February 7, 2023 — “The Practical Side Of Religion”

“I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live, and also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God.” Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 

“Notice that God has given us four things in this passage. First, He’s the one who gives us the ability to rejoice and enjoy life; there’s nothing better for us than to rejoice. God’s perspective and hope gives the believer the ability to rejoice regardless of the circumstances. The second thing that God gives is the ability to produce divine good in one’s lifetime. Notice that the doing of good is in this lifetime. Galatians 6:10, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” There is a third gift in verse 13, which is an appetite to eat and drink. People who are very successful and wealthy don’t always have an appetite. Quite like a good night’s sleep, it can’t be bought. One can buy drugs to put him to sleep, but he cannot buy the ability to sleep. This is a gift from God. Then there’s a fourth gift mentioned in verse 13, to see good in all our labor, it is the gift of God. Solomon said that each of these four things is a gift from God, as does James 1:17, “Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom no variation, or shifting shadow.” (The Eight Experiments of Man: A Commentary on the Book of Ecclesiastes; p. 88, Robert R. McLaughlin)

There is a practical side to all things – and all things practical do not bring to us glamour or recognition. In the church, there is plenty that happens that few people notice, few people think about, and few people even care that someone is doing it. They just expect that it will be done, and there will be hell to pay if someone forgets. These things do not bring anyone glory – but they do bring satisfaction that it is done for the comfort or the necessity of a job well done. For example, someone needs to vacuum the Nave and make sure the heat or air conditioning is scheduled to come on before the services. Not everyone is called to preach – not everyone is called to play the organ, the guitar or the piano for worship. But for the church to function, there is a weekly grind that happens so the bulletin is done, the altar is prepared, and the coffee hour is staffed.

Just because the work does not bring recognition does not mean that G-d does not see the joy that people feel for doing the little things, the uninteresting things, and the drudgery of church-life. The same is true in our daily, secular lives. G-d blesses those practical Christians, people who are willing to do the work even if it means weariness, or a lack of emotion, and especially if it requires sacrifice. Just because our faithfulness seems to fall upon blind eyes, our Lord sees all that we do, for the glory of G-d, and for the practical side of life – and the Lord blesses us for it.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, as the writer of Ecclesiastes states: “…everyone should find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God.” Help me see my work today as a gift to you. Amen.

Pastor Dave

February 6, 2023 — “The Mountain Top”

“Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.” Luke 9:28-36

“…an Orthodox priest…was telling…about the iconostasis which is the screen that is put up in front of the altar in Orthodox churches . On certain occasions in the year, the screen is opened up for people to see through. This only happens at certain times such as Easter week. As Father Andrew was speaking, it made me think about how we, as Christians, only see rare glimpses of God. Much of the time we are either asleep, like the disciples, or experiencing hardship, rather than seeing the glory of God on the mountain top. Indeed if we were really to see God in all His glory we would be perplexed and terrified, just as Peter, James and John were. I’m not sure the experience they had was altogether comfortable!” (bryonytaylor.com)

Have you stood on a mountain top and wondered about life, the universe and all things possible? When you stand on the top of a mountain, it seems nothing can surpass that picture, that view, that feeling. And you are right – nothing can top the top of the mountain. But unless we are moving into a monastery somewhere in the Alps, we cannot live on top of a mountain. Oh, yes, some people try – but eventually then need to come down for provisions, for possessions, and for people.

Jesus goes to the mountain top for the moment of his Transfiguration – and it is there where he speaks to Moses and Elijah. It was good for him to be there – it was good for the three disciples to see this experience. But they were not going to stay atop the mountain. In fact, Jesus comes down so that he can be with the people, to gather more provisions, and to preach against the hoarding of possessions to more people. Mountain top experiences are nice, but the place where real action happens is down in the valley. Why? Because everything that goes up, must come down. Even Jesus did not just stay on the mountain – he came down to make things happen. Life cannot just be about mountain tops – because there is only so much room on the top.

Extraordinary sights are nice, but you and I live within the ordinary, practical side of life. Enjoy the mountain-top experiences G-d may give to you, but do not count this as the ordinary, usual thing – especially when we compare them to our everyday, Christian life. We must need to learn to enjoy the toil of the ordinary life – and to learn to find the beauty in the common things of life — for some of the most common things are among the most beautiful when our eyes are taught to see their beauty.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, as much as I long to see you on the mountain-top experiences, help me to see you as I look to serve those who live in the valleys of life. Amen.

Pastor Dave