Southwood Lutheran Church

God's Spirit Turned Loose

One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and he was baptized by John in the Jordan River. And when Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens split open and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven saying, "You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you." Immediately the Holy Spirit compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness. Mark 1:9-12 (NLT)

After the prologue in Mark 1: 1-8, Jesus’ ministry begins. There is no Christmas story in Mark. The wilderness experience is briefly mentioned. The baptism takes place in two verses. However, the point is very strong. The Spirit of God has ripped through the heavens and pours down on Jesus. From Jesus the Spirit flows onto us! That Spirit keeps us grounded when temptations come!

Jesus’ ministry starts with his baptism. Back in John the Baptist's day, entire crowds would dip themselves in the River Jordan (or Aenon near Salim found in John 3:23) as John the Baptist was preaching. Baptisms were not done by John individually. John the Baptist called people to bathe, and someone would make sure they were entirely wet.

Whereas John made sure people were “clean” for God on the outside, wanting people to turn from their sins, Jesus baptizes in the Spirit. Jesus’ focus is on cleaning us on the inside, where our thoughts and feelings reside. Jesus’ baptism doesn’t rely on our own ability to do the right thing, but Jesus gives us the Spirit that drives us to do the right thing ...especially when temptations come. God’s Spirit is loose, flowing all around us. That Spirit calls us to dwell our thoughts on God and name our feelings, giving them to God.

When you find yourself being tempted by physical wants, such as too much of anything—drink, food, physical pleasures; or when you face temptations in mind---thinking you deserve or don’t deserve something, compare yourself to others, or look down on yourself or another; or when you face temptations in spirit—losing hope, harboring bitterness, or feeling defeated....at these times, remember God’s Spirit is loose. That Spirit of Christ and Truth will enable you to face those temptations and turn to something even better. You can make long lasting healthy choices. You will feel better inside and out. God loves you with heart, mind and soul--and you in turn can love yourself and others.

Starter Prayer:
Lord God, you have given us the power to meet all of our needs in healthy ways. When we face temptations grabbing at the quick fix, the seductive or the easy fix, fill us with your Spirit that we may meet all our needs in good long lasting ways. Amen.

Need a Break?

Some of the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus answered, “God’s Kingdom is coming, but not in a way that you will be able to see with your eyes. People will not say, `Look, here it is!’ or `There it is!’ because God’s Kingdom is within you.” Luke 17:20-23 (NCV)

We serve an invisible God and Kingdom. Yet we see its fingerprints all around us. This Kingdom of God is just like our own spirits. We can’t see our spirits, but we can see the resulting tears, anger, laughter and actions that come from our inner spirits. God’s Spirit is the only way to feed our inner spirits. God helps us take care of our inner spirits through worship, studying the word, and taking time out to evaluate our lives.

To be able to serve others, we have to make sure our spirits are charged enough to serve, or we will be good for nothing and add to the world’s problems. Taking time out to charge our spirits must include quiet time with God. This is why restful vacations are important. They are times separate from the world to be with God and do things that bring joy. Vacations also help us evaluate our lives. Just as we should set aside one day a week, a Sabbath, to worship and evaluate as well as rest, we also need extended time. A time set aside enables us to calm ourselves so that we can think clearly. God wants our heads as well as our hearts to figure out how best to serve. Extended periods without time set aside for rest (days off or vacation) will create suffering – fatigue, loss of productivity, feelings of anxiety. God’s Kingdom suffers, too, when we don’t make time for rest. God wants us to feed our inner spirits by connecting to His Spirit!

I am preparing for an extended period of rest -- a Sabbatical.

Who is Jesus...and why is he important?

Here begins the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. In the book of the prophet Isaiah, God said, "Look, I am sending my messenger before you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness: 'Prepare a pathway for the Lord's coming! Make a straight road for him!'" This messenger was John the Baptist. He lived in the wilderness and was preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had turned from their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. People from Jerusalem and from all over Judea traveled out into the wilderness to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. His clothes were woven from camel hair, and he wore a leather belt; his food was locusts and wild honey. He announced: "Someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!" (Mark 1: 1-8)

The gospel of Mark begins with a prologue, verses 1-8. It starts us off with two questions. Who is Jesus and why is he important?

Right away Mark says Jesus is the Christ, the promised Son of God. “Christ” from the Greek and “Messiah” from the Hebrew both mean, “anointed one with oil.” Jesus is the one that the prophet Malachi talks about (Malachi 3:1) and that Isaiah 40:3 talks about as we read Mark’s quote. (Mark states only Isaiah but we know today that Malachi is clearly quoted.) Mark says that John the Baptist testifies to Jesus being the one greater than he. Jesus will baptize with the Spirit!

When a person receives oil on the head, it signifies being set apart for God’s purpose. Jesus was set apart for the special purpose of bringing us back to a living relationship with God. He would do this through the cross. Today, we continue the anointing tradition as seen roughly in our baptism. You are claimed to be God’s for a special purpose. God has been working in human lives for thousands of years. You are no different. The next time you get a put-down or face some sort of trouble, remember you are not alone. An anointed one named Jesus has anointed you! Be confident and secure in who you are, a baptized person of God. You live for far greater things than any momentary setback. You and we together are the people of hope.

Starter Prayer:
Lord God, Remind us every day, especially during times of uncertainty and stress, that we are more than the day’s calamities. We are yours, set apart to live for eternity. Remind us of your love and presence that we may lean on you and find our confidence, our hope restored. Amen.

Peace, Poetry, Puns & Puzzles

Do you have fun constructive things you do that recharge your energy? I’ve been writing with a talented writer’s group. It’s just plain fun. Below is a recent addition to my poetry. It’s about pastoral care using active listening that opens the door for God’s healing to come in. It is also about a common household thing that might be present on such an occasion. See if you can answer the questions below. I’d also welcome comments and critics to help me improve. And if you love words, puns and expression please write and post!

A Cup Four Comfort (A Puzzle Poem)

Congenial words bid an empty space. Raging anger’s mist, squats on the place.
Insightful question receives the inkling. Story to the edge, arduously listening.
Direct reflection exacts the stirring. Feelings in prorata, unearths hurt’s stinging.
Empathy’s mission warms the embrace. Truth in an epic, cathartic soul’s case.
Restoring the awe enjoys the sweet sip. Bridges the I and you, each transcendent quip.
Soothing compassion directs the in-flood. Heals from divine’s deep, restores life’s blood.

1. There is a specific household thing being talked about during a time of listening to someone going through a difficult time. What is that thing?
2. Another specific household item supports the other. What is it?
3. What is inside that household item?
4. How was it prepared?

Hope you enjoyed it,
Pastor Michael Ryan

A Life of Thanksgiving

Three sets of workers go to work for a full day’s pay. The first group starts in the morning, the second group starts at noon, and the last group starts in the afternoon. At the close of the day they find their pay. The afternoon group receives a whole day’s pay. The noon group gets the same. The morning group finds they get the same pay even though they worked many more hours. “It’s unfair!” the morning group gripes. But the employer replies, “You agreed to the amount given. Are you upset because the employer chooses to be generous to the other groups?” (From Matthew 20)

Understanding God

It's impossible to understand God and why things are the way they are.  Yet we must always try.  When we are confronted with losing a spouse, child, or something important to us, we hurt.  The way we've understood God and the world can come crashing down.  So we must do the faith thing.  I am reminded weekly of the importance of faith.  Faith as in trust.  Trust that there are greater purposes going on.  Trust that care rules and works to help rebuild our lives or weather the storms that will come. 

Facing the Giants movie review

The movie, Facing the Giants, premiers on September 29th, 2006.  What is amazing about this movie is that a church raised the financing, wrote, acted, and produced the Hollywood-quality film.  They did hire a cinematographer that specializes in football movies, and a real head coach makes an appearance.  But all the other actors and background help are members of the Sherwood Baptist Church. 

The church made this independent film to be their mission.  Pastors in the Lincoln area were invited to preview the movie about a month ago.  Three issues are addressed in the movie.....