Ascension Day

Therefore since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  (Hebrews 4:14)

Thoughts:  Today is Ascension Day.  It is the day we can take our yard crosses down and the white paraments on them.  In ancient Christianity, Ascension Day was a more important hold day than even Christmas.  It means that Christ not only rose, but He is exalted- rising even higher to the throne of God.  There He prays for us.  He is exalted as sovereign.
     The same God who is sovereign over the earth is also sovereign over all sickness.  No coronavirus can make Him sick, or change His plans, or keep Him from accomplishing his purposes in you and me.  On this earth, we are not yet risen and exalted.  But one day, we will leave all the brokenness, pain, mourning and sickness behind us.  I believe, though, that God is still at work right here despite our pain and sicknesses.  He is our help but more than that He is ascended to show He is able to help more than any other being.  We fix our eyes not on a dead or even living Christ, but the ascended Lord!

Prayer: Lord, let me remember you are not the dead Lord.  Or just a living Lord.  You are the Highly exalted Lord to whom every knee will bow. 

The sadness of this time

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21)

Thoughts: Reality tells us the above is true.  It sounds pretty pessimistic and negative, but it is really true.  It is an illusion to say that we will not grow old or leave this world behind.  It is an illusion to think that we can hold onto our stuff forever.  Yet, this is the illusion that many have.  It is a sentimentality that God gives but He never takes away.  But this is not the end of the story.
     The Covid 19 Virus has been horrible.  Over 4.6 million people have contracted the disease (over 1.3 million in the US) with over 311,000 deaths world wide.  It has crashed an economy so that more people are unemployed now than were unemployed in the Great Depression.  We are also approaching exceeding that rate of unemployment, though things are opening back up.  It has isolated the already lonely and separated families.  Instead of uniting us to fight a common enemy, it has stressed us out and people are picking at each others' viewpoints.  But that is not the end of the story.
     The end of the story is God wins.  Job does not tell the end- even for his own life.  He could have said, "The Lord gives and takes away but will give in the end."  This is why Christians can always be optimistic- we know who wins, and it is not the coronavirus.  But Job is right- whether He gives or takes, God's name is to be praised.  He is our Maker but He is more than that.  God is by definition the life giver, taker, and giver again.  Think of Jesus- who came to earth (Christmas), who died on earth (Good Friday) but who lives forever (Easter+).  We are naked when we are born and when we die- but that is not the end of the story- one day we will all be clothed from on high.  May God be praised as we go through the phases of life-death-rebirth.  Let us trust Him throughout.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in your loving hand int he trials and changes of life.  

To Have God as a refuge.

Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.  Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing...The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry...the righteous cry out and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles...The Lord redeems His servants, no on will be condemned who takes refuge in Him.  (Psalm 34) 

Thoughts: This is a great Psalm.  It is a reminder that sometimes the wicked seem like they are getting away with injustice and evil.  But God watches and rescues His servants even if they are afflicted.  It is not a la la land Psalm that say the righteous will never suffer.  But it acknowledges suffering of those who love God, but still says God redeems them.  How so?  God is the judge of all the earth.  There is peace in doing what we know is right- right here.  God also is able to bless His people with peace, hope, and grace right now.  God is our refuge- meaning we can always go back to Him for healing and strength.  He is our home base- our safe place. 
     Almost fifteen years ago my wife was diagnosed with leukemia.  She had a 90% chance of dying within three months because her white blood count was so high.  But she has survived and seen two of our children get married and five grandchildren be born and our youngest get engaged.  Today there are so many people playing chances with this coronavirus.  I remember hearing the governor of California say in March that maybe 50 million Californians would get the virus.  Some have bemoaned that it will never go away.  We do not, as John Piper says, live by probabilities or chance. We are people who believe in miracles- like the existence of God, the healing power of God, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Such things defy all probability. 
    The question remains have we mitigated the virus?  Two days ago Dr. Brix said that the numbers were going down in most of the states.  CDC says the number of deaths have gone down by 5% in just one week.  The number of hospitalizations have declined, the number of ER visits for Covid19 has decreased sharply and the number of deaths have declined nationally.  In my state, SC, the number of infections peaked April 10-16 with two days hitting over 270 but now it is close to 150 new infections despite much more testing.  Of 77,000 tests performed on people with symptoms of covid19 roughly 1/10 or 7,000 cases returned positive.  To say there is no reason to be hopeful now would be to fly in the face of statistics.  It appears that this virus, like the flu, does not like our South Carolina humidity and heat.  But also to say that no more precautions need to be taken would also be unwise.  To be paralyzed in the face of a fear that is diminishing is common but it is not the best way to live.  The probability of it coming back is low. 
    Christians do not have a spirit of fear (1 Tim. 1:7) because of what Psalm 34 says.  We believe we will not face condemnation, but on the contrary God redeems those who take refuge in Him.  In other words, with God we cannot lose.  Hope allows us to get out of bed; take the covers off of our heads; and get out there.   We are in a fight for our souls.  It will be lost if we are never brave.  Our economy, our education system, our church gatherings will be lost.  If we believe God is our refuge, that He watches over us, that He redeems us- we may find ourselves being a bit more brave and the ice of fear starting to thaw and crack.

Prayer: Lord, may I find you to be my refuge and strength.  Give me hope and bravery for this day. 

Consolation for the Soul

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. (Psalm 94:19)

Thoughts: Even people who are not anxious about getting the coronavirus are still a little more on edge.  If for no other reason, many other people are on edge.  I read today about the social distancing and how some see themselves at social distancing and mask police, while others police these police by asking them to keep their opinions to themselves.  That is a world on edge!  We live in a day in which hearts are melting at how fast our best laid plans evaporated.  Weddings, funerals, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, reunions, company mergers, introduction of new produce, ribbon cuttings, and so much more are just fleeting thoughts right now.  For some, just being able to make it- getting enough food, toilet paper, medicine, money to pay the light bill or the rent is hurting.  Our leaders try to appear confident, but it is fairly evident that everyone is flying by the seat of their pants.  We can find tape of every official or politician saying something in February that they regret in May- because who could have predicted our predicament? 
     But the troubles today- as tough as they are, do not compare to the troubles of the Psalmist.  He was living in a time when the wicked were ruling, and the widow and alien were not just isolated, they were killed.  They were saying, "The Lord does not see."  But God watches.  This is one consolation.  God may be patient, but He is not asleep.  The Psalmist writes, "Does He who formed the eye not see? Does He who disciplines nations not punish?... Blessed is the one the Lord disciplines.  You grant him relief from the day of trouble...When I said my foot is slipping, your love, O Lord, supported me."  He was consoled that God sees injustice and will not let the wicked win.  He also was consoled because the psalmist knew God did not forget him but His eye was on him.  This consoled him- soothing his sorrow and brought him joy deep down to his soul.
     When I was a boy, my father took me swimming at a small lake south of Columbia called Pinewood.  He would often go to sleep on the shore while I and my swimming buddies played.  But it seemed every time we got too rowdy, this sleeping giant would rouse and tell us to calm down.  Now, it was a bit scary, but it was also consoling that we may have thought he was asleep, but he really wasn't.  God is not dead nor doth He sleep.  He sees our misery and will console us with His love. 

Prayer: Lord, I am consoled that you are here and you care.  May I remember your watchful and caring eye. 

Mizpah Benediction- The Lord Watch Between Me and You While we Are Absent From Each Other

[The heap of stones] was also called Mizpah, because he said, "May the Lord keep watch between you and me while we are away from each other."  (Genesis 31:49)

Thoughts: Laban was Jacob's uncle, and his mother Rachel's brother.  He deceived Jacob by tricking him into marrying Leah when Jacob really wanted to marry Leah's sister, Rachel.  Jacob had to work for Laban another seven years to marry Rachel.  Laban and Jacob each tried to twist their business to their advantage.  Then Jacob (whose name means "deceiver") stole away from Laban in the middle of the night taking Laban's daughters and grandchildren with him, as well as the flocks he had earned in his 14 years of labor.  Laban came in force but God persuaded him to be gentle with Jacob.  Laban faced not seeing his daughters and grandchildren ever again.  He had to give them up.  So he and Jacob made a covenant that God would watch over both of them. 
     Now this is a bit more than saying- I see the same moon that you see- which watches over both of us.  The moon watches poetically, but God watches with a sharper eye than any human or even better than any Google satellite camera. 
     This is a covenant- an agreement made that they would pray for one another and remain in steadfast loyalty to each other and to God. 
      It is a prayer for protection.  It is a prayer for safe-keeping.  It is similar to the great benediction given by Moses (Numbers 6:23)- "The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord make His face to shine on you and give you peace." 
It is a prayer for blessing and keeping while they were unable to see each other, eat together, watch the children grow together, experience the ups and downs of life together.  It was a sad benediction, but yet a hopeful one.  At least they both had a common faith and Lord that would watch over them.
     In our day, we need this prayer.  We need to pray- may God watch between us when we are away from each other.  We cannot see each other, but God sees us.  We are really beyond each other's help, but not beyond God's help.  But it also infers hope that one day we will not be absent from each other.  In heaven, there is a great reunion, even of those who die of covid19.  Faith always has an element of hope to it. 
    This was the benediction that every Presbyterian Women's Circle in the PCUS said as they broke apart.  As we are scattered from each other- may it be our prayer for blessing and keeping as well. 

Prayer: So may the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent one from the other.

When are We Safe- At What Level Do We Risk Ourselves

30And why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31I face death every day, brothers, as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink,

for tomorrow we die.” (1 Corinthians 15)

But my righteous one shall live by faith.  If he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.  (Hebrews)

Thoughts: Safety is important.  Many things are done in the name of safety.  People who do not adhere to the same level of safety as we have are looked down upon today. 
     But for Christians, from the very beginning, we risk safety.  Abraham left the safety of a very urban city of Ur to answer the call of God as a pioneer to the promised land.  Jacob went back to the promised land at risk of war with his brother Esau.  Moses faced Pharaoh- definitely not a safe thing to do.  Gideon faced a mighty army with a pared down army of 300.  David fought Goliath when everyone else who was a regular soldier would not.  The prophets like Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah all spoke against kings who had the power to kill them in order to say what God wanted them to say.  John the Baptist spoke against Herod though it would cost him his life.  Jesus went to Jerusalem even though he knew he would die there.  Stephen faced stoning. Paul faced stoning, prison, lions,  whipping, governors and emperors because it was important to get the Gospel out.  He wrote the words of our passage above.   Eleven of the twelve disciples died for their faith.  The early Christians faced persecution and yet continued to meet in homes or catacombs.  In the 1960- 1990 Cuban Christians had their names written down for going to church and could not get a better job, send their children to college or buy a car/house/apartment if they went to church.  Today Christians in China are arrested for worshiping in house churches.  Missionaries have faced cannibals, warring tribes, deplorable conditions to bring the gospel to others. 
      No one wants to purposefully die- and to seek physical death.  Yet, sickness and death are not the worst or only thing for us.  Jesus said it like this, "If anyone wants to follow me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me."  Denial to self (and the idea of sacrifice for others) flies in the face of safety first.  We should never seek to die, but that does not mean we never risk.
       In our state, people have a higher risk of dying of many things compared to covid19.  Driving is most dangerous and remains one of the leading cause for teen deaths- but we do not ban teens from driving. 
       We ask others to risk.  We ask people to risk to provide and buy groceries;  we ask healthcare workers, first responders, and nursing home workers to take risks for a greater good.  But is there a more eternal- greater good than serving God.  If the answer to that is "yes" then we will just disagree. 
       I say this at this time because I have talked to several Christian pastors who do not want to push at all for meeting together.  They would see the church as the last thing that should open up- "out of love for people."  Church gatherings, for them are not all that important.  Church gatherings, after all, could spread germs.  But in a state where salons, tatto parlors, bars, gymnasiums, in dining restaurants are open, are churches willing to "take the heat" and open up? 
       Opening up does not mean that everyone HAS to come.  It does mean that there is an opportunity to worship in person for those who wish to "risk" it.  People who are sick should please stay away.  People who are severely at risk should also stay away until things calm down more or a vaccine is in hand. 
       The other side of this should be that churches should open up with mega safety measures in place- as any business would have: limited capacity; social distancing; not encouraging touching or passing items; wearing masks;  Churches should not be picked on as non-essential icing on the cake- when Jesus said, "Seek First His kingdom and righteousness."  Let us be safe, but safety is not the only factor here.
     What do churches provide for a secular world?  A moral foundation; Benevolence to the poor that keeps the government from having to do it (think We Care or Goodworks);  Peace, courage, strength and hope for those who come; networking; community definition; support for the sick; support for the grieving; support for those who lost their jobs; But in addition to all that love for neighbor, love for God and eternal hope and eternal life.  Safety is important, but it is not the only factor in opening up a church.

Prayer: Lord, may we be safe but also people of faith,  Give us great courage and strength. 

God Sees Us Through and Gathers Us

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine! 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire,

you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

3For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom, Cusha and Seba in your place.

4Because you are precious and honored in My sight,

and because I love you,I will give men in exchange for you and nations in place of your life.

5Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east

and gather you from the west.
6I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth—

7everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made.” Isaiah 43

Thoughts:  We have heard these verses before- when you pass through the waters I will be with you and when you walk through the fire you will not be burned.  But what we forget is the context of this passage and these great promises.  The Lord was speaking through Isaiah to a people who were yet to go into exile (43:28), and He was promising to see them through the flood and fire of being scattered away from their homeland.  But then He promises to gather them back again.
    So we today are scattered.  We are in exile- away from where we want to be;  We are in the desert- looking for water; We are in the wilderness- away from our safety and peace.  We are scattered from each other.  We are scattered ironically into our own homes- sometimes afraid to come out. 
      The greater promise to me is found in God's gathering us back again.  He says, "I will bring your children from the east and gather us from the west; I will say to the north give them up! and to the south, "Do not hold them back."   These are the words we have used for the call to worship for our Homecoming Service- the Kirkin O the Tartan.  It is a true sign of blessing when we who are scattered are gathered again.  We should all look forward to that time. 
      When the people of Israel actually did come back from exile- and gather again, it was very dangerous.  They were weak, with no walls to their city.  Ezra said that he was afraid to ask the king for protection because he wanted to show the king how God would protect them.  There was a lot of fear in coming back.  But they came nonetheless.  Not all at once- but in at least three major waves.  So when it is time for us to gather- we will do so gradually- at first with a small group at 8:30, then more and then more until we are back where we were and maybe even more than that.  Some will be afraid to come, but when others come and are okay, they will get the message and gather too.  There is great joy when God sees us through fire and flood and virus and brings us to the other side- finally gathered as His people giving thanks.  

Prayer: Lord, give us a dream of gathering back together at the proper time, full of your Holy Spirit and joy.  

Two Sons Only a Mother Could Love- 5/10/20 Sermon

“Two Sons Only a Mother Would Love”  Matthew 21:28-32 5/10/20 (by Dr. Ben Sloan)

I remember distinctly visiting with a mother who had sent her son away for many years to prison.  He had definitely broken the law- she knew it.  She was an upstanding woman in the community I lived in at the time- well educated, had a beautiful home.  Years ago this boy ran away from home.  What I remember  is she looked at me and said, “I am embarrassed.  I feel terrible for the people he hurt, but I still love him.  He is my son- and I will never quit loving him.”  I truly felt sorry for her.  Her steadfast love for her son was evident.  She would visit him when no one else would.  She was there for him.  When he finally got out she helped him get back on his feet.  I thought at the time- and I told her this- that this is the kind of love God has for us.  Though we are unfaithful to Him, He is faithful to us. 
      In our passage, it tells the story of two sons.  Neither of them were exactly great.  Both said no to their father- one by his words and the second by his actions.  These are sons that we might say “only a mother could love.”  But the parable is really about God and us.  I want us to look at these two sons, and then look at how we respond to God- which is really important in life.
    The first son said no.  He refused.  We don’t know why he refused.  You see, it didn’t really matter.  He could have been tired; he could have had other things that he felt were more important; he could have had a meeting coming up; he could have been mad at his father; he could have just been lazy; he could have just been rebellious against his father.  In the end, all the reasons to not go did not matter.    All we know is he said, “I will not.”   His will was against his father’s command. 
    But the first son came around.  Something happened to his will that enabled him to get up and go.  Again we don’t know why.  He changed his mind.  This word for “changed his mind”  is one word in the Greek and it means to repent.  Repentance means you were going one way- and you stopped and decided to go another way.  He changed His mind.  Some might say he was a late bloomer. Some would say he messed up but then he got straight.  But his actions show he repented. 
    The story of the Prodigal Son is similar to the story of this first brother.  He rebelled at first but then came back.  In his rebellion he always knew deep down he could come back and do the right thing.  Some of the greatest leaders of Christianity are prodigals.  Augustine had a good Christian mother who loved him, but he went away from her teachings.  He lived a purposeful wild life.  But in the end, his mother’s prayers brought him back.  Mothers, do you pray for the faith and the coming back of your children?   Augustine became the greatest Christian thinker outside of the New Testament.  Billy Graham, everyone knows of.  But not everyone knows that Ruth Bell Graham, raised her children pretty much by herself.  Her son, Franklin, gave them both a particularly hard time.  He went off against his father and he didn’t care how much embarrassment he caused his parents.  Ruth wrote a wonderful book called, “Prodigals and those that love them.”  It is simply a pouring out of her poetry and her heart during this heart breaking time when her son said “No” to God.  Franklin did come back and say “Yes.”  He founded Samaritan’s Purse, which does so much good in the world for the glory of God.  They boldly go to the hot spots in the world- where there is Ebola, or wherever there is a disaster.  LMPC gives hundreds of shoeboxes a year to needy children through them at Christmas.  They set up a hospital in Central Park of New York City when it was the hotspot of the pandemic. Like the Good Samaritan helped those hurting, so does Samaritan’s Purse.  Without Franklin’s saying “Yes” to God, this would not have happened.  Later Franklin became the head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association- preaching the gospel.  But at first he said, “No.”  Maybe, some of you listening to this sermon today have said “No” to God.  Maybe you have said it quietly and privately.  But maybe some of you have said it openly and publicly by the way you live.  Yet you are listening today and if you are, God is inviting you to turn around, change your mind toward God, and enter His kingdom work.  Look there is much to do for the glory of God.  God made you with a purpose- but He wants you to respond to that purpose. 
     Repenting is not just for salvation, it is also a regular thing for ALL CHRISTIANS TO DO.  We all mess up and fall short of the glory of God.  Christians are not sinless- just because we believe.  But we do want to correct our wrongs and to repent of our sins- which are many. 

    We don’t want to forget the second brother.  The second brother in Jesus’ parable at first said yes, but then he didn’t move.  He may have had good intentions.  He may have wanted to make his father happy with his intentions.  But good intentions did not give him a reward with his father.  Good intentions- and a flippant surface belief in God will not get us very far either.  Some of you who are listening have been dependent on your parents’ faith or maybe even your grandparents’ faith- but you are not really sure.  Maybe you were raised in the church and had every good intention of becoming a committed believer in Christ- but you never moved.  Maybe you felt the tug of the Holy Spirit inviting you to move but you wouldn’t let Him pull you very far. 
     In our day, the world is full of people who have grown up in the church but have become what some would call apostate, back slidden, or a “None”.  You said, “Yes I will” to God a long time ago, but today your life doesn’t reflect that intention.   Today no one can tell by looking at your life or your words that you believe.  You said yes but your actions are saying no.  Maybe you are listening today because this global pandemic has made you nervous about your relationship with God. It is not too late.  But you too, must like the first son, get up and get going in God’s way.  You must not just believe intellectually, but trust Him deep down.  The Bible says even the demons believe in God intellectually- they know He is real- but they do not have faith in God and certainly do not trust God as their Father.  Your heavenly Father is wanting you to not just say “yes” but be the “Yes.”  It is not that we have to find God- He has already found you- and wants you to say, “yes.”
     Which of the two did what the father wanted?  The one who came back.  Do not be embarrassed to finally do the right thing.  If you have publicly wandered off, and maybe even have been an enemy of God- it is still not too late.  Just as that mother welcomed that prisoner back into her home- God wants to welcome you back into His love and into His arms.  The person who cannot say “I am sorry, I messed up” will not be able to keep many relationships.  They will not be able to keep their job long- no matter how talented they are.  If your pride controls you and you cannot apologize to others and change your mind- eat crow- and do the right thing- then you will be unlikeable. 
     Do you know the Bible speaks of a time when people will not repent?  A time when they are so adamant that they know better than God, that God is wrong if He exists, that they are much smarter than God- that they will never repent?  I read an article just last week that said, “Even during this coronavirus pandemic, religion will not make a comeback.”  Is there room in the way you believe about God for coming back?
In Revelation it describes global pollution, and world war, and famine, and plagues that make the coronavirus seem tame.  One third of the earth’s population was destroyed.  But what about the two-thirds left?  Let me read what the scripture says, “The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands- their idols of gold and silver;  They did not repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts” (Rev. 9:21).  These words- along with the same thing said again seven chapters later in Revelation 16- give me pause to not repent.  They did not repent of their murders- like the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, shot while jogging in New Brunswick, Georgia- just over the SC line.  Or seven year old Knowledge Sims, killed in Columbia.  The Chief of police said, “Enough is enough.  If the murder of a seven year old  won’t put a lump in your throat or tear at your heart,  I don’t know what will.”  Hardness of heart to repentance won’t let you get that lump in your throat or tear in your eye.  But let me say there is a vast turning away from God spiritually- and it is driven by sexual immorality of all kinds. The third thing he speaks of is theft.  In some states while other crimes decrease, car thefts are up sharply.  In New York they are up 53% in the last month.  Identity theft is up sharply too- a whole new breed of thievery, where people are stealing stimulus checks, identity for unemployment checks or committing fraud.  It is time to learn to respect God and keep His laws- but it is time to say, something is wrong- we need to repent.  Leave room for repentance.  Leave room for you to repent;  Leave room for others to repent.  Most have learned the need to be flexible as things change so quickly now.  Be flexible about repentance. 
      On this Mother’s Day can we not say that everyone has had to repent to their mother?  Everyone messes up- every mother and every child.  Everyone has had to tell their mother they were sorry at some point in their lives.  The great thing about mothers is their willingness to continue to love.  Mothers, leave room for your children to say they are sorry.  Children, leave room for your mothers too to say this.  And let me cross on shaky ground and also say mothers-in-law say you are sorry to your child in law;  and Children-in-law, allow room to repent toward your mother-in-law.  Living in forgiveness and repentance is an essential part of a peaceful and blessed life.  There are millions of Americans who cannot see their mother because they are isolated in nursing homes or hospitals.  I love the creativity of signs, and gathering outside windows to wave.  Being able to see your mother on this earth is a gift that I think we are not taking for granted right now.  But Christian mothers want their children to repent for their own good, but also so they will see them again in heaven.   

Streams in the desert

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev.  (Psalm 126:4)

Thoughts: This is a prayer for restoration after a 70 year exile in a foreign country.  But it is also a good prayer for our time.  Our fortunes- not just our economy, but our health, our togetherness, our strength as a nation is lacking.
    The Negev is a desert in Judea the southern triangular tip of Israel.  It would be uninhabitable were it not for an oasis and streams in it.  The poetic admonition "like streams in the Negev" is multi-meaning.  In a desert, everyone depends on the precious water.  The only trees that grow, grow around the water.  Most of the desert animals migrate around the water.  So the writer is saying we are in a desert environment that need the Lord's watering hand.
     In the dry season, the streams in the Negev all but dry up.  But when it rains, the waters flood and the desert blossoms with life.  So the prayer is that God will turn our desert into an oasis.
     May God do that for us.  May He bring us healing and life and restore us to His hope.

Prayer: Lord, restore us like waters in the desert.  Bring life to dry ground.  Restore our health, our peace, our economy.

To Dream Again

Psalm 126: 1When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,we were like those who dream.

2Then our mouth was filled with laughterand our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them.”
3The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.

4Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb!

Thoughts: Perhaps it is ironically providential that on the eve of the coldest night of the month, boaters are allowed to go out again freely.  I think the Lord will force some social distancing when the governor may not.  On the other hand those who have been eating outside in the wind will finally be allowed to keep their paper menus and napkins from flying away.
     When things begin to open up, there is a cracked smile on our heart.  We have cautious hopes of being restored, and of having our fortunes being restored.  This is a dream.  We are dreaming of the time when our children will go back and play with friends without worry of passing something on to grandma.  We are dreaming about one day shaking hands.
     Our dreams have been squelched and seen as too distant.  But as things begin to open back up- we are like those who dream good dreams.

Prayer; Lord, restore us- help us to dream again. Heal us and make us whole.

Prayer agreement and Gathering

19Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. 20For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19,20)

Thoughts: Today millions of Americans have gathered to pray (It's the National Day of Prayer in the USA)- most of them gathering virtually.  But they are gathering their thoughts, their focus, their prayer voices, and their prayer conversation in a cacophony of harmony.  They are a choir with many zoomed in uncoordinated and un-timed voices.  They come from conservative Baptist, Roman Catholic, Independent Fellowship, Presbyterian and Methodist and other backgrounds.  Some will read ancient prayers.  Others will pray in their own liturgical "save us Jesus" language.  All of it beautiful to Him.  To some, they let the Spirit lead them down long winding rabbit trails of prayer.  Others will have point by point rational prayers with precise words- that will nonetheless not be remembered here on earth- but will be treasured in heaven.  It doesn't make sense to an outsider.  But to heaven who sees beyond barriers and labels it makes perfect sense.
   Today more than most National Days of Prayer, we are united in cries of Mercy- which is a little like saying "uncle" when we are pinned down and have to give up.  This coronavirus has us in a grip and we cannot seem to get out.  We are crying out to forgive us of our sins of commission and omission.  We are asking God to take us back and restore us.  We are beginning to recognize that no matter how much PPE, face masks, gloves, 6 foot distancing we are still quite miserable.  We are broke and broken.  The richest and perhaps smartest most innovative and efficient nation on earth, (and for that matter all of the earth) beneath life's crushing load are bending low.  May every head bow, every knee bend before the living Lord who holds in His hand the cure.  He will administer it when we quit trying to earn it, or congratulate ourselves from stealing it out of His hand.  When our blasphemy toward Him stops and our anger toward Him has cooled.  When we are humbled enough, ready to look for His help enough, He will open His hand and nourish us.  
    So Lord, we are waiting...  we are waiting somewhat impatiently, but waiting still.
    in the meantime- in the waiting room we read... "Have mercy on us, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Against you, you only have I sinned...Create in us a clean heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within us.  Do not cast us away from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from us.  Restore to us the joy of your salvation and grant us a willing spirit to sustain us.  Then I will not be too embarrassed or ashamed to teach other sinners your ways."

Prayer: Lord hear our prayer.  Christ has mercy upon us.  Amen

Pray for God's Glory Across the Earth

The theme for the United States' National Day of Prayer (5/7/20) is "Pray God's Glory Across the Earth"  and the verse is "For the earth will be fill with the knowledge of the glory of Lord, as the waters cover the see" (Habakkuk 2:14).  

This coronavirus is a global pandemic, with no nation left untouched with the fear of it- and almost 4 million cases, 265k deaths, and 1.3 million recovered.   Let us pray that this global sickness will go away with global healing- and that all the earth will know it is the Lord who heals us.
     There are many, even in powerful positions, who are saying blasphemous things against God and against the holy means of grace (like prayer) that God gives to us.  So Gov. Cuomo of New York says, “The number is down because we brought the number down. God did not do that. Faith did not do that" (the numbers since then have been 107,463 new cases and 8,811 new deaths).  In saying this, he implies we do things solely on our own- everything is in our own power.  But God works through His people and His Spirit.  If we need to see anything, it is that our own powers are limited and we need God's mercy and help.  It is arrogant and denies help from God to say we did this without Him and we do not need Him now.  There are many who show their true colors of their faith (or lack of it) by saying worship should stop but "essential" things go on- not knowing that of all things done on earth- worship is the only thing that rings on for eternity.  Fear is not fought back by denial or even by science or Valium.  Ultimate fear is combated by the Ultimate Prince of Peace.  Prayer is a weapon God has given us to calm our anxieties (Phil. 4:6,7), but also to change things and heal our land.
    My prayer at this point is not just that we are helped- will pray that- but also that we are helped in a way that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  

Prayer: Lord, may this global sickness bring you global cries for mercy and ultimately global thanks and praise.  Apart from you we can do nothing- but with you all things are possible.   You have humbled us, now bring us mercy and your peace.  

God hears when we Seek Him

I sought the Lord and  He answered me; and delivered me from all my fears..This poor man called out, and the Lord heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them."  (Psalm 34:4,6)

Numbers 16:48- And he [Aaron the priest] stood [with incense representing prayer in his hands] between the dead and the living; and so the plague was stopped.

Thoughts:   Last Sunday, May 3, was a day of prayer for the state of South Carolina declared by Governor Henry McMaster.   It seems that it may be working as the number of hospitalizations have gone down, the rate of new cases and deaths are going down, and the number of those recovered is going up.  While this virus is not disappearing, we are at least in the eye of the storm and can use this respite to shore up resources and be prepared for what may come.
        President Trump declared a day of prayer March 22, but the National Day of Prayer is this Thursday May 7.  In Chapin, SC we will have an online service, as will hundreds of sites this day.  The Humanist Society is trying to downplay prayer and the power of God by declaring on the same day a "National Day of Reason."  But reason is not stopping this pandemic. Why would someone only use reason when God has given us another tool- even help through prayer?   There is no vaccine, no cure.  God gave us our minds- which we appreciate.  But He also gave us our souls which cry out to our Maker in times of trouble- like now.
      In Numbers 16 it records another plague- of unknown viral origin.  Thousands died.  Aaron literally ran with incense in his hands through the people.  He was the dividing line because of His prayers symbolized by incense between the dead and the living.  We are called to pray for God to heal our land, and be merciful to us.

Prayer: Lord, we need you.  Help us to see that.  Help us to use our minds, but also recognize we need you.  We cannot do this on our own, we need your healing and help.

National Day of Prayer Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOP228tO8KBYwUeSn02YF5A

Coronavirus Prayer

18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:18,19) 

Thoughts: The Prime Minister of Canada was implying "thoughts and prayers" do nothing, or at the very least are not powerful enough to make a change in a speech he made in response to a shooting.  The problem is even if you take every gun away, people still find ways to kill others- with clubs (Cain and Abel), or even with the jawbone of a donkey (Samson).  Anger and violence are assuaged by the peace that is brought in by thoughts (mindfulness) and prayer (asking for peace, mercy and God's power).  Even Christians have been caught degrading prayer which is one of our most powerful weapons.

      But in this coronavirus time, I believe God is calling us to stop and pray.  We cannot use the excuse that we have to go out and do this or that.  We are called to stop- turn back to God and talk to Him.  We have been so very busy going a hundred miles an hour at break neck speed with our agendas, and now we need to stop.  We need to stop because we need God's mercy, we need God's help, we need God's healing.  Our passage says there is power in prayer to bind and to loose.  But we also need to stop because we need to pray and talk to God.  Prayer is not meant to be something done solely in isolation.  While we may be apart- we can still agree in prayer about a request.  We can agree to pray for our leaders, healthcare workers, nursing home workers, farmers and food deliverers, and teachers.  We can agree to pray that God will pour His Spirit out on our land, and that we will have a renewal of our faith, and that we will turn back to Him- giving up blasphemies, and evil actions.  We can agree to pray for mercy.
     This past Sunday (5/3/20) was our state's State Day of Prayer.  Thursday is Naitonal Day of Prayer.  If we ever needed to pray it is now.  

Prayer: Lord, teach us to pray.  Help us to see the need and to focus in on prayer.   

Here is a short Prayer to pray during this Coronavirus Time:
Father, we need your mercy and grace poured out on us.  Help us to turn to you and heal our land, our health, our economy, our broken relationships, our churches.  Give strength and grace to the front-line workers.  Direct our leaders by your Spirit.  Encourage those discouraged. Help us to use this time in confinement to get closer to you.  Give us your hope, and may your power restore us in a way that glorifies you.

Sermon 5-3-20 Members of 1 Body 6 Ft Apart

“Being Members of One Body at Least 6 Feet Apart- How God Unites Us” 1 Cor. 12:12-27

“But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” 

     When I was in my 20s and newly married, I went regularly to a nursing home to visit a couple.  They were in separate rooms on the same hall.  Neither could get out of bed.  When I talked to this couple individually, they would ask me how the other one was doing.  They each had pictures up of their children and grandchildren and even a great grandchild or two.  They had drawings done by elementary school age grandchildren that said “I love you Nanna and Pappa.”   But you know, I was just married.  I was into the just married thing and it was a jolt to my soul to think that this couple could stay married and still be so much in love but not see each other, or even regularly kiss each other.  I had heard about such love, but I never paid it much attention.  I want to say that their kind of love is the kind of love I want to strive for in my marriage.  A love that does not depend on physical intimacy but of heart and soul intimacy.  A love that transcends space.  I have seen this love in young people too- when a soldier goes off to war or a spouse has to travel a lot.  Love based solely on emotion and self-fulfillment and being next to each other will not last long.  There is a place, certainly for emotion and fulfillment- God gives us emotions and desires.  But they are, I strongly believe, secondary to committed love.  The desire to touch is an important attraction given by God, but it is not love, only a magnet drawing us to love.  The heart of soul of love goes beyond space and eventually even time. 
     It is the same with our relationship with Christ.  If you are depending on having a spiritual experience or feeling about Christ to buoy you up all the time, you will find Christ, but you may not stick with Him.  When the experience goes away, when you come down off the mountaintop, or when you walk through the valley- you will find yourself so distant from God that you will be sorely tempted to give up.  But being in a covenant relationship with God- means you are promised to Him and He is promised to you. 
       The heart and soul of the church is having God in us.  The closer we get to God- the closer we get to each other.  The church is not the building- though it is important.  It is important to stay dry when we gather- so we are going to do a new roof soon.  It is important to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  But those are not as important as the Spirit inside each of us- that is a magnet that draws us together to fellowship but also to serve and be the body for our Head- our Lord.  Do you have that Holy Spirit in you?  You get the Spirit by desiring the Spirit- but also be believing in Jesus- the Spirit is the Spirit of Christ. 
     I. BEING A MEMBER- The word “member” comes from this passage in the Bible.  If you are a member of the chamber or a member of the rotary or a member of the garden club it comes from this idea of the body.  We are different but called to work together.
      You can be a member of a church and be far away.  We have some members who have moved away and have never moved their membership and they are probably listening in right now.  See Lake Murray Presbyterian is only one small part of the overall church.  We are but a cell of the body of Christ universal.  You can be on vacation in Europe and still be a member of the church.  The hard thing is being involved remotely. This is how you can be involved when socially distant.  1) Pray- I don’t care what anyone says- “Thoughts and prayers” are very important.  In my second church we had two 80 year old ladies who were friends who were really prayer warriors.  I could count on them, and if I had a personal request I went to them.  When they died, the church started dying too. Be a person of prayer- pray through our list; pray for your family by name and for our elders and deacons;  2) Give- You can give online.  There was a time when people didn’t come, they didn’t give.  Those days are over.  There are lots of ways to give online, text, mail.  But your gift assures the ministry to others.  3) Be creative in your service.  There are all kinds of ways: cards, calls, caring. Look for ways to care. 
     There are some bodies I would not want to be a part of.  If I were to choose to be a part of the body of an athlete, it would be tough- there would be all this exercising and workout to the point of exhaustion.  If I were to be a member of a body of a beauty queen it would again mean exercise, restrictive diets- I am not sure I would like that as a member.  Our passage says we are members of the body of Christ.  Now Christ too is demanding.  He is asking us to live in a certain way, to exercise our faith, to guard what we allow into our minds, our hearts, our souls.  As part of His body- we are to ask ourselves- not simply what I want- but what does the Head of my body want for me? 
II. BEING A CARING MEMBER- The clear thing about being a member is that we cannot be indifferent.
1) Can’t say “I don’t need you.”  So how do we need each other?  How can you recognize to another that you need them to be in the body with you?
Arthur Brooks at the 2020 Prayer Breakfast began by quoting Jesus “You have heard it said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  Someone had told him after he tried to say that people that disagree with you over public policy are not necessarily stupid or evil” that “No, those [who disagreed with him] were stupid and evil.”

2) Can’t say because I’m different, you are obsolete. Stanford psychologist Jamil Zaki points out that empathy in America has dwindled steadily to the point that we are 75% less empathetic. 
Perhaps God is bringing us to our knees to recognize- we all need each other, and we are all facing the same storm. Honestly, all this talk of generation wars is distressing.  We have little patience with each other. 
I worry that because the coronavirus mainly effects older or sick, that we will grow in prejudice against the elderly of sick.  As the body of Christ- we care for all ages, all differences, all those who love God.  
3) Rejoice with those who rejoice.  Instead of thinking life is only about how I can get ahead- rejoice with those who are being blessed.  In this time, rejoice in someone else finding the TP.  Rejoice in someone who is not hurting or sad.  It is a sign of good spirituality and mental health. If you are nervous about this coronavirus, can you still respect those who are not as nervous as you?  The eye shouldn’t say to the hand- because you are different I don’t need you. 
4)Weep with those who weep.  But also be able to not just show empathy but sympathy.  Care for those hurting.  In times of super-stress- which is what we have been going through, it is hard to take time to pray for others, or to think of others. But this is our call.  Part of this is to sympathize with those who are nervous or afraid of the coronavirus.  Part of it is to care for those who cannot get out.  To pray for those in nursing homes who cannot avoid those who have the virus.  If I have a splinter in my finger- it affects my whole body.  If I am sick and I am given a shot of medicine- that medicine doesn’t just effect my arm where it goes in- it affects the whole body.  If one part rejoices- rejoice with it- if one part suffers- be sad with it. 
About one in a million people are born without a sense of pain- (Congenital insensitivity to Pain- CIP).  Ashlyn Blocker of Patterson Georgia was born with the inability to feel a mosquito bite, or a hot stove, or scratches or cuts on her skin.  This has led to high anxiety for her parents Tara and John.  It is essential to our self-preservation to feel pain.  As a church, if we cannot feel others’ pain, we are in trouble.  In fact, we have to grow in our ability to sense pain among our members.  We have to look to see- who is hurting in this new phase of life- during this coronavirus time?
III. APPRECIATING DIFFERENCES- Our world is so polarized, and the church is showing itself as part of our polarized world.  The world categorizes itself like an insurance longevity questionnaire- do you smoke or do you not?  Do you drink or do you not?  What race are you?  What sex are you?  What is your income level?  What is your educational level?  Are you in good health?  All of the answers to these questions peg you as to the likelihood of living longer- and the insurance companies- and even we in the public want to know.  But scripture says that all are welcome to come.  We are a family of believers and welcome all who believe to join us.  But we are not a civic group, a social group, a do-good group.  We are people who want to be a part of the body of Christ- He is the head and we listen to Him. 
        We talked about the barriers we face when it is time to open the church back up.  The biggest barrier is that there are so many differences of opinion about what is safe.  There are different thresholds for people and there should be for those who are older or who have low immune systems There is, in my opinion, a desperate need for grace and mercy.  It is the grace and mercy that respects others rights to do things differently.  So Paul says “the eye should not say to the hand because you are not an eye I don’t need you.”   Eyes and hands work differently, but they all help make the body go. 
      Our body is really a wonderful image for God to use about His church.  Our body is one- there is oneness in each cell of our body- our unique DNA is in each individual cell- yet there are 37.2 trillion cells in our body.  There are so many different denominations- but there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one heaven!  Our body is meant to work together.  You can’t have the left side going left and the right side going right- or you will end up falling flat.  We cannot leave the head (Christ) out of the body.  We are meant to be different parts with a common unity.  We may not be gathered- but we are still together.  There is much that unites us- Our common head- Christ whom we believe in.  Our common direction- we are going in the same direction- working for Christ to make this world a better place- glorifying Him.  Our common life- we are living in Christ- united to Him together- that is a bit like the central nervous system- that allows our head to tell our feet to move or our lungs to breathe deeply, or our eyes to look over there where we heard something.  The head unites what we hear to what we see or do.  The Holy Spirit is like that nervous system- uniting us and pulling us in the same direction.
      Do you belong to a community of faith?  Do you want to?  Now is a great time to think and think carefully so that when things open up you can make a commitment.  But right now- seek to get the One inside of you that makes you part of the church- the Holy Spirit.  Invite Christ into your life- into your heart and He will come in the person of the Holy Spirit.   

Good news

1Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, and in which you stand firm. 2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-3) 

Thoughts: How do you define the good news?  Is it when there is no more hurting of animals?  Is it when there is no more polluting of the environment?  Is it when everyone gets paid equally?  Is it when the candidate of your party gets elected?  Is it when your child is elevated above other children by grades or sports accomplishments?  What is the end goal you have in mind- a safer earth; a fairer economy; a better political system; the elevation of your child?
    The good news for the Gospel is there for anyone who will take it.  It is the good news that sin and evil (which are realities) will not win.  It is the good news that death and sickness (also a reality) will not win.  It is that we are saved from all the things- including needless hurt or degrading of the environment- or injustice- but even more importantly the saving of who you are deep- deep down; and perhaps even the saving of your child. If the earth was made perfectly harmless unpolluted and fair- we would still need to have our souls saved for eternity.
    The good news is found in verse 3- it is "of first importance."  It is that Christ really did come; He really did die for our sins; He was really buried; and he is really alive right now.
      It is His eternal life that affects our eternal life.  It is His resurrection that affects our own.  That is good news- He made it out.
        I remember watching the movie "Escape from Alcatraz."  Alcatraz was a prison island off the California coast and no inmate had ever escaped from there- until 1962.  A plot was made to escape but one of those in the plot backed out because of fear- he didn't believe in the plan.  But the five inmates escaped- giving hope to all the inmates there.  The prison was closed the next year.  Jesus has escaped death- and that affects all of us.  But more than that- He comes to us to get us through at the end of our days. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you are the risen Lord.  Thank you that by believing in you I can also have that eternal life. 

Repentance Humility and Resurrection

38Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”

39Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

41The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here.  (Matthew 12:38-41)

Thoughts:  This is one of the classic passages about the resurrection.  Jesus is predicting his own resurrection and sees Jonah's story as a type or symbol of his own resurrection . There are three recurrent themes with both Jonah and Jesus- repentance, humility, and resurrection.  In our coronavirus time, we would do well to see these three go together.       
      Jonah was a prophet who was sent to Ninevah.  Ninevah was the capital of the strongest empire in the world- the super power of that time.  Jonah refused to listen to God's hard call and headed off to the Spanish Riviera (Tarshish).  The Lord sent a fish to save Jonah and to deliver him on the shore near Ninevah.  The men of Ninevah repented- probably at the sight of someone bleached by digestive juices and emboldened by his salvation.
    Jesus was preaching to a wicked generation.  Some were given into rampant paganism; some were given into Herod's greed for lust and power.  The religious leaders were into formalism and not the power of the Spirit or to the love of God.  The greatest sign of injustice in Jesus' day was his own arrest and crucifixion when He was innocent. 

     When we stray away from love, God calls us back.  Jesus was hoping that the people would repent once he was raised from the dead- but they did not.  Within a generation later, the nation was in exile for almost 2000 years.  Jesus along with John the Baptist preached that the kingdom was at hand and that all needed to get right with God (repent).
       The promise of Jonah and the promise of Jesus is that when we repent there can be a resurrection.  God is in the resurrection business.  He lifts us up- but we must come to Him to be raised up.  God can restore us too- but He wants us to come to Him. 

Prayer: Lord, raise me up to you.  Draw me closer to you.  Lead our leaders, heal our land. 

(Ninevah repents)