Sunday’s Blessing – 03/30/2025 – 4th Sunday of Lent – I AM the Good Shepherd

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/30/2025 – 4th Sunday of Lent – I AM the Good Shepherd

This Fourth Week of Lent brings us to I AM the Good Shepherd. Jesus used this linguistic mechanism of “I AM” to very clearly describe His purpose in being with them. His hearers, being Jews, knew exactly who “I AM” was. It was used in the Old Testament by God Himself to explain who He was to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14) and again in the re-giving of the law (Deuteronomy 32:39). Now Jesus was using this same phrase to describe Himself.

The fourth I AM to consider is found in John 10:11

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

(ESV)

Jesus added some additional descriptors so they would understand that God had finally come near to them. In the Old Testament He was thunder and lightning on the mountain seen from afar. Now, He was truly Emmanuel, God with us, wrapped in human skin so they could touch Him, hear Him speak, and speak with Him – face to face – just like in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve walked with God.

The first few I AMs describe God’s function in being with them – The Bread to bring life, The Light to guide them through life, and The Door to provide entrance back into fellowship with the Father. Now, He is moving into His character. This week we see Him as The Good Shepherd. He was not just a shepherd. It was a common occupation in that day. Shepherds were not upper class, but they were critical to life in caring for the livestock of others. You had to trust someone hired to tend your flocks. Jesus assured them He was a Good Shepherd. He would not only be faithful in His duties of keeping the sheep, but He would make sure they came back better than they left. He would lead them into green pastures, by still waters, and secure places of rest. He would fight off any attackers and tend to their wounds. He does the same for us today. Scripture defines this as zoe life: the kind of life God brings. He makes us whole – spirit, soul, and body.

Now for this week’s blessing:

May you find peace, joy, and love from the Good Shepherd

By allowing Him to provide nourishment, replenishment, and security

Learning submission to His care, which brings complete rest

Letting us see what life at the right hand of the Father looks like

May you learn the art of shepherding well

So you may lead your friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances

Into the same care which you have received from the Good Shepherd

Allowing them to exist in a painfully cruel world, yet with joy and peace

May you always find ways to keep yourself in remembrance

By utilizing prescribed times like Lent, Passover, or the Lord’s Table

Or other ways which fit your temperament like reading, journaling, etc.

Praying always, which is our communion with Him

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/23/2025 – 3rd Sunday of Lent – I AM the Door

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/23/2025 – 3rd Sunday of Lent – I AM the Door

During the weeks of Lent we are looking at the Seven I AMs of Jesus. So far we have considered Jesus as the Bread of Life and the Light of the World. This week we are looking at “I AM the Door”.

The third I AM to consider is found in John 10:9

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (ESV)

Jesus came to provide mankind a way back to the Father. Man and woman were created in the Garden to have fellowship with their Creator. After the fall and subsequent expulsion from the Garden, mankind began to draft their own means of getting into good standing with God. Some developed works-based legalism as a means of earning salvation. Others decided they were simply born into the right lineage or could elevate their social status to the point of being allowed entry into Heaven.

Jesus addressed these religious leaders to debunk their ideas as rubbish, then boldly declared, “I AM the Door!!” This infuriated the religious community so much that they began to plot ways of putting him down. He didn’t add His name to the list of ways to God, but instead proclaimed, “I AM the only way back to God.” Paul later affirmed this in his letter to the Church at Ephesus by saying, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4:5 ESV) “The” is a singular article. If Jesus had said “a door” things would have been vastly different. The choice is yours. He either is, or is not.

Now for this week’s blessing:

May you enter The Door into the Kingdom by proclaiming Jesus is Lord

By identifying yourself as one crucified with Christ, buried with Him

Then raised together with Him, ascended to Heaven with Him

And then seated at the right hand of the Father

From this place of authority as a joint heir with Christ

May you live as one who is far above all rule and authority

Taking every thought captive and authority over every name that is named

Until you have transformed your thinking into that of Christ Himself

As you live from this elevated position in Christ

Allow the Holy Spirit to bring you into lives whom you can touch with love

That you can encourage and teach from The Word with Whom you fellowship

And provoke others to become disciples in the Kingdom of Christ

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/16/2025 – 2nd Sunday of Lent – I AM the Light of the World

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/16/2025 – 2nd Sunday of Lent – I AM the Light of the World

We are now in the second week of Lent. Last week we looked at Jesus as the Bread of Life. There is always fresh Bread available for the Church. When we observe certain liturgical events like Lent, we are reminded of all God has done since creation to bring us close to Him. When Israel was at its lowest point, The Father sent the Messiah to satisfy their spiritual hunger, bringing them back to life. He then provided means for them to find their way back to fellowship with The Father.

The second I AM to consider is found in John 8:12

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (ESV)

The 400 years between the Old and New Testaments found in the Bible were some of the darkest in history, because there was no word from God recorded during this span. In that void, mankind filled the silence by making up their own ideas of how to live a life pleasing to God. They wrote more laws then appointed themselves the judge and jury to enforce the keeping of these new laws. Mankind was in need of a Savior/Messiah, but in order to even see that need, they first needed light to find their way back to God.

That Light was born in Bethlehem, born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit. He was the Word made flesh, sent to dispel the drivel man had created to guide them spiritually. His message was clear, just as the light which shown from His very existence. All people were drawn to that Light, exposing their need for God. He led them back to a place of fellowship with The Father.

Now for this week’s blessing:

May the Light of Heaven be your beacon for navigating daily living

Illuminating your path as you follow the Father

Guiding each footstep you take in walking out your purpose

As you bring the Light to your world

May this Light keep you warm like the Pillar of Fire did for Israel

So even if you find yourself in a wilderness you will never feel lost

Following the Light until He leads you back to the place He prepared

Which will be a place of safety and healing, celebration and care

May the brilliance of the Light polish you like fine silver

So you may reflect the Glory of God as you find your way through life

Showing your world the truth about the Father

Bringing them back into fellowship with Him

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/09/2025 – 1st Sunday of Lent – I AM the Bread of Life

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/09/2025 – 1st Sunday of Lent – I AM the Bread of Life

The observance of Lent began on Wednesday, March 5. Many in the non-liturgical church do not understand the purpose of the Lenten season. It is a time set aside to consider one’s relationship with Jesus using concentrated prayer and fasting to explore repentance and self-sacrifice more deeply. The concise definition is a 40 day period for the purpose of fasting, almsgiving, prayer, and repentance. It’s 40 days long patterned after the time Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted by satan.

For 7 weeks, culminating on Easter Sunday, the Church is encouraged to participate in some level of fasting. Each Sunday of Lent, a topic will be presented to help the Christian grow in their relationship to God.

One Episcopal church is using the 7 “I AMs” of Jesus found in scripture. I plan to use these same themes in the 7 Sunday Blessing installments. I hope you follow along.

The first I AM to consider is found in John 6:35

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (ESV)

Bread is considered a staple in the diet of most cultures. Jesus compared Himself to one of the basic essentials for life – food; not food for the body, but nourishment for the soul. When we feast on the Bread of Heaven, which is also described as The Word, which is Jesus, we will not hunger.

One of the first and foremost aspect of Lent is fasting. This is to remind us of the need we have for the Bread from God.

Now for this week’s blessing:

May you find your sustenance in the true Bread of Life as you spend time fasting

So you may learn to recognize the smell of Bread from Heaven

And be filled with the nourishment obtained through the Words of Life

Until you are sober and strong in the Spirit as He leads you

May you find all that pursuing Christ brings into your life

Which is, first of all, an abundant life (zoe – the God kind of life)

And includes every aspect of your existence

Spirit, Soul, and Body – all overflowing with God’s goodness

May you realize the purpose of Jesus being the Bread of Life

So you, being made in His image, might become a source of nourishment

Helping others find their way back to the Father

By feasting on the life-giving Truth found in you

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/02/2025

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/02/2025

More on God’s overshadowing.

I mentioned the correlation in my mind of what is referred to as overshadowing of God and the baptism into Christ. Here are a few more thoughts.

It is written in scripture that God “overshadowed” Mary when she conceived Jesus. I do not believe that was the end of His involvement. I believe it was a beginning. God remained with her to see her through the pregnancy, delivery, and care for the Son of God born to her. In the Old Testament it is said the Holy Spirit would “come on” people when God used them in miraculous ways. On Pentecost the Holy Spirit “filled” those present in the upper room, and continues to do that until this day. Jesus promised to send “another Comforter” when He ascended to Heaven. Pentecost was the keeping of that promise. The Holy Spirit has never left.

Even thought Mary’s encounter occurred before Pentecost, I believe the “overwhelming” of God on the day Gabriel came and brought the request from God to bear His Son was a precursor to Pentecost. I believe Mary was filled that day, just as John the Baptist was “filled with the Spirit” when Elizabeth greeted Mary. This was a type, or sign, of what was coming to those who would receive the Son. The Holy Spirit comes and indwells you and becomes the “seal” of our salvation, just as He is described elsewhere in scripture.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 (ESV)

When are made “new creations in Christ”, the Holy Spirit takes on the role of the Overshadower and Baptizer when He takes up residence in our recreated spirit, now made alive, again, unto God.

Now for this week’s blessing:

May you come to know the amazing power exerted by God when He saved you

“and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:19-21 (ESV)

And may you become fully aware that this same power is what brought you into the Kingdom

“And when you were dead in the trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1 (ESV)

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:4-6 (ESV)

So that you would be fully equipped to be an ambassador for the Kingdom of God

And be a mirror to shine the perfect love of Christ into your world

May you hear the same words of the Father He declared over Jesus

As He speaks them to you today, “This is my beloved son/daughter”

And He adds, “In whom I am well pleased.”

Because He has made you acceptable in His sight

May you never feel the urge to back up from the strength God has given

So you may be as bold as a lion, declaring the goodness of God

But also maintain the humility of the lamb

By loving with the love of the Father, the compassion of Christ, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/23/2025

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/23/2025

Baptism is a very curious word which has been interpreted to mean a vast array of things by those studying the Bible. Most associate the word with an act of being sprinkle by water, pouring water over someone, or immersing them in water. All of these are practiced by various Christian denominations/sects. While this is certainly the most prolific use of the word, it has other significant uses in scripture. There are multiple “baptisms” mentioned in the Bible: the baptism of John, the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, baptism into death, baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire, baptism with water, baptism into Moses, baptism of Jesus, baptism into Christ, etc.

The Greek word which is interpreted “baptism” has a very simple meaning. It means “to whelm.” English adds “over” as a prefix which gives us the word overwhelm. The meaning does not include water. That is added based on the context where it’s found, like “they both went into the water, and John baptized Jesus.” This instance would certainly be a description of “water baptism”. But what about the Baptism of the Spirit? No water is mentioned there. And then there is the Baptism of Moses.

There is another word in the Bible, found in both the Old and New testaments, which describes time of God’s overwhelming presence. It’s called “overshadowing”. This word is used when the Holy Spirit encountered Mary when Jesus was conceived. This word describes the encounter with the Spirit on the Mount of Transfiguration. Personally, I think this is a more accurate description of baptism. There is a baptism which saves us, but it is not one involving water. Instead, it is the process of the Spirit of God overshadowing us when we become identified with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and seating at the right had of the Father (see Ephesians 1-2). This is the Baptism of the Spirit, where the Holy Spirit baptizes (whelms) us into Christ.

And now for this week’s blessing:

May you experience the overshadowing of God

So you may receive all He has to place in your heart

Which includes purposes, plans, and pursuits

Resulting in a life well-lived, enjoying the peace and joy He brings

May you be overwhelmed by the presence of God

So you will be transfigured (made to be what God intended)

To be witnesses of God’s love, grace, and mercy

To your world – your family, friends, and neighbors

May you willingly submit to the Spirit’s baptism

Which results in our reconciliation to God

So we may live as sons/daughters

Enjoying life fully alive to Him

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/16/2025

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/16/2025

I love reading blessings which have been written by church fathers through the years. I’m more familiar with those of St. Patrick, but many others are so inspirational. They are not considered “inspired”, but I feel they bring insight from a Believer which can certainly be used of God to help us in a particular moment when we find ourselves facing some of the same things as the ones writing the blessings.

That is certainly my hope. I do not expect to be remembered the way those, like St. Patrick, are viewed. I simply enjoy forming words to express what I feel in my heart and hope that others, like yourself, can find something in them to help.

And now for today’s blessing:

May you find a way to give voice to that which God has placed in you

So you may be someone else’s “present help in times of trouble”

For nothing you have experienced has been for naught

And the Spirit’s direction to you can be a lighthouse for others

May you remember, like God commanded of Israel, all that He has done in you

By rehearsing them regularly as you share your testimony (this word is so misunderstood)

Not from a pulpit, but in real conversations with family, friends, and acquaintances

And in doing so, spare them much heartache and grief by giving them hope

May you never underestimate the impact you have on others

For they watch when you are not aware of their view in the midst of your crisis

And they see/hear the actions/words you speak in the midst of pressure

Which God can use as “harvest reaped in due season” in their life

Be thankful for God’s grace and mercy for your own life

Which will keep you from hardening your heart

So your tenderness toward the Spirit’s voice

Will keep His words from going unnoticed