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I'm sharing this journal entry from one of our sheep / shepherds for your encouragement and invite you to share your stories to keep us connected David
Thursday April 2, 2020: A journal entry:
JESUS WEPT.
A Morning mist of low cloud wrapped soft around the hills.
I read John 6 and tried to ponder on Jesus the living bread. But the mist beckoned and drew me outside, quickly enfolding me in its clammy embrace.
There was no pausing to choose direction. I headed straight up the hill blanketed in the foggy stillness, only birdcall echoing the inner certainty – she’s coming to pray.
Pray up the hill. I haven’t prayed up there for a while. I’ve prayed. But not there on God’s hill, my place of retreat.
At the summit, as cloud drifted and lifted, it was my heart that rained out its anguished plea, the cry for help with COVID19: LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER. Help us Jesus.
That was it. No wordy waffle. I perched on the rim of the damp bench, poised in grief and need; heart, mind and spirit turned to God, “Yet still do I praise you Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Living God.”
A lull then settled over me, like a mute button had been pressed to hush the turmoil of my distressed thoughts and wretched emotions concerning the plight of the world’s people. Wait. Be quiet!
Jesus wept. The words from last Sunday’s reading came to mind loud and clear.
33 When Jesus saw her crying, and the Judaeans who had come with her crying, he was deeply stirred in his spirit, and very troubled. 34 ‘Where have you laid him?’ he asked. ‘Master,’ they said, ‘come and see.’ 35 Jesus burst into tears. (John 11:33-35 NTE)
I too burst into tears, and as I wept, there at the top of the hill, I knew he was weeping with me. Weeping with all the world. Weeping for us all.
Turn to me. And I, turning, vision all awash, could see clearly, he was there. Feed my sheep. To this I shook my head, and thought, I’m no pastor. You are a minister of my word. Therefore, speak my word to others. Speak my word to one another. And suddenly understanding dawned. “You aren’t just saying this to me, are you? It’s your call to all of us: Feed your sheep. The responsibility is ours collectively.” And I pictured the scattered sheep, isolated from one another but belonging together and needing creative new ways of being church and speaking grace and hope to one another and others.
I plunged, then, down the hill, not following the worn paths but winding down the steeper slope, weaving through knee high weeds, around rocky mounds and patches of slippery flattened grass, to emerge at the wider base track.
Now is the time to forge new paths. Jesus is still the Way, the “base track” of my faith remains the same. It’s the network of familiar paths that represent how we have lived out our faith, that have fallen away, not God’s word or his kingdom, or his love.
I am thankful for this love that comes to us where we are: scattered sheep weeping in the mist of uncertainty. I’m thankful that Jesus wept and that his way isn’t set in stone. That he comes and calls us to discover a new and living way, today and tomorrow and the next day. Hallelujah! This is a new day! And the Jesus who weeps with us in our distress will renew us and lead us on beyond COVID19.
JESUS WEPT.
The autumn sun filtered a pale ray through the drifting grey. A reminder that the God who weeps, also sheds light as well as tears.
Free camp
by Shane Altmann
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
There the Lord will be our Mighty One. It will be like a place of broad rivers and streams. No galley with oars will ride them, no mighty ship will sail them (Isaiah 33:21).
Read Isaiah 33:13–24
This reading from Isaiah 33 is all about our ultimate security being found in the Lord. He is the consuming fire to the wicked and a fortress to the righteous. He is a really cool camping spot for tent owners.
I love camping. I started with a small dome tent, then upgraded to a larger one when I had kids. As the kids grew, I moved on to a three-room tent, followed by a canvas trailer tent. Now, I have a fancy off-road hybrid that features a shower and a pull-out kitchen.
I am always seeking great places to camp. My family has a few spots. We love the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast hinterlands. Places like Imbil or Canungra, and perhaps beach camping at Brunswick Heads or in the hills around Ravensbourne and Palmtree, north of Toowoomba. Line me up some water, crack me a stubby and light a fire. I am set.
It’s a timeless endeavour. Even three thousand-ish years ago, when this passage was written, the author knew how to identify a great camping experience, a really good tent next to a broad river or stream. That sublime joy and fulfilment is what God is preparing for us through his own redeeming work that brings us to righteousness. Fully catered, bread will be provided, water will not fail us and a peaceful abode where no one will say, ‘I am ill.’
We are reminded again, through this reading from Isaiah, that God is for us, on our side, doing great things for us now and preparing something so special for us next. He promises us great views from the mountain tops, not clinging to cliffs and ropes, but from a fortress, solid and secure, with sweeping views of his beauty and a fair land stretched out below us. How wonderful.
Lord of our future, God of hope, praise your holy name for all you have done for us through your Son, our Lord, Jesus. Thank you for bringing us to righteousness. It is your grace that saves us through the faith you have worked in our hearts. Bless us with good work and better rest as we live hope-filled lives in service of one another and those whom you put before us each day. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Shane Altmann is the principal of Faith Lutheran College Redlands in Queensland and has served in education for more than 35 years. Married to Monica and father of two children, Harry and Zoe, Shane has learnt that he is largely helpless without the love and support of the people with whom he lives and works. A pilgrim of multiple Caminos de Santiago, a Penrith Panthers tragic and a restorer of old stuff, Shane loves a project and, when he is able, fills his days tinkering with something.
Where did he come from?
by Shane Altmann
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak (Genesis 32:24).
Read Genesis 32:22–32
Today’s Bible reading is a critical and pivotal moment in both biblical and world history – the very beginnings of the creation of Israel. You shall be called Israel because you have struggled with God and humanity and won! I mean, you don’t have to scratch very deep to see the powerful significance in those words, still many thousands of years later.
But I think it is worth reflecting on verse 24, highlighted above. Jacob has sent his wives, his sons and ultimately his possessions across the river, and is alone. And then a bloke turns up for a fight.
Ex nihilo, out of nowhere.
For all intents and purposes, this guy just arrives. I’m channelling Jesus-in-the-locked-room vibes from yesterday’s devotion. Once again, God is at work, actively working for the world and moving things forward. Unlooked for, lining the ducks up.
As we consider Jacob’s desperation here, it is easy to forget this is yet another story of God at work in the world. Yep, Jacob wrestles with this ‘man’, perhaps to stop him from crossing the river and getting at his unprotected wives, sons and stuff, but it is God who turns up for the fight. It is God who stays in the game with Jacob until the point of his desperation. It is God who touches Jacob’s hip and stops the fight. Ultimately, it is God who blesses Jacob, renames him and sets history on its course to the ultimate work of Jesus.
Ex nihilo, out of nowhere.
When everything is on the line, our wives, our sons, our goods, when we stand alone and vulnerable, God turns up.
And he chooses the underdog once again, the younger son, the sneaky one who tricked his brother, the stubborn one who won’t let go. That’s how God rolls. He calls Abraham out of Ur, Israel out of the desert, Joseph the spoiled son, Moses the speech-impaired and exiled old shepherd, anoints David the boy, sends Jesus, the baby in a manger.
God’s got a type. You and me. Ordinary, everyday people who he draws to himself through his gracious love.
Ex nihilo, out of nowhere.
But like Jacob, he is taking us somewhere.
God, thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for always showing up for us, and you are always there, ready, out of nowhere, for us. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, empower and embolden us to hang on to you stubbornly, like Jacob. Forgive us for when we get it wrong and bless us as we go. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Shane Altmann is the principal of Faith Lutheran College Redlands in Queensland and has served in education for more than 35 years. Married to Monica and father of two children, Harry and Zoe, Shane has learnt that he is largely helpless without the love and support of the people with whom he lives and works. A pilgrim of multiple Caminos de Santiago, a Penrith Panthers tragic and a restorer of old stuff, Shane loves a project and, when he is able, fills his days tinkering with something.
Doubting Thomas or certain Jesus?
by Shane Altmann
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ (John 20:19)
Read John 20:19–31
There is so much cool stuff in this Bible passage, the well-known ‘doubting Thomas’ story. So much to wonder about.
- Jesus appears in a locked room. Can our post-resurrection body move differently through space and time like Jesus’?
- Jesus showed the marks of his death on his hands and his side. Will our post-resurrection body still have its scars and scratches like Jesus?
- Jesus performed many other miracles that were not even recorded. What were those extra miracles and signs?
I’m looking forward to finding out one day. But seriously, kind of, who cares? It is what this passage gives me certainty about that I love. Let’s focus on Jesus throughout the passage, on Jesus’ actions.
- Jesus came and stood among them.
- Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you’, twice.
- Jesus said, ‘I am sending you …’
- Jesus breathed on them and filled them with the Holy Spirit.
- Jesus gave them the authority to forgive sins.
- Jesus knew Thomas’ doubts.
- Jesus invited Thomas to have his doubts confirmed.
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. The disciples are largely passive in this story. Locked away, hanging out together. They aren’t looking for Jesus, they aren’t inquiring about what to do next, and they haven’t asked for or invited the Holy Spirit. Again, the list goes on. The disciples just exist. And Jesus does the work.
It’s always God’s work.
Our amazing God of Love is constantly engaged in his gracious movement towards us, towards humanity, towards the world. Even then, even now. Like the disciples, we are not responsible for the fact that the Holy Spirit is active in our lives – Jesus is.
Like the disciples, we cannot transport ourselves to where Jesus is, but he comes to us. Even in our locked rooms, he breaks through our feeble barriers to be with us, to bring us peace, to bless us with the work that lies before us. And in response, Thomas gives us the words, we cry, ‘My Lord and my God!’
Hallelujah.
Thank you, Jesus, for breaking into our lives unexpectedly and miraculously. Thank you for your gracious and redeeming work that makes us right with you. Thank you for your faithfulness towards us. Fill us again with your Holy Spirit and bless us as we gratefully attend to the important stuff you have placed before us this day. Amen.
Shane Altmann is the principal of Faith Lutheran College Redlands in Queensland and has served in education for more than 35 years. Married to Monica and father of two children, Harry and Zoe, Shane has learnt that he is largely helpless without the love and support of the people with whom he lives and works. A pilgrim of multiple Caminos de Santiago, a Penrith Panthers tragic and a restorer of old stuff, Shane loves a project and, when he is able, fills his days tinkering with something.