520 Collegeville Rd, Collegeville, PA 19426, US
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Locked In or Out
Locked In or Out
PALM SUNDAY - In the Outdoor "WISLER WOODS Chapel" Join us, (weather Permitting) for our first Outdoor service since November.
Locked In or Out
Locked In or Out
Locked In or Out
4/10/20:
1 Corinthians 15
3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he a
4/10/20:
1 Corinthians 15
3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.
Paul tells us in summary what we learn in the Gospels about what Easter is all about.
As we move closer to Resurrection Sunday we hear about Jesus breaking out of the Tomb, and we know He came upon the 12 while they were locked down.
Have you ever been locked in or locked down?
The first year I was pastor at Skippack, over 20 years ago, I went to the church for some office hours. It was a cold dark night. We lived about 5 Miles away at that time.
I decided that before I left for home, I would change the Lettering on the sign outfront.
Once I was finished, I was cold cause I didn’t wear my coat out to the sign.
That is when I realized that my keys and my Phone were in my Coat pocket. I wasn’t able to get back in the church, my car or even call anyone.
I decided to Break In.
Now Skippack was built in 1855 and in those days the windows were heavy pieces of solid wood. They would be hard to open, especially if locked. I used part of the Mailbox pole to pry one open. Slowly I was able to lift it up so I could slide up and into the church.
I was pretty proud of myself.
That feeling left quickly when, just as was ¾ of the way inside, the window abruptly closed, catching me just behind my two Knee caps. Right in the crook of the legs.
I couldn’t move. I was dangling about 2 feet off the floor inside and could even yell for help – who would have heard. We are a “small Country Church”, and no one was around.
I thought how disappointing the folks would be when they came in the next day to see their new pastor, frozen and stuck in the window.
The I saw lights flashing. At first I thought I was heading to Heaven, but instead I realized they were Police.
I was filled with joy.
That quickly ended when I heard the Office say “Sir, come out from the window and raise your hands”.
WHAT?? I thought, is he serious?
“Officer, I responded, ‘I cant do that”
He repeated “I am telling you to come out of the window…”
“Officer, you're not going to believe this, but I am the Pastor of the Church and I am stuck in the window.”
I went from my “Good Friday” moment to an Easter moment, once he rose the window and I slid out.
I still have to convince him who I was and all my ID and Keys were inside….. He held the window as I went in and kept the bright Flashlight on me till I climbed in and walked over to the front door.
I was Free!!
The Photos attached take us from The 3 Crosses for Good Friday to Easter – or as I like to call it, “The Son-Rise”.
Many of us wear a Cross around our neck, many have a Cross hanging in our homes. The Cross is a symbol of Christianity.
Let’s consider the Empty Tomb as one as well. Many died on a Cross but only one came out of the tomb.
Only One was Locked In and Came out – very different from me –Locked Out and Came In - well at least with the Police Officers help.
That is a powerful statement about the power and the love of God.
It is a statement about the power to wipe away fear and uncertainty cause the Tomb was empty.
Should we continue to live a life of Good Fridays”, we may miss the joy and the power of the Son-Rise.
On Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The grave no longer has a hold on Him. We know that everything is OK now and we can wipe away the tears.
I’m sure that every one of us has been touched by difficulty in recent months.
I’m not just talking about the Pandemic. That in itself is enough to make our world sad.
But, in addition, some of you have lost loved ones. Some of you have lost relationships. Some have lost jobs. Some of you have lost your health.
Some of you grieve over school or in our personal lives.
An elderly man facing difficult trials said this past week, “I don’t know how much longer I can take this.” Yesterday I spoke with my mother who was at my dad’s bedside in the hospital.. I told her that I was going to talk today about wiping away the tears. She said, “Sometimes it’s hard to wipe all of them away.” We have all experienced it and we feel that all the tissues in town won’t wipe away the tears.
On that first Easter morning we see how God took Mary and the others from sadness to joy, from brokenness to wholeness.
Mary knew what it was to weep. Then, according to Luke 7, she came to Jesus, kneeling at his feet, weeping, and bathing his feet with her tears. Finally, she had found one in whom was real love. Jesus not only loved her; he forgave her sins.
And when Jesus died on that cross- Good Friday -she was heart broken.
Then she discovered that the tomb had been opened and the body was no longer there.
The grave was empty, not because someone took Jesus away, but because he got up and walked out. God had opened the door of that prison and freed Jesus from death. He did not get stuck – in a window or on Good Friday.
As we move to Easter and the Joy of the Son-Rise, let us be the same.
Think about this. Easter this year may be a little different for us. Many are Locked IN, not Out, many have troubles and are worried. Many are overworked standing up for others. That FIRST Easter was similar. They didn’t go to a church to sing “Thine is the Glory” or other songs .. they were LOCKED in. They were frightened, disappointed, worried. They Jesus broke out and broke into their lives.. The Joy returned. They went from a Good Friday life to an Easter life.
We can do the same. Let us celebrate the JOY,
Lets Pray: Father God, during these days till the SonRise we marvel in the power and promise of our Holy God. You lord Jesus were not LOCKED in any longer. You take us from the Good Fridays of our lives to the Joy of Easter.
We thank you and we praise you. We shout for Joy “He is Risen – He is Risen Indeed”.
We pray this in the risen lords name, our Jesus, Amen
What a Storm
Locked In or Out
What a Storm
4/2/20:
Mark 4: 35-41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped
4/2/20:
Mark 4: 35-41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Just a few months ago I went to one of those Car Washes where you Put your Card in and then the door opens and you drive in and stop. Then the Jets move back and forth and with Water, Soap and Wax.
While the Jets were going I was sitting comfortably on my car. I started to think – “Hmmm, I should have taken my Eagles Bumper Sticker off the back of the car. It was a special one. Shape of a Football with an Eagles Logo and simply said “41-33”.
When the wash was over the Exit door automatically open and I drove through the Dryer Blowers.
Once outside, the door closed and I got out to check the Decal. Sure enough it came off. It was inside the now closed Wash Bay.
I drove around to the front. No one else was getting their car washed and there was no way for me to get inside.
I charged another wash and the door opened…. Well, I surely wasn’t going Drive in, it would set off the Jets and besides I would be able to find my decal.
I decided just to walk in.
When I was in the middle of the soap suds, the door closed. And because I tripped the Light Sensors, the Wash began.
I yelled for someone to help, but there was no one around. The Jets moved towards me and I was getting soaked with the prewash. I ran to the other exit door and the Jets followed me, now with Soap. I was covered. It went back and forth for five minutes, then it stopped. I saw my Magnet in the midst of all the soap, and I felt at ease, soaked, but at ease. The Exit door opened, and I went to wards it only to have the powerful Drying Fans blwoing me back. I pushed on and through and ran out.
I looked around to make sure there was no one there… they would have been laughing there heads off.
I drove home, wet from head to feet. I walked in and Barb asked..”what happened to you”?
“ I was stuck in storm, please don’t ask again”
WOW.. I could have used Jesus to calm those JETS at that time
Have you ever been caught in a wicked storm?
Whether a Natural one or Manmade (like mine)?
We could feel we are in a STORM right now.
Cannot go outside, worried about finances, anxious about loved one, over worked in other cases… it all could be considered a storm in our lives.
Sometimes the storms of LIFE are heavier and last longer.
Many believers expect life to be filled with comfort and ease.
And then when the storms come upon us, bringing disruption, trouble, conflict, and worry, we start wondering where the Lord is.
After all, we are believers in Jesus Christ, and God is our loving heavenly Father. So why is He letting this happen?
We are told the disciples would have preferred smooth sailing, actually expected it as well. Then the waves came, and they came hard and fast. That is when they were able to see Jesus in a new and different way.
He stands and rebukes the wind and the waves and they had ‘peace’.
Here we read that they ask “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
The same can be true for us when the storms hit us.
Storms can provide us with new opportunities to see Jesus in a new light.
It’s in our extreme need that we can begin to see we have too small a view of God. We asked earlier “How Big is Your God – remember?
We all may be going through our own personal storm during these weeks.
We all may be able to see Jesus in a new way as the disciples did that day on the Sea. The Circumstances may not immediately cease, after all He never promised us a Rose Garden, but we can take hold of His Peace and that alone can bring comfort.
He may not have opened the doors of the car wash so I can escape, but He gave me the strength to get though it…. He was probably laughing as well.
Lets Pray
Father God,
We come to you through your Son, our Jesus. He brings us the Peace of God even in the midst of our storms. We pray for those who seek that peace in so many different ways.
We want to see you in a new way this day. We want to hear you say “Peace, be still”.
Walk with us this day, for this is the day You have made for us. Tomorrow is not promised and yesterday ended at midnight…. Let your presence and your peace be known to us this day… and in the name of Jesus we offer our prayers and say Amen.
Stay Safe, Be Well and remember the 5 P's.
Where is God
Lost in the Woods
What a Storm
3/25/20:
Where is God?
A couple had two little boys, ages 8 and 10, who were excessively mischievous.
The two were always getting into trouble and their parents could be assured that if any mischief occurred in their town their two young sons were in some way involved.
The parents were at their wits end as to what to do about their so
3/25/20:
Where is God?
A couple had two little boys, ages 8 and 10, who were excessively mischievous.
The two were always getting into trouble and their parents could be assured that if any mischief occurred in their town their two young sons were in some way involved.
The parents were at their wits end as to what to do about their sons' behavior. The mother suggested they talk with their Pastor. He may help, he had children…
The husband said, 'We might as well. We need to do something before I really lose my temper!'
The Pastor agreed to speak with the boys, but asked to see them individually.
The 8 year old went to meet with him first. The pastor sat the boy down, made some opening introductions and then asked the boy--'Where is God?'
The boy made no response, so the pastor repeated the question in an even sterner tone, 'Where is God?'
Again the boy made no attempt to answer. So the pastor raised his voice even more and pointed his finger and asked again 'WHERE IS GOD?'
At that the boy bolted from the room and ran directly home, slamming himself in the closet.
His older brother followed him into the closet and asked what had happened. The younger brother replied, 'We are in BIG trouble this time. God is missing and they think we did it.'
Sometimes we all have problems with that question as well. WHERE IS God? We try and try, we pray and pray and yet it seems sometimes we wondered if someone took him.
During these days, many of us may wonder sometimes, WHERE IS GOD, as well.
In John 11, they wondered as well.
11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
Here we read that Jesus, God incarnate waited.
Gods timing however is always perfect, and He is always in control.
He told those who were angry at Him for healing the Lame man by the Pool in Jerusalem, and doing it on the Sabbath.
He said, as recorded in John 5:
16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”
Sometimes that work comes in Mountain top ways … we all know about The Flood, David’s clash with Goliath, Opening the Red Sea and of course the miraculous. Birth of the long awaited savior. Those in darkness have seen a great light.
It doesn’t end there however.
He is always at work, in in quiet ways and when we think He has stopped.
This is what the sisters said when He finally arrived in John 11 again :
21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
then a few verses later:
32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
He wept…. Scripture tells us just before that verse, the shortest on in the Bible, “He was moved by the Spirit and was troubled”
Perhaps one of the reasons He was troubled because of the sadness, but also because their faith was wavering.
When we face difficult times we may waver as well.
When we remember that He is always at work we can feel encouraged and walk ‘through’ any Valley, even when the darkness overcomes us we can see a great light.
We don’t have to hide in a closet and worry “where is God”, we know He is wherever we are.
Lets Pray: Father God, we do not hide in our closet and wonder where you are today. We come to you full of faith, faith is that whioch is believed though unseen.
Thank you Lord Jesus for being with us always. Just as you promised “I will never leave you NOR forsake you”. That ‘forsake you’ stands with us today as much as the faith that you will never leave us.
Forgive us when we sometimes wavier, when we succumb to the fear and loneliness which the Evil One showers upon us.
We love You and our faith is in you.
In Jesus name we offer our prayer… AMEN
Lost in the Woods
Lost in the Woods
Lost in the Woods
3/23/20:
In the Woods
Proverbs 3:1-6:
3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will
3/23/20:
In the Woods
Proverbs 3:1-6:
3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.[a]
If you’ve ever been lost in the woods,?
I know I have.
A few years back Barb and I were vacationing in Yellowstone area, Jackson Lake I believe. We rented a small cabin down by the lake side. There were only a few and at that time of year, even fewer were occupied.
We drive down from the Guard station and unloaded our luggage. We went down to the lake and enjoyed the Sunset and then went back to the small porch off the side of the cabin.
We watched the final rays of the Sun set and were at peace.
We decided to go back into the cabin.
The problem was that I ‘somehow’ locked the door. My keys to my car and my sandals were inside….
We were over a mile from the station.
Barb was concerned, but I said ‘no worry, I will walk up to the station and get another set of keys’.
So , here I go, bare footed, in the dark, walking up to someplace I am only guessing was there.
I saw a path, and decided to follow that instead of the dirt road, and I took it.
Soon I realized that I was walking more than a mile.
Then I heard another person walking in the wood.
The branches snapped, the limbs were being pushed – but he seemed to be making better head way than me.
I called over : “excuse me – is this the way to the Guard Cabin?”
No answer – only silence.
Then I heard him walking again.
I moved closer and asked the question again – “Are you heading up to the front gates?”
Again – stillness.
When he started to walk again, hardly being able to see my hand in front of my face, I decided to follow.
He was moving very well, so I rushed to stay up to him.
I stared to think he may be afraid I was stalking him, so I moved as stealthily as I could. At that point I had no idea where I was.
Finally I could hear him shortly ahead. He had again stopped.
I moved closer and , not wanting to scare him, open the bushes and limbs as quietly as I could… and said” Excuse me, can you help me?”
Then and only then did I realize I was staring in the eyes of a Big, Big Bear ---
His eyes went wider than me, he ran one way and I ran the other.
I made record time back to the lake and the cabin.
We slept in our car that night …..
If you have ever been in a situation like that (and hopefully not) you know the concerns, confusion, and panic such a situation causes.
Now think what a difference it would have made to know that a guiding light before you….
Spiritually speaking, we all have such a Light… whether in the Woods at Yellowstone , or right now, Hunkered down in these days… We call it—God’s Word.
But guess what, it does no good unless we let it guide us during these trying times
There have been many ways and we have many hours of opportunity to dig in and study His word.
Each week , after our Scripture reading I say “ May Gods blessings be revealed in the reading and studying of His Word”
That studying is so important. We all can read… but it takes commitment to STUDY
At times, we may fail to study scriptural guidance because of many reasons ...
Neglect. Sometimes we are so busy walking through life a dn life issues (especially now) that we forget to follow the Light of the World to make sure we’re headed in the right direction.
Pride. We often want to determine our own destiny. Many of us prefer to plan a course of action by relying on our strength, wisdom, and abilities. What a difference it makes when we put our pride away and submit to that which God puts forward to us
Distractions. The Lord’s path of obedience isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it can be extremely challenging. The evil One offers other trails that promise pleasure and ease if we will just ignore the Word and follow him.
Although these routes seem pleasant at first, they lead to heartbreak and discouragement, and sometimes the “Bears” in our day.
Difficulties. Whenever obstacles appear on the trail, our natural tendency is to try and find a way around them.
But by ignoring God’s light following our OWN path, we’ll miss the blessings He wants to give us through the rough patches—benefits such as strong faith and godly character.
Why should we wander when the Lord’s light is available?
Let Scripture be our guide on life’s journey.
God promises productive days and fruitful years if you follow His path.
He’ll direct.
Why should we wander through these days when the Lord’s Light is available?
Let Scripture be our guide on this journey.
God promises productive days and fruitful years if we follow His path.
He’ll direct us through this as well as other trials we may face later.
He directed ME back to the Cabin…. Scratched feet and all. To that I will always be thankful,
By the way, in the morning, Barb and I walked the dirt road to the Station.
She had her sandals…. I just limped along.
Be safe, Be well … and please remember the 5 P’s.
Lets Pray… Oh Father God, we come before you and ask that you shed your light on our journeys path. Not through the Woods of Yellowstone, but the through the Woods of these days.
We know you are on the Throne and in all ways, on all days, You are in control.
Let us use these quiet days to spend time with you and your Word..
Let us not just read, but study and see the Light our Jesus, the Light of the World is illuminating upon our journeys path.
Bless us and bless us indeed.
In Jesus name we pray …. Amen and Amen