Under The Morning Star

CHOOSING CEMETERIES

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:44:00 +0000

"Thank You, Father, for the eternal hope, which gives our lives purpose. We are made complete in You alone. The breathe of Your Spirit is real life, and it is only by Him that we become Your image bearers. Amen, in Jesus."

CHOOSING CEMETERIES:

THIS,
OR THIS?

Dear Loved Ones,

We are approaching the end of Jesus' life, which will leave those who have encountered Him with memories, some bitter, some sweet. My life - each of ours - is the same. When we are gone we will have left bitter/sweet memories with those whom we have encountered in life. Our relationships will have been both bitter and sweet. Let all bitterness be long past in memory, and may sweetness live on through eternity.

Memorial Day
Is not for passing thoughts
Just once a year;
It's every morning when I awake,
Sweet __________,
Whose life I hold so dear.

With joyous memories of times past,
Reunion is my promise,
And with a swelling heart,
I wait with impatience,
Till we meet again, at last!

During this Memorial Day, may you enjoy times with family and friends as you build sweet memories. We are leaving for Nashville, where all of our family is gathering to watch Ryan, our grandson, graduate on Saturday morning.

I will be back on line with you next Tuesday.

Lowell Martin

THE QUESTIONS OF MEN AND GOD

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:41:00 +0000

"Lord, I am awed by the work of Your hands, and the love of Your heart. You are the point of all of life; You take majestic pity on us; You are the Divine Care-giver of all that has been made, and we are honored that You would put on flesh for a little while, in order that we might bear Your image forever. We are immeasurably blessed! Amen"

THE QUESTIONS OF MEN AND GOD

At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. "If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying I am." They said "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips." Luke 22:66-71

Dear Reflectors with Questions:

How unnatural could it have felt for the Eternal God to wear the "clothing" of a man's skin, and to bear the full force of the curse, which He himself had decreed on men? Jesus knew exactly what was coming, because He had planned it before time, and He knew the end from the beginning.

The councils of men determine destinies; and all of them are self-serving. Only the Council of God has emptied itself in service to others, and it is the preeminently greater council. Men ask questions of status ("Who are you, Jesus?"), whereas the Son of God simply asks, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter answered it rightly, but then withdrew, when his faith became fear.

Jesus told the council the truth of who He is, and they, in a sense, "flipped Him the bird." It's shocking isn't it to think of it in that way? It should strike fear in us to realize what our rejection of Jesus means. Peter went out and wept bitterly. Our culture is less emotional about it--even casual; and we are more likely to keep filling our lives with distractions. We have become experts at watching our own feet.

Meanwhile, Jesus moved closer to being seated at the right hand of God. We now visualize Him getting there by way of the cross - a direction, and an event, of surprising mystery - where He revoked the curse for all who receive Him, by taking it upon himself. There is no love equal to His.

Lowell Martin

ON THE LIVES OF WORMS

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:40:00 +0000

ON THE LIVES OF WORMS

Dear Seekers of Survival:

The singular focus of an earthworm out of its natural environment becomes survival. Mornings after a night rain I find them on the walkway to my shop building, having escaped the danger of drowning only to find themselves facing the new dangers of being stepped on, or eaten by birds or ants, or ultimately to simply dry up and die. Couldn't Earthworms find a permanent environment to be rid of the dangers to their survival?

"Lord, I do not want my imagination to twist Holy Scripture in order to match my conclusions, but I want Your Words to shape my various reflections and encouragements so that I may become like You. Amen in Christ Jesus."

Imagine a "revolt of worms," where they rise up and attack the "Lord of Sidewalks," doing so blindly, but swinging in every direction trying to slime their enemies to death. Such are we! The men guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, "Prophesy! Who hit you?" And they said many other insulting things to him."
Luke 22:63-65

Men are the pinnacle of God's creation, and we are greater than worms, but no less challenged by various dangers to our survival. When I encounter a worm's plight, I see them writhing to get back into the moisture of their natural environment. Failure to do so means certain death, and often, as the day gets later, the sun dries them up, while others are quickly drying out. I am emotionally moved when I see their struggle, and I reach down and move them into the grass. Immediately they begin poking deeply for a passage to safety and survival.

Their desire to live, is very close to my own heart, and so I have compassion on worms. It's not a big thing in the scheme of things, but then again, maybe it is. Jesus has moved me back into an environment full of life, where I am privileged to "poke" around for grace, for myself, and others. I am a worm who has been gifted with eyes, ears, heart and hands, and with a creative imagination, desiring to be shaped into the image which God has in mind. He is the Rescuer of my drying out soul, and He is making rescuers of us all with hearts which want to save.

What a funny way for us "worms" to think and act - it is simply the audacity of faith. What a grand lesson those little creatures can teach us! Indeed, every living thing, in one way or another, points to, and illustrates, our Creator. Further, inanimate living things do as well!

And now we are getting very close to seeing Jesus audaciously transform our "wormhood" into "children of the Living God." It is an environment for the living, and it is good to talk His talk, but better still when we "walk His walk," looking for "drying out" souls. There is much to be done!

Lowell Martin

SHAPING, AND THE GRANDCHILDREN OF PETER

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:32:00 +0000

"Lord, as I read further into this event with Peter, give me a vision into his head and heart, so that I can see into, and learn from his experience, and to be caught up into the 'net' of salvation. Amen"

SHAPING, AND THE GRANDCHILDREN OF PETER

A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. About a hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly. Luke 22:58-62

Dear followers of Christ Jesus:

What shaped Peter, a man of fishes, to be a "fisher of men?" Who destined him to become whom he became - who but God himself? There can be no doubt that the Deceiver too was deeply involved in his shaping, but Light shapes and limits darkness, to the glory of God.

I am learning to live with two sets of eyes - night eyes, which see into darkness with a truer vision of what it is and how it operates; and eyes of light, which are overcoming the darkness. It is a vital part of the process of our shaping.

Much of our life is lived in shadow, but, as in Nature, the order of events causes light to chase it away. Jesus was Light all of His life, but by Divine planning, the nature of things was reversed, and for a while darkness was allowed to rule. When darkness comes to Light it can only be temporary; it is a part of the nature of God, who is both Life and Light, to allow it to be so.

"If God is for us, who then can be against us?" Darkness, even though it must come for a time, will not prevail. It didn't with Jesus, nor Peter, nor will it with us! The morning of the resurrection of Jesus would see an enlightened Peter, and we are children of the same Light, and we are destined to see, and to be shaped by it, to the glory of God!

Lowell Martin

SEIZURES!

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:29:00 +0000

"Lord, above all else I want to follow You, but I confess that it is sometimes very hard to go where my human nature resists going. It is here that I need an extra measure of faith in Your watchcare, and I am believing that You will not fail me. Amen"

SEIZURES!

Then seizing him, they led him away . . . Luke 22:54a

Dear friends and followers of Christ Jesus:

How can God be "seized" by mere men? How can mere men resist being seized by evil? In this triad, we mortals are the underdogs, and it is to this hour that Jesus surrendered His human body. Where we resist going, Jesus went willingly to be ravaged by mere men who gave no mercy, but some of whom would later seek His. Peter, the man, resisted going to where his human nature feared to go. Later, Peter, the Apostle, lead believers to the cross of Jesus, and to the manner of his own death, seized by the Lover of men's souls.

Salvation could be seen as a matter of seizure and surrender. There are only two possibilities! Only a God who vicariously experienced human failure can break the grip of the flesh, and Jesus was the One. When we surrender to Him, the sounds of the rooster crowing start to fade in our life and loves. It happened with Peter, and it will for us, because we are loved. Meanwhile, Satan stays busy, attempting to wrap us into immobility with very little wiggle room. I remind each of us that "the principal work of Satan is to convince saved people that they are lost, and lost people that they are saved."

This is a call to rejoice in freedom and hope, wrapped in the trustworthy love of God!

Lowell Martin

LIFE AND LOVE IN AN IMPERFECT WORLD

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:25:00 +0000

"Lord, what is there in this event that I need to focus on? Guide my thoughts, Lover of my soul. Amen"

LIFE AND LOVE IN AN IMPERFECT WORLD

Then seizing him (Jesus) , they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. Luke 22:54-57

Dear followers of Christ Jesus:

I grew up with mixed feelings of love for my parents. They both were generous and helpful at times, but bad things from others happened to me while I was under their watch. I was shaped by things beyond my control, and my love for them became a mixture of emotions - it was an inconvenient love filled with an unconscious resentment. It took many years for me to consider forgiveness as a "rooster" took up early residence in my young head. Too often good intentions become a matter of convenience. I did it with my parents and I have done it with God.

In the above-quoted passage we read of Jesus' arrest, while Peter "followed from a distance." In this imperfect world, God allows His own arrest and imprisonment; and it is preposterous! How topsy-turvy is that? And what happened to Peter's bravado, when he said, "Lord I am ready to go with you to prison and death." Peter's was an inconvenient love. When the woman accused Peter of being with Jesus, what if Peter had said, "Yes, I am one of His followers, and I love Him more than my own life. Take me as well so that I may suffer with Him."

But life and love in this imperfect world has its inconveniences, with parents and friends, but more importantly with God. We are quick to jump to self-preservation, or so we think, and the rooster hidden in our heads doesn't have much time to sleep. Such is the shaping of our lives and loves. Roosters don't belong in men's heads, but The Lamb is to be much sought after in our heads, hearts, and hands.

Peter suffered greatly as his shaping continued toward the feeding of God's lambs, and who could have imagined the process?

Lowell Martin

FIFTEEN MINUTES OF FAME

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:19:00 +0000

"Lord, You are the Ground under my feet; You are my Place of Refuge; You are my Light in the darkness; You are the Source of my joy. You alone are Original, and it is from Your flowing out that men are raised up to eternal life. I applaud You with the 'Wow' of awe. Amen"

FIFTEEN MINUTES OF FAME

Dear watchers of clocks:

At the end of Luke 22:53, when men came to arrest Jesus, He said, ". . .this is your hour. . . - this is your hour Satan; this is your hour Judas; this is your hour chief priests, temple guards, and elders. This is your hour Peter and John, and the others." And today is our hour, our "Fifteen minutes of fame." What am I doing with mine? What are you doing with yours?

I am sitting here this morning, and I see shiny green leaves shimmering in a light breeze; and cloud tops are being struck by the early morning sun - the same sun which was setting in Jesus life. This same old sun has seen it all, but Creation was unprepared for the manner in which God's eternal fame and glory was about to be seen as He was nailed to a cross.

In this our hour, I pray that we trust in the right things, and focus on our God and our love of others in right ways. God owns the clock, and He offers us endless time, because He is our gracious Friend.

Lowell Martin

MOMENTS OF DARKNESS

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:16:00 +0000

"Lord, I have flawed understanding and limited experience, and therefore I trust in You alone to guide my thoughts and my emotions as I study Your Words. Guide me to the core of Your Message. I seek to find myself, and to know Jesus, pointing always to Him as my Rabbi, my Savior, and my Lord. Amen"

MOMENTS OF DARKNESS

Dear rescued ones:

I have never seen a darker sky than when the storm arrived in Springfield this past Friday morning. I was at breakfast with men friends, and we decided to hurry home before it fully hit. When I arrived, I walked from the house to my shop building, and as I reached for the storm door handle, the wind came with a sudden blast, slamming the door back against the iron railing.

I couldn't resist its force, and started to fall, trying to grab something to hold on to, when a friend already inside the shop, reached out and pulled me inside to safety. I then looked out the window and half my big Bradford Pear tree was down, leaving the rest of the trunk split to the ground. There was considerable damage across the city, and one man lost his life, being "blown out of his house." Winds were estimated at 85 mph. Later, my friend helped me to cut up the tree and clean up the mess, and together we hauled it off.

Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour--when darkness reigns." Luke 22:52-53

Jesus was about to experience a greater darkness, and lives would be lost! Such moments are not uncommon in our life experiences, and from them we see the essential need for light and refuge from various kinds of storms. Each of us wrestles with the dual natures of light and darkness. Vicariously, Jesus won the battle, and became our refuge from storm; and He reaches out and pulls us to safety. It is then that we begin a gifted journey, and a new duality of flesh and Spirit is formed as we become "children of Spirit God. It begins to be seen in persons as they become the kingdom which Jesus prayed for. It is in the relationships of the "two great commandments," that we see the Divine Duality take shape, and our storms are put into proper perspective under the oversight of God Himself.

Lowell Martin

THE SORROW WHICH EXHAUSTS

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:11:00 +0000

"Father, as I read Your Word this morning, open up to me new paths of understanding, and punch through the debris of ignorance and misconception, which crowd out truth. I confess to foregone conclusions, which I am now discovering do not fit into Your divine plan. But Your untiring Spirit continues to fill me with hope. Lord, You are gracious, and Your love is unceasing, to my great benefit. I am trying to love You back with enthusiasm, but I know from the patterns of my past that I'll stumble now and then. Thanks for sending Your divine help. Amen"

THE SORROW WHICH EXHAUSTS

When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." Luke 22:45-46

Dear fellow seekers of Light:

When we have no clear vision of what lays ahead, we are shaped by fear, which destroys enthusiasm and hope, and energy. We all know this to be true. The Greek word for enthusiasm is interpreted as "God within." Our perceptions control our emotions, and the disciples worried with a clouded picture of Jesus' future, and theirs. They were exhausted with anxiety and worry. Such is life without the hope and the hands of God being invited to share in our affairs.

It is here that Jesus shines light into our dark and uncertain perceptions. When invited, He brings light, and energy into all of our relationships. He is "God within," and it is to Him that we are drawn with great gratitude. He says to us, "Wake up sleeper, arise," and we answer, "Give me a minute Lord, while I rub the sleep out of my eyes, and the doubts out of my perceptions. Give me a hand and help me up," and He answers, "You got it, son."

Lowell Martin

SACRIFICING THE FLESH TO CONNECT TO THE DIVINE

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:07:00 +0000

"Father, Your wonder-filled presence fills my soul. No one offers comfort like You. Amen in Jesus"

SACRIFICING THE FLESH TO CONNECT TO THE DIVINE

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:39-43

Dear followers of Christ Jesus:

Jesus was determined to finish His work as Son of Man, but he carried with Him the anxieties of the flesh of men. I cannot recall a clearer picture of His humanity than here at this moment on the Mount of Olives. Jesus, Creator of everything that is, had the power sidestep the trauma of trial and the Cross. But He did not do as ordinary men would have expected, He opened up a new wineskin filled with the vintage of eternal life - a new path now to be offered through Himself. The God/Man, Jesus, prepared to die.

Seeing the panoramic purpose of His coming into the world, He sought the comfort of angels, and with the anxieties of the flesh, walked toward His destiny on a Cross. His dread was real, but His faith was real too, and it connected Him to the Divine Arms, which are filled with life. In Him, flesh and Spirit were in perfect harmony, and that is the union to which we are each called. Jesus is the divine example of flesh bringing its anxieties to heaven for healing. We seek His comfort, and the strengthening of angels, as we too walk with our anxieties toward a divine promise.

In stark contrast, Judas, in his tragic anxieties, received no such comfort, dangling at the end of a rope with air between his feet and the Rock of Ages. He could have had divine comfort too, but unbelief and greed failed to connect him to the divine promise. Thus he died alone, and without the strengthening of angels, or friends.

What a great benefit we have as followers of Christ Jesus, who connects our spirit to the Divine Spirit as we live in faith on our own "Mount of Olives." It is the place to which we "go out as usual," and seek to have our ways match the expectations of heaven. We can do it only with Divine help as we stand on the Rock of Ages.

"Jesus, may we each benefit from the comfort of angels, and the promise of heaven. Amen"

Lowell Martin

AN ALLIANCE OF SWORD AND CROSS?

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:04:00 +0000

"Father, help us not to waste our failures; we see in them redemptive value in ministry to others. It is only by Your strength, mixed with our faith, which helps us to proclaim Jesus as Lord in an authentic way. You are the Source of our strength and joy, and worthy to receive glory and honor. We come to You with empty hands. Will You make necessary provisions for us through Your Spirit as only You can? Amen"

AN ALLIANCE OF SWORD AND CROSS?

. . . Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied. Luke 22:35-38

Later, as they came to arrest Jesus, a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" When Jesus followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him. Luke 22:47-51

Dear followers of Christ Jesus:

Jesus stripped himself of every human comfort and encumbrance in the greatest of all acts of grace and faith as He faced the Cross - He went to it without defense. Through His trial and crucifixion He was stripped of human dignity, and of His clothes, and even of His flesh. He voluntarily "went out" with nothing, and the glory of God is seen in His awful, and yet magnificent surrender to death on an "Old Rugged Cross."

This is not the way of men who arm themselves "to the teeth" to do religious battle. Actions like this are not the way of the Cross, and Jesus said, "No more of this." Innocent lambs suffered death at the Passover, and Jesus, as the Lamb of God, said, "I will give my life that each of you may be spared. I am your Passover." In His gracious act, there is celebration, and by faith, we are "sent out" in the same way in which Jesus went. The power of God comes with a cross, and it is the most holy of alliances.

In my lifetime I have seen attempts to blend sword and cross, but their resultant "victories" weaken spiritual effectiveness. Are such actions underwritten by God? Is redemption brought about through alliances of sword and cross? Heaven rejected it! Why then do we so quickly tend to combine the two? A proudly divided Christianity is one of the more prominent expressions of it, and I wonder if "shame on us" isn't appropriate?

Lowell Martin

THE HOPE WHICH FOLLOWS MORNING

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:00:00 +0000

"Ancient of Days, open my heart this morning that I may see You clearly through the mists of my life, and give me the faith to move beyond the obstructions that would 'sift me as wheat,' Amen"

THE HOPE WHICH FOLLOWS MORNING

Dear fellow travelers on our Jesus' Journey:

The Word says: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." Luke 22:31-34 Reflect with me for a few moments.

Jesus announced Peter's betrayal, but then Jesus gave Peter a divine commission, which planted the seed of hope in Peter's heart. Our sins are heaviest in the darkness, but there is a hope which morning brings. As with Peter, sometimes we despair through many days of darkness before faith returns.

Peter's reaction is so typical of our own. Can't you recall those great "commitment" moments in your own life when you swelled up with determination to do better, thinking, "I'm going to get it right this time." Then we repent and seek restoration only to fail once more, and our "rooster" conscience despairs; and each time it seems to be a deeper darkness.

This has been the pattern of much of my life, and only in these last few years has it occurred less often. Sin is not an organizational condition, it is individual and personal, and Satan is the Evil Architect who designs flaws to fit each of our personalities perfectly. But Jesus says to Peter, and to each of us, "I am praying for you, and when you turn back, strengthen those around you - feed my sheep."

The power of God is greater, however, and He has arranged for our rescue from patterned hopelessness through Jesus Christ. So when you hear the rooster crow, and it happens often, praise the God who brings morning to the darkest places of our failures.

"AND WHEN YOU HAVE TURNED BACK. . ."

May each of us receive the healing of Christ Jesus this wonderful morning!

Lowell Martin

OUR STRUGGLE TO BEAR THE IMAGE OF JESUS

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:51:00 +0000

"Lord, I search the Scriptures for Your heart, and for a deeper understanding of our human struggle to be like You. As You have ministered to me, I want to minister to all who suffer the despair of failure and hopelessness as I point to Jesus. Father, that is my request as I sit at Your table this morning. Amen"

OUR STRUGGLE TO BEAR THE IMAGE OF JESUS

Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you would be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? Luke 22:24-27a

Dear fellow strugglers:

Every life is lived in the wilderness, where we are challenged with every temptation which Satan can throw at us. His purpose is to rob us of Royal Blood, and so the stakes are high! In this setting believers are born into the Royal Family of God, and by His acclamation, we are marked as such; we are washed in the Royal Blood of God's Son, Jesus. But we have no experience in living like Divine Royalty, and so Jesus illustrates how we are to do that.

Our focus on His life, His death, His resurrection, His actions, and His relationships with His Father, and with people, give us the perfect image of the Divine Heart. His life is the pattern for God's kingdom this side of heaven, and it is our kingdom purpose to be like Him, and to always point to Him as the bearer of the Divine Image of the Father.

. . . I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:27b-30

With whom will you have opportunity to share the Diving Image today as you live the kingdom life in the way it was always meant to be lived? You may suffer scarred hands and hearts, but such is the way of Divine Royalty, and of those who sit at table with Him!

Here, I think of the words of an old hymn: "O to be like thee Blessed Redeemer. . ."

Lowell Martin

HANDS AT GOD'S TABLE BEAR SCARS

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Fri, 01 May 2009 07:00:00 +0000

"Father God, continue to shape me where I lack. Amen"

HANDS AT GOD'S TABLE BEAR SCARS

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. Luke 22:20-23

Dear followers of Christ Jesus:

All manner of hands were on the Passover table along with Jesus' hands, but some hearts were not. For many years mine wasn't. But hearts can surrender, and break, and ache, and yearn. Jesus retrains misplaced hands and hearts, where even repentant betrayers receive an invitation to come and eat.

Followers of Jesus are always in transition, and what is natural behavior to us as humans becomes mystery to us in transition. God is Spirit and seeks newborn ones to learn to be like Him. Transformation is God's work and He has the power to shape betrayer's hands and hearts. We sit at table with the Resurrected One, and learn about suffering and crucifixion and resurrection - we move through mystery in the direction of the way things were always meant to be. It is the kingdom come to earth, where those whose hands are on the table with Jesus are reshaped, bearing scars.

Jesus sits at the table with us bearing scarred hands. We keep our eyes on Him, and learn to rejoice with blue-collar hands, scarred with suffering and service. Would you please pass me that crust of bread, and give me a little more wine to wash it down?

Lowell Martin

ELEMENTS OF THE DIVINE RELATIONSHIP

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:12:00 +0000

ELEMENTS OF THE DIVINE RELATIONSHIP

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." Luke 22:17-19

Dear partakers of the Bread and Wine:

Jesus takes ordinary things and makes them profound. He said, "take this cup of wine and this broken crust of bread and consider me in a new way." Jesus did this at the start of the Passover meal, and then again after the supper (Luke 22:20), deepening further their understanding of its true meaning.

It never occurred to me to celebrate communion twice at the same sitting at His table, but that's what Jesus did. It seems it would be appropriate for us on occasion to have it twice. What do you think?

"Lord, forgive me for plowing on ahead without asking for Your guidance, it's so like me to do that. Its not that You weren't guiding me anyway, but I love honoring You in the asking of it, because You always cleanse my palate for the tasting of new wine. I love You, and I trust in Your presence through the Holy Spirit. You lead me further through ordinary things into Your divine mystery. It is a most exciting journey. Amen"

Lowell Martin

A final observation: Crucifixion occurs before resurrection. It was the order of events for Jesus' life, and it is no less ours. Expect suffering, but live in hope as you celebrate Passover. LM

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:23:00 +0000

"Father, give me the energy and the eagerness to love my neighbor as I love myself. Amen"

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

They (Peter and John) left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." Luke 22:13-16

Dear ardent followers of Christ Jesus:

Jesus had celebrated Passover with His disciples for the last three + years, but this is the one which He had eagerly anticipated. Jesus' mood seems to be one of exhilaration, and it is a bit startling to see. It was the last one they would celebrate together this side of the Cross; the day and the hour of it were here. Nostalgia or dread surely, but eagerness? Great faith is its foundation and predecessor.

Jesus is amazing in His commitment and fulfillment of purpose - His is the victory of the Divine Will over the flesh and suffering and death. In Him is the unblemished sacrifice for sinners. When someone sets aside his own safety in order to save another, we call him a hero. When God does so, and with eagerness, we call Him Messiah, Savior, and Lord.

To me it infers that Jesus didn't walk to the cross, He ran! It makes me think that when we see suffering ones, we are not to be casual about it, but we run to their aid. We usually won't have far to run, because its only next door, or across the street, or in the next work station. To eagerly anticipate such moments as Jesus did, is to be like Him. Running to serve is a good thing, because that's what Jesus did.

"Lord, give us eagerness of purpose in kingdom living. Amen"

Lowell Martin

GO, MAKE PREPARATION!

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:00:00 +0000

"Father, there is no justification for my feelings of joy and peace, except that the blood of the Lamb made it possible, and for that I rejoice; You have prepared us to share the Good News in both word and deed. Thank You for that privilege. Amen"

"GO, MAKE PREPARATION!"

Dear followers of Christ Jesus:

In yesterday's Post, I closed with the thought of watching for the fury of storms in the lives of our neighbors. Ironically, later in the day, my neighbor (whose husband suffers from Alzheimer's) asked, "Could I help her with Joe if needed, even in the middle of the night?" It makes me think of how readily Jesus enters our storms; He is fully prepared to do so. Jesus, the Resurrected One, empowers us to serve others in the storms of our lives. We may at one moment be in a haven of rest, when just across the street, or next door, a storm may be in its full fury.

Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover." "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked. He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there." Luke 22:8-12

The disciples knew full well the meaning of Passover. This festival is a remembrance of their forefather's delivery from slavery in Egypt. The blood of the lamb painted on the doorposts of their houses protected them from the death of their firstborn. Egypt's firstborn, however, were without refuge. Our lives have only one purpose, and that is to "make preparation" for the Passover; in it we celebrate life under the blood of the Lamb, while standing watch to offer ourselves to others who need His protection.

Jesus, Lamb of God, was now in preparation to become the unblemished sacrifice, and to become our Place of Refuge. God is love, and Jesus came to save, and who can doubt it?

Lowell

THE APPROACHING STORM

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:14:00 +0000

"Father, I pray for those who are in the midst of the storms of life; and I trust the Holy Spirit, and us, as followers of Christ Jesus, to guide them to Refuge in You. Amen"

THE APPROACHING STORM

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover." Luke 22:7-8

Dear followers of Christ Jesus:

Reflect with me for a few moments this morning. An hour before I got up I heard the sound of distant thunder approaching from the West. Each time, the rumbles got closer, and finally the storm came with a soft rain.

I lay there listening, and after a little while I got up; it was still dark. I started the coffee, and then opened the door and walked across the yard, enjoying the smells of fresh rain and spring flowers - with a background chorus of many birds singing. I came back in and sat down with my piece of dark chocolate, and began sipping my first cup of coffee as I reflected on this morning's events.

As I sat and enjoyed this early morning "communion" with God and Nature, I heard again the receding sounds of distant thunder. It occurred to me the three phases of the storm I had just experienced - future storm, present storm, and storm past. It seemed natural to apply these three phases to Jesus, the Resurrected One, and to the struggles of our own lives.

I see other parallels in this morning's events. The approaching storm of life is forecast at our birth, and through our developing years, the rumbles of sin begin to be seen and heard in our failing behavior; then the full force of the storm hits, and we are overcome by its fury - we seek refuge; then the storm passes, and we walk into the freshness of God's cleansing rain, while hearing the receding sounds of storm past. It is a time of singing.

There is much on which to reflect in these days of the approaching storm in Jesus' life. We've watched its coming, and it is here, as Jesus began preparing our refuge in Him. "May He be forever praised, and glorified." It is a time of prayer for those who only now hear the distant thunder, and for those who are in the midst of the storm. I know, because what for me is now receding, is to others, still approaching.

In these Spring days, storm watchers race across the Midwest to warn of severe weather events. Would that we do so as we watch for its furies in the lives of our neighbors. This puts me in the mood to write a new poem, and I'd like to call it "Refuge." I'll give it some thought.

Lowell

TO SOME, A FAILED EXPERIMENT

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:23:00 +0000

"Holy Father, I was born destined to sin. Then when I became fully disabled, I sought relief and a greater destiny brought me to seek healing at the cross of Jesus. I see more clearly now the actions and the extent of Your love. May Your Name be forever praised, and may Your glory be celebrated with great joy! Amen"

TO SOME, A FAILED EXPERIMENT,
But to those who believe, the Grand Design of God -
This is the beginning of the Gospel!

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."
Luke 22:7-8

Dear followers of the Lamb of God:

I'd like to continue with some other prayer reflections on the Mysteries of God, the greatest of which we are now about to enter:

I've come to know the joys of this grace in which I live, but how much greater will resurrected joy be?

I see the breathtaking beauty of this earth, and I am often brought to silence and tears. How will my resurrected emotions react to the majestic landscapes of heaven?

I now have a greater understanding of the values of human love, but I wonder how my resurrected appreciation of the love of God will be reflected?

I have a limited understanding of the pains of human suffering, but what uplifting of soul will occur when I examine Jesus blessed scars, whose pain was off the scale of human feeling?

I know the pain of moral failure, yet I am washed by God, and invited into the purity of His presence. What is the measure such mercy?

We are blessed indeed, and ever more so as our trust in God becomes a way of reliant living - such a life leads to reliant dying! It causes me to shout "hallelujah" for the gifts of God to a dependent and expectant people!

Lowell

THE ACTS OF THE WOUNDED ONE

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:00:00 +0000

The healing process for all of Creation was coming to its conclusion.

THE ACTS OF THE WOUNDED ONE

Dear followers of Christ Jesus:

Broadly speaking, there are two participants in this the greatest of all dramas. Good and evil square off against each other. God and the evil one stand toe-to-toe - life and death, love and hate, hope and despair face each other. We have front row seats, because everything about it has to do with God's love and our redemption, and the restoration of all Creation to its former glory, where all things are made new.

The Rock of Ages - the Ancient of Days - stood ready to do battle, and to win. Those immediately in the presence of Jesus, and us, were unprepared for what winning would look like in this spiritual battle, because what happened is beyond human reason.

Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. Luke 22:3-6

Satan entered Judas and many others in those days, and we are not immune from his presence. He literally enters us all with his powers of persuasion and offers of pleasure. The acceptance of his gifts inflict new wounds on the Wounded One. When we truly begin to feel Jesus' pain, we are bring drawn by God nearer to His love and our redemption.

Every day I feel a greater sense of lament at the unjust suffering of Jesus, the Wounded One. My spiritual body feels the whip, the thorns, and the nails, and I fall to my knees in thanksgiving, as grace rains down on me. At the foot of the cross another face-to-face occurs - the Wounded One and the unworthy ones. Who else but a deeply loving God could have conceived it?

"Father, help each of us to watch these profound events unfold to the restoration of all things to Your glory, and to heaven's welcome. Amen"

I want to close with these poetic thoughts:

Looking back, I recall my sins -
A debt which I could not pay -
And I fully realize,
That it was me who impaled Him on a cross;
And it was there,
That He took my sins away.

I fall prostrate to honor Him,
The Wounded One,
And with grateful voice I sing,
"Glory to the Lamb,"
As I worship God, my King.

Lowell

EMBEDDED THORNS

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:00:00 +0000

"Lord, my focus this morning seems foggy; I need an extra measure of Your light; lift this veil from my mind and heart. Amen"

EMBEDDED THORNS

Dear watchers of signs and times:

When betrayals occur someone gets hurt, or dies. The most infamous betrayal in history was about to happen. Judas listened to what Jesus had told them all, as recounted by Luke, yet he entered into a conspiracy to betray Jesus. The following words are the words Judas had previously heard Jesus say:

You will be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Luke 21:16

In this case, Jesus was betrayed by a friend. Where was Judas recall of these shocking words? Yet, he entered into a self-serving plan with the authorities to betray Jesus. I can't imagine how Judas assessed Jesus, causing him to come to such a dark conclusion. Maybe it was simply the money. It's said that Judas was in charge of the money purse for the disciples, and that on occasion he dipped into it to spend on himself. If greed was Judas' character flaw, I can see the wisdom of him being put in charge of the money. Such responsibility held before him the obvious opportunity to feather his own nest, but also to "have a little talk with Jesus," confessing: ". . . Jesus, I've got this problem; I keep dipping into the till; can You help me with it?"

Judas had a bad feeling as he "watched" events unfolding. He saw himself as being exposed to great danger. He wondered how he could sidestep the approaching storm, and come out the other side with new high-up friends, and more silver in his purse?

Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. Luke 22:3-6.

When our behavior is self-serving, someone always gets hurt. Judas in effect crucified a friend for a very temporary security. When we take our eyes off Jesus, grace is suspended, and all that is left are embedded thorns, and a pool of blood - such is the mammon of betrayal, and the failure to measure correctly the signs of the times. Such lifestyles carry with it a life of fear, and a sense that things are not going to end well. All of this will change of course, if we say: "Jesus, I've got this problem; can you help me with it?"

There is no friend like Jesus. "May we openly confess our sins, and ask for Jesus help in this, the time in which we live, and may each of us become all that Jesus intends for us to be. Amen"

Lowell

CARRYING THE DREAM

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:00:00 +0000

"Father, as I open Your Word this morning, open my understanding yet again to its breathtaking revelation. And as I watch this day unfold let me experience Your dream for me. I want to become all that You intend for me. Amen"

CARRYING THE DREAM

"Teacher, when will these things happen? . . .there will be great signs from heaven." (excerpts from Luke 21)

Dear Carriers of Dreams:

A seed carries within it everything God intended it to be. You are greater than seeds!

Persons are in a sense put together one stone at a time, each becoming a unique structure. Included within our construction are the flaws of our character. But into each "building" is also put the hope of dreams, put there by God Himself. For a long time I moved through life focusing on things which are temporary, but then it occured to me in various ways, and through events, and circumstances, that I was intended for something far better. The dream put there by God urged me to seek eternal things.

I can look back on my life and see times when I got "wake-up" calls - a yearning to focus on better and higher things. But its no easy thing to do, because our flaws resist reshaping, just like a rigid building resists a strong wind, or a quaking earth. Yet the Apostle Paul's encouragement to "wake up sleeper, arise" is well said, and necessary. We must leave our pig wallow to find the beautiful clear River of Life, which flows just outside our dwelling places.

In "waking up," our uniqueness is not destroyed, but it the genius of God works with our flawed structures, whose failed experiences become tools of blessing to oneself and to others. By the power of God we are overcomer's, and by our various gifts the gospel proliferates through us as healed dreamers - we become witnesses. What God is building is eternal, and the attraction of temporary things begin to fade into the past - we are testifiers of the dream.

"When will these things happen? Jesus said: "Look for great signs from heaven." The greatest of all signs from heaven center around the Cross - the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God. This is the reality of the Dream. When you see the Cross come into your life, you will know. . . when you see your own flaws with the proper vision, you will know. . . when you determine to change the direction of your life, you will know. God will reveal to you the reality of the dream of heaven, which He put within you. You will yearn to sing His song and experience the joy of His presence. It is the Divine Plan of redemption for carriers of the dream.

When will these things happen? In God's timing for your life. Watch!

Have a blessed day you dreamers of God,

Lowell

WATCHING THE CLOCK WITH NO HANDS

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:00:00 +0000

"Father, help me to focus on the Jesus of prophecy. Amen"

WATCHING THE CLOCK WITH NO HANDS !

Dear watchers of clocks and times:

I've mentioned in the past that I once bought a clock at a garage sale with no hands. It suggested to me a type of clock that might hang on the walls of heaven; it seems an appropriate image of eternity, don't you think?

I left off last Friday with Jesus' prophecy of things to come, as recorded in Luke 21. Ever since He proposed a look at the future, men have wrestled with a time frame to attach to His warnings.

I've read through this passage a number of times, and I want to make some observations. At the time Jesus said these things, how many people could have actually heard Him? a few hundred at most? The oral sharing of His message with others would have had a limited audience. The gospel accounts of Jesus' words would not even be recorded for several decades afterwards, and even then they were slow in distribution to wider audiences.

If these events were soon to come, how many ears would have missed Jesus' admonition to "watch," and to be prepared? It would seem that many could never have heard Jesus' warnings. Historically, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem around A.D. 70, to which Jesus prophecy may have applied. There are events in this prophecy which seem to have a close application to those days, but there are also events which seem to easily characterize a more broad time frame. I have observed some of them in my own lifetime, i.e., nations which compete for dominance, wars and rumors of wars, and natural disasters and diseases. We are on a planet living under the curse of God, and its existence is tied to a clock that does have hands.

We are easily deceived by "false messiah's" who are eager to control the focus and the direction of our thoughts. They did it in the ancient world, and they do it in ours. I can do nothing more than to advise us to center our focus on Jesus alone, and to "watch" the clock with no hands.

Lowell

A TOO NARROW FOCUS ?

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:00:00 +0000

"Father, it has taken such a long time for me to realize that You are the Architect of my living, and not me; I am beginning to understand that it is a process, and not an event. There is much yet for me to learn and to grow more transparent in my confessions and interactions with You, and people. I trust in Your strength alone. Amen"

A TOO NARROW FOCUS ?
AND A SEARCH FOR BROADER PRINCIPLES

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down." Luke 21:5-6

Dear fellow Architects:

In this lengthy section of Luke sub-titled "Signs of the End of the Age," there is much disagreement on Jesus' prophecy as to its time frame. To become too deeply involved in that controversy may miss the point. Jesus points to "signs of times," and of course, we all want to know when? Jesus primary advice is to "watch."

Attaching specific dates to certain events, has its problems, but I think these kinds of events can, in a sense, occur in every generation. Our tendency is to always take a narrow view of things rather than a panoramic one. In a wider view, there are usually broad principles which seem to stand out from specific times and events, and that's where I'd like to spend some time this morning.

Here are some of the broad principles I see in Jesus' discourse: Watch what's going on in your world; seriously reflect on the ideas being bandied about - on the things being said; stay aware that certain things must happen as God overcomes evil - remember that it is a battle, even sometimes on a world-wide scale; there will be suffering and persecution, offering opportunities to witness; think ahead about how you plan to react, when things fall apart, and your faith is challenged; always remember that Jesus is present with us, He is our strength; be saved by standing firm; there will be trauma in the dismantling of the "temples of men;" apprehension will characterize these days; one day, in days like these, the Son of Man will return, therefore watch and be ready; do not be heavy-hearted or anxious about these times; and don't lose you appetite, or drown yourself in strong drink - stay calm.

Many of these things are characteristic of the days in which I have lived, but I believe there have been many similar times throughout history which fits those particular days. We should be careful, therefore, not to miss the broader points of Jesus prophecy.

We'll probably stay with this section for a while.

Have a great weekend, ye builders of lives, and ye interpreters of days,

Lowell

THE MANY FACES OF GOD

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin J. Bowman) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:00:00 +0000

"Father, help me to watch and listen more closely to Your interactive dialogue with men as recorded in Scripture, and to reflect more intensely on the human images You use to describe Yourself to us. Most importantly, help us to interact with You, and others, in genuine acts of redemption. Amen"

THE MANY FACES OF GOD

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:1-4

Dear faces of Jesus:

This passage talks about a poor widow's generous offering of two small copper coins, which was all she had to sustain her meager life. The way Jesus uses this story speaks to us of her being a type of Christ. Her poverty was real ( Jesus really became poor for our sakes), yet she gave the last of her resources, trusting God to somehow provide for her life.

As I thought about this familiar story this morning, I began to see a remarkable likeness between this poor woman and Jesus. I believe this story to be true. Jesus draws on real human actions to present to us the realities of God, in human terms. We are flesh, and our real experiences, as recounted by Jesus, help us to more clearly understand our Creator God who is Spirit.

Consider some likenesses between this woman and Jesus. She gave freely of all she had into the Temple treasury; Jesus freely gave up the true wealth of heaven, which He put into Temples of God (us). Her tiny gift was greater than the combined gifts of all the wealthy others who gave; the gift of Jesus outweighs all human effort on the scales of love and justice. In a certain sense, Jesus was a type of poor widow, and this to benefit our understanding. I am indebted, and overwhelmed by His illustration.

The poor widow becomes another human image to show us the reality of the Divine Image. We aspire to take on the image of Christ, but it must not be a false face, but the face of true poverty. "Thank you Father for the images of this poor widow, and the image of self-imposed Divine poverty, which overflows into our great blessing. Out of our poverty, we are drawn to Your matchless provision. Amen"

As the blessed poor, may we each travel our roads looking for other beggars.

Lowell