When the demons "Legion" met Jesus in the country of the Gerasenes, they begged not to be cast back into the abyss.
Catch that! The demons begged Jesus not be sent back where they came from!
Now that makes me think.
Even the demons don't like where they came from. The thousands of them would prefer to dwell on top of each other inside of one man than be where they came from. They would even prefer to be in a herd of pigs than be where they came from. And they beg Jesus to do something other than send them back. They beg Jesus.
Even more surprising? Jesus listens to them and grants their request!
The pig farmers see it all. They watch the demons come out of the crazy man and enter the pigs; they watch the pigs race down the hill and drown in the lake; they see the crazy man clothed for the first time in years, seated at Jesus' feet, and in his right mind. And they are terrified. They beg Jesus, too. They ask him to leave, and he grants their request, too.
Now that really makes me think.
Who is this Lord?
In the country of the Gerasenes, Jesus is not only Lord over the demons, but the Lord of the demons. He is not only Lord over fear, but the Lord of the fearful. He is not only Lord over the demon-possessed, but the Lord of the demon-possessed. He takes everyone at their word, exactly as they are. He hears them all. Even the demons.
Who is this Lord?
Jesus is the one who has "power over" and "compassion for." No suffering is beyond his healing. No place is beyond his reach. No creature is outside of his care. Not even the demons. Want more? Click here to read Luke 8:26-39.
Click here to listen to the sermon
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
we are one
When we moved to San Antonio 15 years ago, the heavens opened. Ten inches of rain fell on a single day in October of that year, creating a massive wall of water that worked it's way from the edge of the Texas hill country, across the coastal plain, and into the Gulf of Mexico. Cities and towns in its path were submerged; destruction was rampant.
Here we are now in Calgary, beginning a new chapter in our lives and ministry, and again the heavens have opened. Heavy rain in the Rockies has swelled the creeks and rivers from Banff eastward. Downtown Calgary is submerged; the Bow River has been described as an ocean; there is massive flooding over much of Central and Southern Alberta. Time will tell the story of loss and damage.
At times like these, and in amazing personal coincidences like ours, people often turn to the clergy for meaning. People want to know why things happen and why they happen to the way they happen. Much of the time, I give the only answer I have: I don't know.
I don't know why sometimes it floods and sometimes it doesn't. I don't know why people suffer. I don't know why bad things happen to good people, or why good things happen to bad people.
I think that's just how life is. But I, along with my clergy colleagues do have meaning to offer when the world seems to be falling apart. I can offer meaning and assurance that we are cared for in this life and that we are not alone.
For I know that God is the source of life and love.
I know that Jesus has promised to be with us always, whether it's flooding or not, whether it's sunny or not, whether we're good or not, whether we are in San Antonio, Calgary, or anywhere else.
I also know God gives us good gifts in the midst of whatever life brings. We certainly have seen that this week in Calgary. One estimate says up to 100,000 people were displaced from their homes; emergency shelters are reporting a population less than 2000. Why? Friends, family, neighbors, and strangers have opened their homes to the evacuees. Rescue and emergency workers worked 18 - 20 hour shifts to ensure the safety of Calgary's citizens. As of this morning's report, there were no reported injuries of any kind.
It may rain and flood and devastate, but destruction does not have the final word. Goodness wins. Compassion wins. Companionship wins. Love wins.
Out of Calgary this week, you will no doubt hear devastating news. But if you listen and watch closely, you will see humanity come together as one for comfort, shelter, support, restoration, companionship, wholeness. We covet your prayers, well wishes, and support of all kinds as we journey through these days. We ask for them wherever and whenever anyone is suffering, no matter the circumstances; but perhaps especially in the circumstances that are without media coverage.
Remember that God is good and that we are one.
Here we are now in Calgary, beginning a new chapter in our lives and ministry, and again the heavens have opened. Heavy rain in the Rockies has swelled the creeks and rivers from Banff eastward. Downtown Calgary is submerged; the Bow River has been described as an ocean; there is massive flooding over much of Central and Southern Alberta. Time will tell the story of loss and damage.
At times like these, and in amazing personal coincidences like ours, people often turn to the clergy for meaning. People want to know why things happen and why they happen to the way they happen. Much of the time, I give the only answer I have: I don't know.
I don't know why sometimes it floods and sometimes it doesn't. I don't know why people suffer. I don't know why bad things happen to good people, or why good things happen to bad people.
I think that's just how life is. But I, along with my clergy colleagues do have meaning to offer when the world seems to be falling apart. I can offer meaning and assurance that we are cared for in this life and that we are not alone.
For I know that God is the source of life and love.
I know that Jesus has promised to be with us always, whether it's flooding or not, whether it's sunny or not, whether we're good or not, whether we are in San Antonio, Calgary, or anywhere else.
I also know God gives us good gifts in the midst of whatever life brings. We certainly have seen that this week in Calgary. One estimate says up to 100,000 people were displaced from their homes; emergency shelters are reporting a population less than 2000. Why? Friends, family, neighbors, and strangers have opened their homes to the evacuees. Rescue and emergency workers worked 18 - 20 hour shifts to ensure the safety of Calgary's citizens. As of this morning's report, there were no reported injuries of any kind.
It may rain and flood and devastate, but destruction does not have the final word. Goodness wins. Compassion wins. Companionship wins. Love wins.
Out of Calgary this week, you will no doubt hear devastating news. But if you listen and watch closely, you will see humanity come together as one for comfort, shelter, support, restoration, companionship, wholeness. We covet your prayers, well wishes, and support of all kinds as we journey through these days. We ask for them wherever and whenever anyone is suffering, no matter the circumstances; but perhaps especially in the circumstances that are without media coverage.
Remember that God is good and that we are one.
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