An Elder Pilgrim's Reflections

“Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you.” (from Luke 10:1-11 ) There’s a true story of a seminary professor who asked a class to imagine the most challenging part of accompanying the 70 on their mission journey. Most of the responses were predictable: no money, no change of clothes, no food, depending on strangers. One student said, “Eat what is set before you.” The student explained that his father was a pastor in a very rural, poor part of South Dakota and often invited to dinner mostly by farmers. On remote farms people often relied on whatever they could kill or catch, such as squirrels , rabbits, and other wild creatures, even for guests so the father instructed the family to eat what was set before them. He added, “We just never knew what we would have to eat.” If you search Luke, you’ll find that Jesus often attends a meal, but never gives a dinner party. In Jesus’ rules of hospitality, being a respectful recipient by grac...

"And Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (from Luke 9:51-62 ) One Semester I attended Summer School in Tennessee living with Aunt Jose and her nephew Fred. Aunt Jose grew up in the village and Fred, her nephew unable able to care for himself, came down from the mountains to live with her. Aunt Josie had planted an enormous vegetable garden by her house tending it carefully as Fred pulled weeds. One morning I woke up to Aunt Jose yelling at Fred angry enough to call the “fires down from heaven” Looking out my bedroom window, I saw Fred had attached a mule to a plow yelling “Gee” then “Haw” again “Gee, Haw”. The mule was plowing across the vegetable’s rows instead of down the furrows. I got out of bed, went down to the garden, grabbed the mule by the halter, and led it up and down the furrows. Plowing a field means watching carefully in front of you to maintain straight furrows. Looking backward mean...

"Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind." (from Luke 8:26-39 ) Astrid is a streaming program I often watch. The plot is a basic cops and robbers action until the criminal is caught. The uniqueness of the program is Astrid, who is on the Autism spectrum, is brilliant at solving puzzles including connecting clues to solve the crime. Watching this program has given me a more profound insight to people living with this condition and their acceptance in society. My first-hand experience with children on the Spectrum was driving a Special Needs school bus for 6 years. With this experience, I can imagine the life the possessed man was experiencing, especially living among the tombs, bound with chains and shackles, having to live in the wilds. It was no wonder he cried for mercy. Jesus, with his power and mercy, cast the demons out and even...

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (from Colossians 3:1-4) Every once in a while, I’ll ponder the desire to purchase a new laptop which mans I’ll go to Consumer Reports for their evaluations. Then I discover laptops of all types with all sorts of internal data I know nothing about ranging in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousands. At this point my thrifty inner self says, “Do you really need that?” You have a good computer and smartphone. Life in the “earthly things”, our secular age, is about looking to our concrete, material accomplishments for satisfaction, without expecting God to be part of their lives. Sooner or later, it seems, we’ll be asking “what’s the point?” So, I have the latest, newest, or best laptop, is it as meaningful as I’d hoped? If it’s not, what significance is there in our daily routine, rel...

The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. (from Genesis 11:1-9 )  The High Point Monument in New Jersey stands of 220 feet tall with exceptional views of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. At night floodlights engulf the monument as it points toward the heavens, giving it a hallowed appearance visible from up to 40 miles away. It is extremely magnificent. The monument calls to mind the primeval history of the Creator, the Tower of Babel, and human desire to be at one with God.   As the story goes, the people decided to build a city with a tower reaching to the heavens, give themselves a name, therefore, not be scattered all over the earth. This plan is doomed to failure since no one is able to get to heaven using their own power. This, however wasn’t God’s purpose which was to be “fruitful and fill the earth.” First, God’s purpose commands unity for humankind to be in covenant with him relying on him as a source of life. ...

  “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection;  outdo one another in showing honor”  From Romans12:9-21   At one time in my teaching experience, I coached basketball. However, I never played basketball. The team gathered for practice, Before a game the team huddled then cheered “Kowa Bunga!!” We lost every game we played. Knowing this, the wrestling team challenged them to a game assuming an easy defeat. That would be the ultimate humiliation. The game got underway; the basketball team surged ahead defeating the wrestlers. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)!”   I believe we live in a secular age. By that I mean we focus on the material things around us: to the imminent, to the concrete which leads to a loss of hope about the meaning of our lives. What importance is there in our everyday living and relationships even have? In this secular...

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. (from Psalm 67 ) Blessings are powerful . Both Jewish and Christion worship services typically end with Aaron’s blessing based on Numbers 6:24-26. The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Blessing’s Power In the Bible, the concept of God’s blessing is essential since it indicates that God is causing the earth’s productivity. God’s blessing involves giving sunshine and rain, good and seasonable weather, so that crops grow producing a bountiful harvest. So, when the earth produces a plentiful harvest, it is a time for praising God. Blessing by Grace Alone God’s blessing action are available by grace alone. The Law, Ten Commandments for example, were not earned by Israel, but an unexpected, welcome ...