Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022

“Celebrate the Risen Lord”

Easter arrives.  

Conflict, violence, and war still exist.  Hunger and poverty are still alive and well, and people still treat others poorly.  Easte
r is here but it doesn’t seem like anything is different, especially if we fall back into those bad habits that we gave up at the beginning of Lent. 

As God’s people, our biggest day arrives with little change.  There’s even less change for people who choose to remain in the dark, ignoring God and choosing other paths for their lives.  These folks, who represent the majority of people in our world, don’t seem to mind the chocolate bunnies.  Indeed, many of them may participate in their own Easter celebrations (but they probably never think about attending Easter sunrise services at the crack of dawn-thirty on Easter morning).

It’s bothersome that the rest of the world can receive all the goodies with none of the work.  It doesn’t seem quite fair that others can enjoy the fun without trudging through 46 days of avoiding meats, sweets, smokes, and drinks.  I forget that God created Easter specifically for these folks.  That’s right!  Jesus said several times that He didn’t come to save those of us who are already living in the light.  Rather, Jesus came in unselfish love to save those who want the reward without believing, trying, or doing anything remotely related to the reasons we celebrate Easter.

Whose fault is that?  Mine.  One of the lessons I learned during Lent is that my relationship with God is dependent on what I do with my Faith.  Namely, if I’m not actively seeking to tell others about God’s infinite love, then I’m not really fulfilling my own responsibility to share the hope of Easter with someone else.  That’s on me.

Today’s Lenten Challenge is simple:  there’s not one.  Instead, I’m going to focus on an Easter Challenge to tell more people about the things God has done for me.  In the process of sharing my story with others, maybe next year at Easter sunrise, they’ll tell me their own story.

What will you do with your Easter?  Share it with someone else! 

“Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:18-20, The Message)

 Lent Day 46, Holy Saturday, April 16, 2022

“Spend Time Outside”

Today is Holy Saturday, the day that is remembered as the time Jesus’ body lay in the tomb.  It’s a day that is often commemorated with silence and fasting.  Our Challenge today, however, is to spend some time outside.  Sure, some prayers today would be wonderful.  Yes, reading some Scripture today is a great idea, as well, and spending some time in silence is also helpful.  But in addition to those, let’s add some time outside in the world God created.

Spending time outside should be a simple enough Challenge for today.  Some of us spend lots of time outside, but how often do we give God glory by saying a prayer of thanks while we walk down the path?  Let’s do it today.  Walk along the beach and thank God for creating the waters.  Climb the mountain and thank God for creating the expanse.  Sit on the park bench and thank God for the wind and sun on our faces.

Most of us would admit that we simply take too many things for granted.  On this Holy Saturday, let’s reach a little further and focus on God’s great gift of the world in which we live!  Perhaps in recognizing the greatness of our God we might understand a little more about the God who created this world and loves us so much that He gave Easter to us!

Get outside today!

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, because you created all things.  It is by your will that they existed and were created.”  (Revelation 4:11, CEB.)

Lent Day 45, Good Friday, April 15, 2022

“Complete Fast (and a Care Package)”

Yep, it’s Good Friday and another fast arrives on our doorstep.  Good Friday, the day the Church remembers the passion and death of Jesus Christ, has historically been a day of prayer and reflection.  It’s the most difficult part of the Lenten Season, representing the culmination of over six weeks of thought, prayer, and sacrifices.  But it’s also one of the most special days on the calendar, called “Good” because of the result of God’s sacrifice on our behalf. 

The Challenge for today is another fast from food for 24-hours.  Similar to last Friday’s challenge, all drinks, including protein drinks, smoothies, etc., are just fine for today.  Again, the purpose is simply to demonstrate to God that we have our priorities in order.  

Among other things, we should acknowledge that we have plenty of food in our pantries.  We are almost never without food.  However, lots of people in the world are hungry. Let's consider taking this challenge one step further by preparing a care package for our local food banks.  Bring the package to your church this Easter and let’s help fill some tummies that really need it.

We can do it today!  24-hour fast and a Care Package for someone who needs it!

"Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat.  What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs?  In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity."  (James 2:15-17, CEB).

Lent Day 44, Maundy Thursday, April 14, 2022

“Pray for the One Who Hurt You”

Maundy Thursday is the day the Church remembers Jesus’ last day of freedom before His passion and death.  On this day, many churches will host special services that may include a Seder Meal, Holy Communion, and foot washing.  Even if you choose to not attend worship, you can do something special today: pray for the one who hurt you.

While Jesus was celebrating the Last Supper with His disciples, He told the disciples that one of them was going to betray Him that evening.  We recognize this person as Judas Iscariot.  While the meal was occurring, only Jesus appears to know the identity of the guilty party.  Judas became an enemy to Jesus and Judas quickly became recognized as the ultimate villain in human history.  Even so, Jesus still prayed for him.

Today, our Challenge is to pray for the one who hurt us.  It may be an enemy, family member, friend, or stranger.  No matter what the offense or the pain that resulted from the hurt and estrangement in our lives, let’s consider praying for them today.  This is more than just praying for our enemies.  This is about praying for someone who has caused us great pain.

Who will it be?  Let’s pray for the one that God is suggesting: the one who hurt us!

“You have heard people say, “Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.”  But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you.  Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong.”  (Matthew 5:43-45, CEB).

 Lent Day 43, Wednesday, April 13, 2022

“Thirty Minutes of Silence”

Yikes!  Nothing.  Nada.  Zip.  Zilch.  No entertainment.  No communication.  No work.  This one is gonna be tough for people (like me) who are constantly on the move!  However, if there’s a time to sit still, this is it.  Lent is traditionally the season of reflection and penitence.  Since we’re in the final few days of Holy Week, this is the perfect time to experience some silence.

Why is it important to experience some quiet?  When I think about quiet, I also think of peace.  Yes, peace.  Peace is something that seems to be in short supply these days because our phones, tablets, and televisions are filled with hurt, conflict, and war.  For those who are in the midst of chaos and pain, quiet is a welcome blessing.  Some people would even consider silence to be a miracle and they would be willing to pay any price to experience just a little of it.

Yeah, some quiet time might be very valuable to all of us today.  God often speaks the loudest in times of quiet - when we can settle down long enough to allow God’s message to enter our ears and settle in our hearts.  We need peace in our lives.  We need some quiet. 

Let’s find some silence.  Can’t pull it off today?  Fine.  How about in the next few days?  Whether at home, at the beach, or taking a quiet walk, let’s discover some time to be quiet and experience the blessings God has provided the world!

“Be still, and know that I am God!  I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.”  (Psalm 46:10, NRSV)

 Lent Day 42, Tuesday, April 12, 2022

“Read Luke, Chapters 19-24”

Today’s Challenge is to read Luke’s account of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This was appropriately chosen for Holy Week because the Church calendar also corresponds with the reading.  Since this is Holy Week in the Christian Church, reading from the Bible about a Gospel account of Jesus’ final days with his followers is a very helpful study and preparation tool.

At the Longboat Island Chapel (www.longboatislandchapel.org) where I currently serve, we have been studying the Gospel of Luke.  I have been profoundly impacted by the way Luke paints the story of Jesus.  According to Luke’s account, there are always purposes for Jesus’ teaching, assistance for His followers, and help for us.  Sure, we might need to put on our thinking caps to connect a few dots of relevance in today’s world, but the lessons are there. 

Are you still struggling with the purpose of this Challenge?  As you read, take some time to imagine yourself in the same situation.  Imagine what Jesus experienced with a final meal, what it was like to be thrown under the bus by one friend and not even be acknowledged by another.  How would we have reacted if we were Jesus?  What if we were a disciple and we saw the soldiers arrest Jesus?  Would we have tried to defend Jesus or would we have offered to carry the cross for him later?  Would we be able to stand firm during the hostility and injustice or would we shrink away to our own places of safety and security?

Yeah, this is big stuff.  All the more reason to take some time this week and remind ourselves what God did so that you and I, who are card-carrying members of Idiots Anonymous, could have another chance.  Yeah, this is big stuff and it’s good stuff for the soul.

Read Luke, chapters 19-24 today.

“He (Jesus) went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, “You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem! You’re the first to hear and see it. You’re the witnesses.”  (Luke 24:45-48, The Message)

 Lent Day 41, Monday, April 11, 2022

“Pray for Church Staff”

As Holy Week begins, many of us are planning Easter meals, shopping for the Easter Bunny, and dying eggs while trying not to stain our clothes.  Yes, it’s a busy week for lots of folks.  But today, it would be helpful to slow things down for a few minutes and think about some folks who are working overtime to help us celebrate a good Easter: your Church staff.

This week, churches are preparing for their biggest time of the year.  Easter carnivals and egg hunts, multiple worship services, and stressed-out preachers are just a few of the things that Church staff are navigating.  They are also working with all of the issues that ALWAYS seem to appear this time of year, such as backed-up toilets, burned-out light bulbs, thirsty lilies, and broken copier machines. 

Even though Christmas probably brings in more people, Easter is the most important holiday of the year.  Church staff is trying their best to get things right by working long hours and depriving their own families and loved ones of their presence.  Yes, Church staff are ALWAYS forgotten at Easter but trust me:  they are at work right now, trying to make sure that everyone else experiences a blessed Easter Season.

For our Lenten Challenge today, please consider praying for your Church and Chapel staff.  Their to-do lists are incredibly long, and they are the ones who are trying to keep their pastors and priests from losing their minds.  Working on a Church staff is a wonderful blessing.  However, the work is challenging, especially this time of year.

Okay, enough banging the gavel.  Today, pray for your Church and Chapel staff!

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”  (Hebrews 13:7)

 Lent Day 40, Sunday, April 10, 2022

“Attend Worship”

On this 40th day of the Lenten Season, we are Challenged to attend worship.  Although the pandemic created chaos for all churches, one of the lessons we learned was that online worship is now a part of our church community.  Most churches offer some form of online viewing and participation, allowing folks to attend worship from anywhere their mobile devices allow.

Attending worship is important.  During my years as a pastor, I’ve met folks who believed that they didn’t need to attend worship to be the person God needs them to be.  Some of my colleagues may agree with that statement, while others disagree.  In my case, I always encourage people to find a church and establish a church home.  I know how beneficial a church family can be in regard to discipleship, growth, community, and response during times of need.  Sure, someone might not be required to attend church worship to complete God’s work, but I firmly believe that worship among a community of believers (like a church) can do some really incredible things, particularly in the life of the attendee.  Worship is where God expands our experiences and works out purpose in our lives, among lots of other things.

Today’s Challenge is to attend worship.  Since it’s Palm Sunday, it will be a special day at most churches.  Whether you choose to attend in person or online, I pray that you receive some wonderful blessings today!

“Remember the Sabbath day and treat it as holy.” (Exodus 20:8)

Lent Day 39, Saturday, April 9, 2022

“Go to Bed Early!”

Woohoo!  Here’s a Challenge that the “Over-Fifty Club” is really going to appreciate…Go to bed early tonight!  Haha!    

Some who are not yet in the club might take offense to the Challenge today, but we who are card-carrying club members know better.  Good sleep is important!  I remember my parents trying to convince me about the importance of sleep, especially when I was in college.  Like so many of my friends, my engine ran on caffeine and Little Debbie’s.  I’m naturally wired most of the time anyway, so bedtime was already a challenge.  Add a healthy dose of sugar and caffeine, and I rarely experienced a good night’s sleep. 

Now that I’m older, I’m still wired and still consume too many contaminants, but at least I’ve learned the value of sleep.  I know that I function much better when I receive a full night’s sleep.  I teach better, preach more effectively, and even catch more fish.  More importantly, when I’m not sleep-deprived, I am much more alert to opportunities to serve the LORD.  Sure, my job duties and leisure time are important, but my commitments to God and others should be the most important things in my life.

So, today, I’m making myself go to bed early.  I’m not going to like this.  I’m gonna want to stay up a bit later and watch reruns of Antiques Roadshow…but not tonight.  Tonight, I'm going to bed so that I can be at my best tomorrow! 

Do something good for the mind, body, and soul!  Go to bed early!

“In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.”  (Psalm 4:8, NLT)

Lent Day 38, Friday, April 8, 2022

“Complete Fast (Sort of…)”

Today's Lent Challenge is a fast from all food.  Since this is the first of two identical Challenges (the second is next week on Good Friday), we are allowed two chances at this one.  Hopefully, we can complete each of them.  However, if we trip on this first one, we get another shot at it next week. As always, if our medical advisors would tell us to refrain from this Challenge, let's pray for fifteen minutes today.

Remember, for the rest of us, the goal is to abstain from food for 24-hours.  All drinks, including protein shakes, smoothies, etc., are okay. In addition, if you haven’t consumed food today, you may begin counting from yesterday’s final meal.  See?  It ain’t that difficult!

Of course, for folks who have never practiced fasting, it’s not that easy at all.  The good news is that our bodies can usually withstand this without too much trouble.  It’s not that eating is a sin.  Eating is a good and blessed necessity for life!  Instead, when we show God that we can refrain from this most basic of blessings for just a little while, we actively demonstrate that God is our top priority.

Thus far in our Lenten Challenges, we’ve tackled several different forms of fasting.  During the last few Fridays, we’ve removed caffeine, meat, and in-between snacking.   We’ve also added back the consumption of green veggies and we drank lots of water.  Today, we tackle something a little more extreme than our previous Friday Challenges, but we can succeed at this one just as we have the others!

It's Friday!  No Food for 24-hours!

“Whatever you do—whether you eat or drink or not—do it all to the glory of God!”  (1 Corinthians 10:31, The Voice).

Lent Day 37, Thursday, April 7, 2022

“Be Generous to God, Church, and Others”

Generosity can be defined in many ways, and today, we’re allowing each person to decide for themselves what it means to be Generous.  Some of us immediately think of financial Generosity, while others of us think of a nicely wrapped package as one’s display of thoughtful Generosity.  Still, others think of sharing meals and other necessities when they think of Generosity.

You might think of showing Generosity in other terms.  Maybe you think of an elderly neighbor that needs a ride to their doctor's appointment.  Or, possibly, you are thinking of someone who is struggling with loneliness and just needs someone to spend a little time with them. Good quiet time in prayer or Scripture is Generous to God, as is volunteering to assist those who are underprivileged.  Visiting a friend in a hospital or other facility is Generous to others.  Generosity to our local churches is also much needed, as the Church seeks to feed, provide, and care for the community.

We can be Generous with our time and resources in lots of ways, and if we’ll ask God for a little help with some ideas, I’m sure God will supply more than enough suggestions. This Challenge doesn’t need to be a burden.  Rather, consider it as a blessing.  When we are Generous with our time and resources, God doesn’t leave us hanging.  God will bless us, too, as we strengthen beyond our previous places of comfort.

How will we do it?  Let’s put on our Prayer caps and listen to God’s suggestions!

“Let’s not neglect what is good and share what we have, for these sacrifices also please God.”  (Hebrews 13:16, The Voice)

Lent Day 36, Wednesday, April 6, 2022

“Create-A-Date” with Friends or Family for Later!

Why not?  I admit this does appear to be an odd Challenge for Lent.  This Challenge made the final cut because it directly relates to our weekly theme of making an Investment in ourselves, other people, and our relationship with God.  Oh, I get it.  Our friends and loved ones shouldn’t be categorized as investments.  However, most people would agree that taking some time to Invest in our relationships is a good idea.

For the most part, this Challenge is open-ended.  We can create our date with anyone we choose, and we can set the date for anytime that our schedules connect.  Whom will we choose?  Will we choose one person or several people?

If we take today’s Challenge seriously, we might discover that God is actually leading us to someone who is not so obvious.  Sure, we can complete today’s Challenge by arranging to hang out with anyone.  However, God sometimes takes an opportunity like this and brings a very unusual person to mind. 

Have fun with this one.  Let’s make contact with someone and schedule a time to hang out.  Put some heart and prayer into the people that God put into our lives.  Remember, these are the ones who helped develop us into the people we have become.  They’ve loved us, cared for us, and given us lots of joy.

Let’s Create-a-Date and show someone a little love and attention!

“You are better having a friend than to be all alone, because then you will get more enjoyment out of what you earn.  If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.”  (Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10, CEV)

 Lent Day 35, Tuesday, April 5, 2022

“Listen to Others”

Whose a good listener?  A good test is to take a moment to consider the time you spent correcting the grammar mistake in the first sentence.  If something like an obvious mistake keeps us from moving on to the rest of the story, then it’s possible that we are unable to follow someone’s conversation when they say something we believe to be incorrect or uninteresting.  Oh, by no means is this scientific. However, I often watch people when they are pretending to listen to my sermons.  I can always tell when I lose them or when they become distracted by a text.

Listening isn’t always easy.  Listening includes attention to verbal, physical, and emotional expressions, as well as contextual clues.  Prior to seminary graduation and licensing, many pastors and chaplains are required to complete clinical “verbatims” of hospital and facility visits.  In a couple of moments, we survey all the details of a patient’s room and record them in our journals after the visit.  We pay attention to pictures on the bedside table, the cleanliness of the bed, their water cup, the smell and temperature of the room, and everything else one can imagine. This exercise teaches us how to listen, even if a patient is unresponsive or asleep. 

Listening to others requires us to be interested in other people.  Even if the subject matter isn’t our favorite topic, listening to other people is a fascinating growth opportunity that often produces fruit, even if it is long after the conversation occurred. 

Yes!  Other people have something important to communicate.  Let’s be great listeners to other people today!

“Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry.”  (James 1:19, CEB)

Lent Day 34, Monday, April 4, 2022

“15 Minutes of Prayer and Meditation”

As we begin another week of uncertainty and unknowns, why not start with prayer and contemplation about whatever we encounter?  Do we really need the reminder?  We already know that we need to do this, but it somehow escapes us.  

Spending time in prayer is not like some of the other obvious necessities, such as the need for more sleep, drinking more water, and taking our vitamins and medicines. 

However, quiet time in prayer and meditation can be just as valuable to our well-being as the before-mentioned healthy habits.  Talking to God accomplishes lots of things, but, for me, the most important one is the acknowledgment that it’s not all up to me.  Oh, I’ll face some serious things this week, for sure.  I’m a pastor, for gosh sakes. Yet, worrying about it now won't accomplish anything helpful or healthy later.

Maybe that’s the point of today.  It’s Monday.  My body is tired and my head still hurts, but it is my heart that needs the most attention right now.  By spending some quiet time with the LORD, I might find that the healing and strengthening of my heart are quickly followed by the healing of my head and strengthening of my body.

15 Minutes of Prayer and Mediation today might make all the difference this week.  Let’s give it a try and get this week started on a positive note!

“Call on me in prayer and I will answer you. I will show you great and mysterious things that you still do not know about.”  (Jeremiah 33:3, NET).

Lent Day 33, Sunday, April 3, 2022

“Invest in God, Others, and Self!”

It’s the fifth Sunday in Lent. After today, just one additional Sunday until Easter!  Two more weeks and our Lenten commitments will be finished! Woohoo!

How are you doing in your Lent sacrifices?  If you’ve made it the whole way, congratulations!  Keep at it!  If you’ve struggled a bit, don’t give up.  Keep trying!  If you haven’t made any commitments this Lent, think about beginning a sacrifice today.  Believe it or not, making a small sacrifice for the next two weeks can pay big dividends. 

During Lent, we have an opportunity to Invest in ourselves by completing something specific and dedicating it to God.  Whether we commit for an entire season or just one day, we are consciously making an effort to demonstrate our love for God.  Along the way, we demonstrate to ourselves that we can be successful in a few things, allowing us to grow mentally, physically, and spiritually.

This week, we will be focusing on making an Investment in God, other people, and ourselves.  How does it work?  Just take a few moments today and prayerfully consider the blessings God has provided.  During the prayer, if something specific comes to mind regarding a commitment this Lent, it might be just the Investment we need to make!

Let’s do this!  Invest in God, Others, and Self!

“Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  (Matthew 6:33, CEB)

 Lent Day 32, Saturday, April 2, 2022

“Listen 15 Minutes to Church Music”

Since April Fool’s Day has already passed, I don’t need to worry about this Lenten Challenge being a joke.  This one is real.  As usual, I’m trying to figure out why this Challenge made the final cut.  If this is easy for you, congratulations.  This one is near impossible for me.

If you know me well, you know why I don’t like today’s Challenge.  I listen to music that most people do not consider to be appropriate.  I listen to hard, heavy rock.  I blast my music into my headphones at maximum level.  When at work in my office (yes, I work in a church), hard rock is always running in the background on my computer.  When you hear that loud thumping from a truck driving by your home, you might think an eighteen-year-old boy just drove by.  Relax, it’s just me.

I have a close friend who often reminds me, “Garbage In – Garbage out”.  Yes, I suppose that is true.  But in my case, I gain inspiration from loud and rowdy stuff.  It’s not that I don’t like other styles of music; I actually like almost every genre.  But something in the drums, guitars, and high-octane power of hard rock has always pushed me in my focus and tenacity.   However, today is going to be different.  Today, I’m forcing myself (and trying to make you do it with me) to listen to church music.  Classic hymns, gospel choirs, and praise bands will qualify.  As long as it’s inspirational music that one might hear in a church, it’ll qualify today…and I need it.  

What about you?  Do you need a little inspiration today?  Try it with me!  Listen to 15 minutes of church music!

“O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!”  (Psalm 95:1, NRSV)

Lent Day 31, Friday, April 1, 2022

“Healthy Meals; No Snacks!”

Thank goodness:  an easy Friday health Challenge during Lent!  Following two Fridays that compromised our caffeine consumption, the Challenge today is to eat healthy meals and refrain from in-between snacks.  Of course, some folks are required by their medical advisors to consume in-between foods. If that's you, read the Bible and Pray for 5 minutes.  For the rest of us, NO in-between snacks today and only eat healthy meals!

I’m not sure why I think this is easy.  As with most of these Lenten Challenges, I’m usually confronting my own bad habits, and in-between snacking is certainly one of them.  Pringles, Goldfish, pretzels, cheese and crackers, and chips with salsa are my problem areas.  What are your temptations?

In addition, I don’t normally consume healthy meals.  Burgers and pizza are my faves, especially on a Friday.  I’m also a sucker for a good plate of Mexican Goo and some fresh fish, caught earlier in the day (and deep-fried).  For 24-hours, I’m giving all of that up.

Yes, this might seem a bit silly, but I don’t care.  I need this.  I need a reminder to eat more balanced meals and stop the unhealthy snacking.  Today’s my day!  I hope you join me and make it yours, too.!

“Healthy meals only and no snacks for 24 hours!”

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”  (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV)