true story, and said these words:  “Trust the Father”. I would only improve on that sermon by adding one word: “Trust the Father’s love”. Could it really all be said with those four words?  It can if we know that the Father’s love comes to us through Christ. A pastor once preached these words:

“To experience love, to receive love and to give love, is to have the spirit of Christ’s love inside you.”

Our text today is about love, and Jesus’ commandment that we are to “love one another as I have loved you” But Jesus goes further than just being a loved child – raising us up to a closer relationship – one of friend.

“I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends…” 

You see, a servant is one who is called into the king’s chambers to go fetch this, or go and do that. The servant is called and then dismissed. The friend of the king however is someone who is a close intimate friend. They are called to come to the king’s side and to stay – to talk intimate matters – to be there to help with problems more so that the staff – or the servants. So when Jesus lifts up his disciples (including you and me) we are lifted up to a closer relationship than just another follower. We are lifted up to be more than just our understanding of casual friend.  We are the one’s who are loved by G-d called to be at G-d’s side in an intimate relationship. G-d chose to love us first, to claim us as G-d’s own, to love us so much that G-d sent Jesus Christ to this world to live, love and die for us.  Thus, our identity was forever changed in the waters of our baptisms, where G-d claimed us as G-d’s own, because G-d first loved us. 

Don’t we find it hard to love ourselves most of the time? We seem to live in a society that continues to remind us of our inadequacies, of our failures, of our weaknesses. With this kind of information thrown in our faces all of the time, how could we love ourselves? But you see, being able to love ourselves begins with looking into the mirror and seeing a “loved child of G-d”. And how does G-d love us? G-d’s love for us is defined by the love between the Father and the Son – between G-d and G-d’s Son Jesus Christ. Their love is an abiding love – an enduring love – a dwelling love – a continuing love – a relational love.  It is a love that we are invited to share and participate in – to dwell within – each and every day. 

Pastor Dave