Reflexion, A Spiritual Community

When Jesus told the parable of the Prodigal Son, He did not expect anyone to come to him afterward and say, - “Lord, I’d like to visit that family. Where do where they live?” • it was just a story – a made-up story meant to make a point • if all the crowd heard was a heart-warming story, they missed the point - here in Revelation 19, John describes a vision – Satan is imprisoned • then, after 1,00...

This is a fascinating chapter It is complex, and it is put together well - the chapter divides into two parts: • in the first half, heaven reverberates with praise • in the second half, Jesus leads heaven’s army in a final battle

 I’m going to begin with a quote by St. Augustine In The City of God he traces two cities through world history Augustine, “Accordingly, two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly [city] by the love of self, even to the contempt of God; the heavenly [city] by the love of God, even to the contempt of self. The former, in a word, glories in itself, the latter in the Lord.” - John, the vis...

 A few years ago, Barry Liesch, a professor at Biola-Talbot University, - wrote an article on worship in the book of Revelation • he suggested that by using its examples of form, content, and splendor, ◦ we might enjoy a more meaningful, intense, and richer worship experience • worship here on earth is already a participation in heaven’s worship ◦ our prayers are mixed with the incense that burns...

I’ve been feeling that talking about the book of Revelation Is like trying to practice dream interpretation  - how do I make sense out of all these foreign signs and symbols? - of course, the bigger question is: what is God’s Spirit trying to communicate to us?

 I think most anyone reading Revelation sees that it takes a turn in chapter 13 What stays the same: the dragon (Satan) is still here - at least at the start – and he’s continuing his fight against God What changes: the dragon, after being defeated three times in the previous chapter - now scores a significant victory - also, prior to this, his battle has been in the religion arena • he tried to s...

Yesterday Barb asked me, “Are you still in Revelation?” In answered with a weary, “Yes” She said, “Oh.” then added, “You’ll probably be in Revelation till the end of the world” One of the challenges of this mystical book is distraction - the shifting scenes, outrageous creatures, and sudden surprises pull my thoughts in different directions • if I blink, my mind turns a corner and I’m on the wrong...

 We have arrived at the heart of Revelation  Not only the middle of the book, but its central message - I’m going to take you backstage and show you my work room • the Bible is many books and among them, different writing styles ◦ there are books of history (written more or less like storytelling), poetry, legal codes, prophetic writings, wise sayings, and letters ◦ each literary style has its own...

Story of El Sal Prison There's something life giving when we choose to be a loving presence. Especially to those who have been out-casted. I’m addicted to it… but I’m not perfect at it. I have a sneaky suspicion that after I share about this, I’ll be reminded of how great it is to be a loving presence and then I’ll get into my truck outside and start driving… Watch as that just sails away off...

I get the feeling that when we read the book of Revelation, We tend to watch each scene unfold from a safe distance - I don’t think it was meant to read this way, • we’re supposed to feel a threatening closeness • we’re drawn into the dream – it’s our collective nightmare - John was certainly more than a spectator • characters approach him, converse with, and engage him ◦ in this chapter he’ll be...

When my children were small, I’d read to them every night First from a book of fairytales, then from a Bible storybook - we would pray, say goodnight, and turn off the lights • we were careful about the last thing that entered their minds before bed • I doubt we can prevent our kids from having nightmares ◦ but we can do things to help them sleep well ◦ and we can comfort them after a nightmare -...

They came on the first day of week, first thing in morning They knew what spices and ointments to bring, - and knew what they were doing – they had done this before • what they did not know, was that overnight their world had changed • so what they found at the tomb was not what they expected - I love the lines: Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen • they had co...

How did Palm Sunday become recognized as a holy day? I don’t mean, how did it get put on the Church calendar, - but why do we celebrate it? • Palm Sunday is not like Christmas, Good Friday, or Easter ◦ these were the major events in Jesus’ life and ministry • but Palm Sunday is not noteworthy in the same way ◦ in fact, if you’ll excuse the expression, it sort of fizzled out ◦ by the end of the wee...

Revelation is not a normal book – in fact, it’s a conundrum We enter a mystical world of symbols without a map or compass - as I understand it, the Revelation is meant to open our eyes to a reality beyond our knowing or experiencing • there is no way for us to go straight into it with our rational minds - I’ll share something with you that helps me understand this • consider a person blinded by ca...

You may not have noticed, but something is missing The action that began prior to this chapter involved a magic scroll secured with seven seals - six of those seals have been opened (chapter 6) • but now in chapter 7, there’s no mention of the seventh seal • instead, we have come to an interlude before returning to the seventh seal - this will happen again (after six trumpets sound, then there&apo...

A long time ago, I became interested in Douglas Coupland’s works of fiction One novel he wrote as if it were the journal of a young man traumatized as a child - his character had lived on a military base that came under a nuclear threat, and everyone was rushed into a shelter • this had left a lasting and foreboding impression on him • an entire chapter consists of brief scenarios he imagined of h...

Among Jeremiah’s prophecies, we find one that is different from the rest. The difference is that this one brings a positive message regarding Israel’s future - after receiving the prophecy, Jeremiah says, At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me (Jer. 31:26) • when I wake up from a pleasant dream, I want to go back to sleep and continue it • that's because some issue was re...

One day, a few years ago, I was visiting my oldest daughter Her oldest daughter, came to me and said, “I dreamed you last night” - she had told my daughter, “I dreamed grandpa” • Jennifer asked her, “Which grandpa?” she said, “The bald one.” • fortunately I have another dream story - in 1992, my life had been shattered by divorce • that summer a nine year old boy in the church sent me a letter ◦ h...

Chapters 2 and 3 may be the most well known section of Revelation At least two of our favorite quotations are found here - what’s the theme of these chapters? Answer: “Church Repairs” • in chapter 1 Jesus appears in a form not found in the Gospels • in his right hand he held seven stars–which represented the angels of the seven churches ◦ in scripture, the hand represents power, control, and owner...

Revelation gives us a unique picture of the inner life of our Christian experience It is much different from Paul’s carefully structured teaching - with his separation of the new self from the old self • and his contrast of having the mind of the Spirit versus the mind of the “flesh” • Revelation reaches into our inner lives through symbols and bizarre events Therefore, I feel comforted when readi...

You may wonder, Why the book of Revelation? I admit, it is the most confusing and frustrating book in the Bible - it’s not an easy read – some images are very strange • they seem fairytale or mythical, except but even weirder  ◦ for instance, we find, not just a beast with ten horns, ◦ but it has seven heads (?) and ten crowns on its horns • there’s not another book in Bible exactly like this - bu...

Today’s story is challenging and difficult to understand It turns everything we think we know about Jesus on its head - it involves a foreigner in a different region of the map • the setting for the life of Jesus is mostly in Israel ◦ he passes through Samaria, and briefly sets foot in Gadara ◦ but in this story he goes north – the one and only time • it is most likely that Jesus wanted to get awa...

The stories we hear today will serve as an illustration They illuminate a line from the prayer Jesus taught us - you know it and you’ve prayed it–maybe many times • it is one-third of a petition “hallowed [revered] be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt. 6:9-10) • it is that last line I hear in these two stories ◦ one teaches us what happens when we re...

I decided to continue in Jeremiah for another week There are two stories we will consider that I’ve always enjoyed - one reason they appeal to me is because they’re interesting • another reason is that they are meaningful • although the main character in each story is connected to Jeremiah, ◦ they have nothing else in common - both stories have two parts, found in two different places • so we will...

The two chapters of Haggai are about putting God first Israel had been driven from the land of Judah for seventy years - on returning to their homeland, one of their priorities was to rebuild the temple, • but there was a lot of work to be done, few workers, and limited resources ◦ they also had to construct homes for themselves • after awhile, a few setbacks, and discouragement, ◦ they began to s...