Monthly Archives: October 2015

Luke 8:1-3

Some women – one of whom had experienced a significant deliverance from demonic forces – were risking money on Jesus – supporting Him and His preaching and proclamation out of their own pockets. In an era when women were generally ignored and usually overlooked, these women took the risk of financially supporting Jesus.

Luke 8:4-21

In several parables Jesus challenged His listeners to trust that the Kingdom of God was wt work – even when physical evidence might suggest otherwise. Jesus challenged the traditional understanding of ‘family’ and redefined His family as all who risked trusting in Him.

Luke 8:22-39

The disciples travelling with Jesus were overcome with their fear of the world in which they lived. When Jesus demonstrated a supernatural power over His creation their fear of Him grew. Immediately after this event Jesus and His followers were confronted by a feared man – demon possessed and uncontrollable. After confronting the demons the community which had banished this man to the wilderness was so afraid of Jesus they asked Him to leave.

Luke 8:40-56

Jairus and an unnamed woman both demonstrated a faith in Jesus that may have shamed His disciples. Jairus sought Jesus power for his ailing daughter. The unnamed woman sought relief from an ailment that had cost her more than we can imagine.Both demonstrated faith – even when fear threatened to overwhelm them (see vs. 45-48; 49-52).

Luke 9:1-6

Jesus instructed His disciples to go into the villages taking nothing but the authority and message He had given them.

Luke 9:7-9

Herod, who had killed John the Baptist because of his preaching, is fearful of the news of this Jesus. Herod thought he had killed the message by killing the messenger.

Luke 9:10-17

When the crowd following Jesus needed provision Jesus asked His disciples to provide. their lack of faith is evident when contrasted with the willingness of one to provide meager resources and Jesus’ confidence in God’s power to multiply those resource.

Luke 9:18-27

Jesus’ instruction regarding the cost of faith, and His Transfiguration remind us that even those closest to Jesus struggled with understanding all that it means to follow Him.

Luke 9:28-62

In these sections we see Jesus confront fear and call for faith as people try to understand who He is and what His purpose is.

CONCLUSION

Far too often I allow my fear – my insecurity, my anxiety, my need for the approval and affirmation of others – to dictate how I feel and the choices I make. Genuine faith requires that I, like the unnamed woman, trust that in Christ alone is all I need. But that sounds ‘fake.’ What does that mean? As I read these chapters I was reminded that genuine faith means being afraid but persevering through my fear.  Following Jesus is more than giving verbal assent to a specific set of statements or affirmations. It requires a commitment that is costly, continuous, and even courageous. Will I allow God’s presence, God’s Word, and God’s people to be the furnace wyhich produces that kind of commitment?

15 years ago Winston OR experienced a tragedy – two teenage boys died within days of one another. One of those young men committed suicide and the other died in an accidental discharge of a weapon. Unfortunately a few other suicides were attempted and an unrelated tragedy at the Oregon Coast cost another young person their life. After the events of that year I expected to never face another season of tragedy.

On October 1, 2015 a gunman opened fire in a classroom at Umpqua Community College just a few miles north of Winston. Before the carnage ended nine people were dead, seven others were wounded and the shooter took his own life. Some eighteen days later many of us in Douglas County are still dazed and confused. The hours and days following the shooting were packed with counseling family members and community members impacted by the event. Even with a 30 hour break (my wife and I were able to get out of town for a few hours) the dazed confusion persists. Numerous memorial services have been held and several more are planned for the community. Grieving together helps but the confusion persists.

After eighteen days let me offer a few random observations – because if for no other reason I need to communicate:

– Though I had no direct connection with anyone involved in the attack, the thought that people have been killed and maimed still leaves me confused. I can’t seem to put a word together on what it is I am feeling. I likely will never forget the looks on the faces of family members as they realized their loved one was either injured or dead. Listening to some who were in an adjoining classroom – their fear, their anxiety, their sense of dread about going back on campus – those emotions that poured out of them have stayed with me.

– I have learned – again – that presence is more important than words in the midst of unimaginable pain. Just being with those people was the most I could offer. Even now I don’t have words to offer those who are hurting and I don’t need anyone to use words to comfort me. I just need those who have agreed to walk with me through this process.

– Pastoring is much broader than merely paying attention to your own congregation. I have lived and served in Winston for over 24 years. Though our church is normal size – certainly not the largest and not the smallest – the role of pastor includes a community of contacts that reaches far outside the boundaries of any denomination or church fellowship. When tragedy strikes boundaries that may have been in place often crumble with the need simply to be together. When people are hurting they are more open to receiving the ministry of presence.

– Finally, though I have said multiple times that time is the one thing that enables us to move on, I am rethinking that theory. Time is certainly important. Healing, however, needs more than time. There needs to be specific application of remedies as time passes!

Still on the Journey

Steve

The peaceful routine of fall days was shattered yesterday morning as a gunman opened fire in a classroom at Umpqua Community College, just north of Roseburg OR. In just under ten minutes there were ten dead including the gunman, seven injured by gunfire and hundreds and thousands stricken with grief, anger, and fear.

We who live here have read about these type of incidents in other parts of the country and the world. But those events do not happen here. Until now. The chaotic scene at UCC, Mercy Hospital, and the Douglas County Fairgrounds, where students, staff, and faculty were bussed to be reunited with their family and friends, demonstrate just how real this event was.

Multiple press conferences, hours of media speculation, and a statement by the President of the Unites States continued to hammer home the reality of the horrific act of a lone gunman, who was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with police.

Yesterday afternoon multiple pastors, chaplains, and licensed counselors from every imaginable agency gathered at the Fairgrounds to offer counseling and support. Community agencies and businesses stepped in and provided food, water, and other snacks. The Red Cross responded with a significant amount of their own volunteers and other resources.

As I sought to assist families and others affected by the shooting (which truly impacts every resident of Douglas County) I was reminded that words are never enough. Watching families wait for the agonizing minutes and hours as the busses rolled in from the campus was heartbreaking. Even more painful was to meet with families whose students were not on the bus, but presumed victims of the gunman. Words were not enough.

When words are not enough even prayer can be hard. After all we use words when we pray. When words are not enough the presence of the Holy Spirit making Jesus Christ real and tangible in ways words cannot express is the only gift I can bring.

Many have asked what they can do to help and support the community in the aftermath of this horrific event. My answer: prayer. Pray that those pastors whose church families lost loved ones, pray for the church families that are ministering to those who are still hospitalized, pray for the administration, faculty, staff, and students of UCC. Classes are slated to resume Monday, Oct. 5. Many who were present are fearful of returning to the site of the tragedy. Many parents and school age children throughout Douglas County are afraid. Schools are often thought of as the safest place in the community. As this incident reminds us safety is a hard thing to guarantee. Pray for our law enforcement officials and first responders. Most of them have never experienced anything like this event and are struggling to process their own feelings. Finally, pray for God’s Spirit to be poured out in Douglas County as believers and churches seek to communicate hope in the midst of hopelessness, courage in the face of fear, and strength in the midst of weakness.