September 21

As children, most of us loved to pretend, to create kingdoms where we were the king or queen – the one in charge. As a young boy, Kevin Baugh did the same thing, but never left it as he grew up. As an adult, he is still having fun with his kingdom, The Republic of Molossia. Only 1.3 acres in total land mass in Nevada, it is a small kingdom unto itself.

Molossia has its own flag, its own signs, and its own boundary markers. It even has its own tourist attractions. Kevin Baugh is the president, or Sovereign, over his own little kingdom. His space program consists of model rockets. The basic unit of currency in Molossia is the valora. The valora is linked in value to Pillsbury cookie dough. Three valoras equal the value of one tube of cookie dough.

There is a railroad, but it's model-sized. The national sport is broomball. And although this nation is landlocked, Molossia claims a navy that is merely an inflatable boat. You can visit anytime you like. But--although it sounds fun--don't think you can move there. Baugh says there is not enough room, affectionately calling his nation "The Kingdom of Me."

Don't laugh too quickly. We may not have gone to the same extremes as Kevin Baugh, but we mostly live our lives as if we are rulers of our own kingdoms. What a surprise it is when we discover that we are living in a kingdom but that it is not ours.

That's the message of Jesus. He came saying, "The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news" (Mark 1:15). Literally, Jesus says the kingdom is "at hand." It is that close. All around us. Within reach.

Jesus doesn't describe his kingdom by talking about armies and weapons. He describes it like a farmer who comes with seed and the seed falls on soil (Mark 4:3-9). Finding his kingdom is like finding a treasure in a field (Matt. 13:44). And his kingdom is worry-free (Matt. 6:25-34). Best of all, this kingdom has a king who is in control (Mark 4:35-39).

Jesus said "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. . ." (Matt. 28:18). Kings and Queens say things like that. Unlike Molossia, if you want to enter and live in this kingdom, the Kingdom of God, there is plenty of room. 

What's one way the Kingdom of God is different from the kingdoms of the world? How might that affect the way you live your life this week? I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we explore these questions. 

-Pastor Jane

September 14

What is your identity?  Who are you?  A strong sense of identity can take you through the toughest tests.  It did for Jesus. Just after his baptism, where his lineage was stamped with these words, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased,” Jesus endured tests in the wilderness. Satan attacked his identity three times with the phrase, “If you are the Son of God…”  Jesus knew who he was and he changed the world so that you can know who you are and have your world changed by your faith in him.

Jesus’ identity was based on his relationship with God.  “You are my beloved Son…”  Ours can be, too. God loves you like a proud parent loves their children. To know God is to know you are home. 
-Pastor Jane

September 7

The knock came at the door of the inn.  It was late.  We can imagine the innkeeper had been burning both ends of the candle. The census crowd had packed Bethlehem and he had finally locked the doors for the night.  Until the knock. He shuffled his feet through the dark and made his way to the door. Opening it with the slightest of cracks, he peered out to see a young couple.  Looking more closely, he saw a young woman who was about to give birth to a child. Rooms were full.  It was late. And they didn’t look very special.  He had to decide whether he would find room for them or not.

And you will too.  John’s rendition of the birth of Christ comes in a few short words: “The Word (logos) became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).  Greek hearers understood the word logos as the representation of God. The essence of God was found in his Word.  Hebrew readers perked up to John’s message too. John writes: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.”  He book-ends the first sentence of his book with the phrase “In the beginning.” They knew it as the words that began the first book of the Torah, or Genesis.

John writes about beginnings. John writes about God’s very representation dwelling among us.  And he writes to tell us that we have the same decision to make as the innkeeper.  Will we find a place for Jesus in our lives or will we send him away? 

Some send him away because he looks too plain.  Nothing special about him.  Don’t make that mistake.  He comes to common places like your home and common places like your heart.  Some send him away because life is crowded.  Many demands and many deadlines.  And you’re not sure if you have room for him.  But he only comes to give you what he has already done.  He desires to give you forgiveness. And some send him away because they think it’s too late.  They’ve already done too much that can’t be forgiven. 

But it’s never too late.  Not with the one who comes and makes his dwelling among us.  You need only to open the door.
-Pastor Jane

August 31

This Sunday we come to the final Story of the Old Testament.  For 21 weeks we have been walking with God’s people throughout their history.  We have seen how God has continued to work in The Story to bring about redemptive love to a rebellious and sinful people.  As the story of Nehemiah and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem ends this week, we move into a time of silence.  At the end of the Old Testament there is a period of 400 years often referred to as “the silent years.”  Years without any prophets or leaders whose words were recorded in our Scripture.  Years where there was no voice from God recorded in the text we use.

But before the silence, Ezra read the word of God to the people.  His desire was that they rebuild the wall around Jerusalem for protection.  And God’s greater desire was to rebuild the hearts of the people.  The men, women, and children gathered together.  They heard the word.  They understood the word.  And then they did the word.

You can hear God’s voice in the same way these people did.  Through God’s word.  Once you hear God’s word, there will be a response.  The Israelites wept.  Others have repented.  Still others have heard good news and rejoiced.  And you?  If you hear God’s word today, it can rebuild your life.  God is still speaking today.  We only need to listen..
~Pastor Jane