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Midweek Meditations, Jan. 10, 2018

January 10, 2018
10 Jan 2018

Learning to Listen

For several summers in a row when I was in high school I attended various Christian summer camps with friends. I have yet to learn whether these week-long Bible camps are “normal” for youth outside the Bible-belt, but I loved them. They offered the opportunity to experience all the normal camp activities (hiking, swimming, archery, etc.) while also providing the chance to explore Christian faith alongside good friends. An additional benefit was that the praise music we sang at the worship services gave me a full appreciation for the meaning of the word “campy”.

As cliche and campy as some of my camp experiences may have been I also had some of my most meaningful spiritual moments during these weeks away. At the age of 16 one camp counselor (who I had gotten to know as well, I guess, as you can get to know any camp couselor after just two days) asked me if I had ever thought of going into ministry. I hadn’t, and was quite sure that I never would again. But his question stuck with me.

I also learned what I believe it means to listen to God. During one large-group Bible Study session the speaker told us that time alone with God and with God’s word was often the key to greater understanding. She read to us this verse from Mark 10:21:

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

We were then told to go find a quiet space somewhere in the room or out under the trees and spend 30 minutes with that verse, and only that verse. She suggested we write down at least 25 things we learned from or saw happening in this verse and that the real reward would come if we kept with it for the full amount of time.

At first I dreaded this assignment. I wanted to be taught about Scripture, not to just sit and read. Plus, I thought, this 30 minutes was time I was not spending doing something more exciting. But I did what I was asked.

After the 30 minutes were up we all reassembled in the room and the instructor asked “How many of you found your greatest insights in the first 10 minutes?” A few hands went up. “How many of you learned the most during the next 10 minutes?” A few more hands. “How many of you believe you got the most out of that verse during the final 10 minutes?” I raised my hand, along with the majority of my peers.

Since that time, some of the most influential spiritual moments of my life have come from simply sitting with God’s word. I do not believe that just because you spend time in Scripture that you will suddenly have all your questions answered, or that every life decision will be easy. But I do believe that time spent with God and with God’s word is the best way, and sometimes the only way, to really hear God speak. If we can force ourselves to slow down, focus, and spend time in the presence of God, we may be surprised by what we find.

~Pastor Mike

UPCOMING EVENTS

An important Voters Assembly will be held on January 28th following worship. At this meeting information will be presented about the potential scope and cost of future building renovations. Updates will also be given about the Capital Campaign we are beginning this month.

Our current Sunday Morning Bible Study topic is the book of Philippians. All are invited to join the discussion starting at 9am in the Fellowship Hall. Child care is available.

Prayer requests: Please keep Don and Shirley Shasteen in your prayers. After some complications and several surgeries on Don’s left leg, a long rehabilitation process is expected. Please pray for continued healing, peace in living with new impairments, and strength for both Don and Shirley as they work through rehabilitation.

This Sunday:

The readings are: 1 Samuel 3:1-10; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51.

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Midweek Meditation; Dec. 6, 2017

December 6, 2017
06 Dec 2017

Slow Down! Quiet. It’s Advent!

Slow down! This might be the last thing on your mind during this season of Advent. Rather than encouraging ways to slow down, Advent (the 4 weeks preceding Christmas) seem purpose made for causing stress, creating busy calendars, and leaving little time for rest.

But if there is anything we should be encouraged to do during this season, it is to slow down. Be quiet.

In doing so, we join in with the “great cloud of witnesses” who have waited on God, and the sending of his Son, through the ages. Before the birth of Christ, the people of Israel longed for God to establish his plan of salvation, sending them the Messiah for whom they had long hoped. Waiting, watching, was filled with longing and angst for the difficult things of the world to be made right, that hope might be found in Immanuel. Today, we still wait with anticipation, but now for the second coming, the return of Christ as God has promised.

But how can we teach ourselves to wait well? How can we practice patience and intentional anticipation during this season? One first step might be to evaluate our days and our weeks. What things are we doing that are keeping us from finding time for the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love this season is meant to help us see? Friends of Sandi and I who also have young kids made the agreement this year that husband/dad would take care of all the family gifts, so that wife/mom could focus time with the kids, paying attention to small joys of the season.

For you, maybe waiting well means avoiding social media, doing one Advent “thing” with the family every day, or making sure to take time to explore the story again as you mark the Advent calendar, or re-arrange the nativity set. Of course, our worship services can also be great times to watch and to wait. The hymns we sing and the readings we hear are there to remind us of this theme: watch, wait, and be quiet, the Christ is coming soon.

I pray you find time to wait this season. To slow down, to be quiet, and to watch. Hope is coming soon. Peace can be found. Joy has been revealed. Love has come down.

~Pastor Mike Middaugh

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thank you to everyone who stayed after the service on Sunday to help decorate the Sanctuary. The church looks great, and will be enjoyed by many through this Advent and Christmas season!

Advent midweek services begin today, December 6th. This year’s theme is “A Story in Song,” and we will take a close look at some of the most well-known Christmas hymns along with their history. Join us for these services in the Calvary Chapel at 7:30pm. A light meal will be served at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall.

Breakfast with Santa will take place this Saturday, December 9th from 8:30-11am at Calvary. All are invited to attend. The cost is $4 per person which buys a hot, hearty breakfast, fellowship time, an opportunity to help pack “Boxes of Love” going to those in need, and of course time with the big guy himself. Event Volunteers are also very needed to do an assortment of jobs from setup, to cleanup, and help during the event.

The Women of Calvary are preparing for their annual Christmas Potluck dinner. All women are invited to attend the dinner on December 12th, with appetizers and fellowship at 6:30pm and dinner at 7:00pm. The evening will include a program related to the advent season. There is no cost to attend, but new, unwrapped toys are being collected for donation to A Wider Circle.

Help a Calvary family with a Meal! Meals are being collected for the Kimimino family as they continue adapting to life with two children. If you are able to help out, follow this link to sign up https://mealtrain.com/dm0m2v

This Sunday

The readings are: Isaiah 40:1-11; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8.

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On Work and Calling

November 9, 2017
09 Nov 2017

Herdwick sheep in the English Lakes District. Via: Herdwick Shepherd‏@herdyshepherd1 Nov 6

On Twitter, I follow a shepherd who lives and works in the Lake District of the English countryside. He farms a breed of sheep called Herdwick, and while I am generally ignorant about all things livestock, I can say that these particular sheep seem to be off-white and mostly fluffy. As I read this shepherd’s often witty updates and posts, which sometimes include pictures like the one to the right, I imagine how different his life is from mine. He is a shepherd herding sheep in the fields, just as shepherds have done for millennia. On my days at work, when the news is bad, or when the stress is high, I fantasize just a bit, about escaping to herd some sheep myself.

But that is not my calling, and I don’t believe it is the work that God intends for me to do. At least not at this stage in my life. Through prayerful consideration, and numerous conversations with others along the way, I feel confident that God has called me to be here, where I am, serving people in Silver Spring.

Work is an interesting thing. During some stages and seasons in life we may feel and know we are in the right place – right where God wants us, even though the work that we do may not be easy. At other points along our journey we may wonder, “Am I on the right path?” “Is this the best use of my time?” “Is this task really for me?” And sometime we look out on the horizon longingly and imagine we might feel more fulfilled or less stressed doing something else.

Our work takes many forms and functions. I do not believe work is limited to our occupations, but can be extended to any aspect of our lives where we use our time and energy productively and for a purpose. This can be parenting children, tending a garden, tidying a home, or employing our education and skills in an arena that is beneficial to the world. Some work returns a paycheck. All work is beneficial to ourselves, to others, or creation itself.

But our work is not always easy. Sometimes creation rebels and chaos reigns. At other times, our progress is slowed by people, who like us are broken and sometimes selfish. Regardless of these challenges, our work is worthwhile. We trust a loving God who himself worked to bring creation to existence, and hasn’t stopped working since. We know a savior whose work has made possible forgiveness, redemption, and the eventual restoration of all things and his people.

You may, from time to time, evaluate your work, and prayerfully ask God’s guidance in how you spend your time, but once the decision is “I will do this!” I hope we can all move forward boldly and with purpose. For all work is good and God pleasing. And it may be helpful to be reminded, that whatever you may be doing, from picking tomatoes, to preparing a meal for your family, to working out a complex ratio or formula, if you are doing what you are doing, to the best of your ability, there is no one, in any place, that can do that work quite like you. God is pleased with your contribution. He has given us each unique gifts, talents, and ways of expressing our production, and all add beauty and benefit to this world.

I know that reflecting on these things helps me, when my work is difficult or uncertain. When I start to think that maybe herding sheep would be an easier course, God has a way of revealing unexpected joy, even in small successes. It helps as well, that on very rare occasion, when God has blessed the work I do, I might be so bold as to think of myself as a shepherd also. Maybe my English friend and I, are not really quite that different.

in Discipleship, Faith and Work, General, Midweek Meditations /by

How Should We Respond

August 17, 2017
17 Aug 2017

An officer keeps the peace in front of protesters. Taken at a rally in Charlottesville on July 8th. photo credit: Jill Mumie

 

On Sunday at Calvary I shared some immediate, honest thoughts about the violence and violent interactions we witnessed in Charlottesville over the weekend. For those who were not present, or for those wishing to give this some further thought, I am including a few brief remarks here as well.

First, as someone who loves the city of Charlottesville, as it has been one of our favorite weekend getaway destinations over the past five years, I am sorry the people of that city bore the brunt of last weekend’s violence. It was a sad time for their city, and a sad time for our nation. Our hearts and prayers are with those who experienced these events most personally and vividly.

On Sunday at Calvary I asked the question “What is our responsibility upon events such as these?”

1. I believe we are to identify and call out sin and evil as it exists in the world. Racism emerges in a public way from time to time in the life of our country. Rather than seeing this as something new, we are saddened to see that something old and persistent is still very present among us. It seems that those with certain racist beliefs have determined to gather publicly and loudly at this time.

As Christians, we hold that the gospel of Christ makes no room for this type of distinction. All people, the world over, are people for whom Christ willingly gave his life. It is sinful pride to believe that any group or class of people has authority or power over another. All people have been created in the image of a loving, rich, and generous God who has show himself to be the God of not one tribe, race, or class, but of all people.

For this reason, we call out and denounce any group or movement that attempts to devalue or undermine the dignity and worthiness of any other person. Movements based on principles contrary to these truths, such as the KKK, Neo-Nazi’s, or white supremacists have no place among us.

2. As we give voice to what is good and right, and call out injustice and evil, we are also called to stand alongside those who are anxious or fearful because of words spoken against them. Christian community is meant to bring healing to a broken world and much of that good work is lifting one another up during difficult days, and speaking healing, gracious words in times of sadness. We may, or may not, feel personally attacked by the gathering that took place this weekend in Charlottesville, but we are called to come alongside those who do feel the emotional burden of these words and actions.

3. We are constantly called to examine our own hearts to root out any forms of racism or bigotry that may live there. Scripture reminds us that we there is an old evil foe who wishes to divide us one against another, and separate us from the love of God. Pride and sin creep easily into our hearts causing us to believe, in a great variety of ways, that we are better than our neighbor. We tend towards judgmentalism, selfishness, and greed, when we are called to follow the Lord of love, mercy, and compassion.

Let us examine our own hearts and confess before God that we might also become better neighbors, family members, friends, and members of the body of Christ that might lift one another up from the despair and challenges of this world. May we pray God would give us wisdom and discernment as we speak and work for justice in the midst of brokenness and sin.

And finally, may we ask the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ to teach us always to love mercy, act justly, and walk humbly with our God.

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Simon

April 14, 2017
14 Apr 2017

-Friday of Holy Week-

Simon of Cyrene, who took the cross of Jesus.

What a moment. What a time. What a job.

Forced to carry the cross of another. The innocent suffering for the guilty.

An outsider, no less, Cyrene is in northern Africa, today’s Libya, 900 miles from Jerusalem. Was he tired from the journey? Confused by the rabble? Concerned for the man convicted?

Silently he serves.

Would you do the same if you had the chance? Would you carry the cross of another? Would you give your life, or at least a portion, for the one who gave you his?

Simon of Cyrene, who took the cross of Jesus.

For a moment, he helped the Savior of the World.

But did he know, did he see, it was his own cross he carried that day? Jesus took it from him.

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All the Way to Your Toes

April 13, 2017
13 Apr 2017

-Thursday of Holy Week-

The table is set, the meal is ready. But one more job to do.

The disciples’ toes were dirty.

Who have you let touch your feet? Would you present them quickly to Jesus?

Strange to us, but normal for them, the washing of feet was necessary before a meal. Everyone reclining together, lounging at the table. But if stinky, muddy, ugly feet were close, who could enjoy the food?

Of course, this was someone else’s job. Not the master of the house. He has more important things to do, providing the food, pouring the wine, leading the ritual conversation. How could he be soiled, by other people’s toes?

Yet look at Jesus, he gives himself. He takes off his outer garments. He becomes exposed to other people’s judgments.

He invites them over, takes their feet, pours out the water of absolution.

Sure, he gets messy in the process. But his disciples whom he loves, now they are welcome at the table. He has washed, cleansed, and covered over the ickiest, stickiest parts of their entire body. Now they can eat and drink, enjoying fully, the meal set before them. (And what a feast it is!)

Finally, a small challenge given. A simple invitation. Go and do as I have done. Become a servant of others. Not because of who you are, but because of what I have given.

This is the path of blessing.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psalm 51:10-12

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All of Him for All Your Nothing

April 12, 2017
12 Apr 2017

-Wednesday of Holy Week-

Interesting that money was involved in the events of the Passion.

Not Jesus’ money, he had none. But Judas’.

Or rather, money Judas wanted. For 30 pieces of silver he sold over his Lord. He thought he could sell, prosper off of, the one who could never be bought.

What a contrast. We believe money is everything. We work hard to get it. We are proud when we have it. We use it to fill our lives with the things we think we need. What could Judas have needed more than he needed his Lord? Yet, he did it.

We do it too. And if not money, we think it is the rest of us that can get us what we need. Look at me! I am good enough, smart enough, and doggone it, people like me. Our hard work, charm, or excellence can save us in this world.

Except it can’t.

There is One who can’t be bought. There is a Treasure that cannot be purchased. There is a Gift that cannot be earned. Don’t bring your currency. He won’t accept it.

All that’s needed is your open eyes. A humble heart. A poverty of spirit. The deal is all of Christ for all your nothing. There is no other way.

 

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. — Isaiah 55:1

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To the Mountains

March 29, 2017
29 Mar 2017

Psalm 121
A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

Have you lifted your eyes up the mountains?

Have you looked with wonder to the peaks and high places of this earth? Gazing up we may be struck with wonder – a snow-lined, jagged peak, awesome for its beauty; awe-inspiring because it may seem unattainable, out of reach.

But in looking up we may recognize our own reality. We are down low. Sometimes on even, flat ground. At other times we may be in the valley. When we are the lowest, the mountains may seem even farther away.

But up we look, and with hope.

While we may be held low by brokenness, sin, and the despair of this world, we know another who has climbed the mountain for us. Raised high upon the cross, on Calvary for all to see, our savior gave himself that we might find protection.

Six times in this Psalm we are reminded of his “watching over us,” as one can only do from above.

His protection is complete, sufficient, and thorough because he neither slumbers, nor sleeps.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

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Remember Me

March 23, 2017
23 Mar 2017

Psalm 25
Of David.

1 In you, Lord my God,
    I put my trust.
2 I trust in you;
    do not let me be put to shame,
    nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one who hopes in you
    will ever be put to shame,
  but shame will come on those
    who are treacherous without cause.
4 Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
   and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
    for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
    and my rebellious ways;
  according to your love remember me,
    for you, Lord, are good.

Remember me.

It is as if to say: Think on me. Consider me and don’t forget. Keep me in your heart and mind.

But as others think of us, what are their thoughts? Do they think of us as kind, compassionate, generous, wise, humorous, loving? Or something else?

I have often noticed at funerals that we invoke the best memories and characteristics of those we care about. We dwell on those things which are good, and cover over that which is bad. It is love that allows for this pardoning perspective.

But God cannot cover over sin. In light of his perfect justice, we stand convicted in our wrongs. God is loving, to be sure. But just as certainly as God is loving, he is also righteous.

For this reason, asking God to remember us is risky business. How can we stand before him with hope in our hearts?

Only in this: we have a redeemer. Our good works cannot save us, but his will. He lived perfectly even though we haven’t. He gave his life so we might not loose ours. And now, when God remembers us, he remembers his Son.

So pray the words of David:

7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.

And know this, that even the thief on the cross was bold to cry out: Remember me, when you come into your kingdom.

And Jesus did.

in Discipleship, General, Justice, Midweek Meditations /by

Forgiveness

March 8, 2017
08 Mar 2017

~by Pastor Mike Middaugh

Psalm 32
1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the one against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
5 I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.

What does it take to forgive?

A word, yes. But more. Forgiveness has a price.

It is a swallowing up of pride, of pain, of vindication. Hard, because it can feel like a setting aside of justice:

“They deserve to be punished.”
“How will they ever learn?”
“Why can’t they just be better?”

Forgiveness says, “This ends here.”

But forgiveness has a price. In swallowing the sin of another, and stopping the cycle of pain, we allow it to rest with us. Forgiveness is knowing that we have been wronged, and yet exacting no repayment.

Hard to do, but it has been done for us. On the cross we see God’s Son. Himself perfect, yet there because of sin. Our wrongs are placed on his shoulders. He is willingly crushed by our sin, that it might be taken, buried, covered over. Forgiveness has a price. God’s Son is the one who pays.

Yet forgiveness has an even greater secret waiting to be released. Joy.

Once the price is paid, the score is settled, joy flows from the exchange.

Joy: in second chances.

Joy: in reconciled relationships.

Joy: in new life granted.

11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

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