New Blogger Address

For reasons that I cannot fully understand, Blogger does not like this ancient account.  I think it has to do with the fact that I set it up before Blogger was taken over by Google, and now Google does not like the fact that I log in (or attempt to log in) using a non-gmail address.

So, after a number of attempts to get around the problem, I have given up.

There is a new Blogger address where I will begin posting my e-devotions and sermons.  That address is
www.PastorChrisHeavner.blogspot.com

This site will still be viewable, I just can't post anything new here.  So the new stuff is at
www.PastorChrisHeavner.blogspot.com

Thank you,
Pastor Chris

Devotion - Thursday, September 3

I must say how impressed I was with the "Wisdom" passed on from our senior students at last night's LCM Dinner.  Define yourself by who your are - not merely what you do; take some leisure skills classes, it is okay to get a B; remember why you chose this major; you are here to get an education and a job; don't over commit; carry a stapler in your book-bag. All good advice for incoming and returning students.

Anna gave us great advice for everyone.  She spoke of being considerate toward your professors.  She spoke of remembering that they, like you, have a life outside of class and that that life may be experiencing a few bumps and bruises.  

A few years back, I was sent a placard which read:  "Remember that everyone you meet is facing demons of which you are totally unaware."  Too seldom do we stop to think about what the person we are interacting with may be facing.  The anger coming forth may be misplaced aggression.  The tears may be pent up emotions brought forth by the smallest of pin pricks.

Surely God hopes His servants would be cognizant of the larger context of the lives of others.  Surely, God's servants can remember to be kind and gentle and understanding.  Since God has been so gracious and understanding of us, ought we not show the same toward the rest of His children?

Good advice, Anna.

Devotion - Wednesday, September 2

It is in Mark 12 that Jesus is challenged by a group in the hopes of entrapping him.  The exchange gives rise to a trap into which many continue to be lured.

They ask him if it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar.  He asks for a coin. "Whose image is on this coin?"  Caesar's.  Then he says, "Return to Caesar that which is Caesar's and return to God that which is God's."

Too often, this exchange is used to pretend that there is an divide between "church and state" which is never, ever to be crossed.  Too often, this exchange is used to insist that talk of religion and talk of politics are to remain in two completely separate realms.

Read Mark 12 for yourself.  Be reminded that Jesus isn't giving an opinion, he is thwarting the attempts of those who would entrap him.  This does not mean that he speaks words which he does not intend, but it should give us pause when interpreting those words.

"Politics" are not evil.  We must pay attention to how we live together.  And, how we live together is a matter of great concern to God.  We have lost the skill of talking politics, in large part because we so quickly become entrapped in partisan talk.  

Jesus' words we not received well.  Those who asked him were of the mindset that God's people ought never participate in the realm of Rome's empire. Many (myself included) hear Jesus telling them to acknowledge those parts of their lives where the state does have a role.  

There will always be politics.  And the people of God must become active in the political debates.  We must avoid partisanship.  Every vote, every candidate, every letter written to a Representative must be informed by what it is that God has laid on our hearts about this issue.  

We are to return to Caesar an accurate depiction of how God has told us to live among others.  Caesar may not listen, but that does not mean we will become silent or withdrawn.

Devotion - Tuesday, September 1

The parable Jesus tells in Mark 12 is shocking.  A man plants a vineyard and let it out to tenants.  When the crop is harvested, he sends servants to collect his share.  The servants are beaten and sent back empty handed.  

Other servants are sent. Some are beaten, others are murdered.  Finally, the man sends his son.  The tenants kill him also.

The story is told, initially, to make the chief priests and scribes and elders reflect on the way they have responded to God's servants.  Every story in the bible had a life when it was told, but takes on new life when it is retold among us.  What is this story saying to you?  To me?

Certainly, we continue to benefit from a vineyard which we did not create.  Clearly, we have harvested much good and desirable fruit.  What of that are we returning to the one who placed us in this vineyard?

When asked if  we will join others on Sunday afternoons to  tie fleece blankets for needy neighbors, will we respond?

Could we sacrifice our Sunday afternoon (Oct 4)  to walk in the CROP Walk for Hunger?

Are we prepared to make a few phone calls to students who have left their childhood homes,come to this new and strange place, and remain in need of a caring community of support?

Are God's servants going away empty handed, when they come to us to ask for a share of our energy and our time?

Read Mark 12.  Hear this parable - as a message to you.  Do not allow it to merely justify thoughts of condemnation for others.  How is God calling you to apply this story in your own life?

Devotion - Monday, August 31

For the sake of new additions to this listserve, allow me to repeat one of my most treasured axioms on quoting the bible.  It is from Philip Melanchthon:  "Never quote a verse of scripture unless you can quote two more:  One which reinforces the first; and another which challenges the first."

I was directed this morning to Mark 11:26, where I read one of the "challenge" verses for me.  Jesus is speaking, "But if you do not forgive, neither with your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses."

So much of scripture tells us that Jesus forgives, even more abundantly than we are able to ask.  Over and over again Jesus says he came to the lost.  We are comforted to know that the spirit finishes our prayers which are too deep for understanding.

Then, I read Mark 11:26.

I don't want to dismiss this verse, or find some way to explain it away.  What I fear most is that I might latch on to it and use it as a way of holding trespasses over the heads of those whose transgression has affected me.  

Here is where my prayers this morning lead me:  I continue in my confidence that God is more willing to forgive than I am to ask for forgiveness.  Since I draw my very life from that God, then I will surely understand the significance of that forgiveness.  As one so dependent on a forgiving God, as one so moved by God's forgiveness, how could I possibly withhold forgiveness?  So, I will forgive.  As I have first been forgiven.  And even if Mark 11:26 is a hard and fast rule, it won't affect me.  After all, if the only reason I forgive is out of a fear that I won't be forgiven, am I really forgiving or merely pretending so as to qualify for a greater prize?

Scripture will always surprise us and challenge us.  It is important we read the verses which bring us pause and challenge us.

Devotion - Thursday, August 27

In Mark 10, two of the disciples come to Jesus to ask for places of honor.  That is sort of an odd thing to do, but it allows Jesus to tell all of his followers what places of "honor" mean in his Kingdom.

Those places are places of service.  Jesus tells us "whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all."

The life of a Christian is to be recognized  by our eagerness to step into such roles of service.  The identity of a Christian is formed as we live the life of a slave.

Peter Marshall offers this advice for how we live this life and come to this self-understanding:

returning good for evil,

returning soft answers for sharp criticisms,
being polite when I receive rudeness,
being understanding when I am confronted by ignorance and stupidity.

May God aid you this day as  you seek to be the slave of all whom you meet; as you live the life of service.

Devotion - Wednesday, August 26

When we decided to study the letter of Paul in our Tuesday night bible study, I didn't realize how tough that would be without first considering the Book of Acts.

To study the letters of Paul, you need to know a bit about Paul.  It is helpful to realize how contentious Paul's message was to some of the other early church leaders.

This morning I read from Acts 21.  

Paul has been preaching (mostly) among the Gentiles.  The followers of Jesus who were Jews have not been totally supportive of Paul's methods.  Some of them had held to the notion that to become a follower of Jesus, you had to first convert to Judaism.  Paul didn't think this to be necessary.

In Acts 21, James announces that becoming a Jew is no longer a necessary step to becoming a Christian.  This is a big step.  This is a huge change.

We take for granted that no one has to observe Jewish customs in order to be a Christian.  But as the Book of Acts points out, this was not a foregone conclusion.  It is helpful to know this history, and to know this about Paul.

It may be helpful to us, today, as we examine our expectations for someone "becoming" Christian.  What do we "require," formally or informally?  Are we even aware of the assumptions we make about who can and who cannot be considered a member of the family of God?

Jesus' style was to welcome people in, then to start to talk to them about what it means to stay.  He fed the 5,000 and after their bellies were full he told them what had just happened in their midst.  The threshold for entry is very low; the expectations for staying are discussed once you know you are welcome and have a place.