Make Sure You Check In------Saturday, May 1, 2010 by Dave Sonnenberg

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK IN


Saturday, May 1, 2010

By Dave Sonnenberg



One of the things I appreciate is about today’s text is not the healing nor the miracles (yes- those are appropriate)- it is the fact that Peter is staying in touch with others. He’s walking about, circulating, checking in with others- and in the process discovering place and situations where he can be a catalyst for healing.



The fact that he is staying in touch and making contact with others, unveils a few situations where he can get involved in a helpful way. In our day and age, we have the opportunity to circulate in a variety of ways but one we must embrace (and many of us do) is the power of tools such as facebook. We have the chance via our network of friends to “check in”, “observe what is going on”, and to offer words of encouragement as often as possible. Being “present” for others is a way to spark healing and wholeness. Whereas, our facebook outreach may not bring someone back from the dead, a thoughtful word or a reassuring comment may very well help another see their life in a new way.

Many of you are exceptional at being present and circulating with a network of friends. If you are, keep it up and see it as “ministry”. If not, “seize the day”. Circulating our “friends list” and checking in is a powerful and important way to be “present” for others.

Circulate.

Acts 9:32-43

32 Now as Peter went here and there among all the believers, he came down also to the saints living in Lydda. 33There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralysed. 34Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!’ And immediately he got up. 35And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Peter in Lydda and Joppa

36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. 37At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, ‘Please come to us without delay.’ 39So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.

A Fresh Start-----Friday, April 30, 2010 by Dave Sonnenberg

A FRESH START


Friday, April 30, 2010

By Dave Sonnenberg



One of the most courageous things we can do in this life is stand up for another person. We can stand up for those:

*who are ignored

*those left out

*those who are persecuted

*those who are being picked on

*those who need to be given a fresh start

Saul, as we have been reading, had something happen in his life where he was starting to change for the better. God had somehow gotten through to him, yet it was very hard for others to believe it was “real change”. Barnabas however comes and puts his reputation on the line saying to the disciples- “trust me. Give him a chance!”

We can be thankful that they did for the Christian movement expanded as fresh starts were offered, the spirits presence was felt, and more were brought into a relationship with God.

Giving another person a “fresh start” is indeed one of the most important spiritual acts we can do in this life- whether it is formal as was the case in todays reading or simply something we do mentally. Time and time again we need fresh starts offered to us by others so we need to challenge ourselves to offer them regularly.

We are offered fresh starts every day by the God. His mercies are new each day- ready to sweep across our life and the lives of others.

Who can you give a fresh start to today- as an act of Christian compassion and care?

Who has given you a fresh start (as Barnabas does in today’s story below)?


Acts 9:23-31

23 After some time had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night so that they might kill him; 25but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Saul in Jerusalem

26 When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28So he went in and out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29He spoke and argued with the Hellenists; but they were attempting to kill him. 30When the believers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Same Gifts, New Purpose-----Thursday, April 29, 2010 by Dave Sonnenberg

SAME GIFTS, NEW PURPOSE


Thursday, April 29, 2010

By Dave Sonnenberg



How we direct the gifts we have been given by God is important! I love the story of Charles Colson- a member of President Nixon’s Administration sent to prison for his involvement in the Watergate fiasco. Colson was a brilliant man- aggressive, determined, focused, obsessive, and even outright mean in the White House. He was one of the most hated people in America in the early 1970’s. No one could challenge that he was a supremely talented human being- one whom leadership came naturally. Yet, one could question how he used his leadership while in the White House.

As he faced the prison term and spent time in prison, God did something in his life. God somehow got through- slowly and gently. . . .so that when he left prison he had new ideas on how to spend his life. His talent and leadership were still there. He just rechanneled it into Prison Ministry- reaching out into the Prisons in America in a hands on way, speaking up for the imprisoned, and working to start a National Movement. He has become a great evangelist and a leader in Christianity. Whether you agree with everything he does or says is not the point. What matters is we see someone who’s same gifts were used- however, they were rechanneled into a more fulfilling life purpose.

This is essentially the same story as Saul. God got through to Saul in some dramatic way. Although we see this a dramatic event, it also appears that his conversion took time. I am sure it took a while for him to show himself as “the real deal” or as “a changed person” because of his past history. Yet, as we will see in the coming days- God uses his gifts of leadership and passion in a new way- to the sparking of new communities of faith and to supporting them in the midst of an environment hostile to the faith. Same as Colson- rechanneled gifts that already existed.

How are we doing? God indeed blesses us with gifts. Are we using them to his glory in our daily lives? Do we need to be re-channeled in some way?


Acts 9: 1-22

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ 5He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ 7The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ 11The Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, 12and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ 13But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; 14and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’ 15But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ 17So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ 18And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul Preaches in Damascus

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, 20and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’ 21All who heard him were amazed and said, ‘Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?’ 22Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.

Faith is Asking Good Questions------Wednesday, April 28, 2010 by Dave Sonnenberg

FAITH IS ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS


Wednesday, April 28, 2010

By Dave Sonnenberg



One of the blessings in life is to have another person walk with us and show us the ropes. Someone who does this well does not view themselves as an expert but rather, a “fellow learner”. Phillip in the story today comes alongside the Ethiopian man who is seeking to understand scripture, but remains baffled. Philip comes up to him and simply inquires “how’s it going? Whatcha reading?” It is a very simple introductory comment but opens up to a lengthy conversation in which Phillip can share his understanding of faith. The door was opened by a simple question; a good question. That question led to the Ethipian growing in his faith and his desire to explore more. Philip was a great catalyst; a great spark.



Christianity is not always about having all the answers; it’s about asking good questions . Good questions open people up to conversation, soul searching , and encourages them to connect to others. Good questions are a catalyst on the journey of faith.



What are some of the good questions that have sparked you to explore your faith with more passion?


Acts 8: 26-40

26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) 27So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ 30So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ 31He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:

‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,

and like a lamb silent before its shearer,

so he does not open his mouth.

33In his humiliation justice was denied him.

Who can describe his generation?

For his life is taken away from the earth.’

34The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ 35Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ 38He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Steering in New Directions-----Tuesday, April 27, 2010 by Dave Sonnenberg

STEERING IN NEW DIRECTIONS



Tuesday, April 27, 2010


By Dave Sonnenberg



It is hard to be criticized. It also is hard to correct someone as well. People are fragile and often don’t respond well to critique. Have you ever been there? Experienced that?

Although we don’t’ fully understand the characters in todays story, one thing is clear- the Christian leader, Peter, felt it was very important to correct Simon’s theology (Simon felt he could buy favor with God with money) and bring him to a better understanding- and quickly.

I think what we see here today is genuine Christian dialogue and a positive witness. Correction is offered. Care is extended. Challenge is provided. Request for help is noted. Course correction happens.

The one thing I appreciate is how the feedback Peter provided did not tear apart Simon. It built up the community and hopefully their relationship.

We steer away from conflict too often and often are afraid to give or receive feedback. The early church engaged in true conversation and often challenged the “other” to shape up and “be who God wants you to be.” Can we do the same in 2010?





Acts 8:9-25

9 Now a certain man named Simon had previously practised magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. 10All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, ‘This man is the power of God that is called Great.’ 11And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place.

14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19saying, ‘Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ 20But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! 21You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. 22Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.’ 24Simon answered, ‘Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.’

25 Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.

Can People Change?-------Monday, April 26, 2010 by Dave Sonnenberg

Can People Change?



Monday, April 26, 2010


By Dave Sonnenberg



Can people change? On some level I believe most of us believe people can change. But. . .. ..at another level I suspect many of us are skeptics- ending with theories such as “those who have a good heart can change”. We see and deal at times with people who get under our skin or are hostile or even downright mean. We may not even wonder if change is possible. We just “know its not!”

With that being said, we are introduced to Saul. In many ways, Saul was a 1st century terrorist. Whether we agree with that term or not, there is a lot of truth to the fact that Saul was a horrible person at this phase of his life. He wanted Christians dead and worked with intentionality to make it happen. If he wasn’t killing them, he was plowing into their homes uninvited and ripping people apart from families- doing whatever it took to destroy the Christian movement.

Yet, God will have other plans for Saul. The irony is that for as bad as Saul is in these moments, God will not give up on him. God will give him a chance at using his gifts in a different way- namely, as part of the Christian mission, as its most prolific writer and evangelist.

If God can use a terrorist like Saul and utterly change his life for the better, can we change? Can people we struggle with change? The answer is yes- however, we must remember that Saul had a lot of help from the Christian community along the way. The Christian community which was called to love and forgive and welcome struggled with Saul, yet they did not back away and found a way to start working with saul. They may have been skeptical at first but, as they worked together, the level of trust grew as Saul showed himself to be the real deal.



One thing we also must see today is how God likes to use oppositing to strengthen Christians. Every time the church faces persecution or hardships as these early followers did, it just made them more passionate to spread. The irony is that Saul’s attempts to shut them up only made them more passionate. (the Ripple Effect in play!)


Today's Text- Acts 8:1-7
81And Saul approved of their killing him.

Saul Persecutes the Church

That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. 2Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.

Philip Preaches in Samaria

4 Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. 5Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, 7for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralysed or lame were cured. 8So there was great joy in that city.





Note on Picture- The image of someone being in their “cocoon” but awaiting transformation to a “butterfly” is the best image I could come up with today but I think conveys that change can happen—it just waits to burst out of its shell!