SITTING IN THE SANCTUARY, our eyes trained forward, we lift our eyes and see before us a large empty cross. Empty, to remind us that Jesus, who died their for our sins, did not remain upon the Cross, or in the grave, but He rose from the dead and reigns today as the resurrected Lord. A grand reminder indeed, the empty cross that looms before our eyes.
As I contemplate that empty cross I realize that in many ways is emptiness, it’s “cleanness,” makes the cost of the cross somewhat removed. It is easy to forget the pierced body of my Lord Jesus, the Christ; the blood which flowed from His wounds, that blood which purchased my forgiveness. It is no longer an implement of death, but simply a symbol of the faith I call “mine.”
In some ways, this empty and clean cross makes it easier to think about following my Savior’s command to “take up my cross and follow Him.” It is easy to forget the cost of our salvation, and the cost of following. We see no pierced body of Jesus, we see no suffering Son. Our faith is clean. Our faith carries little cost.
But, today, on this day we have “set aside” to pray for the persecuted church throughout the world, I am humbly reminded that the Body of Jesus Christ still finds itself pierced. Today, around our world, our brothers and sisters who are part of the Body Christ, find themselves pierced, beaten, bruised, raped, imprisoned, murdered, because they have chosen to pick up the Cross and follow Jesus.
As we look toward the empty Cross today, let us not forget its cost, and let us pray for the Body of which we are a part.

THERE ARE LOTS OF INTERESTING programs you can install on your computer. Lots of them for free, expect for what they may rob you of in wasted time and crashing systems. This past week I installed a little program called Digsby. It allows you to “keep track” of all your friends who happen to be online, as well as your various email accounts. There, all in one cute little sidebar window, you can see who’s where and what they’re up too. The problem is being distracted by all the coming and going on your online friends, and the pull to actually open up a chat window to talk with them. Sure, you can “minimize” the window, but then what’s the point of having the program if you’re not “watching” it?
Needless to say, after a day of distraction, I unceremoniously uninstalled little Digsby. Sorry ol’ chap.
Sometimes distractions can be good. We all need a break from time to time, but being distracted can also lead to being unproductive, which can lead to frustration, and at last reading, frustration was not one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit filled life. In discussing distractions, Dennis Okholm (Professor of Theology at Azusa Pacific University) writes, “distractions not only divert us from routines like daily Psalter readings and housekeeping chores, in which we can find God’s presence, but also keep us from recognizing the spiritual impoverishment that results from such habitual scatteredness.”
There’s the worrisome part for me; I can be so distracted by the stuff that bombards my life that I don’t even realize how distracted I am. I have believed the myth of multi-tasking and in the process I am made poor.
Maybe it is time for all of us to check out the registry of our lives to see what needs to be uninstalled so that we can focus upon that which can truly make us rich. For as the Apostle Paul prayed, “… that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18-19)

LAST WEEKEND WAS A JOY! A couple of days of uninterrupted family time encased in the environment of the Happiest Place on Earth — Disneyland. It was a joy to have the whole family together. It was a joy to laugh and be crazy together. It was a joy to return to places of past memories and to welcome new memory-making moments. To all who made this trip possible, I give you thanks.
For a few moments I chose to forego enjoying a ride with the family (Splash Mountain, if you must know) and I enjoyed one of my favorite pastimes, people-watching. As I sat under the shade of a tree, in ear-shot of voices of Winnie-the-Pooh and Friends, I was often humored by what grown people were wearing upon their heads. From CEO’s to gang-bangers, they wore funny ears, bouncing stars, crowns, or pointed hats of a fairy princess. Now, I am sure, that many of these head-worn adornments would never be worn outside the safety of the ivy-covered fences of the Magic Kingdom, but here within these relatively safe confines, one is safe to be a kid. The very thing we were created to be.
Within Holy Scripture we are commended to become like little children. We are told that without our return to this simple state of faith we shall not see the Kingdom of God. Not unlike those who seek to experience the joy of the Magic Kingdom, yet choose to remain a cold and aloof adult and therefore miss the very essence that is Disneyland. The same holds true for those who seek to experience the reality of God’s Kingdom and yet refuse to step into child-like humility and faith. You will miss the very joy that is the Kingdom.
Now, where did I put those ears?

OVER HEARD AT STARBUCKS, “Oh, you’re studying the Book of Hebrews? That’s one of the best; it’s one of my favorite.” Now, truth be known, I have also said that about certain passages or books from the Bible, but can we really say that one part is better than another? If it’s all God’s Word, then there are no better parts than others.
I realize that there are portions of God’s Word that grab more powerfully at our hearts, or challenge us more deeply in our journey of faith, but if it is all God’s Truth, then it all must have importance, and life for us. The Apostle Paul writes that, “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) All of it.
You might be thinking, “Come on Pastor Randy, you’re just making a mountain out of a mole hill, what’s wrong with having a favorite verse?” Nothing is wrong with having a favorite verse; I have a few my self. The problem comes subtly. For when we begin to raise some portions over others we run the risk of lessening the importance of others. We can actually begin to pick and choose what we desire to listen to, and that to which we will turn a deaf ear. This reality can be so clearly seen when the preacher announces his new sermon series from the book of Numbers or Leviticus!
So, go ahead and hold dearly to your favorite verse or favorite book of the Bible, but let’s not forget that God, in His Word, has set a bountiful table before us to enjoy. All of it good for our nourishment. Give it a try.
Care for a Brussels sprout?

COMMUTERS, A BREED APART. This past week I entered the commuter life and drove to Fremont and back during the morning and evening commutes. Those who do this on a regular basis must be especially adapted to this lifestyle. I did it once and it took me a day and a half to recover. Maybe you have to build yourself up to it.
One thing I learned (again) is that if you’re going to obey the speed limit, you had better get out of the left lane! Actually, it might be better to get off the road altogether! I note that the speed limit on the “hill” is 50 MPH, and seeking to obey the law, and to not get stressed out, I sought to keep to the speed limit. Well, OK, the fact that I was driving my four-cylinder Toyota might have had something to do with it, too. 
Every so often, while seeking to pass a fully-load 18-wheeler, I would find myself in the “fast lane,” and a quick glance in the rearview mirror remind me to get out of there fast or that BMW would be in my trunk. It’s a stressful life indeed. So, what do you do when life is bearing down on you? Pull over and do the speed limit. Let the other guys go racing past. You’ll get to your destination in due time.
Speed limits, whether man-made, or God-designed, are given for our safety. God has designed His limits for our good, not to hinder our fun. God has created us to maintain a certain speed in life, exceed that limit and you are asking for trouble.
So, when you find yourself speeding through life and its pressures are bearing down upon you, it’s time to engage your turn-single, pull over to the “slow lane” and let life whiz on by. Or, in the words of Scripture, “Be still, and know that I am God.”