9-24-17 Life’s a Picnic…if you’re an ant!

Scripture:  Revelation 21:1-5 Job 1, 2, 3, 42

Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, Flooding, Earthquakes, Wild Fires, Tornadoes, Plane crashes, automobile accidents, drug overdoses, gun violence, Nuclear missile testing, Sin, Anger, Hatred, Divorce, Cancer, Stroke, Unemployment, Depression, Loss – Need I go on…?

CHIPPIE NEVER SAW IT COMING

"Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage, sending a song into the air; the next second he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over.

"His problem began when his owner decided to clean his cage with a vacuum. She had stuck the nozzle in to suck up the seeds and feathers at the bottom of the cage when the nearby telephone rang. Instinctively she turned to pick it up. She had barely said hello when--ssswwwwwpppppp! Chippie got sucked in. She gasped, let the phone drop, and switched off the vacuum. With her heart in her mouth, she unzipped the bag.

"There was Chippie--alive but stunned--covered with heavy gray dust. She grabbed him and rushed to the bathtub, turned on the faucet full blast, and held Chippie under a torrent of ice-cold water, power washing him clean. Then it dawned on her that Chippie was soaking wet and shivering. So, she did what any compassionate pet owner would do: she snatched up the hair dryer and blasted him with hot air.

"Did Chippie survive? Yes, but he doesn't sing much anymore. He just sits and stares a lot. It's not hard to see why. Sucked in, washed up, and blown over! It's enough to steal the song from any stout heart." Life is like that sometimes. You don’t see it coming, but life just sucks you up, washes you up and blows you over.

JOB: THE BLESSED ONE

Chapter 1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen and 500 donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.

His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.

SATAN WANTS TO PROVE GOD WRONG

One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the Lord, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

ATTACKS ON JOB

1)  One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

2)  While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

3)   While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

4)  While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."  In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Chapter 2     On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him.  And the Lord said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the Lord, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."  "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life.  But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face." The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life."

JOB PHYSICALLY AFFLICTED

7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

SOME FRIENDS

11 When Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

Chapter 3 After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. He said: "May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, 'A boy is born!'  That day — may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine upon it. May darkness and deep shadow claim it once more; may a cloud settle over it; may blackness overwhelm its light. That night — may thick darkness seize it; may it not be included among the days of the yearn or be entered in any of the months. May that night be barren; may no shout of joy be heard in it. May those who curse days curse that day, those who are ready to rouse Leviathan. May its morning stars become dark; may it wait for daylight in vain and not see the first rays of dawn, for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me to hide trouble from my eyes.

11 "Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?

JOBS TRIALS CHANGED HIS APPEARANCE

The reason that burdens and trials can change us in the way we appear is simply because we allow them to! God desires that we learn to handle our trials by a biblical model instead of allowing them to handle us. Notice what the Lord would have us to do.

1. Learn To Refrain From Worry - Phil. 4:6-7; Matt. 6:25-33.

2. Learn To Rest In The Yoke - Matt. 11:28-30.

3. Learn To Rely On The Lord's Plans - Rom. 8:28.

4. Learn To Remember His Promises - 2 Cor. 4:17; Rom. 8:18; Phil. 4:19.

5. Learn To Regularly Pray About Our Trials - Col. 4:2; 1 Thes. 5:17 (Psa. 55:22).

6. Learn To Rejoice In The Midst Of Trials - 1 Thes. 5:18; Eph. 5:20.

God asks Job 77 questions that can be broken down into 3 basic ones

1)  Do you comprehend my creation? (Job 38:1-38) God begins by laying out for Job the intricacies of His creation. And there is a purposeful sarcasm because the wisdom involved in the creation of the world man simply does not possess. But God asks Job, do you understand it all, were you there, you seem to think and speak like you do!

2)  Can you care for my creation? (Job 38:39-39:30) God brings up six animals and 5 birds and lays out for Job how they operate in life and are cared for. Then the question is posed to Job, could you do this? You question my wisdom in dealing with you, but do you have the wisdom to deal with all of this?

3)  Can you control my creation? (Job 40:6-41:34) God then selects two animals at the top of the creation chain; the Behemoth and the Leviathan. God’s point is: I have the power and wisdom to control these two magnificent animals. Do you Job? Do you they listen to you, are you able to control them?

RESTORATION

Chapter 42:1     Then Job replied to the Lord: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. [You asked,] 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge? 'Surely, I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job's prayer. After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen and 1,000 donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters. After this, Job lived a 140 years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so he died, old and full of years.

THINGS ARE BETTER HIGHER UP

There was a Christian woman who was always bright, cheerful, and optimistic, even though she was confined to her room because of illness. She lived in an attic apartment on the fifth floor of an old, rundown building. A friend decided to visit her one day and brought along another woman -- a person of great wealth. Since there was no elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward. When they reached the second floor, the well-to-do woman commented, "What a dark and filthy place!" Her friend replied, "It's better higher up." When they arrived at the third landing, the remark was made, "Things look even worse here." Again, the reply, "It's better higher up." The two women finally reached the attic level, where they found the bedridden saint of God. A smile on her face radiated the joy that filled her heart. Although the room was clean and flowers were on the window sill, the wealthy visitor could not get over the stark surroundings in which this woman lived. She blurted out, "It must be very difficult for you to be here like this!" Without a moment's hesitation, the shut-in responded, "It's better higher up." She was not looking at temporal things. With the eye of faith fixed on the eternal, she had found the secret of true satisfaction and contentment.

Even when we suffer – we can trust the God who created us and has given us new life through his son because even if suffering in this life remains- things are better higher up.

Rev 21:1-5   I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea.  I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband. I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: "Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They're his people, he's their God. He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good — tears gone, crying gone, pain gone (Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, Flooding, Earthquakes, GONE Wild Fires, Tornadoes, Plane crashes, automobile accidents, GONE drug overdoses, gun violence, Nuclear missile testing, GONE Sin, Anger, Hatred, GONE Divorce, Cancer, Stroke, GONE Unemployment, Depression, Loss GONE) — all the first order of things GONE." The Enthroned continued, "Look! I'm making everything new.

9-17-17 Sharpening my Axe!

Scripture:  Matthew 12:1-8

Will Mancini said: “Like many in ministry, I’ve found myself drowning in techniques and tools to the neglect of my soul. In his book, Replenish, Lance Witt has thrown a life preserver with a perfect toss. Grab on and let him pull you back to Jesus.”

IPHONES AND YOUR SOUL

Timing: The $1000.00 IPhone 10 is about to be released

I have a love/hate relationship with technology. Even though I’m not very tech savvy, I’m a sucker for a new gadget. I like being organized and staying on top of my world. I like having instant and around-the-clock access to the web and e-mail and calendar and bank accounts. Technology helps me be more productive and efficient.

The good news for gadget junkies is there’s an endless stream of new and improved technologies to feed our addiction. Just consider the development of applications. Before the end of 2010 there were over 250,000 apps for the iPhone. (Today Apple Apps 2,200,000 Google Play 2,800,000 Windows and Amazon less than a million and Blackberry 235,000 )

I recently was in a meeting with a group of pastors where everyone brought a laptop. One of the first questions was, “What’s the password for the wireless router?” Going a couple of hours without being connected was unthinkable and unacceptable.

At one point I noticed something disturbing; remember, this was a live meeting with real people discussing important issues about the church. I realized I was multi-tasking. I had several screens open. I was answering time-sensitive e-mails. I checked some possible flights for an upcoming trip.

I also was carrying on two different chat conversations. One was with another guy in the same meeting. (By chatting we could give commentary without anyone else knowing what we were saying.) As if that weren’t enough, I was regularly checking my phone for text messages. And I was engaged in the live discussion. I am a sick person!

But I suspect you can probably relate to my dysfunction. Technology is dominating our world, and it’s not going away.

How do we leverage technology’s benefits without letting it create dysfunction in our lives and teams? How do we utilize technology so that it’s helpful and not harmful?

The starting place, I believe, is to recognize its limitations and the possible side effects of too much technology.

Constant connection creates internal as well as external noise. No wonder we struggle with spiritual practices like Sabbath and solitude and prayer and meditation. Even when we turn off the gadgets, we can’t seem to turn off the noise inside. We’re restless, fidgety, and edgy.

If you don’t believe me, just try being quiet for five minutes. Turn off everything and sit quietly. Seriously, try it. If you’re like me, this is no easy assignment. My mind quickly races to all that is going on in my world. Five minutes seems like five hours.

There was a time when silence was normal and a lot of racket disturbed us. But today, noise is the normal fare, and silence, strange as it may seem, has become the real disturbance. (Let’s try being quiet for just one minute)

The 7^th Coin

In urging the sacredness of the Lord's Day, a Chinese preacher used this story:

"It came to pass that a man went to market, having on his shoulder a string of seven large, copper coins (Chinese coins were strung on strings and carried on the shoulder at that time). Seeing a beggar crying for alms, he gave the poor man six of his seven coins. Then the beggar, instead of being grateful, crept up behind the kind man and stole the seventh coin also. What an horrible act you might say! Yes; but in saying this you condemn yourselves. You receive from the hand of the gracious God six days, yet you are not content. The seventh you also steal!"

Pilgrims Sabbath Day

The Pilgrim Fathers, according to the old hymn, left England, first for Holland, and then for America, for "freedom to worship God." But freedom to have a day of rest and worship was one of the chief motives of their migration. King James had decreed that Sunday was a day for sports, and issued his Sports Book. The Pilgrim Fathers desired to build their families, and their civilization, upon another basis. From the very beginning, in all the colonies, observation of the Sabbath was part of the law of the land. There is no doubt, either, that their observance of this day made a mighty contribution to the moral stamina and spiritual well-being of the nation, as well as to its material and economic prosperity. The Sabbath gave the people a chance to know the Bible, the fountain from which flowed the noblest streams of influence in the religion, education, and politics of the nation.

PPT SLIDE 10 Commandments

Exodus 20:3-17 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

1 "You shall have no other gods before me.

2 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand [ generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments.

3 "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

4 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

5 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

6 "You shall not murder.

7 "You shall not commit adultery.

8 "You shall not steal.

9 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

10 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

The principal of Sabbath was established before man had ever sinned – before there was a need for any law. Even when it became a law in the 10 commandments, it was never meant to be a burden but a delight for man as we see in Isa 58:13-14  "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."  The mouth of the Lord has spoken.

JESUS AND THE SABBATH

Prelude to Sabbath teaching

Matt 12:9-14

Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 13 Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

Sabbath teaching

Matt 12:1-8

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath." 3 He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread — which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

Sharpening my ax while I rest

One man challenged another to an all-day wood chopping contest. The challenger worked very hard, stopping only for a brief lunch break. The other man had a leisurely lunch and took several breaks during the day. At the end of the day, the challenger was surprised and annoyed to find that the other fellow had chopped substantially more wood than he had. "I don't get it," he said. "Every time I checked, you were taking a rest, yet you chopped more wood than I did." "But you didn't notice," said the winning woodsman, "when I sat down to rest, I was sharpening my ax."

9-10-17 Drawing class 101

Scripture:  John 12:19-36

          Years ago, when Red Skelton was in his 80’s, Kim and I got tickets to go see him at the University of Dayton arena. The place was packed and there was great anticipation. Red Skelton came on stage with a chair and a couple of hats. He was mic’d so the thousands of people could hear him – no special lighting - 2 hours, no intermission – no technology – no foul language or course jokes - no one left early because he had us spell bound. Red Skelton could certainly draw a crowd.  Today, you need lots of action, lights, tricks to get a crowd – but some are able to draw a crowd today.

          I am drawn to things that are fun or funny. Movies or the theater, I want to smile and laugh. I can’t watch the CSI crime shows that show death and blood. In the real world, most of us are not drawn toward death – particularly a horrendous murder of an innocent man. And yet – Jesus said, And I, when I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men to myself.  Is he saying, as I am crucified – lifted up – I will draw all men to myself? YES! That doesn’t make sense. I would rather go see Red Skelton and laugh for a couple hours than to do see a man dying an awful death on a cross.

BACKGROUND TO JESUS’ STATEMENT

John 12 closes the signs book (He will then move to the passion of Christ). 1) Marry anoints Jesus feet (elaborate love) 2) The triumphal entry – common to welcome a conquering hero – even the phrase “The crowds went out to him” is what was said about military victors. Jewish Nationalists saw Jesus as their conquering victor BUT to calm that, Jesus came riding in – not on a large white stallion, rather a humble young donkey. 3) Greeks want to speak with Jesus to which he gives a discourse about what is going to happen next.

John’s term “world” meant all who were in opposition to God. Yet now the Pharisees are saying “The whole world has gone out to him” and with the interest of the Greek/Gentiles, the time is ready when Jesus can fulfil his reason for being here in the first place.

And I, when I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men to myself.

John 12:19-36

So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"

20 Now there were some Greeks (Gentiles) among those who went up to worship at the Feast (God fearing Gentiles). They came to Philip (Phillip is a Greek name), who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see   Jesus (They have had opportunities to SEE Jesus – they mean have a conversation with him.)." Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. (Phillip may have been uncertain about including Gentiles – he and Andrew seem to have a special bond within the disciples – or he was afraid to talk directly to Jesus for some other reason).

23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" (Jesus says I must die for this movement to grow – my church cannot be the church as long as I am here. When I die – even more seeds will be able to be planted all over the world -- Jesus got at this when he said, John 14:12-14 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.) Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."

29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."  33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

34 The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?"

35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

          He hid himself from them – but only for a moment. Jesus death was meant to be a public spectacle viewed by Jew and Gentile – by those present and those not yet born. Jesus on the cross is not only a picture of horrific torture – it is the only picture we have ever had or ever will have of how we go from death to life eternal. Only through Jesus death on the cross do we have life. If Jesus did not die, there would be no salvation. If Jesus did not die – his reach would be limited. Because Jesus died, those who know where to find him take others to him – at the cross – high and lifted up – drawing everyone to himself.

BEING LIFTED UP WAS NOTHING NEW

Ex 17:11-13

As long as Moses lifted up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

Num 21:8-9

The Lord said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

          That lifting up was temporary with temporary results. Though Jesus is no longer physically hanging on a Roman cross in Jerusalem – he may still be found there by those who seek him. It is not the cross that has power – it is Jesus lifted up on the cross. Jesus and Jesus alone has the power to draw everyone to himself.  But it is up to us to take people to him.  Paul said it best: 1 Cor 2:2-3 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Today is Rally Day – reminding us of the importance of getting back to church and back to Sunday school and small groups. Back to the essentials of our faith – Jesus and him crucified – Jesus risen from the dead – Jesus coming again. Jesus lifted up…drawing us close to himself!

Meditate on the (SLIDE) picture of Jesus – see the story of his birth, his miracles, his agony, his death and resurrection. Now close your eyes and see him lifted up. Now see how you can lift up his name so others to might see him.

And I, when I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men to myself.

9-3-17 To work is to pray!

Scripture:  Colossians 3:16-4:2

“Laborare est Orare” is a motto that derives from the Rule of Benedict. By adopting this ethos, the Benedictine Order attained a high degree of self-sufficiency which arguably helped them to survive the fall of Rome. Benedict formulated a Rule by which the monks of his monastery would live. It laid stress on the equal value of prayer, study and work, and in this way Benedict laid the foundations for self-sufficiency in a period when a community would either survive on its own, or not survive at all. At the core of the Rule was the edict, laborare est orare (to work is to pray). Benedict’s monks were to be no mere ritualistic bookworms – he wanted them to get dirt under their nails. As the movement spread across Europe the Benedictines set up abbeys that prospered. Benedict viewed prayer and work as partners, and believed in combining contemplation with action. The phrase expresses the need to balance prayer and work and has been used in many religious communities from the Middle Ages onwards.

Wiki Slide  Flag Slide   Seal Slide 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pray_and_work

The city seal for Toledo, Ohio created and used since 1873 shows the sun rising at Fort Industry where Swan Creek joins the Maumee River. The seal was replaced with a simple block form of the fort on Jan. 11, 1909 and reverted to the 1873 seal in 1994. What never changed on the seal was the inscription “LABORARE – EST – ORARE” meaning “To work is to pray” which is still used to this day.

Col 3:16-4:2

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (not read, not study, but dwell-stay-reside-live in you. Not quick-casual-cheap, but richly-fully-abundantly) as you teach and admonish one another (Christian to Christian teach each other the word of Christ is dwelling in you and warn each other in that word.) with all wisdom, (teach and warn with wisdom, not careless off the cuff thoughts) and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Psalms – sung scripture with musical accompaniment. Hymns – secular songs celebrating military victory or political triumph clamming songs of the culture for the church / cept we use them so long and think they are church music. Spiritual songs – Any type of music but made to be sacred – written for he purpose of worship, instruction or praise.) with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Always sing with thankfulness to God as His word richly lives in you) 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (WHATEVER YOU DO = do it in Jesus name – do it as a way to give thanks to God. For instance:) (Watch as God covers the 3 most common Social Networks – Husband & Wife / Parents and Children / Employee and Employer)

          18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

          19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

          20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

          21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

          22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

          4:1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. (Notice, on this labor day the one that is given most attention – let’s back up and read the one about slaves / Slave = you at your job)

          4:2 (To all of them is added laborare est orare) Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. To work at marriage – to work at family – to work at your job is TO PRAY! Devote yourselves to prayer by devoting yourselves to the work of marriage, family employment. Thant covers most of your waking hours which now means you can fulfill the scripture that says: 1 Thess 5:17 Pray without ceasing. KJV pray continually NIV pray all the time; The MSG

(Mr. Rogers optional)

MR> ROGERS NEIGHBORHOOD

The late Fred Rogers, creator and host of the much-loved children's television program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, had a special understanding of his ministry and his work. His widow, Joanne Rogers, told a journalist: "I always remind people that he was an ordained Presbyterian minister and his educational children’s show was his ministry. His work was his ministry, and he loved his work; my, did he love his work. That's what makes me sad about losing him. Because I think he would have worked for a long time more if he could have.” When we honor God and help people, then our work and ministry blend together in pleasing service to the Lord. That becomes our prayer. Mister Rogers showed us how we can do that in our own neighborhood/Work/or School.

WORKING ALONE

          A letter to the insurance company called “Doing the Job Alone”.

Dear Sir, I’m writing in response to your request for additional information. In block 3 of the accident report form I put trying to do the job alone as the cause of my accident. In your letter you said I should explain more fully, and I trust the following details should be sufficient.

          I am a brick layer by trade and on the date of the accident I was working alone on the roof of a new six story building. When I had completed my work I had about 500 pounds of brick left over. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand or having someone to help me, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley that was fortunately attached to the side of the building on the sixth floor.

          Securing the rope to the ground level I went to the roof, loaded the bricks into it, swung the barrel out, and then I went to the ground, untied the rope while holding the rope tightly to insure a slow descent of the 500 pounds. You will note in block 2 of the accident report that I weighed 160 pounds. Due to my surprise of being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rather rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of the 3^rd floor I met the barrel coming down. This explains the fractured skull and the broken collar bone.

          Slowing down only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until my hand was two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately, I regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain. At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight of the bricks, the barrel now weighed approximately 50 pounds. I refer you again to my weight in block #2. As you might imagine, I began a rather rapid descent down the side of the building. In the vicinity of the 3^rd floor I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for my two fractured ankles and the lacerations on my legs. This encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell on the pile of bricks.

          I’m sorry to report, however, that as I lay on the bricks in pain, unable to stand, watching the empty barrel six stories above me, I again lost my presence of mind and let go of the rope. The empty barrel weighed more than the rope and so it came down and broke both of my legs.

Some jobs have partners built into them – some are done in isolation or with no help or support but NO JOB need to be done alone when your work becomes your prayer – God is there in the midst.

I had a High School Sunday School teacher who used to say “Do what you pray!” Praying for more money – get a second job. Praying for a more loving marriage – be more loving. Praying you will lose weight and get in better shape – eat healthier and exercise. Laborare est Orare / To work is to pray.

On one of D. L. Moody’s journeys across the Atlantic there was a fire in the hold of the ship. The crew and some volunteers stood in line to pass buckets of water. A friend said to Moody, "Mr. Moody, let us go to the other end of the ship, and engage in prayer." The common-sense evangelist replied, "No sir; we will stand right here and pass buckets and pray hard all the time." Moody believed that prayer and work were the two hands of the one person: that they should never be separated. Laborare est Orare.  Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.