Welcome to the JCPC Daily Reflections Blog. Reflections are daily devotionals authored by JCPC pastors, staff and members and provide insight, guidance and comfort to help you make it through each day. If you’d like to receive Reflections each day via email, provide your email address.
This Sunday our online service will be streamed live from the Great Hall. Normally this will begin at 11:00 a.m., however, this Sunday we will be doing our final test and it will not be posted until about 12:30 p.m. But if all goes well, it will begin each week at 11:00 a.m. after that. This is a change from how we have been offering the online service when anyone could watch the service beginning early Sunday morning. But after this Sunday, you'll need to wait until 11:00 a.m., however, you can watch it any time after that. Our staff has been working hard to make this transition and we hope everything goes as planned this Sunday. We realize that online worshippers comprise the largest group of people participating in our worship at this time.
This Sunday, JCPC member Victoria Melin Robinson will be our guest preacher. Victoria grew up in this church and is planning to attend Columbia Theological Seminary this fall. We're excited to have Victoria come and preach both the drive-in service and the in-person indoor service in our Great Hall which will be live streamed.
At the present time, Victoria is Director of Youth Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Greer, South Carolina. She is married to Melvin, who will also be sharing his musical gifts in our worship service. Victoria is also the daughter of Dawn and Johnny Melin.
As most of you know by now, I am having my surgery on my back this Friday, June 11. Thank you to everyone who has expressed their concern, and who has been and will be praying for a good outcome. I will be off for about 6 weeks, and I am planning to return to the office on July 26. Until that time, Brian will be functioning as Head of Staff. I know our staff will have everything under control while I am gone. We also have great elders led by Rick Zellmer, our Clerk of Session. I look forward to returning to you after my surgery with a healed back.
We have something very exciting planned for the morning of our next Fifth Sunday on August 29th, which we will be sharing with you in the coming days. It is something you will not want to miss here at Johns Creek Presbyterian Church!
Prayer for Today
Gracious God, we belong to you. You know us, you love us, and you watch over us. Through these ongoing times of change and transition, fill us with your Spirit -- that we may serve you and one another in the name of Christ. Amen.
Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with celebration! Come before him with shouts of joy! Know that the Lord is God- he made us; we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep of his own pasture.
-Psalm 100:1-3
The writer of this Psalm was most likely a young shepherd, David. He was probably sitting on the rocky terrain outside the dessert and looking over the land. Over this land there were animals scattered that would have provided food and a living for his family. The sheep required great care and protection. A typical day for a shepherd included counting, watching, listening, and even defending. Taking care of sheep requires constant, focused attention. Sheep are incredibly valuable and worth every effort. Consider what the shepherd may have been thinking about when he wrote this Psalm. It is a prayer of thanksgiving. David was realizing how God, our shepherd, must feel about each one of us, his sheep.
Next week you have an opportunity to share in ministry with some of our mission partners. You may choose one of these hands on options (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044eafa62b0-jcpc1 OR https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054AA9AE2DA6FA7-frozen ) or you may also choose to be in prayer for our mission partners. I would invite you to experience that week as a time of renewal, prayer, and a way to lift up the sheep we care for through our mission partners locally and internationally.
As you go through your day, consider how much God loves you and seeks to take care of you. In return, how can we care for others?
Prayer for Today
Caring and Loving God, You count each one of us and notice us as we wander through our days seeing attention, care, and protection. Thank you for these gifts and the way that you value us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Recently the Shepherds Wednesday morning men’s group started reading a book entitled Double Blessing by Mark Batterson. Mark is the lead pastor and founder of National Community Church near our nation’s capital in Washington, D.C. While we have just begun the study of his book, the first chapter called “Double Portion”, really resonated with me as I was undergoing a difficult time and it lifted me up right when I needed it most.
The scripture for today was Elisha’s request to the Prophet Elijah as his apprentice near the end of Elijah’s life. Elijah performed 14 miracles as a prophet including: resurrection, bringing fire down from the sky and ascending into heaven “alive”. Later, both John the Baptist and Jesus were called Elijah in scripture. Elijah and Elisha’s relationship models the double blessing or double portion of God’s promise to us. As Elijah’s legacy Elisha went on to perform 28 miracles. Mark believes our legacy is not measured by our accomplishments but is measured by the blessings we bestow on others and our investments and mentoring the next generation in Christ.
“Elijah was Elisha’s double portion. And Elisha was Elijah’s double blessing. Whose double portion are you? And who is your double blessing?” -Double Blessing by Mark Batterson
Mark goes on to describe the necessity of prayer and self-sacrifice for others as the path to our double blessings. Mark goes on to provide many examples of “double promises” in scripture. Isaiah promises a double portion of joy. The apostle Paul conferred double honor on those who lead well. The double portion of Elijah’s spirit resulted in twice as many miracles as performed by Elisha. God promised the Israelites in Babylon “I will restore twice as much to you.”
(Zechariah 9-12) This double promise can be traced to one of the oldest books in the book of Job. “When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before.” (Job 42:10)
“Is there someone you need to pray for? Like Job it may be a friend who offended you, or it may be a boss who betrayed you. Not only does the act of forgiveness break the curse of bitterness, but it also invokes the blessings of God. Let foreverness begin a new chapter in your life!” -Double Blessing by Mark Batterson
Prayer for Today
Lord we are thankful that you don’t lose track of our sufferings. That through Jesus Christ there is no double jeopardy, our sins are forgiven and forgotten. Not only is our debt of sin paid in full, but the righteousness of Christ is also transferred in our account as a double blessing. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
In 1983, three teens were arrested for the murder of a fourteen-year-old. According to news reports, the younger teen was “shot . . . because of his [athletic] jacket.”
Sentenced to life in prison, the three spent thirty-six years behind bars before evidence surfaced that revealed their innocence. Another man had committed the crime. Before the judge released them as free men, he issued an apology.
No matter how hard we try (and no matter how much good is done by our officials), human justice is often flawed. We never have all the information.
Sometimes dishonest people manipulate the facts. Sometimes we’re just wrong. And often, evils may take years to be righted, if they ever are in our lifetime. Thankfully, unlike fickle humans, God wields perfect justice. “His works are perfect,” says Moses, “and all his ways are just” (Deuteronomy 32:4). God sees things as they truly are. In time, after we’ve done our worst, God will bring about final, ultimate justice. Though uncertain of the timing, we have confidence because we serve a “faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he” (v. 4).
We may be dogged by uncertainty regarding what’s right or wrong. We may fear that the injustices done to us or those we love will never be made right. But we can trust the God of justice to one day—either in this life or the next—enact justice for us.
Prayer for Today
God, I see injustice all around me: in the news, in my relationships, on social media. Thank You for the hope I can have in You and Your just ways. Amen.
I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.
-Genesis 9:13-15
I reread the Flood Story recently. I’m always struck by its epic nature. I’ve never seen a good movie adaptation of the story, but the scripture is powerfully told in the words we have. The conclusion is incredible. The gift of the rainbow as a symbol of God’s promise is with us still today. It’s mesmerizing every time I see one. It’s God’s promise that the world will never be destroyed again. The end of the world will be the coming of Christ and a NEW Kingdom.
We have had a long year in Quarantine. It would be easy, like Noah, to be discouraged, cooped up inside for so long during the relentless disaster. And yet, as we come out of this time of isolation and danger, slowly, we look for signs of the danger receding. And we look for signs of hope and promise and new life. God didn’t call Noah to hide forever, but to retreat to safety and protect the innocent. And when the time passed and waters no longer covered everything, God called Noah back out to care for the world. And we are called to do the same.
This summer, we will see rain, but rainbows too. We will see more and more chances to return to a new normal and come out of quarantine as folks are vaccinated. When you see a rainbow in the sky, graffitied on a wall, drawn by a child, or in a coloring book, I hope you’ll think of God’s promise, of hope, and be encouraged to go and serve.
Prayer for Today
Lord, help to trust in you, as we come out of isolation, slowly. Help me to find a new normal, to serve your world, and take joy in your creation. Amen.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
– Matthew 11:28
A while back I heard a pastor tell the story of going into a shop. It was an art supply shop, and he went in to look for something very unusual. He did not say what it was, and he was not even sure it was made. However, he went to the person at the front counter and said, “I am searching for something I am not sure it even exists.” Without missing a beat, the person smiled and said, “Aren’t we all!”
Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened . . .” Now that is a pretty broad invitation that applies to most all of us, doesn’t it? Just think about it -- who is not weary or burdened at some point in life and in need of rest? According to Jesus, the only qualification for finding rest is to be burdened. We don’t have to be anything else.
I heard the story of another person who lived in Hollywood. Because of his job, he was invited to many of the awards ceremonies where all of the stars turn out. He is married to a very beautiful woman and they get dressed up to go to these events. They arrive in a limo like everyone else. His beautiful wife gets out of the limo first, and all of the paparazzi crowd around to take her picture. And then they wait to see who the celebrity might be with this beautiful woman. And then the man steps out of the limo, and he hears them shout, “It’s nobody!”
Maybe we sometimes feel like a “nobody” -- especially when life is out of control, like in a pandemic. But Jesus invites us to “come.” And we don’t have to be somebody special -- only someone who is burdened and in need of rest.
Prayer for Today
Thank you, Lord, for inviting us to come without any preconditions. Help us to find our rest in you. And when we feel weary and burdened, give us the strength to keep on and to make it through. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
-Romans 15:13
As we begin to emerge from the past year of quarantine, sickness and isolation, let us reflect that God has been with us the entire time. Everyone has been impacted in some way by the Covid 19 Pandemic. Everyone is re-entering the world at a pace that is most comfortable to them.
Stephen Ministers can help with this adjustment. We are Christian lay people who have been trained in how to respond to situations outside of what we personally have experienced. The Stephen Ministry Compass guides us to be Compassionate, Full of Faith, Skilled, and Trustworthy.
I had heard about Stephen Ministries for many years. Before elective surgery in 2011, I went to a Stephen Minister after church to request prayer. We prayed right then and there, which is what I expected. Surprisingly, there was much more follow-up with two Stephen Ministers sitting with my husband during my surgery and dinners were provided for a week.
I have been a Stephen Minister for almost a year and a half. After decades of being active in different prayer groups, I felt called to expand my caring for people in a more direct way. In God’s good time, I was approached about becoming a Stephen Minister and I eagerly agreed. Soon after my training the Pandemic started. I was able to communicate with my care receiver by phone since we were all quarantined and that was what she was most comfortable with. God was with us during this journey and though we never met in person, we were able to effectively communicate through “Telecare”.
As we slowly begin to return to normality let us support one another. If you need prayer, a listening ear, or something more during this time, a Stephen Minister can help. Please reach out to David Lee at johnnyquester@icloud.com or Rebecca Eldridge at rbeldridge@yahoo.com.
Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for always being with us. Guide us as we enter a post-pandemic world and help us to hear what you are calling each of us to do.
In Jesus’ most precious name,
Amen.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.
-2 Corinthians 13:14
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, when we celebrate the doctrine of the Trinity. In our Affirmation of Faith each week, we reaffirm our belief in this concept. Prior to the pandemic and our new styles of worship, we sang the Gloria Patri together in worship, too. Here are the words to the Gloria Patri:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son:
and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
The Trinity appears in many hymns, as well, including one we will sing this Sunday:
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
This idea of a Triune God took time to be developed and understood, and it is never explicitly mentioned in the Bible. It originally developed among early Christians as they wrestled with understanding the relationship between God and Jesus. In our Christian history, there have been countless other theories that have tried to explain the relationship between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The Nicene Creed, which we still use today, was developed out of a desire to codify beliefs, partially in response to Arianism, the belief that while Jesus was the Son of God, he was not co-eternal with the Father.
Presbyterians, along with our Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, and other Christian brothers and sisters, believe that God is the one true God but that he exists in three distinct co-eternal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that all three are equal yet distinct, and all are God. The Father is not the Son nor the Holy Spirit, and yet, all three are God. It is a confusing concept to be sure! The threefold nature of our God may be hard to understand, but the nature of God will always be out of reach of us. When we affirm our belief in the Trinity, we are also affirming our belief in something that we can never fully understand. I think that says something about us as Christians and our faith in God. We may not fully understand, but we are willing to live by faith, even among the great mysteries of God.
Prayer for Today
Holy Triune God, as we continue through this pandemic, you remain a source of constancy and strength. As we struggle with different opinions of others, you remain a source of unconditional love and understanding. As we find ourselves in suffering and despair, you remain a source of hope and comfort. Help us to sing your praises and glorify you through our lives. Amen.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
-I Corinthians 12:7
The origin of robe-wearing for pastors harkens back to the academic robes European students wore at university in the cold classrooms and hallways in their frigid climates. If you’ve seen the more recent Sherlock Holmes movies, you may remember Professor Moriarity wearing his to teach. It’s symbolic for us to wear them, as it is with judges and graduates and faculty of our education in the field we serve. As pastors, we typically have another layer of symbolism in the vestments we wear to match those on the pulpit and communion table, as well as banners.
For most of the year, we wear green to symbolize Ordinary Time. Mine was a gift from my first congregation with material from Ghana, which reminds me of the global nature of the Church and my calling. It’s often a conversation starter. Next most common is purple, which we wear for the four weeks leading up to Christmas, known as Advent, and the 40 days prior to Easter, known as Lent. We wear White for Christmas, Easter, communion, and Trinity Sunday (which happens to be this week). Lastly, red is for Pentecost and any time we ordain or install church leaders. We’ve decided to wear it this summer, not arbitrarily, but to indicate the special time in returning to Church worship and the work of serving folks in-person. A former colleague suggested calling such seasons, “Extraordinary Time.”
Red, our color of Pentecost and of responding to God’s call as gifted by the Spirit, is a liturgical color of a call to action. I hope you’ll join us this summer as we return to the campus and building for worship, education, VBS, and service, or online for some of the same as you’re able. It’s an extraordinary time. We’ve done a lot in the year of quarantine, but we are ready to do more. The second full week of June will be our annual Mission Week, and I hope, if you’re able to do so, you’ll join us in serving. Let’s go.
Prayer for Today
Lord, in this extraordinary time, send us by your Holy Spirit to serve. Amen.
The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:
-2 John 1-2, NIV
Last Sunday was Pentecost. In the sermon I talked about the Holy Spirit -- which Jesus called “the Spirit of Truth” in John's gospel. The words above are from our passage from 2 John for this week's sermon -- which also talk about truth. Lewis Smedes, an ethics professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, talks about what it means to tell the truth. One of the sources of wisdom he used to explain what it meant to tell the truth was Aristotle. Smedes conveyed Aristotle's definition of “telling the truth” in this way: It is telling the right truth to the right person at the right time in the right way for the right reason.
Each part of that definition speaks to some aspect of telling the truth. For example, in telling the right truth -- we may realize that we know something that is true, but it may not be our information to share. This is where confidentiality guidelines may apply. Also, we may know a truth, but it may not be our truth to share with a particular person who “can’t handle the truth.” Someone may have entrusted a truth to us to give to one person, but it would be wrong for us to share it with another.
When it comes to telling the truth at the right time, this considers what is going on in the life of the hearer. What we may need to share is true, but the timing may not be right. When it comes to sharing truth in the right way, there are times we can share truth so that it builds up, or so that it tears down. And finally, for the right reason means that we share truth that would reflect our love of God and neighbor.
Some of us may find that too complex or difficult, but I have found these guidelines helpful when it comes to knowing the best and the right way to tell the truth. However, as Christians, we not only try to tell the truth, we also believe in THE truth -- Jesus the Christ – whose Spirit lives within us!
Prayer for Today
Gracious God, you sent us your son, Jesus, who is THE truth. Help us to know the truth, to be set free by your truth, and to speak the truth in love. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
