Psalm 23:6
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all of my days and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
John 11:25
Jesus said: "I am the resurection and the life. Those who believe in me , even though they die, will live."
On Easter morning long ago,
The stone was rolled away.
And death received a fatal blow,
Forever and a day.
On Easter morning God proclaimed,
The end of all our fears.
In Christ we now have all been named,
Across the countless years.
On Easter morning love was shown,
To have the final word.
In every heart this seed was sown,
In every ear 'twas heard.
On Easter morning all was new,
The old had passed away.
And hearts were filled with goodness true,
God had the final say.
On Easter morning you will know,
From sin you have been freed.
Out to the world now you will go,
With love your living creed.
On Easter morning, hearts receive,
A blessing deep and sure.
We live forever and believe,
In Christ we are made pure.
Blessed Easter+
Bishop Jim Justman
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Belief
Psalm 119:25
"My soul clings to the dust; receive me according to you word."
Luke 9:22
Jesus said: "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and sctribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised."
I BELIEVE
Though the cross is empty now and stained with blood,
I BELIEVE that blood was shed by God in love for you and me.
Though they lay his body in the tomb,
I BELIEVE that tomb cannot....will not...ever...have the last word.
Though they roll a stone to seal the tomb and lock him away to death,
I BELIEVE God's love is stronger, mightier, and able to move whole mountains. One rock is not an obstacle worth fearing.
Though his friends scatter in fear,
I BELIEVE their fears will not have the last word...nor yours....nor mine.
Though the rage and ugliness of human sin seem to have killed the Messiah they longed for,
I BELIEVE that God, in Christ, has conquered that sin forevermore.
Though the day seems dark, the stench of death seems strong,
I BELIEVE, as I always have, that the darkness of night will give way. The SON will rise again+
Bishop Jim Justman
"My soul clings to the dust; receive me according to you word."
Luke 9:22
Jesus said: "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and sctribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised."
I BELIEVE
Though the cross is empty now and stained with blood,
I BELIEVE that blood was shed by God in love for you and me.
Though they lay his body in the tomb,
I BELIEVE that tomb cannot....will not...ever...have the last word.
Though they roll a stone to seal the tomb and lock him away to death,
I BELIEVE God's love is stronger, mightier, and able to move whole mountains. One rock is not an obstacle worth fearing.
Though his friends scatter in fear,
I BELIEVE their fears will not have the last word...nor yours....nor mine.
Though the rage and ugliness of human sin seem to have killed the Messiah they longed for,
I BELIEVE that God, in Christ, has conquered that sin forevermore.
Though the day seems dark, the stench of death seems strong,
I BELIEVE, as I always have, that the darkness of night will give way. The SON will rise again+
Bishop Jim Justman
Friday, April 22, 2011
Death
A friend of mine died yesterday. Her name was Laura. She was diagnosed with breast cancer the same year that I was; her cancer however spread everywhere very quickly. When I saw her this past February she was in a wheelchair. She was barely recognizable to me from the last time I'd seen her face to face; except for her smile. She'd endured many, many treatments to try to turn the cancer back. Today many are sad with Laura's passing. She was far too young, and even as death loomed she was too full of life, but today hope abides because Easter is coming. Jesus died for Laura. Jesus died for each of us. Jesus died so that we might might have life eternal. Grief and sorrow will not have the last word. Easter is coming and he will Rise. Pastor Joy
Good Friday II © Jan L. Richardson
Blessing for Good Friday
You will know
this blessing
by how it
does not stay still,
by the way it
refuses to rest
in one place.
You will recognize it
by how it takes
first one form,
then another:
now running down
the face of the mother
who watches the breaking
of the child
she had borne,
now in the stance
of the woman
who followed him here
and will not leave him
bereft.
Now it twists in anguish
on the mouth of the friend
whom he loved;
now it bares itself
in the wound,
the cry,
the finishing and
final breath.
This blessing
is not in any one
of these alone.
It is what
binds them
together.
It is what dwells
in the space
between them,
though it be torn
and gaping.
It is what abides
in the tear
the rending makes.
Good Friday II © Jan L. Richardson
Blessing for Good Friday
You will know
this blessing
by how it
does not stay still,
by the way it
refuses to rest
in one place.
You will recognize it
by how it takes
first one form,
then another:
now running down
the face of the mother
who watches the breaking
of the child
she had borne,
now in the stance
of the woman
who followed him here
and will not leave him
bereft.
Now it twists in anguish
on the mouth of the friend
whom he loved;
now it bares itself
in the wound,
the cry,
the finishing and
final breath.
This blessing
is not in any one
of these alone.
It is what
binds them
together.
It is what dwells
in the space
between them,
though it be torn
and gaping.
It is what abides
in the tear
the rending makes.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Violence
Psalm 144:11
"Rescue me from the cruel sword, and deliver me..."
Mark 14:48
Jesus said: "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I was a bandit?"
Great unanswered questions have been, are now, and always will be present to challenge our faith walk.
???Why must children suffer???
???Why do bad things happen to good people???
???Why does God feel distant???
???Why do so many go hungry or live in poverty???
???Why does God allow war and violence???
While no person can answer these questions-each person can find ways to activiate her or his faith to address them.
I may not be able to stop the hatred between two nations-but I can ask my brother to forgive me so that peace replaces the violence of our disagreement.
I may not be able to stop wars far away-but I can speak up and act out in love in my own congregation to offer a word of peace when members start fighting.
I may not be able to protect the innocent victims of violence in another country-but I can look after one person I know and do what I can to protect her/his safety.
I cannot feed the world-but I can feed a family. I have enough to share. I can do that!
Maybe I cannot beat all the swords into plowshares in my lifetime-but I can seek to get a few of those swords put away just the same.
~I can speak a word of comfort when others are speaking threats.
~I can offer a hand of friendship when others turn away.
~I can be kind to the one who is shunned by others.
~I can be patient with those who are frustrating.
~I can remain hopeful when others are negative.
Dear God, when I see violence that makes me feel powerless, remind me, that because of the life, death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, I am not. In his love, by your grace, through your Holy Spirit, let me challenge the 'little violences' I encounter today. And in so doing, may these 'little' acts do 'BIG' things in Jesus' name in the lives of those I meet. Amen.
"Rescue me from the cruel sword, and deliver me..."
Mark 14:48
Jesus said: "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I was a bandit?"
Great unanswered questions have been, are now, and always will be present to challenge our faith walk.
???Why must children suffer???
???Why do bad things happen to good people???
???Why does God feel distant???
???Why do so many go hungry or live in poverty???
???Why does God allow war and violence???
While no person can answer these questions-each person can find ways to activiate her or his faith to address them.
I may not be able to stop the hatred between two nations-but I can ask my brother to forgive me so that peace replaces the violence of our disagreement.
I may not be able to stop wars far away-but I can speak up and act out in love in my own congregation to offer a word of peace when members start fighting.
I may not be able to protect the innocent victims of violence in another country-but I can look after one person I know and do what I can to protect her/his safety.
I cannot feed the world-but I can feed a family. I have enough to share. I can do that!
Maybe I cannot beat all the swords into plowshares in my lifetime-but I can seek to get a few of those swords put away just the same.
~I can speak a word of comfort when others are speaking threats.
~I can offer a hand of friendship when others turn away.
~I can be kind to the one who is shunned by others.
~I can be patient with those who are frustrating.
~I can remain hopeful when others are negative.
Dear God, when I see violence that makes me feel powerless, remind me, that because of the life, death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, I am not. In his love, by your grace, through your Holy Spirit, let me challenge the 'little violences' I encounter today. And in so doing, may these 'little' acts do 'BIG' things in Jesus' name in the lives of those I meet. Amen.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
God's Will
Matthew 28:19 Go Therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
We pray: Lord as we enter these holy days teach us to do your will for you indeed are God. You are our God who suffers and dies for us. Teach us to share with passion the story of your death and resurrection. Teach us to share with neighbors and friends. Teach us to share ourselves with the stranger. Teach us to become like you. Lead us Lord.
We pray: Lord as we enter these holy days teach us to do your will for you indeed are God. You are our God who suffers and dies for us. Teach us to share with passion the story of your death and resurrection. Teach us to share with neighbors and friends. Teach us to share ourselves with the stranger. Teach us to become like you. Lead us Lord.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Freedom
Psalm 142:7
"Bring me out of prison, so that I might give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me for you will deal bountifully with me."
Luke 4:18
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free."
"What does this say to me? I am not in prison!"
The challenge came from a young seminarian to his professor.
The loving professor was quiet, then answered with grace:
"You may not be in a cage or cell but every one of us here is imprisoned-and to many things.
~For some it's Wall Street and watching after our money.
~For some it's a car or a boat that gets way too much attention.
~For some it's pride.
~For some it's doubt.
~For some it's bitterness.
~For some it's 'busy-ness.'"
The room was quiet. The young seminarian was quiet.
The professor opened his Bible and read these words from the 6th Chapter of Romans.
"We have been buried with Christ by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised frorm the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly will be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is free from sin....For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 6: 4-7,23)
PERSONAL PRAYER RESPONSE: Think of one issue that has captured your heart. Just a small one-like the need to forgive yourself for saying something 'silly.' Release that sin to God. Free your heart to Christ.
His love will open the door to that prison and he will set you free.
Bishop Jim Justman
"Bring me out of prison, so that I might give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me for you will deal bountifully with me."
Luke 4:18
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free."
"What does this say to me? I am not in prison!"
The challenge came from a young seminarian to his professor.
The loving professor was quiet, then answered with grace:
"You may not be in a cage or cell but every one of us here is imprisoned-and to many things.
~For some it's Wall Street and watching after our money.
~For some it's a car or a boat that gets way too much attention.
~For some it's pride.
~For some it's doubt.
~For some it's bitterness.
~For some it's 'busy-ness.'"
The room was quiet. The young seminarian was quiet.
The professor opened his Bible and read these words from the 6th Chapter of Romans.
"We have been buried with Christ by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised frorm the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly will be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is free from sin....For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 6: 4-7,23)
PERSONAL PRAYER RESPONSE: Think of one issue that has captured your heart. Just a small one-like the need to forgive yourself for saying something 'silly.' Release that sin to God. Free your heart to Christ.
His love will open the door to that prison and he will set you free.
Bishop Jim Justman
Monday, April 18, 2011
Answered Prayer
Psalm 138:3 "On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul."
Jesus refused, and said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you."
Mark 5:19
As Holy Week begins we will watch Jesus journey through unspeakable horror. We will see torture. We will hear his pain on the cross. Then, come Easter we will know through the witness of the empty tomb that the prayers uttered on the cross are answered.
The Gospel for today offers such practical and beautiful action for us today as we begin this journey- Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and what mercy he has shown you. Here is our mission plan- Go and tell. The Lord will increase our strength of soul. Go and Tell. He shows mercy. Go and Tell. Indeed this is the truth of our Lord, our good and gracious God who sends his Son to die for us so that we might live. Go and Tell this Good News.
Pastor Joy
Jesus refused, and said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you."
Mark 5:19
As Holy Week begins we will watch Jesus journey through unspeakable horror. We will see torture. We will hear his pain on the cross. Then, come Easter we will know through the witness of the empty tomb that the prayers uttered on the cross are answered.
The Gospel for today offers such practical and beautiful action for us today as we begin this journey- Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and what mercy he has shown you. Here is our mission plan- Go and tell. The Lord will increase our strength of soul. Go and Tell. He shows mercy. Go and Tell. Indeed this is the truth of our Lord, our good and gracious God who sends his Son to die for us so that we might live. Go and Tell this Good News.
Pastor Joy
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