It is Empty, But Our Lives Are Not

There are some places you visit that you never forget.  One of those places for me is the Holy Land.   Though it has been 25 years since I was there, I still find meaning in that trip. Every now and then, I visit that place in my mind.  During the Lenten and Easter season, I go there often.    .  There are two sites around Jerusalem that are associated with the burial place of Jesus.   The first place is known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.   It dates back to the 4^th century when Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine  the first Christian monarch, came to Jerusalem in search of the place where Jesus was crucified and buried.   Thousands of pilgrims daily visit that site believing it is the site where Jesus died and was buried.

Not very far away in the same city of Jerusalem is a site known as The Garden Tomb.   It was discovered by a British archaeologist in the 1940’s named Gordon.  It is  better preserved than the Church of the Holy Sepulchre because it has not been a tourist site for many centuries.  Every day, thousands of people also visit that site believing that perhaps that is the place where Jesus was buried.  

The bottom line is that Biblical scholars do not know for certainty where Jesus was buried and there is no universal agreement on the question.   But the best news is this:  it makes no difference for Christians.   You see, followers of Christ Jesus are the Easter people.   We know the good news that (as the angel said at a tomb long ago)  “He is not here, for he is risen”.    There is no question that Christ Jesus walked the streets of Jerusalem and the village of Israel long ago.  And for the Easter people, there is no doubt that Christ Jesus lives today!    The tomb is empty, but our lives are not.   Hallelujah, and amen!  Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:   Living and loving God,  we celebrate with joy that Christ not only rose from the dead long ago, but that he lives now.   Thank you for Easter and for the resurrection.  Help us to open our hearts to your presence in us and through us daily; through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Story of a Naked Rabbi

In Philip Yancey's devotional book, Grace Notes, he shares a story from a memoir written by Pierre Van Paasen of the years before World War II.   The story goes that one day an elderly Jewish rabbi is dragged into the headquarters of the Nazi storm trooper headquarters..   The storm troopers strip the rabbi naked and ask him to preach the sermon he had prepared for the coming Sabbath in the synagogue.   When the rabbi asked if he could wear his yarmulke, the Nazi grin and agree.  So, the rabbi proceeds to deliver his sermon about walking humbly with God before the hooting, hollering Nazis while one of his neighbors is beaten to death at the end of the room..   It is a sad and powerful story. 

I think of that story during  this week that Christians call “Holy Week”.   It is the week before Easter Day.  On Friday, Christians will head to a worship service or take a moment for silent reflection remembering that Jesus Christ was crucified and died  a criminal’s death on a cross outside of Jerusalem.

When I was in seminary many years ago, one of the faculty members at Duke Divinity School was Charles “Chuck” Robinson.   He was literally a “long tall Texan” who often would wear his cowboy boots to class.   What I remember most about Professor Robinson is that when he would talk about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, this tall  Texan would start crying. 

When you think about not only the death of Jesus Christ, but the events surrounding his crucifixion it is enough to make you cry even as the thought of a naked Jewish rabbi preaching his sermon before a group of jeering Nazis brings tears to my eyes.  Christ Jesus was betrayed by one of his own, Judas;  the one that Jesus said would be the “rock of the Church”, Simon Peter, denies him three times even as the other disciples run and hide.   His own faith leaders saw him as a “problem” and sought his execution.   He was stripped and beaten by soldiers and was the subject of their wrath.    And what is most touching to me is to think that Christ Jesus died there for people like you and me.  

Whatever busyness and activities this week holds  for you,  I encourage you as I encourage myself to stop and contemplate the horror of what Jesus faced in the events of the crucifixion long ago and the wonder of the fact that he faced it because of a holy love for you and I.  Have a joy-filled week.-   Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:   God of all, we are in awe at the wonder of your love for us as we face another Good Friday and consider the death of Christ Jesus our Savior.    Thank you for your amazing grace and your redemptive love.  We yearn for the hope of Easter;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

The Day You Were Saved

In Philip Yancey's devotional book, Grace Notes, he tells a story about a time when 20th century theologian Karl Barth was asked about when he was "saved".    After thinking for a moment, Barth replied,  " It happened one afternoon in A.D. 34 when Jesus died on the cross."    

There are a lot of folks who  point to a specific day, time, or month when they gave their life to Christ and were "saved".    Some share about it proudly, and others shared about it with great humility.     When you get right down to it,  it,  the day of our salvation was not a few months, few years, or few decades ago.  As Barth stated, the day that we were "saved"  was the same day for all of us.   It was that day  thousands of years ago when "while we were yet sinners Christ died for us."    That day is known by Christians as "Good Friday".   While   some perhaps wonder how folks can consider a day of death as  a "good day", it is a good day for all who know the forgiveness and grace that is found in Christ Jesus.  

I am aware that we live in a world where not everyone is a Christian or claims that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior.   I submit the idea  that they also were "saved" that day long ago when Jesus died on the cross.     The difference is that they have not accepted that fact.  Have you accepted the fact that you were “saved”?    Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:   Lord God, we thank you for the forgiveness and grace that is found not in what we have done, but what Jesus did on the cross long ago when he died for the sins of the whole world.  Hear our prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving; through Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

The Power of One

One of the courses I took in my high school days at the suggestion of my mother as an elective was typing.  I was not a good typist despite the best efforts of Karen Brown, our teacher.  To be completely honest, my grade in typing was a “C”.  It was one of my lower grades in high school.  Though I was not a good typist, it was one of the most useful classes I took in high school with the advent of the personal computer.  I spend time daily at a keyboard (though not at a typewriter anymore).   Though I am a better typist than I was in my high school days, my fingers still  do not always type what I want to say.  If you are a regular reader of this blog, I am certain that you have seen some typing or spelling errors at times. 

I was looking over one of my sermons recently and I noticed a major typing error.   I had wanted to type the word “immortality” but mistakenly left out one letter:  the letter “t”.   So, instead of typing the word “immortality” I had typed the word “immorality”.     There certainly is a lot of difference between the word “immortality” and “immorality” isn’t it?  One letter in a word can make a lot of difference, can’t it?   The addition or the omission of one letter can give a word a totally different meaning, can’t it?    For example, most of us will say we “ate” lunch today.  However, add the letter “h” and it changes the entire word to the phrase “hate”.    If you say you “ate lunch today”  it means something totally different than saying you “hate lunch today.”  Oh, the power of just one letter.

During these days of Lent, we encounter the power of one in other ways.  Lent is a time that causes us to pause and look at our actions past and present.  Consider one thing you have done or not done. For example, one mistake can severely damage a relationship.  One act of unfaithfulness in a marriage can harm if not destroy the health of a marriage.   One outburst in anger to a friend or family member can leave wounds that last for years to come. 

At the same time during Lent as we look at ourselves in all our glory and in all our goofy attempts to love God and neighbor, we also look at the One who takes the sins of the world away, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Through his death for sins that One did not commit, there is grace and forgiveness for all who come to him with penitent hearts.  Oh, the power of One named Christ Jesus  to forgive us and restore us.  Have a joy-filled week.  --  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:   O God, forgive us for the many times along the path of our life where we have failed to reflect your love.  Offer us anew, O God, your grace that frees us and forgives us through the One that takes away the sins of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

"He Can't Be Fixed"

A few weeks ago, I found myself on an airplane heading home.  Those who have travelled on an airplane know it is close quarters as you wait for the plane to arrive at its destination.  I could not help over-hearing a conversation of two men sitting on the row behind me.  One man was telling a fellow passenger about his nephew.   The man had offered for his teenage nephew to live with him after he had gotten in trouble in his hometown of Ohio.  His mother was exasperated on what to do with her wayward son so she readily accepted the offer of her brother for her son to come to N.C.    Unfortunately, the plight of the boy did not change.  His destructive behavior continued even in the Tar Heel state.   As the conversation came near the end, the Uncle and airplane passenger sighed and said,  “He can’t be fixed.” 

All of us have our stories of people like that man’s nephew.  They are our co-workers, neighbors, family members, or persons in our church.     They are men and women, boys and girls who are in constant contact with trouble and destructive behavior.   The television news is filled with stories that are similar and often more alarming.     “He can’t be fixed.”  We lament that that young man or young woman cannot change their behavior anymore than a leopard can erase their spots. 

In the Book of Acts, we are introduced to a man named Saul of Tarsus.   He was a Pharisee of the zealous variety who went from town to town arresting individuals who were a part of a group called The Way.  We know that group today as members of Christ’s Church and as followers of Jesus.   The very mention of the name of Saul brought ire and fear to the hearts of many.   The Book of Acts tells us that one day as Saul was walking down the road to Damascus he experienced something he had never experienced before.  He encountered Jesus.  It had such a powerful effect on Saul that a man that could not be fixed became not just a follower of Christ Jesus, but a missionary for the Church.   No earthly figure could change or fix Saul;  only God could change him.  Oh, what a change that God brought to the life of Saul (better known to Christians today as Paul) and what a change God can bring to the life of people even today.   

I wish I could tell you the rest of the story about that man’s  nephew.   I cannot, but I can tell you that I am praying that somehow God will change him even as I pray that God changes me more fully into the perfect likeness of His Son, Christ Jesus.   That same God can change all who surrender their hearts to Him  Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:   O God, we pray for ourselves and all those who need your redemptive, transforming love.   Speak to them, and transform us more fully  into the image of Christ Jesus;  through Christ our Lord.   Amen. 

Where's Waldo?

Back in the 1980’s when our children were young, I recall a book that found its way to our home that fascinated all of us.   I believe it was titled Where’s Waldo?    The book features a slender boy wearing glasses and a red and white striped shirt named Waldo.   Though it was a book, it also was a game as the intent of the author was for the reader to search on a page filled with many people and many activities until you discovered where is Waldo.   I can remember in the corners of my mind sitting there for long periods of time with my daughter, Ginger, looking at the pages of that book as she searched her eyes on each page to discover where is Waldo.  Many times, it was a challenge trying to discover where was Waldo on the busy page.

I share that story from my past not just because it a sweet memory, but because I think it is metaphor of sorts about our relationship with God.   As the pages of that book were busy with many people and activities, most of us find ourselves busy with the activities of day to day life-  work, family, household tasks, and a myriad of activities.   Think about it for a moment if you will.  When a friend or family asks how you are doing, most of us respond with a comment detailing how busy we have been.   Oh, we are so busy just as the pages of that book about Waldo. 

However, just as Waldo was on each page of the busy pages of that book, so the living God is there in the midst of every day.  Sometimes, it is hard to see God particularly when we are consumed by trial, trouble, or tragedy;  other times, it seems the sight and voice of God is so clear that it seems that God is shouting as us.    Oh, to have the ability to see Him in the good times and the bad, in the busy times and the times where life is less consuming.

One of the early founders of the faith tradition that I am apart of was an English clergy man named John Wesley.   They say that when John Wesley was on his death bed, his final words were these:’  “The best of all is this:  God is with us.”   Oh, to know that truth each and every day.  Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:   Living God, give us hearts to perceive and eyes to see you each and every day of our lives.  Forgive us for the times that we allow the times we allow the cares of this world to stifle our spirits from seeing you and knowing you;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Believing Shows

I was talking to a neighbor the other day.  We talk every now and then.  We have a few things in common besides the fact that we live in the same neighborhood.  Among the things that we have in common is that he is former church organist.  Though he is Catholic, my neighbor knows well the work that is behind those worship services that many take for granted.  He spoke a little about some of the worship services he had played for especially funerals of priests.   As we talked,  I asked him,  “Where do you and your family attend church now?”   There was a long silence.   As I waited patiently for his response,  I wondered if I had brought up a subject that is taboo for him.  Finally, he responded,  “I don’t go to church anywhere now.”   After a few moments, he added, “But that does not mean I do not believe.”

That same day, I was listening to WSM 650 radio out of Nashville with the help of the internet.  That is the radio station that is the home for the Grand Ole Opry.    I heard for the first time in some time a song written by Ronnie Dunn and performed several years ago by country music duo Brooks and Dunn.  Here are some of the words of the song:

Old man Wrigley lived in that white house
Down the street where I grew up
Momma used to send me over with things
We struck a friendship up
I spent a few long summers out on his old porch swing

Says he was in the war when in the navy
Lost his wife, lost his baby
Broke down and asked him one time
How ya keep from going crazy
He said I'll see my wife and son in just a little while
I asked him what he meant
He looked at me and smiled, said

I raise my hands, bow my head
I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red
They tell me that there's more to life than just what I can see
Oh I believe

What does it mean for us to believe, really believe?  I believe that when it comes to faith in God and being followers of Jesus Christ is more than what is inside us;  no, I believe belief shows.  The writer of the book of James says this about faith (or believing):  “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”   Does your believing show in your life?   Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall  

Prayer:   O God, grant that what we believe in our heart may be known not just through our lips but also what we do and who we are daily; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.