“Our Gifts in God’s Hands” (Chronicles 29:14) by Rev. Dr. Alan W. Deuel

A mother gave her 8 year old daughter a one-dollar bill and a quarter.  "Sweetheart," she said, as they entered church, "you can place either one in the offering plate.  It's entirely up to you.  As they were driving home, the mother asked her daughter what she had decided to give.  "Well, at first I was going to give the dollar," said the daughter. "But the man behind the pulpit said God loves a cheerful giver, and I felt I would be a lot more cheerful if I gave the quarter instead."

A pastor in Salt Lake City was challenging his congregation to give money so that the church might reach its goal for their mission.  He said: “God gave you talents, use those abilities to give money to the church and glory to God.”  So a member of the church, James Hatch, robbed a Salt Lake City bank of $2500.00 and gave it to the church.  He said he was following the pastor’s sermon and using his God given gift to give back to the Lord.  I have to wonder if being good at robbing banks is a gift of the Lord?  Oh and please know I that I am not suggesting anything like that today.

It is stewardship time and our theme for this coming year is: Our Gifts in God’s Hands!   Our gifts, your gifts and mine, are from God’s Hands and for God’s Hands.  God is the author and creator of life.  God is the source of our existence.  God breathed life into us.   Everything is owned by and belongs to God.   Our lives were not an accident, the result of a sudden explosion of some primeval gases.   Your life is on loan from God.

The book of Genesis tells us that God created us in His image and commanded us to be fruitful and multiply.  God delegated to us the task of exercising responsible authority over all living things.  God created us to live purposeful, meaningful and loving lives.  God gave us gifts/talents to help us fulfill His plan and purpose for us. We are God’s stewards, managers, representatives.  We have the resources of the world at our disposal.  We are ultimately accountable to God in terms of how we spend our time, our years upon this earth.

Perhaps that’s one difference between an atheist and a theist, one who believes in God.  An atheist says: “It’s my life, I can live it any way I choose.”  A  believer says: “My life is not my own, it belongs to God.”   The one says:  “I’m not accountable to anyone.”  “The other says: “I am accountable to God.”

Switzerland is known for its luxury watches.  Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe has also become well-known for clever advertising slogans, such as: "You never actually own a Patek Philippe; you merely take care of it for the next generation."   And so it is with our lives.

What gifts come from God?   We hear God’s word in our lesson from I Chronicles.  It’s the story of God calling the people of Israel to build the temple in Jerusalem.  King David gave generously toward the project.  We are told: “Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.”

The temple was to be a sacred place where God was worshipped, but it was also to be a symbol that Israel was to be a light to the world.  David praises God:  “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.  Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.  In your hands are strength and power to exalt, and give strength to all.  Now our God we give you thanks and praise for your glorious name.  But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to give as generously as this?  Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

What gifts has God given you that you are grateful for?  What gifts have come from God’s hands to you?  – the gift of relationships, families, the gift of mentors, the gift of friendships, the gift of children and grandchildren, the gift of meaning and purpose and hope, the gift of freedom to use our minds and hearts, the gift of the ability to plan for our future, the gift of caring for others and being cared for by others, the gift of creating, the gift of having the power and courage to make changes in our lives, the gift of adapting to new environments and to social change around us, the gift of our body, athletic abilities, leadership gifts, artistic gifts, gifts of imagination, teachings gifts, the spiritual gift and discipline to lead a moral life, the gifts of time, and resources.

As Christians we have the gift of religious belief, the gift of faith, the gift of trusting in one who is our Lord, the gifts of prayer, the Bible and the family of God.  We have the gift of the gospel, that God sent Jesus to the world to bring repentance, salvation from sin and new life.  We have the gift of Eternal life, the gift of the Holy Spirit.  We have gifts of one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.  We have the gift of being able to love because God first loved us.  When we bring our gifts before God, we are giving back, as King David said, what has come from God’s hands. We offer them in humble adoration and praise.  God blesses them and our gifts are used in God’s hands for God’s purposes.

The Bible also speaks about our attitude toward giving.  We are to cultivate and use our gifts and not waste them.  We are to share our gifts and not hoard them.  We are to give thanks to God for our gifts and not be smug about them.  We are to honor and glorify God with what we do with our gifts and not only please ourselves.  We must not become overly attached to our gifts, that is, turn them into idols which we worship or become slaves to them.    We are expected to be disciplined and responsible in the way we use these gifts.

Further, I think we must watch out about being ungrateful, unappreciative, about not being content with our gifts.  Like the story about the mother and son who were walking in a forest. One day when they were outside a tornado surprised them.  The mother clung to a tree and tried to hold her son.  But the swirling winds carried him into the sky.  He was gone. The woman began to weep and pray: "Please, O Lord, bring back my boy!  He's all I have. I'd do anything not to lose him. If you'll bring him back, I'll serve you all my days." Suddenly the boy toppled from the sky, right at her feet, a bit mussed up, but safe and sound. His mother picked him up, brushed him off, paused, looked upwards and said, "Oh one thing more Lord, He wore a hat?"

Our gifts in God’s hands.  We honor God when we are involved in and sharing in the work of His Kingdom, that is, when God’s will is being accomplished.   Like our weekly Youth program where youth from the community and our congregation are growing in their Christian faith, led by Robert Gerow and his dedicated volunteers.  And our weekly Kingdom Kids program, where children from our preschool and community, led by Grant and Kat, and volunteers, learn about Jesus and the Bible and enjoy games, meals, crafts and music.  And our wonderful Pre-school under the capable leadership of the director Brigitte together with her dedicated teachers.   Our Preschool now has an enrollment of over 55 children and babies.  It provides a healthy spiritual, intellectual and social foundation for children and builds community among the preschool families.  Some of those families have joined the church.

Our Sunday Evening Roots worship service and ministry, reaches young adults in our community under the leadership of Grant.   Some of these young adults have joined our church.  We celebrate our music program, the Sounds of Worship and our Chancel Choir, under the talented leadership of Esther Jordan and our organist Anne Bay.   We are moved in worship by the music of hand bells from our Crusader's under the leadership of Esther.

We see God at work in our prayer and healing ministries and in our congregational care ministry under the leadership of Donna Pierce and volunteers, which brings Christ’s love to members and friends.  We offer Bible study and Christian education opportunities for all ages during the week and on Sunday mornings.  We have faith-filled and committed leaders – deacons and elders, who enthusiastically serve Christ in our church.   We serve in partnership with the Lord in reaching out to our community in events such as Pacific Beachfest and Graffiti Day.  We see God’s hand at work in military and other families which attend our Friday Pizza and Movie Night ministry. 

God has blessed the community through our congregation's Sunday Night Ministry, by providing meals for nearly 100 homeless people each week for over two decades under the leadership of Janice Minor and Neil Charette and many volunteers?  We weekly serve nearly 300 homeless people through our mail service, where we provide our church address as a way for homeless people to receive mail, from government checks to personal mail.  No other churches in our community offer this service.  I often hear homeless people say: “God bless you, thank you for this mail service,” as people pick up their mail under the direction of our office manager Meri Murch and the office volunteers.

We see God’s hands at work as we provide clothing and food, volunteers and financial support  to CCSA, Meals on Wheels, Monarch school, Voice of the Martyrs, Baja Presbyterian Ministries, Military Outreach Ministry, Intervarsity, Heifer Project, Presbyterian Urban Ministry, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and international missionaries like Esther Wakeman in Thailand.   We are greatly blessed by your generous giving to our Endowment Fund which annually contributes money to our ministry under the leadership of George Shoemaker and other volunteers.

I want to both personally and on behalf of the elders, thank you for your faith, your generous commitment and your support this year.   We are asking for your prayerful support of your time, talents and money for this coming year, as together we reach people for Christ's Kingdom.

Jesus Christ cares deeply about your life, your growth in faith and your participation in His Kingdom.  Christ will use your giving for His work in our community and world.  Every pledge, every donation, every gift, every offering counts.    Commitment Sunday is next week, October 30.  We will have a basket on the chancel and invite you to place your pledges of commitment into the basket.  And be confident, knowing that your gifts are securely in the Hands of God.  Amen!

Shalom (Psalm 122:8-9) by Rev. Dr. Alan W. Deuel

Here are some of the most expensive meals in the world:

• At the Fijimake restaurant in Tokyo you can get a bowl of Ramen for $110.

• The Capital Dawg restaurant in Sacramento, California serves up "The Ultra-Dog," the world's most expensive hot dog at $145.99.

• The Westin Hotel in New York City offers a white truffle bagel that sells for $1,000.

• You can enjoy Britain's Wagyu Meat Pie and its savory combination of six pounds of Kobe beef and matsutake mushrooms which sells for $16,000 per pie.

• And in Italy, Chef Viola's "Louis XIII" pizza, loaded with lobster, caviar, eight different types of cheese, and seasoned with hand-picked pink Australian river salt, sells for $12,000. 

Are you ready to make a reservation and invite someone to dinner?   It makes the hot dogs at Petco park seem inexpensive.

And yet, there is meal far costlier than these!   Today is World Communion Sunday and God offers Salvation and Holy Communion or The Lord's Supper, the most expensive meal in the world.  What is the price; free of charge.  This supper is an expression of salvation by grace, because Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross, that we could never have paid, no one can pay it, not even Donald trump, in order to forgive our sin, heal us, make us right with God and restore our relationship with God.

World Communion Sunday was established by the Protestant Church in 1936 and this year marks its 80th anniversary.    I believe the day has taken on new relevancy and depth of meaning in a world often divided by fear, hatred, violence and ideology, exemplified by our war with radical extremist Islam.   On this day we believers celebrate our oneness in Christ, the Prince of Peace, in the midst of a world we are called to love in the name of Christ, a world in need of unity and harmony and justice.

This table to which the Lord invites you this morning is God's table - not ours.  It’s an open table, not a closed one.  It is a table which welcomes repentant sinners and forgiven sinners, flawed men, women, and children of every culture, language, age, racial/ethnic group, social/economic level, and nationality.  We are invited by our Lord to enter into spiritual communion with Him and one another, together with those who have died and are now members of the Communion of Saints in glory.

We come to the table united with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, reminded that while being fully aware of our differences, while we are cognizant of the things we don’t have in common, we also celebrate all that we have in common – one Lord, one baptism, one faith, one gospel, one church, one message and one mission.

Today is represented by the Hebrew word for peace, shalom.   Shalom is a Jewish greeting – it means “hello or good-bye.”  We say: “Have a nice day” or “How are you” or “How’s your day going” or “later.”  Young people say – “Yo dude” or “Hey” or “Wass Up.”  They are simple greetings and don’t have any hidden or deep meanings or connotations.  Shalom is very different.  It is also a spiritual reality.  And it’s a prayer.  I don’t think “later dude” is a prayer.  I pray that you might experience God’s shalom.

God sent His Son Jesus as the Messiah to bring shalom to the world.  God desires for us to experience life as shalom, life in its fullness, in its completeness, in its wholeness.    We say: “Wow, today was a great day.”  A Jew says: “Today I experienced Shalom.”  And when we look at our lives and life with eyes of faith, we will discover that shalom is a reality in life.

So Shalom is a comprehensive Hebrew word containing many layers and facets of meaning.  It means to experience God’s wide range of blessings: like a spiritual encounter, a divine human encounter, where you know, in your heart of hearts, that you just had an encounter with God or you experienced God’s grace.  You know beyond a doubt that it could only have been God acting in your life.  Shalom includes God’s blessing of material prosperity, where God makes provision for your material needs; it includes a sense of satisfaction,  fulfillment, of feeling whole and complete, rather than broken or fragmented;  it includes the blessing of health or recovery from illness;  it includes spiritual well-being or inner-peace in your relationship with God; it includes receiving courage from God to face the unknown or something that frightens you; it includes experiencing righteousness and justice where there has been injustice in your life; it includes experiencing the blessing of harmony in your relationships, where before there had been discord; it includes the blessing of peace, where before there was conflict and hostility; it includes the blessing of true joy, enjoyment, and it includes the blessing of rest.  So you see the depth and the many layers of God’s shalom.  The Bible is not speaking about some fantasy or pie in the sky, but a reality in life today.

Hebrew wraps all that into a single word.  It is one of the most important words or concepts or realities in the Bible and in our Judeo/Christian tradition.  There is no word in the English language which even comes close to it.

The psalmist says:  “Pray for the Shalom of Jerusalem.  May they who love you prosper.  Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.  I will say peace be within you.  For the sake of the House of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.”  Another psalmist writes:  “May the Lord give strength to His people.  May the Lord bless His people with peace.”  Jesus says: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”  Hear the many layers of God’s Shalom in the psalmist’s prayers.

But Shalom is even more: it’s a calling, a divine commission, to God’s people and to you and me.  God calls us to bring shalom wherever we are, in whatever we do, and to whomever we are with.  Shalom also means to work for the highest good for others.   We are to seek good for others.  We are to bring people into God’s kingdom so that they might experience communion with God.

I think of homeless people, families, men, women, and children living on the streets of our city.  We know there is a human personality, a human story, behind each face.  It is a tragic reality of life.  God calls us, the church, the synagogue, the government, the Veteran’s Administration, non-profit organizations, to bring Shalom to these people.  To not be stopped by negative or pessimistic or prejudicial feelings, but to let our faith and values move us to bring a word of God, a word of love, a word of Shalom.

And so we here at PBPC offer our Sunday Night Ministry, meals and hospitality, to homeless people, and our partnership with CCSA and our mail service to hundreds of homeless people in our city.  We are not alone, but in partnership in God’s work of shalom.

God also calls us to look at our family, our friends, our relatives, colleagues, people close to us, and further ask the question, how does God want me to work in partnership with him in bringing Shalom to these people.

One writer put it this way: “Unless I'm at peace with God, I'm not part of the solution; I'm still part of the problem.  But in Jesus I can be an instrument of God's peace.  Following Jesus is not only a matter of enjoying peace in my heart or in my relationship with God.  Jesus calls us to join his movement of bringing shalom to a broken world.”

The Bible reminds us that God has a plan to one day fully bring his shalom to the world.  We pray for God’s peace and pray that God will use us in His great work. Shalom is here in this world now. Where God’s will is being done, wherever the Kingdom reigns, wherever people experience salvation, we see Shalom.  But Shalom is also coming. We look to the future.  It’s a guaranteed hope which God is bringing to this world.  Here is the vision in book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible.

“See, the home of God is among mortals.  God will dwell with them as their God and they will be his peoples, God will be with them and will wipe every tear from their eyes, death will be no more, mourning and crying and pain will cease.”

I close with the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the 12th century Franciscan order of monks: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith in you; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.  O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”   Shalom!

Don’t Lag, be Ardent (Romans 12:9-21) by Rev. Dr. Alan W. Deuel

A visitor to Minnesota writes about his experience.  “In the community of Nisswa, Minnesota, an event happens a couple times a year which draws people from all around, the popular Nisswa Turtle Races. Every Wednesday evening in the summer months, the people of Nisswa and the surrounding communities gather at a designated parking lot for the weekly races.

It's big excitement and big business. Vendors rent turtles; others sell "turtle products." And the fans gather early, placing their chairs and blankets in the best viewing sites. In one recent contest, 435 turtles raced in heats of fifteen over a six-foot-long course.

Bif, the announcer, calls the turtles to their mark, gives them the "Go!" . . . and the crowd goes wild. People stand, jump, and wave their hands in the air, imploring their turtles to be unturtle-like. The excitement grows and finally reaches a boiling point as the preliminary winners all gather for the championship race.

Amid unrestrained shouts and cheers, the first turtle crosses the finish line, and the winning "trainer" receives five dollars—along with a turtle necklace. What an uncharacteristic frenzy of emotion for the normally reserved folks of Northern Minnesota!”

Exuberance, enthusiasm, what do you get excited about?  The stress and tension, the hurt and

disappointments, the pressure and demands of life take their toll; they constantly threaten to deplete our energy and vitality.  Life can lead us down dark roads of pessimism. You know people who have lost their zest for life.  Who have given up?  The truth is that life can become routine, we can become stagnant and lose our vivacity.

When you think of someone you know who is enthusiastic who comes to mind?  The word "enthusiasm" is actually derived from the roots of two Greek words; en — “in or within” and theos — “God.”   It means having God within or being inspired or possessed by God.   I don’t know but there’s just something about enthusiasm, it’s contagious.   It’s catchy.   It rouses people out of their lethargy.

Enthusiastic people light up our lives.   They stir us up.  They have an ability to radiate energy.  They are curious, inquisitive.  They are intensely interested in other people.  They aren’t afraid to try something new.  They focus on the positive, when things are negative; on what’s possible, when things seem impossible, on clearing roadblocks rather than being stopped by them.  They look for solutions to problems, rather than blame.  They look for options, possibilities.  They feel deeply and laugh often.  A sense of humor is key.  They don’t take themselves so seriously.  They give themselves fully in what they do, no matter how small the task. They serve a greater purpose than themselves.

In her book Exuberance: The Passion for Life Kay Jamison profiles Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir, whose passion for the glories of the natural world touched and influenced millions. This buoyant quality enables people to do great things.   Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: "Every great and commanding moment in the annals of the world is the triumph of some enthusiasm."  There is a playful dimension in the spiritual writings of the Christian Saints like Hildegard of Bingen, a twelfth century mystic, who wrote: “Be Juicy people, filled with wonder, delight, and optimism.”

If all we do is complain, we need a change of attitude.  If we are negative much of the time, often feeling sorry for ourselves, if we see darkness rather than light most of the time, we need a change of heart.   Why?  It’s not healthy.  It’s not what God intended for your life or mind.  And further it’s not a great way to make friends.  People get tired of hearing us.  Let’s be honest, people stop listening after a while.

I remember a woman who was extremely critical, negative, always complaining, and a poor listener. She was difficult to be around for very long.  She said one time, “I just no longer have any friends, they are all busy, they don’t have time for me, no one calls me anymore.”  How do you want to be remembered?   “She was a glass half empty person; we called him Mr. Crabby.”  God didn’t say, “I think I’ll create a race of grumblers.”  God wants us to live passionate, helpful, hope-filled, positive, committed, and energized lives.  A lack of enthusiasm often stems from ingratitude, a sense of entitlement, a lack of appreciation, and self-centeredness.  As a Christian I also believe it stems from a lack of faith.  You think it all depends on you.

The Bible in the letter of Romans says: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.   Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”  Another translation says: “Never lag in zeal, be ardent, be aglow and on fire, serving the Lord.”   God’s word is talking about being enthusiastic followers of Jesus, in your witness, your faith, and your attitude.  Jesus is talking about letting others know you are his follower regardless of the circumstances.   And that takes the power of God working in our hearts.

We read in I Thessalonians: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Jesus says: “Everyone who acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.”

God wants you to do your work, to fulfill your responsibilities, whatever they are, to serve, wherever you are, with such ardor that others see Christ in you.   If it’s being a mom, what a gift from the Lord, give it everything you’ve got.  If it’s being a dad, what a gift, give it your all.  If its serving in the church or community, what a privilege, give it your whole heart.  If it’s babysitting, what a blessing, give it your all.  If its being a student, what an opportunity, give it 100%.  If it’s being a grandparent, now that’s an easy one, most grandparents I know are quite exuberant.  God wants us to give our heart and soul, to radiate His love and care, and God will bless such an attitude.   Yes, such an attitude makes all the difference.  When you hear it, when you see it, when you smell it, when you sense it, when you feel it, you are blessed.

I remember a woman at another church who said: “Pastor, why do other churches have women’s retreats and we don’t?  I said well, we need leadership.”  She said: “Would you mind if I starting talking around to see if there is interest in a women’s retreat?”  I said “By all means.”  She started talking to other women of the church, gathered a small planning group together, recruited a speaker, and that fall our church sponsored our first women’s retreat.

That’s the difference between enthusiastic people and grumblers.  Grumblers say, “Look at this problem, isn’t it awful, whose fault is this.”  Enthusiastic people say: “We have a problem.  What do we need to do to solve it, Lord, how can I help?”  Vehemence, ardor finds solutions where there appear to be none, and seeks breakthroughs where it was thought impossible.

God has given you power, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.    Take time to renew your spiritual resources each day.   Our lives need to be infused with the goodness and power and joy of God every day.  A good prayer is: God, grant me a grateful heart.  I want to be aglow with your presence?   I want to serve and support others joyfully and freely without feeling obligated.   Enliven my Spirit.  May people see Christ in me.

Our member Judi Hauser texted me recently about a visit with member Jean Stone, who is in her 90’s and back in the hospital.  Judi wrote: “I wanted you to know I spent an hour with Jean Stone today.  She is such a strong willed determined person and so cheerful.  She says she is doing very little exercise, but her left arm and the pelvic area are improving. She has a doctor’s appointment on Monday and hopes to see significant improvement.  We had a great visit and I deeply admire her strength and faith.”

Retired baseball player Cal Ripken, the ironman, of the Baltimore Orioles played a record-breaking 2,632 consecutive ball games.  Ripken's mother tells the story about the night before Cal's first Little League baseball game.  “When I tucked him in that evening, I noticed he was wearing his baseball uniform. I told him he didn't need to do that; he'd have plenty of time to dress in the morning. So I made him get up and change into his pajamas.  Several hours later before turning in for the night, Mrs. Ripken went in to check on Cal one more time. He was sound asleep, snug and comfy--in his uniform!”  Sometimes we adults can learn something from the unrestrained enthusiasm of our children.

Where do you get inspiration?    I like what Rev. Robert Schuller wrote: “Add up your joys; never count your sorrows.  Look at what you have left in your life; never look at what you have lost.  Relive your happy memories.  Treat yourself to replays of that great collection of joyful experiences that have occurred in your past.  There are many wonderful things that have happened to you in life.”

I close with these words of wisdom: "Do not judge whether what you are doing is impressive or mediocre.  Just give yourself to whatever you do fully and with this knowledge: God is within me. All actions that I perform are an offering to God."

Let us be positive, exuberant followers of our Lord.  Never lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord, rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.  Why,   because our days and our lives are an offering to God.    Amen!

Count for Something (Matthew 25:14-30) by Rev. Dr. Alan W. Deuel

In January 2010, Jeff Miller, an independent businessman from Rogers Park, Illinois clinched his third consecutive “Ultimate Couch Potato” title Chicago's ESPN Zone. "It's all about determination," said Miller, who watched TV sports programming for 72 straight, sleepless hours.

Miller, 26, bested three other competitors and pushed himself beyond the Guinness World Record for nonstop viewing.  The venue controlled the remote from the time the four contestants first reclined on New Year's Day, and 72 hours later Miller sat alone. His superior sluggishness earned him a new recliner, a $1,000 gift card toward the purchase of a television, money for one year for his cable/satellite bills, and the Ultimate Couch Potato trophy, adorned with an actual spud just like the trophies he won in 2008 and 2009.  Ambition, you gotta love it.

From a Biblical and Christian perspective, God has created each one of us, so the question is, is winning the ultimate couch potato title what God desires for our lives or does God have something else in mind?  One philosophy goes something like this:  When someone calls for a volunteer look the other way, turn away, keep your head facing downward, don’t make eye contact, don’t look up.  Follow, never lead.  Strive for mediocrity.  Aim low.  Do the least, do the minimum, just get buy.  Stay in the center of the crowd so you won’t get chosen; whatever you do, don’t stand out.  Sadly, this is some people’s philosophy today.

So why has God created you and me, to glorify God and not ourselves? We are called to accomplish something for the Lord?  We are called to live for something larger than ourselves?   We are called to achieve?   God has created us for significance, for our lives to count for something?    Are you reaching your full potential as a follower of Jesus Christ?   Are you investing in the Kingdom of God?

We read in psalm 8 – “What are human beings O God, that you are mindful of them, mere mortals, that you care for them, and yet you have made them a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.   You have given them dominion over the works of your hands you have put all things under their feet.”

In our lesson from the Gospel of Matthew we read about a master going on a journey who leaves his servants in charge of his property.  He gives give talents to the first servant, two talents to the next servant, and one talent, to the third, each according to his ability.  Clearly Jesus meant this parable to apply to his followers.  And we quickly see that we all have talents and abilities, but they are different, and that some people have more abilities and others have less, but God has given abilities to everyone.

After a period of time, the master returns and asks his servants to give an account of what they have done with their talents.  The master is pleased with the first servant and says: “Well done, good and faithful servant.  You did something positive with your talents.    You have been faithful and I will give you other responsibilities.  Come and share in your master’s happiness.”  The servant with the two talents receives the identical response.  But the master is not happy with the third servant.  The servant makes excuses, and accuses the master of being hard and unpredictable.  He blames the master for his doing nothing with his abilities.  He fails to take personal responsibility for his lack of action.  Out of fear, he buries his talent and doesn’t attempt to use or invest it.  The master takes the talent away and gives it to another servant.  Then the master has the servant thrown out into the darkness.

This is a parable about life, life matters, it counts for something, it is significant.  What does a significant life look like?  That’s what’s wonderful. Significance comes in all sizes.  There is no one standard or ideal, no one size fits all, no blueprint or template.  There is no cookie cutter measure.  It looks differently.  It might even look like your life right now.   Are you living a significant life?  Are you reaching your God given potential as a follower of Jesus?

I suspect that there are people in our society who feel insignificant.  They think, “I don’t really matter.  I haven’t done anything important. I haven’t contributed anything of value.   I don’t have anything special to offer the world.  I’m nothing special.”   Of course there are also those whose ego is so colossal, that they fill a room all by themselves.   They believe they are God’s gift to anyone who has the good fortune to meet them.  Maybe you know someone like that.

Living a life that counts for something means that our lives are accountable to God, that we will be held accountable for the stewardship of our lives.

The truth is that God has given each of us something to work with.  We don’t enter this life empty handed.  God has imparted to us a mind, ears and eyes, a heart, wisdom, knowledge, experience, health, compassion, influence, relationships, freedom to make choices and set priorities, the ability to see needs and address them.  God passionately wants us to achieve something in the limited time that He has given us on this earth.

God says: “I created you in my image, your life is a gift, you are special, you are my child, that’s why you have the capacity to excel in life?  I have given you my Spirit.”  That’s why we can lead a life that is noteworthy in God’s eyes.  God has graced us with abilities and talents.

Living a life that counts for something also means that our view of God affects how we perceive ourselves.   Your view of God will directly affect your ability to step out in faith.  The first and second servants respected the master, they trusted his word, they trusted his mercy and love, they trusted his leading, they obeyed him, they stepped out in faith.  Even when the master was gone, they proved trustworthy and wise in their work.  They knew this was a chance to do something significant.

You’ve seen old cars driving around with a bumper sticker that says my other car is a BMW?  Well a young man was seen pedaling around a college campus with a T-shirt reading “I’m going to be a doctor.”  A sign on the back on his bicycle proclaimed, “I’m going to be a Mercedes.”   Now that’s positive thinking.

Actor Hugh O’ Brian died last Monday.  He was 91.  Now I don’t know about you, but he was one of my childhood heroes.  He played Wyatt Earp, in the Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp which ran six seasons, from 1955 – 1961.  That series made him a star.  He also acted in many other television shows.  Now that in itself is quite an accomplishment.

But his most enduring legacy is off-screen.  He organized the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership organization, founded to inspire and develop youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation.  More than 375,000 high school sophomores selected by their schools have gone through this organization.

How did it start?  It grew out of an invitation to O’Brian from Dr. Albert Schweitzer to visit the medical missionary at his hospital in Africa.  O’Brian spent 9 days working at the hospital in the summer of 1958.  It was a life changing experience for him.  He and Dr. Schweitzer spent hours talking each night after dinner.  As O’Brian was getting ready to depart, Schweitzer asked asked: “Hugh, what are you going to do with this?”  On the plane flight home, the vision of an educational organization for youth came into his mind.

On the other hand, I also think of people whom you never heard of, people who were not famous, but significant in my personal life – Like Ms. Moe, my third grade teacher, Mr. Armundson, my 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Malone, my Sunday School teacher, and Rev. Hamilton, my pastor.  Your significant life can be known by the world or by a single person whom you were there for and supported at just the right time.   The life we lead depends upon our understanding of, our view of God.  If you believe God is a couch potato, chances re you too will adopt a similar life-style.

Living a life that counts for something means that what we do in life has eternal significance.   Your influence stretches beyond this earthly life.  It touches other people for generations after we are gone.  Our life has an immeasurable impact on this world.  When we invest our lives glorifying God, God will honor our investment and multiply our efforts beyond anything we can know or imagine.

You never know when your seemingly small task is actually a part of God’s big plan.  Remember there are opportunities all around us – in our neighborhood, our community, our church, our family and even in politics.  God calls us to lead important lives, and we need to respond.  Because ultimately only God can see the big picture and how you fit into that picture.  God calls us not just to survive but to thrive.  Not just to lead lives of mediocrity, but of reaching our God given potential.  That whatever the task or challenge, to give our most and not our least.

Herman Cain, CEO and president of Godfather’s Pizza, was raised in poverty.  He credits his hard working father for his success in life.  Throughout Herman’s life, his father worked 3 or 4 jobs at a time in order to support his family.  Cain also received inspiration from a poem taught to him by Dr. Benjamin Mays, a former president of Morehouse college.   This poem has guided Herman through the ups and downs of his life.

“Life is just a minute, only sixty seconds in it, forced upon you, can’t refuse it, Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it, But it’s up to you to use it.  You must suffer if you lose it, give an account if you abuse it, just a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it.”

God’s word is powerful – your life matters, it counts for something.    Remember the psalmist’s words:  God has crowned you with glory and honor.  Let us pray: “God, here I am, open my eyes, open my ears, use me for something significant, that you will be pleased, that you will be glorified and that we too may hear those word:  ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, well done.’”   Amen

Our Perspective and God’s Perspective (I John 3:1-3; Col.1;1-2) by Rev. Dr. Alan W. Deuel

Last week we received this letter in the mail.   “Subject:  Notice of Data Security incident.  Dear Alan and Nancy: We are writing to inform you of a data security incident that may have involved your payment card information.  We take the privacy and security of your identity protection seriously.  Here are the steps that we have taken to protect your payment card information.”  We called the bank and after a discussion closed the account and opened a new one.  Have you ever received a letter like that?

As we know, identity theft occurs when someone steals your name and other personal information for fraudulent use.  Thieves can open up checking accounts, charge your credit cards, drain your bank accounts, buy cars or houses, take out loans, all on you and me.  This is a serious cyber-age crime invading our personal privacy and identity.  Why don’t these people put their skills to positive use?

Identity is both collective and individual.   Our collective identity is the shared sense of belonging to a group, belonging to something larger than ourselves.  I am an American is perhaps the most obvious example.  Belonging to a street gang is another.  There are some 30,000 street gangs which are responsible for 80% of the crime in America.  Gang members will do anything to maintain their position in the gang.  But what about our personal identity?

How we think about ourselves matters, right, it matters a great deal.  Baseball pitcher Orel Hershiser, in his book Out of the Blue, tells about an encounter he had with Dodger’s manager Tommy Lasorda.  Lasorda called Hershiser into his office one day and shouted at him.  “You don’t believe in yourself!  You’re scared to pitch in the big leagues!  Who do you think these hitters are, Babe Ruth?   Ruth’s dead.  You’ve got good stuff.  If you didn’t, I wouldn’t have hired you.  I’ve seen guys come and go, son, and you’ve got it!  Be aggressive.  Be a bulldog out there.  That’s gonna be your new name, Bulldog.  With that name, you’ll scare the batters to death.  “Starting today I want you to believe you are the best pitcher in baseball.  Look at the hitter and say, ‘There’s no way you can ever hit me.’”  Two days later, Orel pitched relief and in three innings, he gave up only one run.  Lasorda’s talk, Orel called it the sermon on the mound, had worked.

Identity is an elusive and challenging part of being human.  More precisely, it is a fluid part of who we are, a dynamic aspect of our lives.  We begin to feel like we know ourselves, we begin to feel comfortable with who we are, we believe we can finally define ourselves, and then something occurs and we find that we are in the process of re-defining ourselves yet once more.  We can’t seem to hold on to whom we understood ourselves to be.   Maybe we must answer the question, who am I, throughout our life.  Perhaps we are continually redefining ourselves.  Is the question of identity a lifelong process.  What do you think?

Who am I?  One way to answer that question is to go to ancestry.com.  Genealogy is popular today.   I think knowing your lineage is a positive aspect of life.   I like the commercial where this guy says that for all of his life he thought of himself as being of German extraction.  So he often danced around in lederhosen.   Then he went on ancestry.com and made the alarming discovery that he was primarily of Scottish descent.  So as he said: “I traded in by lederhosen for a pair of kilts.”

So many factors contribute to our identity. Our family defines us. Our gender defines us.  Our race/ethnicity defines us.  Our social status defines us.  Our work, our careers, define us.  I remember a professor who had long since retired, but still insisted on being addressed as professor.  Our roles define us.  I am single or married, a son or daughter, father or mother, wife or husband, a grandfather or grandmother, widow or widower, working or retired.   Our physical dimensions, our size defines us, our intelligence defines us, our success or failures define us, our accomplishments and achievements define us, being dependent or independent defines us and the list goes on.

Human beings face many challenges in life.  And one of them, practically from the moment of birth, is to try and figure out who the heck we are in this world and in comparison to other people.  I think this is a critical goal or process in life.  I think we continually battle between defining ourselves and allowing the world around us to define us.  I think we should be proactive, not passive.  We also know the way we see ourselves, is not always, though sometimes it is, the way others see us. The problem is that our identity is often a moving target.

For example, two American psychologists, Pauline Clancy and Suzanne Imes, observed what they called "the impostor syndrome." They described it as a feeling of "phoniness in people who believe that they are not intelligent, capable, or creative, despite evidence of high achievement." While these people "are highly motivated to achieve," they also "live in fear of being 'found out' or exposed as frauds."

The gifted American author and poet Maya Angelou wrote: "I have written 11 books, but each time I think, 'Uh oh, they're going to find out now. I've run a game on everybody, and they're going to find me out.'" Despite winning three Grammys and being nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award, this huge talent still questioned her success.

So we turn to the scriptures:  In the letter of I John we read this astonishing truth about identity, our new identity: “See what love the Father has given us that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are.  Beloved we are God’s children now.  What we do know is this, when he is revealed we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.”  This is the word of God.  Ponder this word for a moment.

In the letter of Colossian’s we again hear God’s amazing word: “To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.”  Both of these passages speak about our new identity from God’s perspective.

An author writes: “In August, 2009, we got a rather amazing email from my brother in law, John. Six or seven years ago, when John and his wife, Lori, were working with a youth group in Nebraska, they met Amanda—a teenage girl.  Amanda came from a terribly abusive home and was eventually taken from her parents by the state.

After conferring with their two sons, John and Lori legally adopted Amanda. She is 22, and her name is now Amanda Foote. She will even get a new birth certificate!  Now John and Lori have three legal heirs, and Amanda has two new brothers.   When it was official, John said:  There was a huge change in Lori and me—sort of like when you see your newborn for the first time.  And for Amanda, there was a big change in her, too. Now she knew she belonged. She knew we were her parents."

The author continues:  The beauty of it all made me offer a word of thanks to Jesus, God's Beloved Son. God has given us a new name, a new standing in a new relationship, we are God’s responsibility and God’s heirs, we are a new family of brothers and sisters in Christ, and God is our true Father.”

The irony is that when you become a Christian, you take on someone else's identity.  You are a brother or sister of Christ; you are a child of God.  Through faith in Christ, You and I have been given a new identity that we weren't born with or that we didn't earn or purchase.  By grace, God has adopted us in Christ.  And this is a gift which is true now and forever.

Don’t you walk just a little taller, don’t you stand just a little straighter, when you hear this about how God sees you.  God sees you in a new way now.  And God’s new way of seeing you will never change.  God will never forget about us or who we are.  We may see ourselves one way, the world may see us another way, but ultimately what matters is how God sees us, how God sees you and me.  May we live each hour, each day remembering this, being encouraged by this, and being secure in the knowledge of God’s perspective. Amen!

Celebrate the Journey (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) by Rev. Dr. Alan W. Deuel

An elderly man had some serious hearing problems.  His family tried repeatedly to convince him to get a hearing aid.  Finally, he went to the doctor and was fitted for a set of hearing aids that dramatically improved his hearing.  A month later he went back to the doctor for a checkup. The doctor said with a smile, "Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again."  The old man replied, "Who said I told them?   It’s been fascinating just listening to their conversations.”

Welcome to celebrate the journey.  I want to thank Mavis Qualsett, our former Coordinator for Congregational Care, who due to health problems is not able to be with us today, but who organized this celebration of life and is still very involved in our caring ministry.  Today we are recognizing 17 members of PBPC who have reached the exceptional age of 90 or older.   Yes, they have been on life’s journey longer than the rest of us, but don’t despair, keep breathing, keep moving, keep praying, for one day it will be our honor to recognize you when you reach this esteemed age.

The number of senior citizens, a club of which I am a member, is rapidly increasing in America.   By the year 2030 one out of every five Americans will be a senior citizen.   Life expectancy in the United States in 1900 was about 47.  Today, the average lifespan for men is 75 and for women about 80. By 2040 its projected that the life expectancy for men will be 86 and for women 91.

We value life.  From diet to exercise, from advances in medicine to the finest hospitals and doctors, from cosmetics to plastic surgery, we strive to look and feel younger and extend our days upon this earth.  One’s lifespan depends upon several of factors: genetics, family history, social and environmental factors, health care, positive social relationships, a positive mental attitude, a healthy lifestyle, finding effective ways to cope with stress, the grace of God and more.

Yes we are getting older and living longer.  But are we also getting younger?  We constantly hear that today’s 70’s are yesterday’s 50’s.  Studies show that today’s 70 year old’s are performing physically, mentally and attitudinally the way 50 year old’s did in the past.  So it looks like we are getting older and younger at the same time.

Studies also point out the positive role that spirituality/religious faith, prayer and worship play in our journey of life.   Many books and articles have been published on the subject of retirement, aging, reaching the final years of our lives.  Some call it the twilight or sunset of life.  Now are sunsets beautiful or what?

Many articles focus upon the material aspects of growing older, encouraging traveling, spending your money on fun things, etc.   But often the literature excludes or downplays the spiritual values of aging, developing faith in God, service in God’s name, which brings joy, meaning and purpose as one ages.  I know our 17 special people today would all affirm how indispensable faith has been to their journey.  The spiritual realm is important for all people, but as one’s mortality and the reality of death draws nearer these questions often become more significant.  I believe God has placed this spiritual characteristic or instinct or need into our nature because we are made in God’s image.  God earnestly desires for human beings to be in fellowship, in a right relationship with Him, but sin, sin blinds us to it or buries it.

C. G. Jung, the famous 19th and 20th century Swiss psychoanalyst, wrote: “Among all my patients in the second half of life, that is to say, over 35, there has not been one whose problem in the last resort was not finding a religious outlook on life, and none of them has been really healed, who did not regain his religious outlook.  We grow old unsatisfactorily when our personalities are deprived of such a basic need.  To go through the later stages of life without any thought of the meaning of life and the author of our existence is a situation fraught with danger.”  St. Augustine, bishop of Hippo, in the 4th century wrote: “O God our hearts are restless until they find rest in thee.”

What insights do we gain from scripture about life’s journey and especially its final stage?   Human life is a gift from God our creator.   We didn’t create ourselves, we didn’t will ourselves into existence.  You and I exist by the grace of God.  The book of Genesis says: “God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them, male and female God created them.”  Your life is unique; there is no one else in the universe exactly like you.

Life is transitory.  Our mortal lives have a beginning and an end.  The psalmist writes: “O God, we are like a dream, like grass which grows up, that in the morning is fresh and flourishing, and in the evening fades and withers.”  When you look back over the years, don’t you agree.

Suffering, pain, and disappointment are part of life’s journey.  Because of human sin and evil life is not always fair and just.  So we depend upon God, we depend upon Jesus, and one another to help us get through the upsets, the hurt, the challenges of life.

We were created for positive and lasting relationships with God and one another.  The role of family, friends and the family of God, the church, is crucial along the journey.  The psalmist says: “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing God’s praise in the assembly of his faithful people.  For the Lord takes pleasure in his people.”

God establishes seasons or special times in our lives.   We need to recognize them, to grow in them, to learn from them, to be patient in them, to persevere in them, to maintain courage and a positive outlook in them, and to trust in God’s guidance.  Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes: “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.”   We must seek to understand God’s timing, God’s lessons, God’s moment, God’s purposes and plans in the seasons of our lives.

God has given us physical bodies to care for.  I regularly see people in their 60’s,70’s and 80’s working out at 24 Hour Fitness as well as young people. We may not be as agile as we once were, or as strong, but that should never stop us.  An elderly husband writes: “One day as my wife and I were walking our two-mile course, I secretly determined to keep up with her--a feat thus far never accomplished.  I huffed and puffed most of the way trying to keep pace. I figured that with some effort, I could hold out until we got to her usual slow-down point. When we finally reached it, Deb kept right on walking at the same rate. Breathlessly, I asked, "Honey, aren't you going to slow down like usual?" She cheerfully replied, "Sweetheart, I never sped up!"

God wants to use us for His glory and Kingdom throughout our lives, yes even in the twilight years.   I think of people I’ve known over the years, like Bob, who started a prison ministry at a former church I pastored when he was 65, Katherine who was visiting Alzheimer’s patients in her eighties, Jan who in her nineties was writing letters to church visitors, and Virginia who in her nineties was active on the church prayer chain.  Such people are an inspiration.  We must always maintain a willingness to grow at whatever stage we find ourselves.

Some persons become bitter as they age and withdraw from those around them.   They isolate themselves, cut off ties with family and friends, and become virtual hermits.   Don’t do that.  Stay positive, stay connected, stay engaged.  Believe that God has something to offer others through you.

When John Quincy Adams, our 6th president, was an elderly man, a young friend asked "How is John Quincy Adams today?" Adams replied: “John Quincy Adams is very well, thank you.  But the house he lives in is sadly dilapidated. It is tottering on its foundations. The walls are badly shattered and the roof is worn. The building trembles with every wind, and I think John Quincy Adams will have to move out before long. But he himself is very well, thank you.”

God will let you know when he’s finished with you, but in the meantime keep moving, keep breathing, keep serving, keep glorifying and sharing in His Kingdom.

The Bible speaks of the importance of maintaining a positive and hopeful attitude along life's journey.  I Thessalonians says: “Rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you.”  Life is to be lived in thankfulness and appreciation and joy for God’s grace and mercy.

In psalm 90:12 we read: “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”   Lord teach us to number of days, to think about them, to examine them, in light of our faith.  God earnestly wants us to gain wisdom.  For how you spend your years matters, it matters a great deal to God.

The late Dr. Norman Cousins wrote: “Death is not the greatest tragedy which can befall a person; rather, the tragedy is in what dies in a person, while he or she is alive.”

“What is God’s purpose for the years before you?”  How and where can you put your experience, wisdom, talents and resources to use in God’s kingdom?  William Courtenay wrote: “I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow-creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."

Let us celebrate life’s journey in light of the one who is our dwelling place in all generations, from everlasting to everlasting, until the last trumpet sounds and Jesus welcomes into glory.   Amen!

Can I Forgive (Matthew 6:14-15; Ephesians 4:29-32) by Rev. Dr. Alan W. Deuel

Christian author Max Lucado tells the story of being dropped by his insurance company because he had one too many speeding tickets and a minor fender bender that wasn't his fault.  As he reflected on how he wasn't good enough for his insurance company, the spiritual tie-in was obvious.  He writes this imaginary letter sent from the Pearly Gates Underwriting Division:

Dear Mr. Smith,

“I'm writing in response to your request for forgiveness. I'm sorry to inform you that you have reached your quota of sins. Our records show that, since employing our services, you have erred seven times in the area of greed, and your prayer life is substandard when compared to others of like age and circumstance.  Further review reveals that your understanding of doctrine is in the lower 20 percentile and you have excessive tendencies to gossip.  Because of your sins you are a high-risk candidate for heaven. You understand that grace has its limits. Jesus sends his regrets and kindest regards and hopes that you will find some other form of coverage.”

How would you like to receive a letter like that?

Think of a person whom you are having trouble forgiving.  From families to friendships, from the workplace to worship places, the potential to be hurt or wronged or wounded by another is always present.  Someone hurt you, maybe yesterday, maybe many years ago, and you cannot forget it.  You did not deserve the hurt.  It went deep, deep enough to lodge itself in your memory.  And it keeps on hurting you now.  The question is – will you forgive, should you forgive, can you forgive?

Yes, forgiveness is a beautiful notion, a lovely ideal, until you are faced with the messy reality of having to actually forgive someone who has wronged you.  And yet, if the gospel says anything; it’s the message of God’s forgiveness of us in Jesus and God’s call for us to forgive others.  For who are Christians but believers who recognize that are forgiven sinners.

As human beings God did not give us the power to change the past.  God did give us the power to forgive the past.  God did not give us a delete button to erase the past.  God gave us memory.  God gave us the power to forgive.

What does forgiveness mean?  Biblically it speaks about changing your head, your heart, your attitude toward someone who has sinned against you.  It doesn’t mean you must forget what has happened or minimize it.  It doesn’t mean you deny the other person’s responsibility in hurting you.  It doesn’t mean you must make an excuse for their action.  It doesn’t mean the other person is not accountable for his or her actions. It doesn’t mean you must become best friends.  It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t report them to the police if they are physically hurting you.  It doesn’t mean allowing or tolerating abusive or bullying behavior toward you.  Remorse, repentance, making things right is also a part of the biblical understanding of forgiveness.

In the Old Testament there are some Hebrew words for forgiveness – nasa - means “to remove or lift up or carry away” a barrier or obstacle which stands between you and another person, which then opens up the possibility for restoring the relationship.

Another Hebrew word is – Salach - means to “let go,” to let go of the resentment or anger you harbor toward another.  Forgiveness is a means of letting go of bitterness and thoughts of revenge.   Forgiveness can sometimes lead to feelings of understanding for the one who hurt you.

How do we forgive?   I like the way the late theologian Lewis Smedes answers the question: “How, you do it slowly, with a little understanding, in confusion, with anger left over, a little at a time, freely or not at all.”

We forgive slowly.  Forgiveness is an intellectual, emotional and spiritual process.  You might forgive someone in your head, but in your heart you are still wounded.  It takes time for your heart to catch up with your head.  Today we like things to happen fast: fast food, fast computers, fast cell phone service, but some things take time and forgiveness is one of them.  Forgiveness is a journey.  It happens a little at a time. It requires patience.  One's commitment to it has to be renewed every day.  Late theologian Lewis Smedes writes: “You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well.”

We also forgive freely.  You cannot be forced to forgive someone.  The person who hurt you may try to pressure you into forgiving him or her or even your friends might pressure you to forgive, they might plead with you, beg you, but no one can force you.   It must come freely from inside of your soul.

I remember a cartoon where one guy has his hands around another guy’s neck and is choking him.  The guy in the chokehold says: “But you’re a Christian, you have to forgive me.”  The other guy says: “I know, I’m trying, I’m trying.”   For me, the bottom line is that the ability to truly forgive someone is an act of God’s grace.  The power comes from God.  It’s an answer to prayer.  God empowers us to do what we cannot do ourselves.

Scripture teaches about forgiveness.  “Don’t keep a record of how many times someone has hurt you and how many times you have forgiven them.”   Have you ever done that?

Jewish scribes in Jesus’ day taught that one should forgive someone three times.  Peter in the Gospel of Matthew approaches Jesus and asks him: “How many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me, up to seven times?”  Peter thought he was being more than fair given the custom of the day.   But Jesus answers: “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.”  That equals 490 times, is that the limit?  No, this is a Jewish maxim that means “without limit.”  There is no limit to forgiveness.

Why forgive?  First, remember who you are – a child of God, a follower of Christ.  Jesus commands us to forgive in His name.  We in the church are a community of forgiven and forgiving sinners.  We aren’t perfect, far from it.  I like that old bumper sticker – “Christians are perfect, just forgiven.”  Christians haven’t earned God’s grace; we didn’t earn a bronze, silver or gold metal before God in the Spiritual Olympics.  God forgave us in spite of ourselves.  We have received God’s free gift of salvation by grace through faith.  Forgiveness is one of the marks of being a Christian.  It’s a sign of living in-Christ.  It is a witness to the world.

God’s forgiveness abolishes the walls that separate us from Him and restores our relationship with God.  Because God has forgiven you, Christ says I want you my followers to forgive others.  Jesus says: “If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will forgive you; but if you don’t forgive others their sins, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your sins.”  Forgiveness is serious business in the mind of Jesus.

Second, we are to forgive because our ability to share the forgiveness of God possesses an incredible power to change and impact lives.  There is power in a parent forgiving a child or a child forgiving a parent.  There is power in a wife forgiving a husband or a husband forgiving a wife.  There is power when a friend forgives another friend.  The power to erase shame and guilt.   It is a potent gift you can give to another.  “I forgive you.”

You never know what a difference that can mean in another person’s life.  It can totally change a person’s life.   There are many stories which bear this out, like the woman who was mugged in broad daylight, her purse was stolen in the robbery.  The man was arrested.  She visited him in jail for over a year after he was sentenced for the crime.  He came out of jail a changed young man because of the love he experienced from her in the form of forgiveness.

Third, forgiveness opens up the possibility, and I say possibility, for restoring a broken relationship which you once valued.  You invite the person who hurt you back into your life.  If the person is remorseful, repents, comes honestly there is a chance for creating a new beginning.  Nothing else can do this.  No, there are no guarantees.  Forgiveness brings a hope for reconciliation. If the person refuses to acknowledge his or her responsibility, you have to be healed alone.  We know sometimes reconciliation happens and sometimes it doesn’t, it’s as they say, complicated.

Third, we are to forgive because you shall ultimately find healing, renewal and peace in forgiveness. You will discover healing inside of you from the hatred, the resentment, the anger, the desire for revenge.  The inability to forgive the past robs you of joy and gladness for today.  It can sour your soul.   Forgiveness, as a friend told me - “Is in the long run the only remedy for the pain which you didn’t deserve and the pain that will not go away.”

When you ask God to help you forgive another person, then you open yourself up to experience God’s grace and peace in your heart.  Bitterness, unresolved anger or hostility slowly fades.  If not, such negative emotions will poison your soul. They will become toxic and bring sickness to your body. God’s grace can begin to bring healing to our lives.  “Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were,” wrote Cherie Carter-Scott.

Forgiveness can change the power that a negative past experience can have on our lives today. Lewis Smedes wrote: “Forgiving does not erase the bitter past.  A healed memory is not a deleted memory.  Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember.  We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future.”

A good way to begin the process of forgiving someone and to begin healing is to pray for that person.  What?  Pray you say!   This is difficult, I know, I know this personally, but ask God to give you the strength to pray for that person.  And God will.   And remember the Lord’s Prayer. “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”

I believe forgiveness is a paradox.  It is something you can do only on our own.  At the same time, we can only truly forgive, when we open ourselves to God’s grace and allow God’s Spirit to empower us to forgive.  God began by forgiving us in Jesus.

I close with these words from Ephesians: “Get rid of all bitterness, passion and anger.  No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort.  Instead, be kind and tenderhearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.” Amen!