"...because he loves me...I will rescue him..." Psalm 91:1 (what has happened to all the obligations of religiosity)
 
"...so the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders..." (Deuteronomy 26:8)
 
"'...because he loves me,' says the Lord, 'I will rescue him...I will protect him, because he acknowledges my name...He will call upon me, and I will answer him...I will be with him in trouble...I will deliver him and honor him...with long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation...' " (Psalm 91:14-15)
 
"...if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved...for it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved..." (Romans 10:9-10)
 
"...Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.." (Luke 4:1-13)
 
PRAYER FOR LENT
 
Dear Lord God,
It's Lent.

On this occasion we take a breathe of fresh air and, with fullness of heart, submit to your Lordship. It's because you are worthy, and our utmost trust is in you, your beloved Son, and the Spirit. We want to become more like your beloved Son. We want to develop the resolution, vision, and strength Jesus had. In the process, we need to be ourselves, not lose track of our unique identity, and come on as authentic persons---yet redeemed. 
 It's Lent.

We readily submit! In fact, we surrender. We withhold nothing from you, dear Lord! Totally forgive us all our sins. Renew and cleanse us inside and out. Make us ready as prayer warriors to do sacred battle with the Evil One, and yet, not lose track of being in the world, and yet, not of the world.
 
Lord, take possession of our total being. In upcoming days, incline our hearts to your indwelling presence, speaking to the deepest part of who we are...and who we can be.
 
Help us to slow down sufficiently to be able to clearly hear your voice...to take full advantage of the very reason we---intellect, heart and soul---can fully honor you, while we focus in on your gentle means to draw us near.
 
As we like to be treated, help us to treat others likewise...
 
We promise to set aside things we normally would put first---to reflect upon your divine nature and our human condition---and allow you access to our inmost being. We need transformation. 
 
What is it, Lord, you have been trying to communicate with us? Thank you, Lord, for loving us and inviting us to share in your great salvation, yes, your call to our lives that we may be agents of divine compassion. We ready ourselves for the journey.
 
In Jesus' name, Amen.

THE MESSAGE
Remarkable!
 
It's right there in plain sight...right there in Saint Paul's Letter to the Romans... chapter 10 and verse 9...if you confess with your mouth..."Jesus is Lord"...and believe in your heart that God the Father raised Him from the dead...you will be saved.

​Prayer
Holy One, may we always remember that we travel with you. We thank you for the good guides you have given us. Help us to take to heart the teachings of Jesus and his message that your love is for all. May we remember that all creatures, including humanity, are part of your good creation.  May we have the courage to love, even in the face of serious news that seems to tell us that there is little to love.  Yet, even in these times, and maybe especially in these times, we are guided to love.    
 
In gratitude we live, pray, and love,   
Amen
--
Rev. Sue Ann Yarbrough, Associate Pastor
San Lorenzo Community Church, United Church of Christ
 
www.slzchurch.org 
www.hearthpsalms.blogspot.com

Let us take time to look around. To look out of the window. To give thanks for flowers, birds, and one another. We may come away with the sense that God is still on the move, working miracles, and bestowing life. Let us trust that we, too, are also on the move with God. Let us accept the blessings, and give thanks that God continues to gather us in that beautiful wild chariot. We have a place, right there with God. Blessed be.
 
Prayer
Holy One, we sing your praises, even if it is only in our hearts. Yet, we know if even one of us sings, you hear a grand choir. We are grateful to be a part of your good creation.

Yes, we yearn for peace in this world. However, we also know peace begins with us. So, as the psalmist sings, we rejoice in your love and in your presence right here today. We give you our thanks and praise.

In our hearts we fly to and in your love as we sing, 
Amen.
--
Rev. Sue Ann Yarbrough, Associate Pastor
San Lorenzo Community Church, United Church of Christ
www.slzchurch.org 
www.hearthpsalms.blogspot.com ​

PRAYER
Gracious God,   We want to praise you this day for a "new teaching" that  we may well miss if we're not paying attention. You want  us to believe and understand that all things work for the good of those who love you, just as Saint Paul has written.  We have the notion that good situations are good situations,  and that bad situations are bad.
 
Before this made sense us, but now, our thoughts and  perception have been transformed by a new way of  perceiving reality. Indeed, as we commend ourselves into  your hands, and even sometimes before we do so, we  eventually recognize that you are in control of all things,  including the details of our lives. You don't cause bad things to happen, but you allow them.
 
In pleasant circumstances you bless us. In unpleasant and  challenging times you teach us and direct us. Even as we  submit ourselves to you, you do not exempt us from difficulties,  painful experiences, and even tragedies.
 
Thus, we praise you no matter our circumstances. It is the only way to look at ourselves and life. It may take some doing at times, but we trust you, Lord, and believe your Word.
 
Thank you, Father God. As you didn't allow your only begotten Son to be exempt from suffering, and even dying on the cross,  only to be raised up, thus, you will call us to follow the path that  the Lord Jesus trod...and yet, know, that victory lies ahead.
 
In Jesus' name, Amen.
 
THE MESSAGE
 
Along the way we may find ourselves feeling the way Jesus felt when, knowing what was about to happen on Calvary, (on the Mount  of Olives), He asked the Father:
 
"Father, if you are willing,  take this cup from me,  yet, not my will,  but yours, be done." (Luke 6:42)
 
How is it that we can be human---with all our self-imposed preferences, desires, dreams and goals---and yet, sense that the Lord God has a plan for us that will satisfy us completely and make our life truly something remarkable?
 
Yet, even being a Christian, and reluctant, we have a better plan for our lives, let's put that Bible thing on hold...
 
...some day, Lord---some time...now...
 
Contemplating the idea of obedience to God in the midst of truly dark circumstances, and trusting God anyway, i.e., "...but deliver me  from evil..." (Matthew 6:13b), I'm reminded of  one of my very special portions of the Scriptures,  that being, Genesis 37-50, the story of Joseph.
 
In my view, initially, Joseph wasn't the very nicest of brothers. Rather than supporting his eleven brothers, he turned out to be their "tattletale". Genesis 37:2 says, "...he brought their father a bad  report bad report about them..." They hated him.​

Joseph was sold to Potiphar. Potiphar trusted Joseph and put him in charge of everything in the household.  Joseph was a handsome young man. Potiphar's wife went after him and Joseph refused her. His owner put him in prison, trusting his wife, rather than Joseph.
 
In prison, eventually, Joseph was made responsible  for all that was done there. In the prison the Pharoah's cupbearer and baker offended their master and they were put in prison where Joseph was. At one point each had a dream which Joseph interpreted.
 
The chief cupbearer was restored to the Pharoah's  household. Joseph said to him, "...when all goes well with you, remember me and show kindness to me...mention me to Pharoah and get me out of this  prison..." The chief cupbearer, however, did not  remember Joseph; he forgot him.
 
Two full years went by. It happened that Pharoah  had two dreams. His mind was troubled. He passed along the details of the dreams but his advisors couldn't interpret the dreams. At this point the chief cupbearer remembered Joseph. Pharoah sent for him and he appeared before Pharoah. He told Joseph about the dreams and Joseph told him the dreams were about an upcoming seven years of famine.
 
Genesis 41:39-41: "...then Pharoah said to Joseph, 'Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.' So then, Pharoah said to Joseph, '...I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt...' Then Pharoah took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger."
 
There is no indication from the Scriptures that Joseph ever complained about his predicament or misfortune. What Joseph went through, time  after time, situation after situation...he bore waiting for the Lord's deliverance and blessing. 
 
The Lord was with him despite the fact that Joseph was not exempted for terrible suffering and misfortune.  As a seminary professor once said to us, "...Joseph  got sour lemons...and he always made lemonade..."
 
His brothers wanted to kill him. They sold him into slavery. His owner rejected him upon his wife's lies though he was totally worthy of trust. He was sent to prison. In time he was put in charge of the prison. His time in prison was the springboard for him to have audience before the most powerful human being in the world. Once despised, sold, enslaved, betrayed, and forgotten, Joseph became the most powerful  human being in the world in terms of his function.
 
In a powerful way, he became a "savior" for Egypt  and the world, having gone through the very worst  a person could experience. A simple, profound faith  provided the crowning touch...
 
The dream he had about his brothers came true.  They eventually had to come to him and bow  before him, as Joseph had dreamed, because  of the world famine to ask for food. They found  out that "this all-powerful man" was the same person (their own brother) they had wanted to kill  and did sell into slavery. You can just imagine  what they thought they had coming...
 
So, you'd think Joseph would've wanted revenge on his brothers. No. He delighted in seeing his brothers and and wanted to see his youngest brother, Benjamin, and his father---Joseph could no longer control himself... he was overcome by his feelings...to see his family  once again...
 
The words Joseph spoke to his brothers when they realized that this was Joseph touch our hearts and cause us to reconsider all positive and negative experiences in our lives...
 
"...I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you..." (Genesis 45:4,5)

The story of Joseph is, without doubt, one of the great pieces of world literature as well as divinely-revealed truth. How essential it is that every human being be exposed to Genesis 37-50. There is no other story  that can so powerfully motivate us to receive and accept  an informed vision that includes the affirmation that---there  is no failure in a life with God! ​

THE MESSAGE
In the midst of pre-occupation with precaution — and fear — related to valid concerns regarding the present pandemic, I must say, these are exciting as well as distracting times. The positive things which happen in taking precaution and  developing new ways to communicate — and reaching  out to those in need -- have the effect of advancing in our minds what is possible for us in difficult times. I was so pleased to hear of Simone Biles comforting note to Mikaela Shiffrin upon her failed attempts to get Gold during the games. I love this sort of "reaching out".
 
After being militarily in Afghanistan for over twenty years, we've disengaged. In addition, for the first time during our lifetime we're seriously considering the value of a constitutionally democratic republic. Sometimes we've wondered if our people are ready to discuss and understand the issues involved. The conversation nationally has become literally explosive. All of us know what's been going on! As we consider both sides of today's issues thoughtfully, we often fear the worst will happen. These times have the function of bringing us to our knees.
 
We may be wrong but there seems to have been a decline in being informed about government, how it works, what part we play in it, and what we need to do to preserve a wonderful legacy of government in the country we live in.
 
At Holy Cross Lutheran Church, in Pacifica, California, we've attempted to prepare our community for this time and moment. We've presented annually for decades "Independence Sunday". We've invited the finest nationally-known Christian scholars in the areas of Political Science and American history to give solid informative, inspirational messages with the colorful format for worship. Judge Quentin L. Kopp, bless his heart, has been a regular speaker for literally over a decade. We usually have a jazz band on hand to liven things up, playing music essentially, not only American, but also sacred.
 
It seems also that our national governmental traditions have lost meaning to a certain extent in more recent times among the vast number of our people.
 
Are we wrong? Do school systems really teach "Government" the way they used to when we went to school in the 50s?
 
I suppose we could go on...
 
But, from my point of view, there is something which underlies the issues involving government, and sports, and international intrigue, and revolution, and entertainment, and the music that moves us.
 
Our neighborhood used to be "safe haven". Just recently we've had two burglaries and several incidents of people trying to open doors and look in windows, right within blocks of our house.
 
It causes a person to ask "What is going on these days?"
 
Hold on! Pause for a moment!
 
These are not just the behavioral patterns of our time only, nor our views of the effectiveness, or lack thereof, of our government and our representatives in Washington D.C. This kind of behavior, these attitudes toward the obvious shortcomings of our government have been around ever since the establishment of the United States of America. The men who founded this nation upon the principles of the American Constitution, as well as a Bill of Rights, were persons of keen awareness of the human condition. They were men (backed by profound women as wives) who were grounded in Scripture and therefore produced a document to curb the power-hungry, greedy persons who would seek to destroy what they had wisely birthed.

Chief among them was James Madison of Virginia. He was the prize student of the "grandfather" of the Constitution, the Reverend Dr. John Witherspoon, teacher of fifty-two of the signers of the Constitution, and fellow signer.
 
As a nation we have departed from the remarkable spirit of the American Constitution based upon the Judeo-Christian faith and its presuppositions regarding society and human conduct. In one sense, we can read the words of the document, indeed, we can be educated and have other sophistication, but to conceive of the more profound underlying meanings requires a biblical mindset.
 
We need to consider an essential underlying factor — biblical faith.
 
We need the biblical mindset.
 
So, do we really go back and start over?  Do we demand of those who don't understand or have insight into the very real facts of American history and our former dependence upon the Bible?
 
The answer is "No".
 
We don't go back because we can't go back. We need to move forward recognizing where we are, whether folks around us are churched or not. I'm going to say something that will get me in trouble with some people. We need to start where we are and do what Christians need to do, first and foremost, that is, become profound students of the Bible. Too many Christians these days are influenced by clergy and lay leaders who teach and preach using their own material, though they claim otherwise with Bibles in their hands.

While Jesus was probably talking about developing an unwavering focus on God, this evening I find myself thinking about the many people who have dedicated themselves to their work in long term care communities. How they have worked through multiple shutdowns and created inspired ways to tend to their residents. I believe that many of the staff members have viewed their work as a pearl of great price, one that is worth the investment of time and heart. I am grateful for their dedication and tenacity, and I am blessed to know some of them as friends.

Please take good care of one another, and I hope to see some of you very soon!
--
Rev. Sue Ann Yarbrough, Associate Pastor
San Lorenzo Community Church, United Church of Christ
www.slzchurch.org 
www.hearthpsalms.blogspot.com ​

She goes on to say: "Friendship is contingent on love—real love: compassion, empathy, reaching out, going beyond what we imagine is possible. That is the command: love. And if we reach out in love, friendship is the result, even friendship with God.​

"...in you, O Lord, I have taken refuge... let me never be put to shame...rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness...turn your ear to me and save me..." Psalm 71:1,2
 
 "...and now I will show you  the most excellent way..." 1 Corinthians 12:31
 
 "...they got up, drove Jesus out of the town, and took Him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw Him down the cliff...but Jesus walked right through the crowd and went on His way..." Luke 4:28-30 

Prayer
Gracious, loving God, father of our Lord Jesus, we want to praise you and show our love for  teaching us how to live. We'd ask that you'd  give us the faith, and as well, the evidence of  Jesus' authority and power over the darkness  of this world, to make our lives shine like the  brightness of the sun.

Forgive us our sins--- and our inability to show up for you...reveal  your heart, that we know and feel your presence,  and, in so doing, have deep inner peace within; and that being, so we may serve you with  wholeness of heart and represent you by our  daily witness as we sincerely reach out to others  and serve them.  In Jesus' name.  Amen 

The Message  
Although I'm absolutely fascinated by the material  in the fourth chapter of Luke's gospel for today, I'm going to focus in on Saint Paul's first letter to the folks at the church in Corinth. These are Greeks receiving instruction from a Turkish Jew. The letter  was written in 55 A.D., only twenty-six years after  Jesus suffered and died on the cross. Paul was  addressing a group of people who had never known  much about the traditions of the religion of Israel and  they struggled with many of the same problems  churches have today with new Christians who come into the organizational church and discover, once being  saved, they have to make some significant personal moral changes in life, as well as to clean up the ways they normally treat other people in their daily lives.  
 
A little background here. Saint Paul at one time was Rabbi Saul, a true "young lion" of Judaism,  a Pharisee of the first order, and, indeed a radical  enemy of Jesus Christ and the Christian Church.  
 
Paul was a Jew without parallel in terms of his personal conduct and spiritual discipline. There was no one in Israel who could compare with Paul's intellect and total response to his religion. I would imagine he could hold up against any renowned person on earth at that time in an  intellectual discussion about philosophy,  religion, or morality.  
 
However, his zeal caused him to hate early  Christians and persecute them. He was present to witness the stoning of the very first martyr, Stephen, and rejoice in it. Acts 8:1 suggests, "And Saul was there, giving approval to his  death." 

When I think of a saying of Jesus that  would apply to Rabbi Paul it'd be found in  Matthew 6:23b:  "...if then, the light within you is darkness,  how profound is that darkness..."  
 
We don't know how far Paul went in persecuting the Church, but we do know it was very shameful. Yet, God saw something in this vicious religious sinner that was worthy of redemption, something  that was so essential for the survival of the Church  and also for its propagation throughout the world.  
 
(You see, there's never been any human being  quite like Paul and his God-given abilities. No one person has ever written such important and essential Spiritual guidance as Paul. God needed this quintessential Jewish man to extend the  Gospel throughout the world, even though He  was "radically elsewhere" in his religious focus.)  
 
On his way to persecute Christians in Damascus - "...breathing out murderous threats against the  Lord's disciples..." (Acts 9:1-6) -  Paul was forced  to the ground...mysteriously...forcefully...  
 
"...Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?'...I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting...Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do..."  
 
We are reading here about Paul's conversion to the Christian faith...over twenty years later he would write his magnificent text on the way we can love others in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. This is preceded by the comment to his readers...[1 Corinthians 12:31b]  
 
"...and now I will show you the excellent way..."  
 
Paul begins with..."...if I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I'm only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal..."  
 
In other words, even having a multitude of personal gifts, we'd only be making a lot of noise having having nothing substantial to back it up without genuine loving concern and care. Somehow or other, this matter of "heart knowledge" in service to Christ in reaching out to others has been slipping through the cracks. How about---getting back to "heart knowledge" as we reach out to serve the Lord  
 
Furthermore, Paul makes a great point in suggesting that we could do all sorts of "good works", that is, nice things for people, but if we do it without tender care and compassionate love, it is worthless.  What a point! Doing charity without having an open, compassionate heart does no good according to Paul.  
 
He goes on---a real expression of love is being patient.  This is something to think about when we consider  caring for ourselves and other folks we live with.   
 
The other day I heard a woman behind me in the  market, standing in line, shouting out, "Come on,  for God's sake, I hate to wait!" In family matters, Mark Twain said, "...why have enemies, when you  can have family..." A bit sarcastic, for sure, but we  have a tendency at times, waiting for family members  and others to make changes for the better, and we  think it's all for naught, when, within a reasonable  amount of time, they don't change. Please remember that God's timing is always perfect.  

Come on, let's really come to terms with God's way of bringing about real and permanent change...  
 
What's wrong with taking the Lord Jesus at His word? "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father...you may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it..." (John 14:13,14)  
 
Suggestion: practice patience with total assurance  
 
As expressed in Paul's letter, this idea of loving the way Jesus did (and does) includes:  

• Genuine love keeps no records of wrongs.   

 
Often in our relationships with others (especially  couples) one partner will keep score, that is,  keeping the other person at bay in the knowledge they've goofed in the past and using that as ammunition for interpersonal battle.

• Genuine love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  

 
It's not easy to protect others who have done us wrong. It's so tempting to "stick a knife" in another person, behind their back (figuratively), when you  hold a grudge against them. It's hard to trust  someone who's proved to be less than trustworthy.  It's difficult to be hopeful, when the odds are against  you. I've been there many times. When the failure of  a marriage relationship seems imminent, the Holy Spirit would then encourage us to reflect on our own shortcomings and know that it's not easy, often seemingly impossible to carry on. Don't ever think you are the only person or couple who have experienced the potentiality a break-up. No matter  how holy or perfect, all of us have been there.  Trust me, you're not alone. Christ's love is there to sustain you.  
 
You know, I could go on writing about this magnificent passage, but I want to be brief today. However, I want to share one more portion of this text with you.  
 
It is so important.  
 
It is life-changing in terms of being assured of doing the right thing and taking the "higher road" in all situations and circumstances of life.  
 
It is the short -- 8th verse -- of the passage -- "...love never fails..."   (Greek: "agape")  .  

Either this text is the absolute truth for you and me and every person who will receive it, or it is a lie and unworthy of our consideration.  
 
Which will it be for you today --- the truth or a lie?  

​

dSometimes it gets bad...
 
Life for many people is "just life". Blah! Nothing is really going on there...day to day, week to week, month to month. We go to work. We pay the bills. Etc., etc., etc. There's a lot of television and not too much excitement or anticipation of good things to come. There's hardly time to "smell the roses" and treasure of the gift of our life.
 
Enter the Holy Spirit...there are a host of important things and there are essentials in this life...
​
The reason for God in our lives is to bring a sense of purpose and well-being. Know that life has a higher purpose than all these other lesser things---details regarding a purposeless life produce a blur in our mind. The reason for God is to bring meaning and focus into our lives:

• Purpose
• Assurance
• Fulfillment

 
It happens when we make a decision -- to die to things that remind us of unpleasant things — death, life without meaning, boredom, and seeming purposelessness. These cause us to fall into deep despair at times.
 
Make a personal choice.

Die to a lot of things in life that just do not provide joy and personal peace. Be raised up into newness of life through the Holy Spirit — already at work in each one of our hearts. All you need to do is open the package.
 
When the wedding feast of life has run its course--- and the wine has run out---and the party's about to abruptly end...that's when Jesus shows up to liven things up

• to keep the party going
• ​to save the notion of life as celebration... what a strange, exotic idea...
• to give us a new lease on life...
• to let us know the exceptional journey has just begun...
• to taste the really good stuff in life...
• to give us a powerful, reasonable purpose for living....

 
What a great Gospel lesson in John we have to consider... we thought life was almost over for us...and now we know that life is just about to begin in an abundance it was meant to be---from the time we were conceived in the womb.
 
We tried it our way and things didn't work out for us. Now we will simply do it God's way, with reason to decide to live our life in Jesus, we experience joy and peace and have the assurance things are going to be just great!
 
"...all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and act according to His purpose..." ([Paul] Romans 8:28)
 
When it seems to look as if the wedding feast is about to end, Jesus intervenes and keeps things going (again) ---over and over again. The fine wine never runs out. Let Him liven up the feast of abundant life---yes, your reasonable and rightful life, your joy, your destiny---in Him.
 
Cordially, Tom

It is important to listen to our thoughts. Many of them, like the one above, are helpful. Yet, many of our thoughts are rooted in fear. Those thoughts are generally not helpful. They are usually "old tapes" that have been running in our minds for years, if not decades. 

One of the advantages of a meditation practice is that we can begin to release those old, non-helpful thoughts. God wants us to do well, to "bear good fruit," as Jesus often said. This is true all of our lives. 
​
Some of you I cannot see right now. This month's wave of omicron certainly has been vexing. Yet, it can never have the last word. Let us always remember that God is the Alpha and the Omega, and God is always with us. ​

I really love the time from Christmas Day to Epiphany (January 6). Sister Joan Chittister wrote that some think that Christmas Day is the destination. However, she explained, it really is just the beginning of the journey.  To squeeze Christmastide into one day does not give us time to ponder the mystery and grow into the fullness of this time. Christmas is not about keeping an efficient schedule. It is about taking the much time to deepen our prayers. ​

We know there are still  many Herods in our world. Sometimes even our own egos can be that tyrannical. Yet, we can take in  the story of Christmas, and hopefully learn to trust that Emmanuel, God is With Us, is still guiding us on paths of love and understanding that lead us into new ways of being in this world. We need not be afraid.  Like the Magi, we can follow our star. ​