Pointing the finger!

So I was speaking with a group of friends last night, and we were extremely upset because one of our friends never does what they say they will. One of us constantly makes promises and never keeps them, they always make promises and commitments just to break them. So of course we were angry and we began to talk badly about that person, not only did we call them out but we pointed out how lazy, inconsiderate and trifling they are! Imagine us, a group of young adult Christians speaking to a person we call friend like this.

Have you ever gotten into a heated debate or argument and experienced a situation like this one? Have you ever lost your cool only to regret it later like I did and said things that you really did not mean which were hurtful or even harmful?

Once the conversation was over, and everyone had went there own ways my heart was heavy. I mean I really felt bad about how I had treated my friend and I wish I could have taken back the thing that I said. Then to make things worse I read our text for today. Lets take a look:

1 John 3

¹How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ²Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. ³Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

⁴Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. ⁵But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. ⁶No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

⁷Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.

After I read this passage of scripture I felt even worse because it reminded me of how great Gods love is for us. God loves us so much that God forgives us and offers grace and mercy to us all. I was too busy pointing the finger at my friend; while I was pointing out their short comings I should have been showing them the same love, grace and mercy that God always shows me. We all have been wronged and have wronged someone along life's journey. Therefore we should not point the finger but rather remember that Gods offers us forgiveness and calls us to forgive others in love, righteous, and truthfulness.

This text brought me right back down and now I must go and apologize to my friend, praying that they give me the same forgiveness God already has. From now on I promise to be careful who I point the finger at, because as the old saying goes when you point one finger out ~ there are three more pointing back at you!

Until next time Be Well, Love Pastor J

May a blessing and anointing be upon you!

May a communal blessing and anointing be upon you!

Today's text comes from the book of Psalms, as we take a moment out to pray for one another, to love one another and to support each other. The text reminds us of how good it is when we live in unity. As Christians we should remind ourselves that we are called to live in community, (spiritual community). Let's get busy living so that we can be the anointed people of God we have been called to be. If we do this, the anointing will be poured all over us, running over

Psalm 133

The Blessedness of Unity

A Song of Ascents. ¹How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity! ²It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes. ³It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
life for evermore.

Where do we go from here?

When Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was asked during the peek of the civil rights movement what's next? He simply replied that there were only to ways to proceed, either in community or chaos. I imagine that after Christ died, was dead and buried, then resurrected leaving the eleven disciples on there own; they were faced with the same situation. Where do we go from here? Community or Chaos?

In our text today the disciples could have separated and went their own ways preaching there version of the gospel or just keeping there experience of Christ to themselves both ways probably would have led to unorganized chaos. However they stayed together in community, sharing, supporting and encouraging one another. Let's look to the text.
Acts 4: 32-37 32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. ³³With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. ³⁴There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. ³⁵They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. ³⁶There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’). ³⁷He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Today as I look at the church through the lens of this text, I find myself asking the question where do we go from here? The Church seems to have more chaos ensuing, and growing than it does community. Members don't get along with each other and no one gets along with the pastor. The youth and young adults are grouped together and marginalized while the seniors are dismissed as if they don't even count.

So I lift up the question where do we go from here? if you didn't guess the answer is to strive towards community. We must press less toward individuality and press toward community! We must share, network, celebrate and pool resources. If our current economic state has taught us anything, its that we need to start living more communal.

Where do we go from here? I believe that God is tyring to tell us something! Lets start by loving our neighbor, and living together.

Be Well, Love Pastor J

Thank God for Judas...

It's Good Friday everyone, yes! I remember when I was younger I would always ask why was it called Good Friday when Jesus died, after such torture? As I grew I began to understand, and that's why today I say thank God for Judas...

Let's look to the text

John 20 The Resurrection of Jesus 20Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ 3Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. 4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10Then the disciples returned to their homes. Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look* into the tomb; 12and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ 14When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

15Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ 16Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew,* ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ’ 18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her. Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained

In the text we see it's the glorious Easter morning. Jesus is risen, we are forgiven and offered redemption, God has done exactly what God said that God would do!

Usually Judas get a horrible rep, but thank God for Judas, the Judas people in our life, and our Judas experiences because if it was not for them then we would not have the EASTER MORNING Celebration of redemption, renewal, forgiveness, and resurrection.

We have traveled with Christ this entire week of ups and downs, and now we are witnesses to the Resurrection and the glory of God! As you go through the ups and downs of life encountering Judas experiences keep the faith and keep constantly reminded that your breakthrough is coming, that Christ paid the price, that you have a glorious victory in GOD!

So thank God for the time of trial and testing which strengthens the TESTIMONY!

Be Well this Easter Weekend. Love Pastor J.

Facing our Fears!

Today is what we in the church call Maundy Thursday, the faithful night before good Friday, where we celebrate communion, we celebrate the washing of the disciples feet, and we even see Jesus at his most vulnerable place praying in the garden. In short we see Jesus facing his fears. Let's look at the text:


Luke 22:
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25But he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. 27For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

28 ‘You are those who have stood by me in my trials; 29and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, 30so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.


31 ‘Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded* to sift all of you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’ 33And he said to him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!’ 34Jesus* said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.’
Purse, Bag, and Sword.


35 He said to them, ‘When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?’ They said, ‘No, not a thing.’ 36He said to them, ‘But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, “And he was counted among the lawless”; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.’ 38They said, ‘Lord, look, here are two swords.’ He replied, ‘It is enough.

39 He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. 40When he reached the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not come into the time of trial. 41Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’ 43Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]]* 45When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.


Here we see Jesus facing the worst time of his life, sad, scared and nervous but he is still facing his fears. We must be like Jesus understanding that our lives will be challenging, our Christian walks will require much of us but we must face our fears FAITHFULLY. Remember like he did for Peter Jesus prays for us to give us strength and keep us during the time of trial. Our job is to act on faith.

Today and this week don't be afraid to stand on faith and face your fears.

Until next time, Be Well!

All out of anger!

Greetings and happy Tuesday everyone,

I pray that your weekend went well and that you praised God with all of your heart during Psalm Sunday. Sunday we started a week long journey with Christ which ends up at Golgotha (place of the Skull) on Friday. We will see and feel all of Christ emotions during this week along with the agony of betrayal and the denial of friends. As we look to our text today we encounter Judas as he agrees to betray Christ.

Matthew 26: 14-16

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priest 15 and said, What will you give me if I betray him to you? They paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

In the text it's amazing that Judas was not approached about betraying Jesus, it was his idea. Judas left the other 11 and went seeking to betray Christ. Wow! How relevant is this piece of the story, that he was not persuaded, swooned, conned, or begged, but volunteered to tun Jesus over. This section can be hard to swallow, but it can also be true. Sometimes the people whom we value most in our lives will turn on us, and begin looking for ways to get rid of us. We wonder WHY Judas, Why?

It could not have been for the money because Judas did not know how much they would give him until he went to the chief priest, so why Judas? I believe it was because Judas did not understand Jesus and how Jesus was going to restore God's kingdom. Judas became frustrated and disillusioned. Then he acted out in a most surprising way?

This is all very disturbing because we often get frustrated and upset at one another which causes us to turn on and betray each other. Tragically we don't stop there but we also tun on Jesus, just like Judas and find our selves betraying Christ and the church in the mist of our frustration and anger. As we walk this Easter journey again please be mindful of how we treat God and one another through out the year. Let us learn from this section of scripture to think first and act last, to seek God and understanding first and control our emotions more.

Until next time Be Well,
pastor J.

Open your eyes and see

John 20

The Resurrection of Jesus

20Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ 3Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. 4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10Then the disciples returned to their homes.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look* into the tomb; 12and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ 14When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ 16Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew,* ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ’ 18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

Riding On The Bandwagon

Good day everyone, let's jump straight to the text:

Mark 11

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

11When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples ²and said to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. ³If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.” ’ ⁴They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, ⁵some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are you doing, untying the colt?’ ⁶They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. ⁷Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. ⁸Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. ⁹Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! ¹⁰ Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
So here we are Psalm Sunday, and Jesus is coming to the big city of Jerusalem for passover. He's has achieved rock star status so the fact that he is arriving on a colt means nothing. The people are excited, gathering and fighting for good viewing positions so that they can see him arrive. Everyone is chanting pleasantries, and well wishes. Everyone seems to be on the Band wagon. But for some reason Jesus does not seem phased? The text does not mention his demeanour, or his thoughts. Jesus goes straight to the temple, Christ goes straight to the church, checks on everything and goes out to rest or perhaps pray.

Far to often we look for approval, we look to be celebrated for our achievements, we look to be lifted up and to have our names called. Here Jesus intentionally comes into to town on meager transportation, with low fan fare. But the people got word, and made his arrival a spectacle. Despite all of that Jesus is not moved and has his mind on God and the house of God. During the times in our lives when we are lifted up and praised by men and women; where is our head at? Are we focused on the people, our supporters, our friends? Or are our minds stayed on Jesus realizing that the same people singing our praises today are nothing but seasonal associates who will chant something different tomorrow? Whats your passion, this Psalm Sunday?

Stay Focused!

In the late 80's there was a series of VHS tapes put together that documented the civil rights struggle here in America. The series was called the eyes on the prize series; and it was accompanied by the theme song that reminded us to stay focused and to keep our eyes on the prize. No matter what the people involved in the civil rights struggle had to keep their eyes on the bigger goal, not self interest, phony leaders or dead end ideals.

Now as we approach Psalm Sunday, I encourage you to stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize. Let's look to the text:

Mark 10: 32-40

32 They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, ³³saying, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; ³⁴they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.’

The Request of James and John

35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ ³⁶And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ ³⁷And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ ³⁸But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ ³⁹They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; ⁴⁰but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.

Here in the text Jesus has explained the things that are about to take place, we can imagine Christ uneasiness and despair as he unveils these things. But the Disciples especially James and John two of his closest associates are focused on themselves and there listing in heaven. Jesus is facing certain death and they are worried about where their names will show up on a list, how they will be known!

Too often in our lives we loose focus on God, and what God is doing. Jesus tells the disciples not only some bad news about his death but when we look closer we see that at the end of vs 34 Jesus says AFTER THREE DAYS HE WILL RISE AGAIN! But James and John missed all of that. We must stay focused on God. During the best of times, during the worst of times. God is always at work. The trouble is sometimes we must go through the storms of life in order to experience God's sunny days on the other side.

Brothers and Sisters keep the faith, hold on, and stay focused on Jesus as we approach this Psalm Sunday.

Until Next Time, Be Well

Pastor J.

Where do you see God during this Lenten season?

1Kings 19

Elijah Flees from Jezebel

19Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. ²Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ ³Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’ ⁵Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Get up and eat.’ ⁶He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. ⁷The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, ‘Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.’ ⁸He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food for forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. ⁹At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ ¹⁰He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’

Elijah Meets God at Horeb

11 He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; ¹²and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. ¹³When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?

We see from today's text, that God interacts with us in different ways, understanding that God might not speak to us in the fire, or thunder but perhaps in the silence. During this Lenten season which is a season of reflection and sacrifice where do you see God moving in your life? How is god speaking to you right now?

What obstacles have you encountered over the last five weeks of lent? How have you grown, what setbacks have you encountered? Like Elijah what are you hiding or running from?

Today answer these two questions 1. How is it with your soul? 2. How do you see God in your life today?

Till next time,
Be Well...