January is named after Janus (Ianuarius), the god of the doorway; the name has its beginnings in Roman mythology, coming from the Latin word for door (ianua) – January is the door to the year. In Roman mythology, Janus (or Ianus; “archway”) was the god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings and endings. His most prominent remnant in modern culture is his namesake, the month of January, which begins the new year. He is most often depicted as having two faces or heads, facing in opposite directions. (thanks to wikipedia)

January, the time to open new doors and perhaps close old ones.  There are many facets to our lives in which to apply this “rule”, but none is as important as the doors of your spiritual life.

I know many of us make some kind of attempt at New Year resolutions in January.  I stopped doing that a few years back when I figured out that it never worked for me.  I never could change myself, myself.  My attempt at closing doors to the past just never quite worked out, they kept swinging back open.  Couldn’t really say when it was that I finally figured it out, but I do know how…prayer…intentional prayer.  Of course it took a whole lot of journeying to even get to the point of realizing that Jesus is THE ONE that would change me and that I could reach Jesus through prayer.  So if I may just say then that if it is spiritual change you are looking for, then it is Jesus you must seek.  Jesus IS THE WAY, Jesus IS THE TRUTH and Jesus IS THE LIFE.  This journey I speak of only happens when you are intentional about the change you seek.  Be intentional in meeting Jesus face to face and do it now.   No more putting off what should have already been done, I promise you will not regret.

There are many places you can meet Jesus face-to-face, places we never expect, places we do expect.  If you’ve been to the places you expect to meet Jesus and have found disappointment, then maybe you need to look a bit deeper.  It is easy to look at the surface but the shine wears off of the surface pretty fast.  Let me speak frank here.  I’ve been there when Jesus was a part of my vocabulary and somewhat a part of my life.  I might attend church when I felt like it, kept thinking one of those times that preacher just might say something that “moves” me (or maybe the music) and then I’ll be in.  Just waiting on that ole preacher to inspire me.  Well I kept going in and out those church doors, never seeing Jesus face to face.  At some point I decided to get intentional about my spiritual life and realized that it was what I failed to give that kept me swinging those doors.

Bible Study must be intentional.  One cannot know Jesus, cannot develop that relationship with Jesus until one has decided to become intentional in learning who He is, what He has to offer and what He expects of you.

It’s time to quit swinging the doors.  Wednesday Bible Study this year will be a variety of topics and scripture.  Most will be what you have asked to study.  Make this the year you meet Jesus face to face.

The first scripture we will study is John 14:6. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

January 13 at 6:30p-8:00p.  You do not need to sign up.  Just come.  No commitments to every Wednesday, just come when you can, bring your Bible and expect to meet Jesus face to face.

During this season of lent we are given the opportunity to experience something other than in our normal everyday lives; to experience something other than ourselves.  We are invited to give up a part of ourselves that we would otherwise be dependent upon, or to cling.  We are invited to experience the other possibilities in our self.  In that process (those 40 days) we begin to suffer over the loss of the familiar.  So often times it is much easier to continue clinging to old ways, to continue dependence on the familiar, to snuggle in the blanket of false security.

In the 10th chapter of the book of Mark, verses 17-22, we read of a man who wanted to experience something other than his self.

“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good?  No one is good but God alone.  You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and mother.’”    He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.”  Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”  When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.”

Jesus, whom loved this man, offered him new life.  But the man first had to give up the part of him that was surely to stand in the way, and he couldn’t do it.  He could not give up what he already knew was not permanent, for what he sought was ETERNAL LIFE.  Did he choose instead to wait for another day, to wait for something else, another offer?  Did he think he could just continue day after day after day to live the familiar?  Did he not really believe in what Jesus offered him?  Maybe he just couldn’t comprehend what Jesus was offering?   The man left in grief and shock, turning his back to Jesus choosing other securities, the familiar.

Is this story familiar to you?  It certainly is for me.  Why is it that we can so easily place our hopes and dreams, our very lives into that which is so fleeting?  Do you wait for something else?  Will you get a better offer?  Do you say, wait Lord, first I need to…., Once I get past the stress of raising my family, once I finally make enough money to make me happy….Once I get over just this one more hurdle in my life…then I will follow you Lord.  Is it fear?  Yes Lord, but can’t I just keep on living like I am and follow you too?  Yes Lord, but I don’t want to hurt, I don’t want to suffer in any way.  Lord, don’t ask me to die before I can live.

Actually Jesus has already done that part for us when he gave his life on a cross similar to this one.  He isn’t asking us to literally die before we can experience his resurrection.  He just wants us to give up that which keeps us from Him.

“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the son of Man is?” and they said, “some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets?” he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the messiah, the Son of the living God.”  Matthew 16:13-16

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?  Luke 6:46

…Who is Christ for us today?  Who is Christ for you this day?

As we come bringing our flowers of hope, turning what once was ugly and bare into a full beautiful life giving symbol, let us commit to it, our selves. Tracie Easter 2009

In times of difficulty there seems to be great volume of wisdom to which we can turn.  In the 1960’s Paul McCartney of the Beatles wrote that in times of trouble we should “Let it Be.”  It made a great song and letting some things be is certainly wise.  As they say “let sleeping dogs lie.”  But most of life has to be dealt with even if it is unpleasant.  So in times of trouble I prefer the wisdom of three men who have faced and suffered greater trials than I ever hope to endure.  The first is the 20th century Christian martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the second is St. Paul the apostle and first century Christian martyr, and the third is no less than our Lord Jesus the Christ.

While Bonhoeffer waited out his last years of life in a NAZI prison, he had the strength and courage to continue being part of the German resistance and even participated in the planning of an attempted assignation of Hitler.  The result was his untimely death just months before the end of the war.  At the same time he wrote what became several books on Christian Discipleship.  The following came from one of the books entitled Life Together:  “There are three things for which the Christian needs a regular time alone during the day: meditation of the Scripture, prayer, and intercession… In our meditation we read the text given to us on the strength of the promise that it has something quite personal to say to us for this day and for our standing as Christians—it is not only God’s Word for the community of faith, but also God’s Word for me personally…” p86-87

While in a Roman Jail, also awaiting his own execution, St. Paul wrote: Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus Philippians 4: 6-7

The night before Jesus was crucified; he was calm and still caring for his disciples when he told them: ”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14 25-27

So I have to ask myself, if these men in prison and awaiting death for the crime of loving God and humanity can suggest that we should look to the scriptures, pray for ourselves and others, with thanksgiving to God, and we shall receive the peace of God, then maybe I should listen to them.

Something to ponder; all things should be brought to God.  In all things we should be thankful to God, not the cruelty of the world people create, but in the all encompassing presence of the Holy Spirit.  For me the peace of God is actually the recognizable presence of God in my life at that moment.  My memory of the Lords’ previous help for me feeds my faith which acknowledges that Gods’ presence can be trusted, even in the times of unwanted outcome.  All three require faith to function within a person’s life.  Meditation is more than reading or memorizing, its’ sinking into the scripture.  Letting our mind and spirit dive into the scripture to contemplate what it meant to those who first heard it.  How did it change their lives and what does it mean to me. What would it mean to put it into practice?  What is God saying the Divine power will do?  What has been my experience in this matter if any?  Do I truly have faith in God to do this?  Remember, Jesus said “my peace I give to you.”  How much more can we ask for from our Creator?

I remember well the time when I had no hope.  It was a time of great misery for me.  A time when the trials of pain consumed my every thought.  Pain had become the controlling presence of my life.  But it was at that time of my deepest despair that God reached out to me.  With His mighty arm He pulled me into His grip of grace, enveloping me with a love that only He can provide.  He breathed into my very soul the light of hope.  It was then that I began my search for an answer as to why I should have any hope at all.  It was in His word that I found my answers.  Through His divine leading, by the power of His Holy Spirit, I found this verse…

“So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10

The truth and power of this one verse gave me the hope I had been lacking.  It was His strength that lifted me and led me on to discover that my hope lied not in self, but in the promises of a new life. 

As I grew in my understanding of the Biblical story, I began to realize that from the very beginning of creation God has constantly been in action to instill and fulfill hope for mankind.  He does that now through the various journeys we travel in our lives.  Journeys that grow faith, events that keep hope alive.

Christ’s journey involved much sacrifice, temptation, some disappointment and much pain.  But His faith was unbreakable for His faith bore the Spirit of God.  His hope was that found not only in His eternal life but in the newness of His people.  He came so that we might all die to self and rise again in a new life.  A life filled with hope, peace, joy and love.

Hope, very simply put, is in Jesus Christ.  And that hope is alive today and available to all for the asking. 

If you don’t yet know Jesus Christ to be your Savior, your hope for new life, pray this prayer now asking Him to fill your soul with His Spirit.

Abba Father, I praise your very name, for it is Holy.  I praise you Father, for You are my Creator, my Savior, my Lord.  I love you.

Father, I am a sinner.  I have sinned in many ways and on many occasions.  I repent of these sins and ask that You would make me aware of every sin in my life.  Help me to overcome them, Father.

Father, I believe that you are the Creator of all, I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior and in the power of Your Holy Spirit.  I believe that Jesus walked on this earth, that he was crucified for the forgiveness of my sins, that he died, was buried and then rose and now reigns with you.

I want to live for You Father.  Bless me now with your great love and grant me this request to live my life in glory for You.

I pray this prayer in Jesus Christ most Holy name,

Amen.

If you have prayed this prayer with all sincerity, you must now take the next step.  Seek out His will for your life.  Seek out others who can help you to grow in faith, to grow in love for Christ.  There is so much more to learn, so much more beauty to discover in your new life.  You must turn to His Word.

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”

Proverbs 2:1-5

God Bless,
Tracie

It can be a Rocky trip to get to the cross.   While recently staying in a Colorado cabin, I and a large friendly dog belonging to the camp managers decided to take a hike up the mountain trail where a cross was planted at the edge of one of the cliffs.  The dogs’ name is Rocky and he was both good at finding the trail and wondering off to check out the sights and smells.  I trusted the local mountain dog and to some degree my own ability to maintain a sense of direction.  The result is that we ventured further and further from our destination and deeper into the mountains.

The scenery was beautiful and inspirational.  The hike and climb also made for a good work out.   I say climb because following Rocky lead to some rather difficult routes through strenuous terrain.  The journey was beautiful, inspirational, and healthy; could a person ask for a better way to spend their limited time on earth?

But let’s not forget about my original destination, the cross.

As we wandered back and forth, first east then west with some north and south thrown in, we were what I would call searching but not lost.  This is because I knew basically where I was, I just could not get to where I wanted to be, which now was back home.

One thing about a mountain is that not only is it beautiful, and good to hike or climb, but it should be
respected with great care; because you can’t whip creation; mountain, desert, jungle, or ocean. Often you survive the journey, enjoy it and learn from the experience.

As the thirty minute hike turned into one hour, then two going on three, we traveled over ridges, down ravines through Aspen stands, meadows, and almost continuous rows of Ponderosa Pines.  I began to think this is a lot like life.

As I followed Rocky along a six inch wide trail with a rough ten to twenty foot express to the bottom, depending on which way you tumbled; I noticed the route seemed more suitable for the dog than a person. On the other hand he did tuck his tail, not a good sign; sometimes those we follow don’t really know what’s best for us or them!

At this point I knew it was time to stop just talking to the Lord and start giving up control to God to get me and Rocky back, preferable in one piece.

Often I began an adventure, or just the day, knowing what I want and what I think is best, yet the good and exciting things often side track me to the point that I only think I’m in control and know just exactly where I am.  My focus often ceases to be the Christ as I attempt to seize the day, Carpe Diem!  Of course “seizing the day” and focusing on Christ are not opposites.  In reality it is experiencing each day and moment with God that truly gives us the day and plenty of adventure to boot.

It’s beautiful, healthy, and fun, yet the majesty of the mountain, the trees and ridges, kept me from finding what I had set out for, the cross.  Just because something meets our understanding of good and pleasurable does not mean it is best for us, others, or in the proper prospective in regards to what we consider most important. I have found what we say is not nearly as important as what we do.

I eventually turned it over to God, deciding to head down the mountain based on some far away landmarks forsaking the beauty around me and concentrating on getting home.  It was only then that I found both Cross and home.  Do we listen to God or do we insist we know the way or follow someone else?

Rick