Moved to Service

Posted on May 31, 2012 by richrockwood

Because of a devastating blow-through in my life in 2006, I could see the humanity of Jesus in my Gospel reading today. “Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.  When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.” Mt 14:13 –Mt 14:14 (NRSV)  Jesus had just been informed of John the Baptist’s untimely, cruel death at the hands of Herod.  He then tried to spend time alone grieving that loss.  Instead he saw a great crowd in need of healing and filled with compassion, he ministered to them.

My wife of seventeen years died suddenly from a brain aneurysm in April of 2006.  A few weeks later I went down to Mississippi to help with the cleanup after Katrina.  While there I saw the hand of God working in almost miraculous ways (eg having supplies donated almost at the precise time we needed them).   I experienced so many different feelings as I heard the stories, saw the swarms of volunteers and communed with other believers in praise and thanksgiving.  My feelings of wanting just to get away and do something were displaced by feelings of joy and usefulness.

The reading and the flashback reminded me of the power of grief to bring our lives to a screeching halt but also how service brings healing when we reach out to others even in times of sorrow.

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Standing Straight and Tall

Posted on May 30, 2012 by richrockwood

I have some big events to face  today.  One involves a decision worth a lot of money which would place a burden on two other people.  It is stressful to contemplate and I have no peace about it.  The other involves giving a speech before a number of individuals.  Both are making me nervous and feeling quite shaky.

I read these words this morning which helped calm me down:   “Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the LORD; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.”  (Psalm 15:2-5 NRSV)

If I just keep doing what is right towards God and towards others, as I find here and throughout the Bible (my guide), I shall stand straight and tall today.

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Heaven-Breathed Freshness

Posted on May 29, 2012 by richrockwood

Today my wife and I sat out on the deck for our morning devotions.  It is so handy to be able to get outside from our dining room.  There in the beauty of freshly leafed trees dripping with last night’s rain and birds chirping sweetly we read words about the Lord who sits in splendor in the heavens.  There we read words of guidance from the Creator urging me to build my life upon a foundation which will last.  There we heard the words of our Savior bemoaning the fact that often times God’s messengers do not receive the honor due them.
As I contemplate this beauty I find It odd that as one created by God and surrounded by His beauty I am so easily distracted from Him.  Yesterday in the stifling heat, we resorted to artificially cooling our house with processed air.  It helped us bear up under the oppressive heat.  Today, however, because the air is cooler, we have opened up the house.  Sitting on the deck, the air feels purified and almost sweet.   It feels heaven-breathed instead of machine exhaled.
It feels like sweet harmony now between creation and the Creator.  I am thankful for this morning’s time with God and the peace I now feel.

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Surrender It!

Posted on April 27, 2012 by richrockwood

This post really is a follow up to my previous one about Jury Duty.

The night before last I was driving the Thruway in the northwestern corner of New York State.  I was on my way back to Saugerties where I had been the minister of a church for 19 years.  I was tired.  I had no confirmed reservation for a motel room.  I had been on the road for over ten hours.

I spotted a sign which listed four motels at the next exit coming up in less than a mile.  I quickly exited with a mix of fatigue and anticipation.  This was going to be the area where I would rest for the night.  I had pushed myself so I might be close enough to join my buddy for lunch the next day, but now I needed some sleep.

After I exited the Thruway, I discovered the motel was not there, but six miles south of it.  Off I went, a little disappointed but sill hopeful.  After ten more minutes, I reached the village.  The Hampton Inn on my left looked familiar.  I had stayed there years before.  Too expensive.  I kept going.  I started leaving downtown and so turned back around and followed a road next to a lake.  There was a Ramada Inn which also seemed too expensive.   I stopped and turned on the GPS.  It showed something a street behind me, but that looked too shady for me.  I headed back to the Hampton Inn.  The clerk smiled and said “we’re all booked.”  I was shocked.  “What is going on?”

I started feeling panic.  “What am I going to do?  I am too tired and I have no place to sleep!”

I remembered the feeling I had felt last month when I was on call for Jury Duty.  I had to call in each night to see if I had to report the next day.  I had felt a certain kind of mental freedom because I knew I had to surrender the next day to God and His wishes for me.  I had to acknowledge I had no say whatever in what the next day would hold for me.  I had to surrender complete control and it felt really good.  I actually was able to thank God for the experience.

This night I decided to surrender the outcome to God as well.  I was able to relax and do the next right thing.  I calmly made my way (behind a slow semi) back to the Thruway and headed East.  Within the next ten miles, I stopped for gasoline (price was outrageous so I only filled half the tank) and found a first floor motel room.  I was amazed at how quickly my outlook had changed from one of panic to one of relaxing while getting ready for bed.

From this experience and being on call for Jury Duty, I am learning that surrendering my will to the Lord is a process that is maturing my elementary level faith.  When I surrender an outcome, I feel quite free and open to whatever comes next.

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Who Am I

Posted on April 21, 2012 by richrockwood

Why do I feel it necessary always to compare myself to others.  I believe it goes back to when I was in grade school inWisconsin.  Because our family did not have enough money I could not wear the “in clothes” like the others’ could.  This made me feel inferior to them.  And, to a certain extent, I still feel that way and thought the other day I would not go to the School’s Anniversary celebration this Fall.  I thought I would only be setting myself up for a hurt.

When will I finally be able not to care what those people think of me?  When will I be able to feel good about myself and what I have done with my life?  When can I rejoice simply in God my Savior.  Can I take Mary’s Magnificat as my own.  How does that go again?

Luke 1:46-55 (ESV)
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Lord, our God, I do not desire to think myself better than others, I know my faults and errors.  And I do not desire to be as good as everyone else, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  And I do not desire to be worse than others, it is not how my mother taught me to live.  I desire to be loved and accepted by You.  You are the one who created me.  You are the one to whom I must give account of my life.  You love me with a love far greater than any human could love.  When I look at what the Only Begotten Son did at Calvary, even forgiving, I have to say I want that love.  I need that love.  I am overwhelmingly blessed by that love.

Help me to keep these thoughts in my head in some way each and every day when I come to You to find out who I am.

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Summoned for Jury Duty

Posted on March 19, 2012 by richrockwood

I received my notice several months ago.  Unless I had a very good excuse (eg sickness or old age), I was to report for Jury Duty on March 19, 2012.

At first I became nervous about this.  I have claustrophobia and I don’t like elevators.  I know the building and it has many stories to it.  I also thought it would probably be my “luck” to get on a notorious murder trial that would last for weeks.  I’d have to be locked away for days at a time.

Then I began to change my attitude about the summons.  I started recalling in the past that when I had to do something unpleasant like take an elevator to visit someone in church, I could imagine I was not alone, but that my steady and loving Protector was in the elevator with me.  As I ascended and descended each time, I repeated the prayer “Thy will, not mine, be done.”  I then came to believe “If I did this before, I can do it again.”  I came to see that when I release my worries to God, I am open to new adventures.

Soon, I began looking forward to this and quietly hoped I would get called for a jury so I could see firsthand what a court trial is like. I have seen and enjoyed many shows like Perry Mason through the years.  I was beginning to see the summons as a learning as well as a growth opportunity.

Today, the first day of my summons, I did not have to report.  In an hour I will call again to see if I must report tomorrow.  This is an experience that is actually building my faith.

I have released my control over tomorrow and the rest of the week.  Someone else has the reins and I feel free.

I praise God for what I am learning in this simple summons to set aside my schedule that I may be of service to others.

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Every Sunrise is a New Day

Posted on March 11, 2012 by richrockwood

Here is a link to a video reminding us of the potential of each new day

Every Sunrise Brings a New Day

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Imagine This

Posted on March 4, 2012 by richrockwood

It seems like I have always lived in this dark, smelly cell.

I cannot remember when this day began.  A memory of Passover with my men flickers for a few moments and puts itself out.

The door clangs open.  Two soldiers yank me off the floor and drag me to the Governor.  I see faces with open pits for mouths and hear a sound like the sea.  Distant and alone I stand before the crumbling pillars of justice.  A man’s voice says “I am innocent” but he is not speaking for me.  No one is, not even me.

I fall under the weight of the woody bulk.  For the first time, I see the busy “Skull.”   Whenever I stumble, I hear cheers slowly bouncing off the city walls.  A nightmare is invading these holy streets.

And now giant nails rip open my flesh and splatter my blood.  A throat burning scream blares out of me.   The full reality of crucifixion is now mine and I am lifted up over them all.

Every moment, the pain goes deeper than I ever could have imagined.  I fear the darkness and release may never come.  I gather what little strength there is left and say what must be said.

Finally, the end comes.  I fade to littleness and quiet.

Abba!  At last!

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Connections

Posted on March 2, 2012 by richrockwood

Regardless of how I feel, I am connected.  I am connected visually to those who see me at any given moment in time.  I am connected by line of sight to everything I can see outside my windows.  I am especially drawn to the trees.

I am connected by blood to my mother and father, sisters and brothers.  I also carry the blood of my ancestors, a much bigger and broader family.

I am connected by faith to everyone who believes in God whether they use that name or not.  I am connected to all who name the name of Jesus as Savior and Lord.  I am connected through hours of bright and moving worship in my local church through the power of the Spirit of God.

I am connected to all who inhabit the same city, the same state, the same country and the same planet.  I am connected to every citizen of every place I have ever lived.

I am connected by gravity to the earth and at night find my eyes drawn to the skies above.

With all these connections, I cannot believe any feeling that tries to convince me I am all alone.  I am never alone.  Never.

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One Mind

Posted on March 2, 2012 by richrockwood

Can anyone tell me why there is so many different opinions all around the earth?

There are splits within the throng of believers in God.   Some have put others to death who believe in the same God.  They believe religion ought to be set up a certain way and cannot live alongside those who think differently.

In American politics where the matter of God is usually not so important there are Red States and Blue States, Liberals and Conservatives.  An embattled congress cannot make headway because legislation is evaluated and endorsed along party lines and not merit or the common good of the land.

Back in the 19th century politics became so bad in this country that the northern part of the US went to war with the southern part.

We can understand such competition in the world of business where every owner is chasing scarce dollars to make a profit.   Why is it in other areas where one might expect harmony would exist, we do not find it.

Everyone is equipped with a brain and a heart made of the same material and functioning with identical processes.   Yet these same hearts and brains come up with so many conflicting ideas of what is good and true.  Even in the same family drawn from the same gene pool and similar experiences there is conflict.  Weeds of jealousy and envy crop up everywhere. We want some temporary thing which they have and they want what we claim as ours.

Why is it the same essential ingredients in the human race constantly boil up to a cauldron of trouble?

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