A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.

"Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."

"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."

The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer.

"I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?"

"Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle.. "Here, Dolly!" he called.

Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.

The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse.

Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...

"I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt.

The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."

With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers.

In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.

Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."

With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup.

Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.

"How much?" asked the little boy.

"No charge," said the farmer, "There's no charge for love."      

Nancy Nickoley

Dear God, Thank you for loving us always.  May we share love and be a blessing to everyone.  Amen.

Have you ever viewed a tapestry?  The tiny stitches in various colors come together to form a piece of art, everything blended together in a harmonious explosion of beauty. 

But, have you ever viewed the backside?  Not very pretty. A mess of stitches going every which way with colors that are rather dull.  A bit like life.  Our lives seem to be ordered by rules but we're not perfect and sometimes life becomes a mess.  There's a plan that we often fully don't understand.  It's through relationships with each other and with God that we end up a brilliant, beautiful work of art that's perfectly stitched together.    

 

Here are some questions to guide you through the week:

• What does it mean that those who suffer the most are not necessarily the worst sinners? (Luke 13:2,3)
• Is your fig tree bearing fruit? To bear more fruit how might you surround yourself with better “fertilizer?” (Luke 13:7, 8)
• God cares about our finances. Do you use your monetary resources as “bread that satisfies?” (Isaiah 55:2)
• How might you bless another person this week and encourage the fruit Jesus desires to see in their life.

 

We’ve been talking a lot about blessing. In Genesis 12:1-3 we learn that we are blessed to be a blessing through Abram (Abraham). What happens when we bless? Usually we feel blessed as well and find our sense of connection to those around us. But the primary outcome of blessing as followers of Jesus is this: God is revealed. God is honored. God is glorified. The kingdom of God is present here and now. 

 Make Me a Blessing 

  "Lord, Make me a blessing. 

   Those that I meet 

   Make me a blessing.  

  As I walk down the street 

  Make me a blessing 

    This day, even this hour 

  Make me a blessing 

  It lies in your power 

    Make me a blessing 

    At work and at home 

  Make me a blessing 

    Wherever I roam 

    Make me a blessing 

    That people may see 

  I am a blessing 

  For you are with me." 

  (from The Open Gate: Celtic Prayers for Growing Spirituality by David Adam)

 We are blessed to be a blessing! Praise be to God! 

 Vikki

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This Sunday's gospel lesson presents a real challenge (Luke 13:1-9). Here is how I describe the challenge. The contemporary North American church has succeeded in sentimentalizing Jesus to the point where we have taken the romantic “gentle Jesus, meek and mild “ of the 19th century , and reworked him into Jesus our good friend, our buddy, our therapist who always affirms and never criticizes. And yet Sunday's gospel presents us with an unsettling, judgmental Jesus.

At the end of chapter 12 of Luke’s gospel, Jesus clearly says he has come to “cast fire on the earth.” He warns people to read the signs of the time that predict judgment. He asks if the people think that those who suffer are “worse sinners than others”? Jesus answers his own question by saying ,” No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did (Luke 13:3)”.

Jesus does not say what we each need to do specifically to “repent,” to turn, to change. Maybe he doesn’t say specifically because that’s the question between each of us and God. Perhaps the answer for each of us is different.

And so we are reminded that Jesus not only did some tough things, and suffered some tough things, but he also said some tough things. In Luke 13:1-9 he says those tough things to each of us this day.

Let us confess our sin—all those things that keep us from wholeheartedly following the way of Christ---and then let us ask him to help us turn, to repent, and to follow.

See you on Sunday.

Still in one peace,

David J. Jensen

Luke 24:50-53 is the scripture text for this Wednesday’s midweek Lent service. I find it to be kind of an odd text in the middle of Lent as it’s one of Luke’s stories about Jesus’ ascension. But it fits with our theme of “Blessed to be a Blessing” this Lent and as I spend more time with these verses, they seem to be finding me in this time of following Jesus to the cross and beyond.

Jesus blesses the disciples and they return to town to bless God. What did it mean for Jesus to “bless” the disciples? Their lives after this certainly were difficult and challenging. What did mean for the disciples to “bless” God? What does it mean for me that I am blessed to be a blessing?

Someone sneezes and I say, “God Bless You” or “Bless You."

I have friends who instead of asking if I will say a table grace, ask if I will say “the blessing.”When I receive a special gift or get to participate in an extraordinary activity, I often will say that, “I am blessed.” 

This blessing stuff becomes a deep matter for me to contemplate. But I wonder perhaps if I am making it too hard or looking for more than I need to. This quote seems to be a good beginning into the contemplation of blessing: 

“Blessing is one of the ways that God makes the presence of God known here and now…” (from Listen with the Heart: Sacred Moments in Everyday Life by Joan Chittister.)

What do you think it meant for Jesus to bless the disciples? For the disciples to bless God? What do you think it means that we are all blessed to be a blessing? I hope to see you Wednesday evening to join the conversation (6:00 soup supper, 7:00 casual worship.)

Peace and joy, We are Blessed!
Vikki

On Sunday, Pastor Dave talked about Meeting the Future, Giving Up. He focused on the text that told the story of some Pharisees trying to get Jesus to give up his mission, with the threat that Herod was going to kill him. Of course Jesus did not give up, he moved onward until the ultimate "giving up." Pastor Dave reminded us that God shows up and shows off most anywhere, including the dentist's office!  He talked about facing the "foxes" in our life. Sometimes we need to "give up" in order for Jesus' plans for us to be realized.

Here are some questions to guide you through the week...

· What is the main obstacle (fox) in your life (Luke 13:32)? Pray this week that Jesus might offer you guidance on how to face it.
· Do you stand for a mission in Jesus’ name that is enough of a threat, that someone would try to sway you away from it? What is your mission? Jesus knew his mission (Luke 13:32,33).
· Leaders of the church face stress and persecution (Luke 13:34). Have you been a persecutor of the prophets? How might you be a stronger supporter of those who proclaim a prophetic word from God?
· “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord (Luke 13:35)”. You are blessed to be a blessing. Let us each bless three people every day.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

From the internet: During a private "fly-in" fishing excursion in the Alaskan wilderness, the chartered pilot and fishermen left a cooler and bait in the plane. And a bear smelled it. This is what he did to the plane....

The pilot used his radio and had another pilot bring him 2 new tires, 3 cases of duct tape, and a supply of sheet plastic. He patched the plane together, and FLEW IT HOME!!!

Never underestimate the power of duct tape!

I recently read the above story about how duct tape seemed to "come to the rescue" and started thinking about the power of duct tape.Yes, really! Remember how MacGyver, a master of improvised inventions, made frequent use of duct tape to get himself out of many a dangerous dilemmas? How about when Frasier's Martin Crane covered rips in the fabric of his beloved, but old and ugly armchair with pieces of duct tape? Duct tape is commonly known as the handyman's secret weapon. How many broken automobile side mirrors have you seen duct taped on, waiting a permanent replacement? Until a recent visit by the treadmill repairman to our house, my husband had duct taped the cracked plastic housing of the treadmill together, in order to keep it working. The repairman made the comment that my husband must really love that treadmill to "hold it together with duct tape!" I could go on forever about the super powers of duct tape, but I'll get to the point...

What is the "duct tape" that holds you together when things seem to be falling apart in your life? What keeps you going when life hits those bumpy patches that most certainly will come along? I posed that question to several people...For my husband, ironically, it's exercise! If he doesn't get his work out fix daily, he's grumpy and edgy. It allows him to "sweat out" all his frustrations with work, world issues and most likely family! A friend told me that her duct tape is most definitely the unwavering support of friends and family who are always right there by her side, whether sharing joys or sadness. Someone else shared that when things get especially tense or rough in her life, she steps up her volunteer time. She said that helping others holds her together, helping her realize her problems might not be so bad after all. Yet another couple told me that their love of cooking holds them together. This is more likely them being others' duct tape, as they love to take friends and neighbors a warm meal when they are struggling, or just as a nice surprise. What about the people of Haiti? Here they are singing in the streets and praising God, despite what they've been through! Their duct tape is surely their undying faith in God and a hope beyond our Western understanding. 

What is your duct tape? Are you the duct tape for someone else? 

Dear Gracious and Loving God, May we look to you as our ultimate duct tape! May we realize that in you our weaknesses are strengthened. And when the stormy seasons of our lives arrive, you help us hold it together. Thank you for all the other types of duct tape that also hold us together. Help us not to forget that being all "taped together" we're blessing others, and being blessed in return.

Andrea Heshmati

1 John 4:1-21

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from GOD, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

I like John. John not only retells stories, he tries to put GOD, put Jesus to us in human terms, yet more than human… present, yet more than present.

John was the son of Zebedee, you know the story, Jesus was walking by the shore… saying drop your nets and follow me. John was close to Jesus, he was the disciple that is mentioned in John 13:23 as “the disciple whom Jesus loved…” John not only knew Jesus. John KNEW JESUS, and yet John says, “do not believe every spirit.” I get the idea that in John’s time, like today, we get tested. I get tested every day! Tested by my addictions, tested by my convictions, tested by my co-workers, tested by my neighbors, by my friends… I get tested by my family.

We were in the car, Carsten and I…and a friend… someone I knew, had died. Well, truthfully, he drank himself to death, he was an alcoholic. He knew it, I knew it, his family knew it. I told him he was an alcoholic and I didn’t want him back at work unless he stopped drinking… four months later his liver gave out, then his lungs gave out, and finally his whole body gave out. I went to see him in the hospital. His mom and sister were there, but his 14 year old son was by the bed attending him. He was in and out… more out than in. His son was wiping his nose while standing beside the bed (his son had skipped school to be with his dad). Pat woke up and said to me “What are you doing here?” It was the first coherent thing he had said in 24 hours. I said “I came to see you and it is good to see your family here.” His son wiped his nose and eyes…. And I said “Pat, you have an awesome son!” There was a trace of a smile and he went back to sleep. I broke into tears, not something you wipe off with a hand, not even one a tissue could soak up.

I was telling Carsten that we all have addictions, and like a 15 year old Carsten says… “Dad, what are you addicted to?”

Jesus was tested. He was tested by the disciples, by the Pharisees, by the Sadducees, by his family. Jesus was tested by the devil three times while in the desert. We all get tested.

We made a stop to get something at the store and Carsten did not bring up the question again. But the question kept haunting me, why was I hesitant to let my son know I am human just like everybody else, that I have addictions, shortcomings, and limitations? This isn’t something the world would have us do. The world tells us we not only need to be perfect, but we can be perfect. We can fix our problems with a book, a pill, a machine, an operation…the world says we can fix it and we will be accepted by the world when we change.

1John 4:4-6 “You, dear children, are from GOD and have overcome them (false prophets), because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They (false prophets) are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from GOD, and whoever knows GOD listens to us; but whoever is not from GOD does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the spirit of Truth and falsehood.

Richard Rohr says, “GOD does not love us if we change, GOD loves us so we can change.” In the same way, I need to love me not because I will change. I need to love me so I can change. GOD loves me as I am! GOD loves you as you are, right now, with your addictions, your worries, and your concerns. GOD LOVES YOU!

On the way home I shared with Carsten my addictions… because I want those who love me… to love me not if I change, but so I can change!

Precious Father, Loving God, Holy Spirit, I thank you for your love, your son. I pray for you to help me see you in everything I do, everything I touch. Help me to learn how much you love me more every day! AMEN!

Jim Dietvorst

Dear Brothers and Sisters ,

We are one week into Lent, have you given up yet on what you were giving up? As many of you know, it is a tradition to give up something for Lent, so that God might fill you up anew with the Spirit of God.

The Pharisee’s tried to get Jesus to just flat out “give up.” The religious leaders, known as the Pharisees, told Jesus,”Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you (Luke 13:31).” Plan is clear- just get Jesus to give up. If he quits, he’ll never carry out the mission which is so threatening to them.

Jesus' response is sorry I cannot give up. I am on a mission that I will finish. “Tell that fox (Herod) listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures ….and on the third day (resurrection) I finish my work (Luke 13:32)”.

Do not get me wrong- sometimes we need to give up and walk away from the pipe dream that is just not working out, so that we might follow in the way of Jesus' dreams for your life. The discernment of such things can require great prayer, and time alone in the wilderness with Jesus. It may also call upon us to take courage and listen to the challenging word of a person near us who is God's prophet..

Let me put it to you as clearly as I can, in terms of what Jesus means by not giving up in this text. Jesus will give it up, so that we might get it all. Our Lord gave his life so that we’d have all eternity with him. To paraphrase a graduation address by Winston Churchill, "Never, Never, Never, Never, Never, Never, Never give up on that!”

See you on Sunday.

Still in one peace,

David J. Jensen

The last couple of days I've been thinking about how we're all created to be great at something. (At least one "something".) God designed us intricately and beautifully. We each have different skills, gifts, talents and personalities. We all have something to offer. We have been blessed and will continue to be blessed. And we're here for a reason... called to this time and place. 

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139: 13.

It's not hard to forget that we're fearfully and wonderfully made. It's easier to think about all the things we're not good at. It's easy to lie in bed at night and think about the things we screwed up that day. It's easy to compare, to look at other people and then look back at ourselves in disappointment. And it's easy to sell ourselves short. The harder thing is to figure out what we were created for, and what we're supposed to do with our time on this earth. The harder thing is to use what we've been blessed with, not just for ourselves, but for the betterment of others... utilizing those blessings.

The other important aspect is to remember we should respect each other's differences, encourage each other to use the strengths and talents our God has bestowed upon us.... that's pretty great too. 

The wonderful thing, is to do what we were created for... to do what makes you feel alive... to live out what God made you for. Because when you're fearfully and wonderfully made, it's a cop out to do anything less- don't you think?

Dear Heavenly Father, today I pray that you would show us what you want us to do with our lives and then help us to know that you have given us the courage to live that out. For those of us that are already living that out, I pray that you continue to give the strength to keep it up. I pray that we would do what we were designed to do, and that we would know we each have a purpose. Please help us to respect and encourage each other in our individuality. And God thank you. Thank you for blessing us beyond reason. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Amanda Jensen