Mark 11:1-11 (The Message) 1-3When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: "Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you'll find a colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, 'What are you doing?' say, 'The Master needs him, and will return him right away.'" 4-7They went and found a colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those standing there said, "What are you doing untying that colt?" The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their coats on it, and he mounted. 8-10The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields. Running ahead and following after, they were calling out, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in God's name! Blessed the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in highest heaven! 11He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve.
Genesis 1:27 (The Message) God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature."
I've heard each of these scriptures before, but never in context with one another. This week's sermon topic according to the "Journey to Hope" Lenten series uses the three scriptures together to illustrate a point that I had not really dwelt upon before. That point is my individual self-esteem.
I am an outwardly confident person who is plagued with quite a bit of internal self-doubt. I have continuous discussions with myself about whether my abilities and talents are good enough to "get the job done", or about if I even have any abilities and talents in the first place. Most of the time, these internal conversations provide personal motivation for me to be successful. Sometimes, though, the things I think about myself really get me down. During those times, I need a healthy dose of self-esteem. More to the point, I need to have esteem in self through God.
Jesus had this esteem in self that comes from knowing a person is doing God's will. The passage from Mark illustrates this exact point. Jesus did not care about the adulations of the crowd. He knew that in a few days, they'd be turned against him, anyway. Jesus came to Jerusalem on a mission to do God's will, and that's it. Adulations and condemnations were secondary to his overall goal. I've often given/been given advice that essentially says: "Don't worry about the bad stuff people say about you. Keep doing what you know is right." I've never looked at in the context of "Don't worry about the good stuff people say about you ." If I approached life in this way, not getting bent out of shape about bad comments and not getting overly high about good comments, then all that would be left was my own actions and my reasons for doing them. If I could guarantee that all of my actions were done for the benefit of God alone, then at that point my concept of self-esteem would disappear, to be replaced by the esteem in myself I would have because I was doing God's will. On the surface it sounds like a subtle tweak of a phrase -- self-esteem replaced by esteem in self by doing God's will. In reality, it requires a complete altering of a person's lifestyle.
Dear God, please help me subvert my wants and desires in favor of all that you would have me do to fulfill your will here on Earth. AMEN.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
My Lenten Journey 5
“The conscience of children is formed by the influences that surround them; their notions of good and evil are the result of the moral atmosphere they breathe.” - Jean Paul Richteran
True statement. Obviously, children who grow up amongst those who have the true spirit of God dwelling inside them have a better chance at growing up "right", whatever the connotation of that word might be. I've mentioned that Lent is a time to come closer to God and try to figure out what he wants for me in my life. I've also mentioned that, in some ways, I ALREADY know what he wants for me. One of the things I'm sure he calls me to do is be a role model for kids. In reality, he calls ALL of us to do that. As a middle school and high school principal, it's very important to me to be a Christ-like example for the kids I serve. I'm also called to be a role model and Christ-like example for my own children. Every action I take and every word I speak should be done and said with this in mind. That's not the way it always is, of course, and so part of what I need to focus on during this Lenten time is praying and preparing myself to be better at being "Mr. Dimmitt" and being "Dad." I need to be the true example of Jesus Christ for every kid I meet -- my own and everyone else's as well.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to be a father here on Earth. Thank you for the opportunity to lead a building with kids who yearn to find you, even if they don't know it. Help me be an example of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ in this world, so that these kids may learn who you are through me. AMEN.
True statement. Obviously, children who grow up amongst those who have the true spirit of God dwelling inside them have a better chance at growing up "right", whatever the connotation of that word might be. I've mentioned that Lent is a time to come closer to God and try to figure out what he wants for me in my life. I've also mentioned that, in some ways, I ALREADY know what he wants for me. One of the things I'm sure he calls me to do is be a role model for kids. In reality, he calls ALL of us to do that. As a middle school and high school principal, it's very important to me to be a Christ-like example for the kids I serve. I'm also called to be a role model and Christ-like example for my own children. Every action I take and every word I speak should be done and said with this in mind. That's not the way it always is, of course, and so part of what I need to focus on during this Lenten time is praying and preparing myself to be better at being "Mr. Dimmitt" and being "Dad." I need to be the true example of Jesus Christ for every kid I meet -- my own and everyone else's as well.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to be a father here on Earth. Thank you for the opportunity to lead a building with kids who yearn to find you, even if they don't know it. Help me be an example of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ in this world, so that these kids may learn who you are through me. AMEN.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
My Lenten Journey 4
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect."
- Romans 12:2 (NRSV)
This verse that Paul writes in his letter to the Romans is the essence of Lent. Make a sacrifice of the things of this world that are not necessary and use the space that is created in their absence to find the will of God in your life.
I have sacrificed lunch (even though I fell off the wagon yesterday, my birthday). I am using the time gained by not eating to write this blog. So, now, it's time to get discerning, I guess. Here's the point that keeps raring up in my mind right now. I think I know already what God wants me to do, in that the scriptures are a blueprint for that -- remember that the Bible is a handbook of interaction between spiritual and worldly affairs. Maybe the better question to ask at this point is "how can I do those things that God wants me to do better than ever before?"
- Romans 12:2 (NRSV)
This verse that Paul writes in his letter to the Romans is the essence of Lent. Make a sacrifice of the things of this world that are not necessary and use the space that is created in their absence to find the will of God in your life.
I have sacrificed lunch (even though I fell off the wagon yesterday, my birthday). I am using the time gained by not eating to write this blog. So, now, it's time to get discerning, I guess. Here's the point that keeps raring up in my mind right now. I think I know already what God wants me to do, in that the scriptures are a blueprint for that -- remember that the Bible is a handbook of interaction between spiritual and worldly affairs. Maybe the better question to ask at this point is "how can I do those things that God wants me to do better than ever before?"
Monday, February 27, 2012
My Lenten Journey 3
"The Bible’s aim is not the freeing of the spirit from the world, as I read it. It is the handbook of their interaction." - Wendell Berry
I think that a lot of people seek to become Christians because of Christianity's high-profile destination. We get to go to HEAVEN when we die! Can you imagine it? I can, I suppose, but only in the "streets of gold, St. Peter at the pearly gates" mentality that I learned in Sunday School when I was young.
The thing is, though, that we, as Christians, often get too wrapped up in our final destination. If I can interpret what Mr. Berry says in the quote above, it's that we shouldn't be Christians just so we can get to heaven. Instead, we should follow the example of Christ in all of our interactions on Earth in an effort to bring his love and way of life to others. How can we expect to be showered with the blessings of heaven if we make no effort at displaying heavenly virtues as prescribed by Christ to others while we're here?
Being a Christian CAN'T just be about the destination. It HAS to be about the journey. And at some point along our journey, we must learn to be exemplars of the grace of God, as affirmed in the teachings, attitudes, suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. If that's not the way we strive to act all the time, then any discussion about our final destination is probably moot.
Dear God, help me to continually become the best person I can be along my life's journey. Let me always keep in mind the teachings and examples you set for all of us through the life of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
I think that a lot of people seek to become Christians because of Christianity's high-profile destination. We get to go to HEAVEN when we die! Can you imagine it? I can, I suppose, but only in the "streets of gold, St. Peter at the pearly gates" mentality that I learned in Sunday School when I was young.
The thing is, though, that we, as Christians, often get too wrapped up in our final destination. If I can interpret what Mr. Berry says in the quote above, it's that we shouldn't be Christians just so we can get to heaven. Instead, we should follow the example of Christ in all of our interactions on Earth in an effort to bring his love and way of life to others. How can we expect to be showered with the blessings of heaven if we make no effort at displaying heavenly virtues as prescribed by Christ to others while we're here?
Being a Christian CAN'T just be about the destination. It HAS to be about the journey. And at some point along our journey, we must learn to be exemplars of the grace of God, as affirmed in the teachings, attitudes, suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. If that's not the way we strive to act all the time, then any discussion about our final destination is probably moot.
Dear God, help me to continually become the best person I can be along my life's journey. Let me always keep in mind the teachings and examples you set for all of us through the life of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
My Lenten Journey 2
Mark 8:31-37 (The Message)
30-32 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it.
32-33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works."
34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?"
This is the first of a set of scripture readings from "Journey to Hope," a sort of Lenten devotional and sermon series available at http://www.gbod.org/. It is taken from a version of the Bible called "The Message," which seems to be a more modern, but perhaps less literal, translation.
Here is what these verses mean to me, in terms of Lent.
"Journey to Hope" asks people to look at Lent as a journey (obviously). Most of the time, when I travel on journeys with my wife, we have our ending destination in mind. There may be an occasional "let's just get in the car and drive" kind of trip but, for the most part, when we get in the car, we know exactly where we are going. We are both on the same page when it comes to the final destination. We don't always agree, however, on how it is that we're going to get there. My preferred routes tend to be more circuitous, while my wife more often wants the shortest, fastest way from point A to point B. When we're truly far apart on how we're going to journey to a certain place, conflict often arises.
In a sense, I think that's what's happening here between Peter and Jesus. Peter had bought into Jesus' journey in terms of his final destination - sitting at the right hand of God the Father. But Peter didn't like the roads that Jesus was planning on traveling in order to get there. Jesus then rebuked Peter, telling him that he wasn't in the driver's seat, Jesus was. "Don't run from suffering," Jesus said. "Embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how." Jesus went on to tell Peter that self-sacrifice was the way to save "your true self."
My Lenten journey will be (I hope) one of self-sacrifice. In so doing, I pray that I find my true self and more about the mission that God has for me here on Earth.
God, please help me keep you in the driver's seat during this Lenten time and beyond. May you take me along the right paths so that I can find and save my true self. AMEN.
30-32 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it.
32-33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works."
34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?"
This is the first of a set of scripture readings from "Journey to Hope," a sort of Lenten devotional and sermon series available at http://www.gbod.org/. It is taken from a version of the Bible called "The Message," which seems to be a more modern, but perhaps less literal, translation.
Here is what these verses mean to me, in terms of Lent.
"Journey to Hope" asks people to look at Lent as a journey (obviously). Most of the time, when I travel on journeys with my wife, we have our ending destination in mind. There may be an occasional "let's just get in the car and drive" kind of trip but, for the most part, when we get in the car, we know exactly where we are going. We are both on the same page when it comes to the final destination. We don't always agree, however, on how it is that we're going to get there. My preferred routes tend to be more circuitous, while my wife more often wants the shortest, fastest way from point A to point B. When we're truly far apart on how we're going to journey to a certain place, conflict often arises.
In a sense, I think that's what's happening here between Peter and Jesus. Peter had bought into Jesus' journey in terms of his final destination - sitting at the right hand of God the Father. But Peter didn't like the roads that Jesus was planning on traveling in order to get there. Jesus then rebuked Peter, telling him that he wasn't in the driver's seat, Jesus was. "Don't run from suffering," Jesus said. "Embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how." Jesus went on to tell Peter that self-sacrifice was the way to save "your true self."
My Lenten journey will be (I hope) one of self-sacrifice. In so doing, I pray that I find my true self and more about the mission that God has for me here on Earth.
God, please help me keep you in the driver's seat during this Lenten time and beyond. May you take me along the right paths so that I can find and save my true self. AMEN.
My Lenten Journey
I have decided that I am going to blog my journey of discovery during Lent this year. The model that I am going to use for my blogging is called "Journey to Hope," and it is available from the General Board of Discipleship Website of the United Methodist Church - www. gbod.org.
First, a few things regarding Lent from that fount of information, Wikipedia.
Thanks, Wikipedia...
So, Lent is really a time for us to journey back to God by getting rid of all of the stuff that weighs us down – sin, sadness, strife, heartbreak, anger, hate, inadequacy, fear – and replacing those things with things that enrich our souls.
What are those things which enrich our souls – that bring our souls closer to God? Right now, I'm not 100% sure. Those answers come from this Lenten journey of self-discovery that I hope to undertake in these next 40-plus days.
As I understand it, then, Lent is a time where we give up something we feel is necessary in our lives, but really isn't. The absence of this thing creates a desire, a want, a hole, if you will. We should then fill this hole created by the absence of a worldy comfort with something that is of or from God - i.e. scripture reading, prayer, doing a "good work," etc.
So - what am I going to give up? We're five days into Lent already and I haven't truly decided. Here's how I think it's going to go. I'm going to try and give up lunch. I did that last year and was reasonably successful with it, in that I did not eat my noon meal much, if at all, throughout Lent. But, in the end, my "sacrifice" wasn't really about coming closer to God, it was about me being too chubby and using Lent as an excuse to go on a "God-sponsored diet." I hope that it's not about that this year. To try and ensure the fidelity of my Lenten experience, I need to make sure to fill the hole that I've created with Godly things. So, during the time I would normally take for lunch, I am going to spend time reading the Bible, reading devotionals, reading things that others are doing during Lent, praying and, at least on occasion, writing on this blog.
Dear God, please be with me during these 40+ days of Lent. May I come closer to you by removing myself, if only a small bit, from the ways of the world. May I come to a better understanding of who am I through you, and may I come closer to understanding and accomplishing the ultimate mission you have for me on this earth, whatever it may be. Thank you for loving me and thank you for the blessings you have allowed to come into my life. May this Lenten time be a blessing to you as well as to me. AMEN.
First, a few things regarding Lent from that fount of information, Wikipedia.
When does Lent begin?
Lent begins 40 days prior to Easter (not counting Sundays). The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday. The 40 days is significant, as it commemorates the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert and the 40 years the Israelites spent roaming in the desert prior to entering the Holy Land. Since Sundays are a time of celebration representing the resurrection in Christianity, they are not included in the 40 days.
Lent begins 40 days prior to Easter (not counting Sundays). The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday. The 40 days is significant, as it commemorates the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert and the 40 years the Israelites spent roaming in the desert prior to entering the Holy Land. Since Sundays are a time of celebration representing the resurrection in Christianity, they are not included in the 40 days.
When does Lent end?
Lent Ends the day before Easter Sunday, also known as Holy Saturday. Palm Sunday marks the last week of Lent and commemorates the day Jesus entered Jerusalem to people laying palms at his feet. However, Roman Catholics end Lent at sundown on Holy Thursday when the Mass of the Lord's Supper begins.
Lent Ends the day before Easter Sunday, also known as Holy Saturday. Palm Sunday marks the last week of Lent and commemorates the day Jesus entered Jerusalem to people laying palms at his feet. However, Roman Catholics end Lent at sundown on Holy Thursday when the Mass of the Lord's Supper begins.
How is Lent celebrated?
Two things occur during Lent - fasting and prayer. It used to be that fasting was the giving up of food, but today many Christians give up other items such as television or the Internet. Orthodox Christians give up both meat and dairy products during Lent. The fasting is used to remind Christians of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert fasting and being tempted by Satan.
Two things occur during Lent - fasting and prayer. It used to be that fasting was the giving up of food, but today many Christians give up other items such as television or the Internet. Orthodox Christians give up both meat and dairy products during Lent. The fasting is used to remind Christians of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert fasting and being tempted by Satan.
Thanks, Wikipedia...
So, Lent is really a time for us to journey back to God by getting rid of all of the stuff that weighs us down – sin, sadness, strife, heartbreak, anger, hate, inadequacy, fear – and replacing those things with things that enrich our souls.
What are those things which enrich our souls – that bring our souls closer to God? Right now, I'm not 100% sure. Those answers come from this Lenten journey of self-discovery that I hope to undertake in these next 40-plus days.
As I understand it, then, Lent is a time where we give up something we feel is necessary in our lives, but really isn't. The absence of this thing creates a desire, a want, a hole, if you will. We should then fill this hole created by the absence of a worldy comfort with something that is of or from God - i.e. scripture reading, prayer, doing a "good work," etc.
So - what am I going to give up? We're five days into Lent already and I haven't truly decided. Here's how I think it's going to go. I'm going to try and give up lunch. I did that last year and was reasonably successful with it, in that I did not eat my noon meal much, if at all, throughout Lent. But, in the end, my "sacrifice" wasn't really about coming closer to God, it was about me being too chubby and using Lent as an excuse to go on a "God-sponsored diet." I hope that it's not about that this year. To try and ensure the fidelity of my Lenten experience, I need to make sure to fill the hole that I've created with Godly things. So, during the time I would normally take for lunch, I am going to spend time reading the Bible, reading devotionals, reading things that others are doing during Lent, praying and, at least on occasion, writing on this blog.
Dear God, please be with me during these 40+ days of Lent. May I come closer to you by removing myself, if only a small bit, from the ways of the world. May I come to a better understanding of who am I through you, and may I come closer to understanding and accomplishing the ultimate mission you have for me on this earth, whatever it may be. Thank you for loving me and thank you for the blessings you have allowed to come into my life. May this Lenten time be a blessing to you as well as to me. AMEN.
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