Seen to be a blessing Deuteronomy 28:1-3

When I was growing up, my parents showed their pride in my siblings and me by putting our good grades up on the refridgerator.  Nowadays, you see the parents demonstrate their pride by posting bumperstickes.  My child is an honor student.  My child is a student of the month.  My child goes to college.  My child is in the Armed Forces.

That's exactly what God wants to do with us.  God wants us to live in his blessing here on Earth.  The way that we receive that blessing is by living according to God's commands.  God also wants the people around us to see what a blessed life it is when we live according to God's commands.  He wants to show us off.

The trouble that the Israelites had and and that we have is that we many times prefer to be like everybody else.  Rather than doing what the Bible tells us we should do or rather than listening to our conscience, we do "what everybody else is doing".  We prefer to be conformed to the world rather than be transformed by God.  God's call is for His people to be a holy people, a people set apart.  People should be able to see that there is something different about us Christians.  We believe that there is one true God.  We believe that there is an absolute truth.  We believe that we are to conform to God's Law and be subject to the governing authorities.  We live our life as a life of love- loving God with all our being and loving our neighbors as ourselves.  We do this not so that we can be saved, but so that we can avoid a lot of the traps and landmines that can harm us if we do not obey God's Law.

The result of living according to God's Law is that we will be blessed and the people will see it.  As tired as I sometimes get of people calling the church to ask for money for food, gas, rent, utilities..., I know that there is a reason that they are asking the church.  We stand out as a people who want to help and who are motivated by the love of God to help God's people.  We may have our own difficulties.  But we are always a people blessed by God to be a blessing.  As God's people in the city, God put a bumpersticker on us that says Blessed by God to be a blessing to others.

reflections from the hike- baggage

Part of my training for the hike was hiking with weights in the backpack.  I would put 30 pounds in the pack and then walk up and down a 50 foot hill.  The interensting thing about the weight was how I became used to walking with it.  I appreciated what I was walking with when I put it on and when I took it off.  But while I was carrying it, I got used to it.
We carry a lot of baggage with us every day.  This baggage weighs us down.  Peter gives us a wonderful invitation- get rid of your baggage, cast your cares on God because He cares for you.  Besides that, Jesus took care of much of the baggage that we carry around.
On the day of the hike, there were things that I needed to take- water, food, a map, compass, and first aid.  There are things that we need in our pilgramage here on Earth.  These are the things that God has given us- the Bible, Word and Sacrament ministry (church service), a family of faith (church memebers), faith, prayer ...
I also needed to be selective in what I took with me.  That which I put in my backpack I had to carry for 24 miles, up and down over 8000 feet.  If I packed too heavily, it would weigh me down.  In our pursuits of daily life, we forget to keep it simple.  That which is necessary for this life is that which prepares us and others for the next life.  We need to remember Jesus' words- do not store up your treasure on Earth but in Heaven.
Finally, remember Jesus' gracious invitation, with a slight modification.
Come to me you who are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest.  Take my backpack and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my backpack is easy and my burden is light.

City on a hill- part 2

On Wednesday, September 29 at 9:45 P.M., my hiking partner Jim and I made it out of the canyon.  Granted, it was later than I desired, but we made it out of the canyon.  The last three hours that we hiked out in the dark gave me new insight into these words of Jesus - a city set on a hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14).

As the light disappeared and darkness took over the sky, we saw where our hike began on the other side of the canyon.  The lodge where we had a wonderful dinner the night before reminded us where we had been.  After a few switchbacks and climbing out of the canyon, lights on the south rim told us that our destination was in sight.  More importantly, the lights told us that our hike was about to come to an end.  But either at the beginning or at the end, it was good to know that there was a light leading the way.

What a blessing it is to know that the Lord is my light and my salvation.  As we look back and see where we have been, we see that God has been with us and provided us light.  As we look ahead, we see that God is with us and leading us forward. 

But there is a humbling realization, Jesus said you are the light of the world.  We see that God is with us through our fellow brothers and sisters in faith.  God is with us through our Christian family and friends.  God speaks to us through  His Word, but God hugs us through our fellow Christians.  As we encourage one another, we share the light.  As we live out our Christian life, we share the light.  As we share God's message of hope with the world, we share the light.  Many people are walking in darkness.  They need us to be part of the city built on a hill that shows the light and hope that refuge is near.

City of refuge Numbers 35:6-28

The city of refuge is a place of mercy.  It was a place that a person could run to for refuge if he had accidently killed someone.  As you read the above reading, you read about the avenger of blood.  This person exacted the demands of the law- an eye for an eye.  This person looked after the deceased and made sure that justice was exacted.  There was also a limitation placed on the city of refuge.  The person would be safe as long as the High Priest was still alive.

In our cities today, God still provides cities of refuge.  Those places are the churches.  It is to the church that people can flee for mercy.  The Law of God points out our sins and reminds us that the wages of sin is death and the soul that sins, it shall die.  Satan accuses us and rightly points out that we do not deserve God's mercy.  Death is the judgment that awaits us all.

Thanks to God.  We have a High Priest who will never die.  Jesus is the High Priest who assures us that we will be kept safe from those who pursue us.  Jesus reminds us that through His death, the demands of the Law have been met.  Jesus assures us that in spite of Satan's accusations, the cross and the empty tomb are evidence that Satan has been judged and he no longer has any claim on our lives.  Jesus has conquered death so that even if we die, we shall live with our God.

When people come through your church door, assure them that they are in a city of refuge.  They are in a sanctuary from the avengers who are bringing them turmoil in their lives.  They are in the presence of the High Priest who will never die and consoles them with the grace and mercy of God.  They now walk in the confidence that they are protected by the grace and love of God.

Reconciled in the City- Genesis 50:19-21

One of the realities of much of the immigration into the United States these days is that the immigrant comes to the United States and leaves much of the family back in his or her homeland.  For many years, Joseph was separated from his family.  By the grace of God they were reunited and reconciled.  By the grace of God, Joseph learned the lessons that God wanted him to learn.  For that reason, he was able to forgive.

It would have been very easy for Joseph to get bitter while he was in Egypt.  His brothers sold him as a slave.  Twice he was thrown in prison.  The cupbearer forgot about him and left him in prison.  But Joseph remembered God and His faithfulness.  Joseph was able to see the bigger picture.  He saw that God was preparing him and his family for this moment.  Then Joseph taught his brothers a lesson of forgiveness that they would never forget.  "You intended to harm me but God intended it for good."

There is a lot of bitterness that is evident when the Illegal Immigration topic comes up.  But what lessons does God want us to learn?  Let us learn from Joseph.  I hope that bitterness does not overcome us but that we are confronted with God's plan.  These people are coming to our doors.  We may not like it but they are here.  Since they are here, as Christians we have an obligation- to share the love of Christ.  We do not need to send missionaries into these countries, because God is bringing them to us.

They may be separated from their families.  Hopefully, they will be connected with the family of Christ.  They may be living with uncertainty, but God can give them sure confidence.  I hope that we can learn from Joseph and live this lesson out so that others can see it.  "You intended to harm me but God meant it for good."  I pray that whoever the Lord brings to our doors we will be able to see ourselves as God's ambassadors entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation.

Treasure in the city- Genesis 41:47-49

It was a time of abundance like there had never been seen before.  For seven straight years, there was an abundance of food and everybody was living like kings.  Then it happened.  The drought began.  The food had run out, even for those who had prepared and set food aside during the time of abundance.  But not in Egypt.  Because of Joseph's foresight and planning there was food in the cities.  Everybody was going to the city to find a way to survive.
Simarly today, people are flooding to the city.  Some come to the city to find a way to survive.  Some come to the city to make their fortune or to become famous.  Some come to the city hoping for a better life.  Some come to the city to find work.
In Jacob's day, the people can to the cities of Egypt to find food.  Today, the people come for many reasons.  But whatever the reason, the church has something to offer.  We share with the people the treasures of God.  We have the true treasure that moth cannot eat nor rust destroy.  We have the message of the Bread of Life.  We share the certainty that because we are children of God we are heirs of God's kingdom and are rich indeed. 
Whenever someone come of the street looking for help, I hope that you remember this.  You have something better than what the person is looking for.  You have been entrusted with what that person really needs.  You have a treasure that does not waste away.  You share the word of God, which is eternal.  You share the message of peace and restoration. which does not change.  You show the love of God, which we all so desperately need.  Remember that for that person you are God's treasure in the city.

Pray for the City

I love the city.  How many times have you said that or heard somebody say that?  Or have you said it yourself?  What does it mean when somebody says "I love the city"?  Typically it means that the person loves what the city has to offer- museums, restaurants, sports, the arts, or the multicultural mix. On the contrary, you may also hear people say, "I hate the city."  What is it that they don't like?  Traffic, crime, pollution, or too many people!

In today's reading, it seemed as though Abraham loved the city of Sodom, or at least the people in it.  When he heard about God's plan to destroy Sodom, he began to plead its case.  But notice how Abraham prayed to God.  He did not ask God to spare it because of the great things that the city had to offer.  He prayed for the people. 

For us in ministry, this is who we are to pray for.  Notice that Abraham's prayer was never so narrow that he just prayed for his relatives.  In our prayers, we often pray for our family, friends, and church family.  But our vision needs to be bigger.  We need to pray for those around us.  In the city, the people around our church might be some rough characters.  But they are rough characters for whom Christ died and for whom he rose. 

I pray that our love for the city goes beyond the superficial.  I hope that we would look at the city and see the people who need to escape the chains of destruction by  a sinful life.  I hope that you see the people for whom Christ died so that they can be free.  I hope that you pray for the churches in the city so that continue to be concerned for those around them and bring them the message that can set them free.  Please pray that the righteous people would fulfill their calling and share the message of the God who gives them life.

Building walls Genesis 11:1-9

When I lived in New York City, I lived in the city that had 4 buildings that at one time or another was the tallest building in the world.  While living in Chicago, the Sears tower towered over everything else in the city and for a while the world.  People love to build large buildings.
That was also the case is days of old.  The plain of Shinar was the site of perhaps the first skyscraper.  Unlike the modern day skyscraper, this one was made of bricks and tar.  The goal of this tower was to make a statement: "so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the earth."  What is interesting is that was the result. They did make a name for themselves, maybe infamous but a name nonetheless.  They were also scattered over the face of the earth.
What was wrong with what these people did that God reacted in this fashion? 
First, they walled themselves in and tried to cut themselves off from God.  Second, they wanted to be on an even playing field with God.  Third, they let their pride govern their actions.  Finally, they put themselves above God's judgment.
In our churches, we need to avoid these pitfalls.  Many times the city church will try to insulate itself from the people around them and see their ministry just for the members of the church.  Second, we try to build our towers to God rather than use the bridges that God has given to us by which he comes to us.  Third, we forget the church belongs to the Lord and that it is not our little kingdom.  Fourth, we do not humble ourselves before God and His word.
Babel is still well known today because of its great fall.  Let us take the lessons from Babel and learn from them.  We are called to serve the city.  Remember that we are protected by God, who is a mighty fortress.  We fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith.  The church is built by God and that Christ is our foundation.  We are living stones that are built into a spiritual house for a life of service.  

God's Patience with the city

The city of Nineveh plays an small but interesting role in the Bible.  Before we talk about Nineveh in the Bible, it is important to understand the role of Nineveh in history.  Part of its importance came from its location.  It was built at the juncture of two rivers, the Tigris and the Khosr.  It was on the trade route that connected the East to the West, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.  Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrians. 
This is where the city of Nineveh connects with the Bible.  Two books of the Bible are highly dedicated to ministry and prophecy towards Nineveh.  The Assyrians were the superpower at the time of the fall of the Northern Kingdom.  In fact, the Assyrians were the cause of the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  They even made a charge on Jerusalem and it nearly fell to the Assyrians.
In spite of the role that Nineveh played in Israel's history, it is referred to as "the great city" in both Genesis 10:12 and Jonah 1:2.  What made it great?  In its day, Nineveh was one of the largest cities with some of the most impressive architecture.  But I believe that what really made it great was how God was going to show His mercy towards Nineveh.
God's mercy towards Nineveh demonstrates an Old Testament reality that is often overlooked.  Since the beginning of time, God wanted to show his mercy towards all people.  Nineveh was the epitome of evil as far as the Israelites were concerned.  But God was patient with Nineveh and reached out to it.  That patience began in Genesis and continued until the time of Jonah.
In the city today, there is much evil.  But God is patient.  God still wants to show his mercy towards all people.  God has placed us in the city to share his love and mercy towards the people for whom Jesus Christ died.

In the city to celebrate

Acts 2 tells us that, when Pentecost came, there were staying in Jerusalem, many God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.  These people came for a short time to celebrate one of their great holidays, the Feast of Weeks.  It came to be known as Pentecost because it was 50 days after the Passover festival. 

The people came to celebrate Pentecost like they always did.  They did not know that God was going to change the way this festival was going to be celebrated.  God waited until this moment because Jews came to Jerusalem to celebrate from every nation under heaven.  God waited until the people were in the city.

Interestingly, God did something incredible the last time that the Jews were in Jerusalem to celebrate a major feast, Passover. On the day before the Passover celebration, Jesus was crucified.  On the day after the Passover celebration, Jesus was resurrected.  The people either saw first hand or heard about the events that took place when Jesus died.  The earth quaked.  The curtain in the temple was torn in two.  Those who were dead left their tomb.  Then on the morning of the third day, the story started to circulate that Jesus was alive.  The tomb was empty.  There was no denying the empty tomb.  Passover that year was different and it has been ever since.

God is bringing many people to our cities.  Many of them are displaced Christians.  They come for their own purposes.  But God has his purposes too.  God wants them to celebrate His plan of salvation in their lives.  It took the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to embolden the apostles to proclaim the Gospel and begin to change the world.  The Holy Spirit continues to dwell in us today.  The Holy Spirit continues to work through us today.  People from every nation are coming to our doorsteps.  I pray that as the Lord works through our witness, they will celebrate God's grace and mercy in their lives.  They will celebrate how God has changed their lives.

St. Paul, PHX- ESL ministry

On going ministry need- from September through May, we have an English Class ministry.  We meet on Tuesdays for 2 hours 6-8.  We could use teachers, teacher aides, and child care volunteers.  Ideally, we will have another day of classes.

God's Infiltration Plan- Acts 2:5-12

As Pentecost approaches, the above verses will be read in churches across the globe. At that time, the people were coming to Jerusalem because they wanted to celebrate Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks (Deut. 16:9-12).  It was a harvest festival celebrated 50 days after the Passover.  The people who came to celebrate Pentecost would return to their homes and share what they had seen.
Similarly today, the nations are coming to us.  Granted they may be coming for completely different reasons, but the church is planted here already and equipped to share the Good News.  In God's foresight, churches have been placed where the people are coming.  The question is are we ready to share with them what God has done.
Every Tuesday we have an ESL class.  In this class, we have students from over fifteen different Mexican states.  We have students from six different countries.  When I was in Guatemala, I witnessed to the people around Zacapa.  But now, I can share the Gospel with our students and our students can tell their relatives in over fifteen different Mexican states and six different countries how they are experiencing the love of God and how God is working in their lives.  There may be some challenges with the people of different cultures and languages coming into our neighborhoods.  But God has placed us here so that they may know that Jesus is Lord.

City on a hill

You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14

Have you ever flown at night?  Many times I have flown to Guatemala City at night.  At first, we fly over the Gulf of Mexico.  As I look out the window, all I see is darkness.  As I fly over land, there are occasional flickers of light over small villages and towns.  As I approach Guatemala City, there is a burst of light and I know that I need to brace for arrival.

Jesus calls His people the light.  He also says that a city on a hill cannot be hidden.  For us in the city, that is true.  How many times do people you have never seen come knocking on your door?  They may ask for food.  They may ask for help with their utilities. They may ask for a bus ticket.  They may ask for gas money.  They may even ask for counseling.  I know that there I times that I get annoyed when they come.

Have you ever thought of another reason why they are coming?  God has brought them to you.  They are coming because you are the light of the world.  They are coming because you are the city on a hill.  They are coming because you have what they need the most.  You have the living water and the bread of life.  You have the light of the world.  You have the way, the truth, and the life.  You have the true treasure that neither rust nor moth can destroy.  You have the peace that passes all understanding. 

Praise God he has entrusted us with this ministry and has placed us where everyone can see us and to share God's light.

Jeremiah 29:7, 11

These verses are often quoted by people involved in urban ministry.


These words were spoken by Jeremiah in a very difficult time in Jerusalem's history. Jeremiah told of its destruction and eventual rebuilding.


In verse 7, the city that Jeremiah is telling the people to pray for is Babylon. That which they are to pray for is the peace and prosperity of the city. That should be our prayer for the city to where they were going to be placed.


The second city that Jeremiah refers to is Jerusalem. For that city, God has a promise and a plan. God's plan is to prosper, not to harm. God's plan is to give hope and a future. Our Jerusalem is the church in the city. God has a plan for us and a promise. May the Lord help us as we live out our calling in the city where God has placed us.

The City in the Bible

Devotions on how God talks about the city in Scripture.

Networking with the Urban Congregations

Urban congregations will post their ministry needs.  Other congregations will connect to meet these needs.

Urban Ministry Issues

Issues that confront the urban congregation will be discussed.