Saturday, April 29, 2017

Thank you for writing me in...

John 20:28-31
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Thank you, Lord!
Thank you for writing me
into your story.
"Blessed are those
who have not seen
and yet have come
to believe."
That's me!!

There I am
written into the Gospel story.
Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Help me
as I write my chapters
of the Good News.
May the "Acts of Chris Denny" (insert your own name, dear readers!)
be a continuation
of your Spirit at work
using an ordinary person
to do extraordinary things
for Christ's sake!
Amen.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Peace for the World

John 20:19-23
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.”  After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained

Peace be with you!
Shalom be with you all!

Lord,
we need your peace.
We need your shalom.
Our world needs well-being for ALL.

More and more,
I see people locked
behind closed doors,
behind closed hearts
because of FEAR.

Fear is a powerful emotion,
a base emotion
that moves us
to fight or to flee.
It takes hard work to overcome
that animal instinct
toward violence for survival
or escape for survival.

And yet, Lord,
you show us a third option--
non-anxious presence,
compassionate listening,
committing for the LONG HAUL,
holding on, like Jacob,
not letting go until blessing comes. (see Genesis 32:26)

Send us by the power of your Holy Spirit
to be that kind of Peace:
non-anxious presence,
compassionate listening,
committing for the LONG HAUL,
holding on,
not letting go until blessing comes
Peace for the world!
Amen.

Monday, April 24, 2017

Courageous Doubts

John 20:24-28
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Lord,
why have people given
Thomas such a hard time?
I mean:
who among us has not wondered
about the truth of the resurrection?

Easter is so shocking
to our senses,
to our normal way of thinking,
to our everyday lived experience.

Indeed the christian Philosopher Soren Kierkegaard has said that the idea that the eternal, infinite, transcendent God could simultaneously be incarnated as a finite human being, in time, to die on the cross is an offense to reason.

Doubts are part of faith!
St. Anselm's motto is “faith seeking understanding."
Or as the father declared to you:
"Lord, I believe; 
help my unbelief"

I think Thomas was among the first 
of your disciples to wrestle
with faith.
I think he is being courageous,
asking the BIG questions,
and not settling for little answers.
Instead he is demanding, like Job,
"I had heard of you
by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you" Job 42:5

Give me courageous doubts;
such ones that open me to the possibility
of being surprised 
by your Risen Presence
in my ordinary life!
Amen.

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Give us Heartburn

Luke 24:28-32

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”

Lord,
give us heartburn!
Upset our stomachs
Put an ache in our bellies
A fire shut up in our bones
Move us deep in our gut
to know your Risen Presence:
in our daily lives,
as we walk along,
as we discuss world events,
as we hold our children,
as we worship you,
as we struggle,
as we work,
as we pray,
as we play.

In the breaking of bread,
in the sharing of hospitality,
in welcoming strangers,
in accepting others,
in opening scripture,
in sharing our lives,
in telling the story,
in the evening,
in the daylight,
make yourself known to us!

Give us heartburn
until we recognize you!
Amen.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Let us see...

When I went to visit
in the hospital this week,
I saw the following prayer:

"Risen One,
open our minds and hearts.
Let us see
and welcome your presence."

When our eyes open again,
may they do so
not to end our devotions,
but to expect to see
your kingdom come
in our midst.
Amen.


___________
The inset prayer was found printed on the wall of an elevator at Providence Hospital Northeast in Columbia, SC.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

What things??

Luke 24:13-24
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?”
They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth,who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.”

Lord,
you, seeming like a stranger,
asked a simple questions:
"What things?"
And what follows is
a testimony,
a story of hope,
a story of loss,
a story of promise,
a story of pain,
a story of bewilderment,
a story of astonishment.

I wonder:
if you in a strangers voice
asked me today,
"What things?"
what story would I tell you?
Would I tell about
the amazing things I've seen?
the deep pain I've been witness to?
the healing I've seen?
the fear that lingers?
the despair?
the good news?
the renewal?

Would I end
my story the same way?
"but they did not see him"
We just can't seem
to recognize you.

Correct our vision
with the lenses
of your resurrection love.
Amen.

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Journey to Jerusalem: The Celebration of Sunday


Journey to Jerusalem: IN BODY & SOUL

Sunday is for Celebrating!

The LORD is RISEN!
He is risen indeed!


Risen Lord,
we sing with joy,
"Hallelujah!"
We praise your name,
"Hallelujah!"
You are risen from the grave,
"Hallelujah!"
You are victor over death,
"Hallelujah!"
You triumph over evil,
"Hallelujah!"
Your love wins,
"Hallelujah!"

Good News! Good News!
The worst that humanity can do.
the betrayal, 
the denial, 
the desertion,
the false accusations,
the name calling,
the scourging,
the torturing,
the crucifying
could not destroy 
your self-giving love.

Your resurrection
gives us hope:
Even our worst
cannot hold back
your love for us.

Thanks be to God!
May my life be lived
out of thanksgiving
for your resurrection love!
Halleluia!
Amen.

________________
During Lent at Westminster Presbyterian Church, we have journeyed well over 7,000 miles together! Thank you for joining us on the Journey to Jerusalem!

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Journey to Jerusalem: The Silence of Saturday


Journey to Jerusalem: IN BODY & SOUL

Holy Saturday is the day of God's silence.



My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
and by night, but find no rest.

Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our ancestors trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried, and were saved;
in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.

But I am a worm, and not human;
scorned by others, and despised by the people.
All who see me mock at me;
they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
“Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver—
let him rescue the one in whom he delights!”

Yet it was you who took me from the womb;
you kept me safe on my mother’s breast.
On you I was cast from my birth,
and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.

Many bulls encircle me,
strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.

I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
my mouth is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.

For dogs are all around me;
a company of evildoers encircles me.
My hands and feet have shriveled;
I can count all my bones.
They stare and gloat over me;
they divide my clothes among themselves,
and for my clothing they cast lots.

But you, O Lord, do not be far away!
O my help, come quickly to my aid!
Deliver my soul from the sword,
my life from the power of the dog!
Save me from the mouth of the lion!

Words of Psalm 22:1-21

________________
During Lent at Westminster Presbyterian Church, we have journeyed well over 7,000 miles together! Thank you for joining us on the Journey to Jerusalem!

Friday, April 14, 2017

Journey to Jerusalem: The Suffering of Friday


Journey to Jerusalem: IN BODY & SOUL

Good Friday is the day of Jesus' suffering.

Lord,
the words of this hymn
express my thoughts today:


Ah, holy Jesus, how have you offended,
that mortal judgment has on you descended?
By foes derided, by your own rejected,
O most afflicted!
Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon you?
It is my treason, Lord, that has undone you.
'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied you;
I crucified you.

For me, dear Jesus, was your incarnation,
your mortal sorrow, and your life's oblation;
your death of anguish and your bitter passion,
for my salvation.

Therefore, dear Jesus, since I cannot pay you,
I do adore you and will ever pray you,
think on your pity and your love unswerving,
not my deserving.

Hymn text:
Johann Heermann (1585-1647);
trans. Robert Seymour Bridges (1844-1930)


________________
During Lent at Westminster Presbyterian Church, we have journeyed well over 7,000 miles together! Thank you for joining us on the Journey to Jerusalem!

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Journey to Jerusalem: Is it I, Lord?


Journey to Jerusalem: IN BODY & SOUL

Having arrived in Jerusalem, we journey with Jesus during his last days.

Matthew 26:17-22
On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord? Is it I?”

Lord,
it was a powerful drama,
a reenactment of your last supper.
I remember it so well.

One by one,
each of your 12 disciples
stood, stepped into the spotlight,
and asked, "Is it I, Lord?"
Then they began to recount
the ways they each
have betrayed you, Lord Jesus.

The drama ends with this poem:
The bread is broken and the wine is poured,
And once more grim Golgotha’s hill is nigh.
By whom is Christ again denied, betrayed?
Or should we all cry out, Lord, Is it I?

A traitor kisses Him upon His cheek;
A fisherman unsheathes his sword nearby,
Did this take place two thousand years ago?
Or should we all cry out, Lord, is it I?

A crown of thorns is pressed upon His brow,
And, bearing His own cross, He goes to die.
Whose is the guilt, the everlasting shame?
Or should we all cry out, Lord, IS it I?
Is it I, Lord?
Is it I?



________________
During Lent at Westminster Presbyterian Church, we have journeyed well over 7,000 miles together! Thank you for joining us on the Journey to Jerusalem!

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Journey to Jerusalem: Always with you



Journey to Jerusalem: IN BODY & SOUL

Having arrived in Jerusalem, we journey with Jesus during his last days.

John 12:1-8
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

Lord Jesus,
how well Mary served you!
With abundance and love,
a fragrant offering
from not just her heart
but also her livelihood.

Oh, how I wish I could
give you such a gift.

And yet, you say I can.
In your rebuke to Judas,
you say:
"You always have the poor with you,
but you do not always have me."
Do you mean that
by serving the poor
I am serving you, Lord?

During this Holy Week,
move my love for you
to overflow in acts of
abundant love and compassion
for the poor!
In so doing,
may I be serving you
offering not just my wealth
but my very life.
Amen.

________________
During Lent at Westminster Presbyterian Church, we have journeyed well over 7,000 miles together! Thank you for joining us on the Journey to Jerusalem!

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Journey to Jerusalem: We Made It!



Journey to Jerusalem: IN BODY & SOUL

As of April 5, together we have traveled over 7,700 miles. Over 160 different people have joined us on the journey this year! Thank you. Thank God for each of you.


Lord,
we have come with you
on this Journey to Jerusalem.
It has been a hard road,
an uphill climb,
but we have made it.

You remind us:
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" Luke 13:34

The way of suffering 
has just begun.
Lord,
Give us the courage 
to go with you
all the way to the cross
and the empty tomb.
Amen.


   
________________
During Lent at Westminster Presbyterian Church, we are committing to journey the 6,284 miles
from Columbia, South Carolina to Jerusalem, Israel in our walking, running, swimming, cycling, etc. Track your miles and submit them: www.westminsterpres.org LET'S GO!!

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Journey to Jerusalem: HOSANNA! O God, save us!



Journey to Jerusalem: IN BODY & SOUL

The Journey to Jerusalem brings us just in time to see Jesus riding on a donkey; the King of Peace coming into Jerusalem.

Luke 19:28-38
After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
When he had come near Beth phage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”They said, “The Lord needs it.” Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,
“Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
and glory in the highest heaven!”

HOSANNA!
O God, save us!
Ride into our lives
of chaos and stress.
Ride into our lives
of busy and rush.
Ride into our lives
of division and distress.
Bring your peace, O Prince of Peace.

Lord, I am mindful
have said that on Palm Sunday,
there were two parades:
1. You riding on a donkey
the humble King of Peace
from the Mount of Olives
surrounded by the symbols of peace
with palm branches and
shouts of HOSANNA!
Hebrew for O God, save us!

2. Govenor Pontius Pilate
riding on a war horse
surrounded by the symbols of the Roman empire
swords, soldiers, & imperial banners
with shouts of praise to
Caeasar called the "Son of God"
and praise for the Pax Romana
peace made from forced submission.
O Lord,
times haven't changed too much.
As you ride into our lives
as the Prince of Peace this Palm Sunday,
our news media sings the praises
of the power and posturing of some politicians,
of war and terror and fear,
of promised well-being
through power and show of force.

Your Kingdom is not of this world.
And yet you teach us to pray:
"Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
on earth..."

Ride into our lives
and teach us to join in
your kingdom work
on earth.
Amen.


   
________________
During Lent at Westminster Presbyterian Church, we are committing to journey the 6,284 miles
from Columbia, South Carolina to Jerusalem, Israel in our walking, running, swimming, cycling, etc. Track your miles and submit them: www.westminsterpres.org LET'S GO!!

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Journey to Jerusalem: A Motley Crew



Journey to Jerusalem: IN BODY & SOUL

Along the Journey to Jerusalem we travel with a wide variety of people. Pilgrims are always quite a mixed group, a motley crew, the people of God's own choosing.

Isaiah 43:5-7
Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you;
I will say to the north, “Give them up,”
and to the south, “Do not withhold;
bring my sons from far away
and my daughters from the end of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
Lord,
you choose us;
you call us;
you gather us together.
And we are a diverse group:
athletes & musicians,
business leaders & workers,
addicts & academics,
lawyers & the convicted,
doctors & the sick,
teachers & students,
mentors & apprentices,
at work, at rest, & at play,
parents, grandparents & children,
every color of the rainbow,
men & women,
young & old,
entitled & resentful,
rebellious & obedient,
hard working & lazy,
doubters & devoted,
poor & rich,
oppressed & powerful,
generous & stingy,
the good, the bad & the ugly.
we are all here.

All following you.
All loved by you.
All claimed by you.
All invited by you.
All yours.

All made in your image.
All in need of forgiveness.
All in need of grace.
All in need of love.
And all here,
in your kingdom.
All here
with our eyes toward you.

Made one Body in your suffering love.
Made one Hope in your resurrection.
Made one Church by your Spirit.

Lord,
we had no idea
just how far reaching your love is.
Thank you for including us.

We journey together
in life and faith
with our eyes focused
on the Cross of Christ and his Empty Tomb
that which makes us One.
Amen.

   
________________
During Lent at Westminster Presbyterian Church, we are committing to journey the 6,284 miles
from Columbia, South Carolina to Jerusalem, Israel in our walking, running, swimming, cycling, etc. Track your miles and submit them: www.westminsterpres.org LET'S GO!!

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Journey to Jerusalem: Up Hill All the Way



Journey to Jerusalem: IN BODY & SOUL

The Journey to Jerusalem is up hill quite literally. Pilgrims to Jerusalem must ascend from the valleys that surround the city.

During Lent, we are mindful that the Journey to Jerusalem leads to another hill near Jerusalem -- a hill called Calvary. Jesus is very clear that his path to Jerusalem is a path to betrayal, suffering, death -- and resurrection!

Luke 18:31-34
Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.” But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Lord Jesus,
I still do not understand:
Why was it necessary
for you to die is such a way?
I mean --
Is God really so blood thirsty
that only Your blood shed would win my salvation?
Since all the earth belongs to God,
to whom did a ransom need to be paid to win my salvation?

Don't get me wrong:
I know very clearly I need a savior!
I CANNOT save myself;
Lord, you know I've tried.

But did it have to be YOUR suffering and death?
Or is my salvation even won in death?
Salvation comes not from your death alone,
but salvation comes in death and RESURRECTION!
Those two always come as a pair in your story don't they.
Death and resurrection!
Gruesome cruel death and glorious victorious resurrection!
Good Friday's cross and Easter Sunday's empty tomb!
Lent's Kyrie and Easter's Hallelujah!

Lord,
this Journey to Jerusalem
is up hill all the way.
It's a hard path,
like a runner pushing through the hardest mile,
keep our eyes focused
on the cross ahead
and the empty tomb.
Amen.

   
________________
During Lent at Westminster Presbyterian Church, we are committing to journey the 6,284 miles
from Columbia, South Carolina to Jerusalem, Israel in our walking, running, swimming, cycling, etc. Track your miles and submit them: www.westminsterpres.org LET'S GO!!