Love Poems: Yearning

I miss the taste

Of your tantalizing wine,

And I long for

The warmth of your touch.

Years ago, I sipped from

Your well of tenderness,

And drank contentedly

From your heart.

But I consumed more

Than you could give,

And quenched more

Than we could tolerate.

I staggered from

Our supine embrace

And reeled with

The rancor of my lust.

I lost it all.

So now,

I miss the taste

Of your tantalizing wine,

And I long for

The warmth of your touch.

© 2009  John Stuart

4 Minute Devotions: Honor Killings

We're hearing more about "honor" killings these days, even in our own nation. Sadly, it's an act of fanaticism that has its roots in the Bible.

Podcast version here

Deuteronomy 13:9 You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people.

They call it “honor killing,” although there’s nothing honorable about it. Young girls in the Middle East who get caught in the wrong company, or young men who convert to another religion, are cast out by family members and sometimes killed. It’s a horrible way of expressing faith and sadly, it’s one that has its roots in the Bible.

People get fanatical about their faith in God and take it to the extreme, so that nothing stands between them and their devotion to their Deity. Their love becomes an irrational zeal and they become obsessed with serving God perfectly, purely, and persistently. If a family member ‘dishonors’ the family faith, they can be tortured, raped, imprisoned, and killed. It’s a horrible aspect of how faith can destroy believers. It’s a wicked way of serving God.

People expect Christians to be holy and perfect, instead of ordinary and sinful. We have no honor, save that of Christ alone. He is the Sacred One who does everything right. He is the Holy Son of God, who serves His Father faithfully, purely, and perfectly. The grace of Jesus allows us to be restored to God through Christ’s good and godly works. There’s nothing that we can do to shield us from God’s wrath. We can only stand behind Jesus and ask Him to make things right for us. His Death completely paid the price of our sins. In our faith, if ever there was an ‘honor killing,’ it took place at Calvary when Jesus went to the Cross on our behalf.

I wish that those other faiths in the world could put an end to these dishonorable killings, but this will only happen if we keep spreading the Gospel through our churches and in our communities. Christ can release them from the burden of their fanaticism. We need to lovingly bring His message of grace and honor to the world.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, there is a lot of injustice and wickedness in the world that is done in the name of religion. Help us, through Your grace, to present a loving witness to the world, so that other people may be attracted to Your words and ways. Grant us opportunities to confront fanaticism with peace, hope, and love. In Your Honorable Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor at Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

4 Minute Devotions: A Great Granda

My grandfather was a fireman in World War 2 in Britain. After working in a bombed out area, and seeing all of the devastation, he realized that his family meant everything to him. A short reflection based upon 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Podcast version here

My grandfather, whom I am named after, was a fireman in World War 2. When the Nazis bombed the houses and shipyards of Glasgow and Clydebank, Scotland, he had to go out in the midst of the carnage, inferno, and chaos, to do what he could to save lives and buildings. After he saw all of that devastation, it gave him a greater appreciation of his own family.

He was a wonderful grandfather who just loved having his children, grand-children and great-grandchildren around him. His home was open at any time to all of us and didn’t matter how loud we were or disruptive, he just sat back on his old armchair and laughed at our antics.

I once asked him what it was like to have so many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. What he said to me is something that I have never forgotten, “Whenever a new baby comes along, John, my heart just increases with pride and love.” If ever I am blessed to be a great-grandfather, I would very much like to experience the same.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

I love what Paul writes to the Thessalonian Church. He’s encouraging them to increase their love for one another and their faith in the Lord. It must have been an exciting time for them, because they were amongst the first churches that Paul had planted. And they must have applied Paul’s words, for to this very day, nineteen hundred years later, Christian churches still flourish in that area.

I think the lesson that we all can learn here is this: if we want to see our own churches grow, we have to be prepared to increase our love of one another, especially when new people come into our midst. If they can experience that our love and fellowship are genuine, warm, and sincere, then why would they want to go anywhere else?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your ever-increasing love. As each generation is born into the world, so Your love increases for the entire earth. Help us to display and express Your love to all whom we meet, especially the newcomers in our churches. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

4 Minute Devotions: Gospel Musketeers

Alexandre Dumas' famous Musketeers have been a favorite of mine since I was a boy. Their motto "All for One, and One for All" is a great message for our churches today. Christ died for all, so therefore all should live for Him.

Podcast version here

I always wanted to be a musketeer. Alexandre Dumas’ story of D’Artagnan and the Three Musketeers has enthralled me since I was a boy. I think I first saw them fighting together in the 1939 movie, “The Man in the Iron Mask” which starred Warren William in the lead role. I was captivated by their sword fighting skills and camaraderie. It was an exciting swashbuckler from beginning to end and I knew that after it was over, I had to become a musketeer.

Ever since then, I think I’ve seen almost every movie about the Musketeers, even the Chinese version, as well as a French cartoon series. I just love their fight for justice and every time I hear those famous words, “One for All, and All for One,” I want to jump out of my seat and join them. It’s a wonderful moment which epitomizes everything that is noble, faithful, and true about friendship.

2 Corinthians 5:14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

I also feel this each time I read Paul’s message about Christ dying for all. He is the One who died for all of us; therefore all of us should live for Christ alone. It’s the same musketeer message and I sometimes wonder if Dumas came up with his idea through reading the same scripture.

This is what makes me want to be part of a church, too. I’m not a Christian just for myself. I want to belong to a fellowship of faith where friendship can be experienced in the worship, service, and communal devotion to God. It’s a beautiful feeling and when the benediction is spoken and shared, it’s as if the whole congregation is saying, “One for All, and All for One.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You died for all and we are so enthralled with Your sacrifice that we want to share Your message with other people. Help us to overcome our fears about being Your messengers; enable us instead to become Your musketeers of the Gospel, fearlessly defending Your words and faithfully serving Your Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

4 minute Devotions: Starting Over

I love being a Christian. I love the experience of being a sinner saved by Christ. Without Christ’s grace and mercy, I don’t know where I would be right now. Without God’s compassion, I don’t know where I would end up.

Podcast version here

Christianity is a beautiful faith. It makes us recognize that we are all imperfect (John Calvin would say ‘depraved’ and ‘fallen.’), but it doesn’t leave us there. We are given a wonderful life changing opportunity to come to Christ, in order to be forgiven, restored, and renewed. And it’s not just a once in a lifetime experience. We can go back to Jesus time and time again, confessing our mistakes and asking for pardon. We can begin again. We can have hope again. We can start our lives over again.

Throughout the years, I have seen many people, including myself, be transformed by Christianity. The Spirit of Christ has a power that is unequaled in this world. I have seen addicts cured. I have known sinners regain respect. I have experienced dysfunctional families rediscover their love for one another. It’s an amazing process and I thank God each day for His work in my life.

Bible Verse of the Day

Psalm 103:4 …who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

I am far from perfect and, like everyone else, I have my moments of foolishness, selfishness, and unholiness. But when I am weak, Christ is strong. When I fall, He stoops down and lifts me up. It’s a beautiful faith and a wonderful way of getting through life. And that’s why I want to share it with everyone. That’s why I want family and friends, neighbors and co-workers, acquaintances and strangers to learn about Jesus. For Christ is the Only One who can redeem us out of the pits of despair that we dig, by lifting us up with His love and crowning us with His compassion.

Perhaps you’re at a low point in your life and you feel that everything is pointless. Or maybe you know someone who is going through a lot of trouble, sickness or worry. Jesus is the key to lifting you or your loved ones out of that rut, and he is willing to do so, even now. Just ask Him for help and you’ll find that He cares.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, there are times in our lives when we regret the past and fear the future. There are moments when we feel isolated and insecure, insignificant and unimportant. When we experience those things, lift us up and help us to begin again. Grant us Your love and compassion, Your healing and strength. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Devotions; Party On

Last Sunday, we had one of our best Easter services ever. A lot of families were in town and it was great to see them sitting together in the pews, praising God for the resurrection of Christ. It was a wonderful worship service. We even had to print extra bulletins and set out more chairs to accommodate the crowd.

Podcast version here

Some people are cynical about the Christmas-Easter crowds that show up to church. I used to be one of them. In the past, I’ve been known to preach a hellfire and brimstone service at Easter, just to make the visitors feel guilty. Thankfully, I grew out of that years ago, so now I just preach the Gospel story and keep to the message that God has planned. People have enough pressure going on in their lives. In church, they need to find that the peace of God, which passes all understanding, is still there to be experienced and rediscovered.

Bible Verse of the Day

Nehemiah 8:10b This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

When Ezra and Nehemiah brought out the Laws of Moses and re-read them publicly in the ruins of Jerusalem, the people thought that they were in for a rough time. Instead, Nehemiah encouraged them to celebrate the day as a resurrection of their faith. He urged them to go home and party with their families, and to share whatever they had with those who had nothing. It must have been a wonderful time of renewal for the Jews, bringing them a new hope to rebuild God’s Holy City and giving them the courage to re-dedicate their lives to God.

I think that’s what Easter brings to some people. They come to church to be with their family, and also to get reconnected to God. They want to go home knowing that God loves them and that Christ has forgiven them. They want to feel welcomed by the church and blessed by His people. And for those of us who have faith, we’re meant to share it with those who have little or none. To me, that is the message of Easter – a celebration of Christ that we don’t keep to ourselves.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for calling many people to church last Sunday. Thank You for touching their hearts and bringing them back to worship You. Continue to affect and influence their lives with Your ways and words. Help us to share what faith we have with all those who have little or nothing when it comes to believing in You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Sleeping in Church

I love the story of Eutychus because he reminds me of myself. When I first became a Christian, I was a ‘twicer,’ which meant that I used to go to church services twice each Sunday. I went to my Presbyterian Church in the morning, and then worshipped at an evangelical church in the evening. The preacher usually spoke for about an hour, and I always ended up sleeping against the church wall. I made sure that my seat was against the wall in order to do this.

Podcast version here

Bible Verse of the Day


Acts 20:9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.



Of course, it wasn’t the preacher’s fault. It was mine. I had a great big Sunday dinner just before the service, so by the time I reached the church, I was ready to snooze. I tried everything to stay awake. I would grip the pew in front of me until my knuckles were white. Sometimes I blinked my eyes really fast or opened them as wide as I could to keep awake. Other times, I would move my toes within my shoes in order to be attentive. Eventually, all of my efforts would fail me, and I would nod off to sleep. Thankfully, I didn’t snore; otherwise someone would have woken me up.

God has a great sense of humor. When He saw the Eutychus in me, He was also busy planning to make me a preacher. Now, on Sunday mornings, I get to look at the congregation and sure enough, during the sermon, someone’s fighting and fidgeting to stay awake. If they end up sleeping, I don’t mind. Perhaps they’ve had a busy week, or were up late, or the sermon is boring. Whatever the case, to sleep in the House of the Lord is a good thing. It’s the one place where peace and love, comfort and security are meant to be experienced.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for allowing us to sleep in church and for quietly refreshing our spirits in Your Presence. Some of us come to church looking for answers, needing encouragement, and seeking rest from all our worries and busy-ness. Grant us the blessing of Your Love, and enable us to become all that You need us to be. In Your Holy Name, we rest and pray. Amen.

Saudis Nix Valentines Picks

Valentine’s gifts, cards, and red roses were banned today by religious police in Saudi Arabia. Store owners and workers were ordered to remove all red items and wrapping paper from their shelves.

Valentine’s Day is considered as being un-Islamic, along with a few other annual celebrations, so the authorities prohibit its commemoration. The religious police also state that Valentine’s Day encourages forbidden relationships between men and women outside of marriage, which is punishable by law.

Some Saudis, however, surreptitiously celebrate the event by ordering flowers and gifts weeks in advance of the ban. The store owners make deliveries in the middle of the night or early morning to avoid suspicion.

Some Islamic mullahs have also written prohibitive statements concerning Valentine’s Day. The following example comes from Pakistan:

Muslims should avoid celebrating this occasion by:

1- Not expressing joy and happiness on this occasion.

2- Not exchanging red roses, which represent the ‘spiritual love’ of the pagans or the ‘love’ of the Christians. Hence it is known to them as the Feast of Lovers.

3- Not sending greeting cards as some of their cards have pictures of “Cupid” (a child with two wings carrying bows and arrows). This was the god of love of the pagan Romans.

4- Not exchanging words of love and desire in the cards or verbally. Some of the cards contain the words ‘be my Valentine’. This is the Christian concept of this festival after they adopted from the pagan Romans.

5- Not attending dance parties with mixed gatherings.

I guess they don’t know how much fun they are missing…

Unyoked

Audio version here

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? NIV



Sometimes Paul reminds me of Ezra and Nehemiah in the Old Testament. They were the messengers of God who ‘purified’ the Jewish people by casting out foreigners from their community. Men, women and children were all thrown out of Jerusalem if they did not have “pure” blood in them. Paul does the equivalent here by insisting that unbelievers and Christians should never be partnered or yoked together. Paul wants to keep the faith pure; he doesn’t want any ‘outsiders’ influencing the church.

Over the centuries, this scripture has been used to shun outsiders and isolate the church from the popular community. It’s been emphasized by spiritual elitists who have used it to promote racism, abuse, and intolerance all over the world. Whatever Paul originally intended, his words have been used to justify lynching blacks, destroying families, killing Jews, and even promoting White supremacy. I wonder if Paul realized what his words would one day represent, would he have retracted them from this letter?

It seems to me that Jesus had a different mission from Paul. Jesus was constantly surrounded by unbelievers, sinners, and outcasts. His ministry tended to reach out to those who were unholy and He sanctified them (made them holy) with His love, mercy, and grace. There was nothing elite about Jesus; there was nothing that suggested supremacy. In fact, we are constantly reminded by Paul of all people that Christ humbled Himself to come among us. The Sinless One came to save sinners. The Perfect One came to die for the imperfect. The Holy Son of God came to make unholy people sons, daughters, and heirs of God’s Kingdom.

Today, we are all going to meet other people. When we do, let’s try to reach out with grace and love, tolerance and mercy. It’s not going to be easy, especially when we come across folk who are radically different from us, but with practice we will learn the art of tolerance, love, unity and peace. And aren’t those goals worthy of our Savior? Aren’t those qualities why the Church exists?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to get out of our spiritual comfort zones and reach out to those who are on the ‘outside’ of Your church. Grant us the courage to get along beside them to offer them help in times of trouble, cheer in times of gladness, and love in times of fear and uncertainty. Remind us that we were all unbelievers at one point in our lives and that without someone reaching out to us, we would never have known of Your acceptance, forgiveness, grace, and love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.