Tag Archives: G*d

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on October 12, 2015
Tags: G*d   

Are You Searching For G*d? — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

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October 12, 2015

“Then Job answered: “Today also my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling! I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn what he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; but he would give heed to me. There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted forever by my judge.” Job 23:1-7

“What Job is doing is giving voice to his longing. The key sense of this idiom is a longing for a different reality, a reality as different from the present one as possible. What Job wants, is precisely what Job is not experiencing–God’s presence. It might be worth reframing Job’s fervent wish, perhaps with something like, “What I wouldn’t give” to know where to find God. Job has already “given” (read: had taken from him) everything to end up where he is−his family, his wealth, and his physical health, and now he seems on the verge of giving up his spiritual health as well, just to get at God.

This longing, this desperate need for–if not an answer to the whys of suffering, then at least some sense that God is near, concerned, interested, caring, something–is sure to resonate with anyone who hears it.” (Commentary on Job 23:1-9, 16-17; Karl Jacobson, “Working Preacher” website)

How far would you go to find G*d? One of the tenants of the Muslim faith is the Hajj – the pilgrimage to the site of Mecca. Every Muslim, if they have the means, is to make at least one Hajj to the religious site — it is one of the five pillars of Islam. Here is one description of the purpose of the Hajj:

“The Hajj is an event of great spiritual, moral, and worldly significance. It is an opportunity for purification and for strengthening our relationship with our Lord. It is an act of formal worship and devotion with prescribed rites to be carried out. At the same time, carrying out those rites along with a huge crowd of our fellow Muslims teaches us the virtues of patience, good conduct, and love in how we relate to our fellow pilgrims.”

These words came from a website devoted to explaining why the Hajj is so important to Muslims. And part of the experience is to find a way to persevere when there are hundreds of thousands of people joining you on the same Hajj. It is said that if a pilgrim loses their shoe among the throng of people traveling in the Hajj, because there are so many people, they are told to “Be patient. Keep going. Do not panic”. And if a pilgrim should die during the Hajj, then their life has been one of perfection. As I write this, more than 750 pilgrims died on the Hajj to Mecca this September – they died in a stampede. Through the pilgrimage of the Hajj, the religious devotee has the opportunity to discern their relationship with G*d and to anticipate meeting G*d at the end of the journey. And even if they do not get all of the answers they are hoping for, they still have the assurance that G*d has not abandoned them, is still near, and still loves them.

Where do we find G*d as Lutherans? Some Christians will make a journey to the Holy Lands, perhaps not seeking G*d so much as hoping to be in the presence of G*d as they walk in the footsteps of Jesus. For those who cannot make a pilgrimage, we know we find G*d in the word, in the sacraments, and wherever two or three gather in his name. When you feel that you cannot find G*d, I encourage you to make your way to church, or to a bible study, or to a gathering of believers. Together we can find G*d – and together patiently wade through discerning G*d’s will.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on October 2, 2015
Tags: G*d,   

Audacious Love — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

image   October 2, 2015

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

“READ — Our acceptance in God’s eyes is a no-strings-attached gift. It isn’t a reward for our good behavior. It’s not something we can pay God back for by doing all the things we think he wants us to do. God gave us our salvation. Jesus paid a high price for it, so it wasn’t free; but it’s free to us. It’s a gift that he wanted us to have because he is good and loving. Paul said it like this: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast”.

THINK — God’s grace is hard to grasp because in the world nothing comes for free. Grace is the way of God because that’s how deep his love goes. The awkwardness we feel when we realize Jesus died to save us and there’s nothing we can do to earn our salvation is a glimpse of how deep God’s love and goodness goes. It’s almost awkward to be loved this deeply. This is intense, overwhelming love. It’s love beyond anything we could ever repay. It’s too much. It’s too good. And, well, that’s who God is. He is too good. He is too much. He is overwhelming love.

LIVE — When you sin, return to God. But remind yourself of what Jesus did in order for you to do so. Then, even though it’s difficult, bring your sin and guilt to God and receive the love that he offers in exchange. Sit in the intensity of the moment; don’t run from it.

As you experience all kinds of feelings, know this: You’re experiencing the intensity of God’s love. This is God’s heart. He is audaciously loving, shockingly kind and unfailingly forgiving. Let it sink in to your heart that this is who he is and what his heart is like. He is so incredibly good.” (THE NIV 365 DAY DEVOTIONAL – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, No Strings, 2014 HaperCollins Christian Publishing)

“G*d is audaciously loving.” I can think of no better way to say it than that. This is what Grace is about: G*d demonstrated a willingness to take the surprisingly bold risk by sending Jesus to the cross. This is the audacious act of love that G*d has done for each one of us. G*d was audacious enough to show love for all people through the cross of Jesus. There was no application process for us to go through — no proving ourselves worthy. G*d acted first before we could do or say anything. Each day we should try to focus on the “audacious love” of G*d — and allow that to lead us to live into that love — and to share that “audacious love” with others.

Pastor Dave