As we journey together through unprecedented and trying times, we invite you to read Pastor Darren's weekly Facebook article below. His articles remind us that we need to have eyes of faith in order that we might be able to help others with the social justice issues of our day.  His articles rely on both scripture and research to both inspire us and embolden us to be God's faithful people.

May 1

“Do Not Fear, Only Believe”

When we choose to be engaged in other people's lives, it is a joy to share with them their successes and achievements. However, it becomes challenging when we find ourselves in a place where one or more of our friends and family members are going through devastating or tough times.

Mark 5:35-36, "While he was still speaking, some people came from the synagogue leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the synagogue leader, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.’”

Jesus chose to engage in people's lives. When the father came to him about his dying daughter, their meeting was interrupted when a woman came to Jesus from out of the crowd to be healed. She did not even have the traditional male sponsor to approach Jesus, she just jumped on in. In the meantime, the father’s daughter died. One would think that would be the end of it, which was the opinion of those witnessing the passing. But Jesus told the Father, “Do not fear, only believe.”

Let us think about that. Doesn't that seem to be a strange response to someone who just lost a loved one? We would typically say, “I’m sorry for your loss.” Or “Please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.” But to say, “Do not fear, only believe” makes you wonder if someone is not in touch with reality. 

The reality is there are experiences in life that take us to the very edge of our ability to cope. We lost our jobs. Or we learn that the cancer has returned. Or we look at the person we have shared our life with, and they are coming to the end of their lives. Situations like that can push us beyond the limit of what we think we can handle. We find ourselves not knowing how to cope.

What do we believe in when we have run out of answers? Miracles? It would be nice if God had an FAQ website. When life brings something so painful, what then? Do we rely on the strength of our faith, or do we witness our faith evaporating?

What we learn from the two miracles in Mark 5:21-43 is that we do not have to experience an evaporating faith but an empowering faith during devastating or tough times. A father named Jairus, and an unnamed woman chose to face what they were going through and moved forward in faith that God has a future for them. “Do not fear, only believe.”

What can we believe in when it seems like we have nothing left to believe in? We can believe that God is working in and through our heartbreak and suffering, bringing new life and new hope. It is then we realize we have not run out of answers, the answer is faith -- “only believe.” 

April 24

"Lonely, but Not Alone"

Rev. Dr. Marcia McFee asks, "What is it like to not have a home, a sense of not feeling 'home' or lacking a feeling of belonging, feeling alone even in the midst of others? So many in this world are isolated. How can we find and assure each other of the presence of God and a beloved community? How can we move out of the feeling of being lost due to the many losses we have experienced in life?"

 In April 2023, The New York Times created a compelling video that pulls together individual stories of isolation and loneliness. Stories range from people adjusting to retirement to people feeling isolated at work even though they are surrounded by people. Many respondents commented on their assumption that seeking connection in their loneliness would add a burden to others. Some share how they feel lonely in their marriages and families. Loneliness is an epidemic.

When Jesus made a promise to the disciples that the Holy Spirit would be with them after his departure, He gave us a glimpse of how to claim a full life in the face of the fear, terror, panic, isolation, loss, and grief that comes simply from living. This is what it means to live faithfully in life, to live as though we know with full assurance that we are loved, no matter what. We are not alone.

John 14 depicts the last time Jesus sits down to eat with his disciples during Passover before he is handed over to the Roman Authorities. The disciples are also promised an eternal belonging to the family of God, and we are part of that. 

Part of our responsibility as Christ's followers is knowing that God's being with someone who feels alone might come to life through our acts of acknowledging someone’s humanity and presence. 

Jesus came alongside us in the flesh so that we might come to know and see the otherwise invisible God. In coming alongside one another in times of loss and distress, we are loving each other as Jesus loved his disciples. (John 14:21) When we come alongside each other to comfort and encourage, we are living into the Holy Spirit’s invitation to receive divine assistance and presence. (John 14:25-26)

The gospel of John does not have a Pentecost story, where the Holy Spirit descends upon the church (Acts 2), but it does have a Pentecost moment. It occurs when Jesus breathes upon the disciples the Holy Spirit in John 20:22, "When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’" May we remember to receive the Holy Spirit to remind us that we are most at home when we are with God. At times lonely, but not alone.

April 17

Pastor Darren's article is on hiatus this week.

April 10

“An Escape Story Without an Escape”

In the book of Acts (16:16-40), Paul and Silas are arrested and attacked for reaching out to others in need and are locked in chains. The temptation in our own lives is to believe that when the world has us trapped, imprisoned, or placed in a position where our backs are up against the wall, we tend to feel we are powerless.

When the powers of this world are in charge, God finds a way to remind us that worldly powers are not in charge. Paul and Silas could have easily given in to a sense of helplessness and despair when they were beaten and thrown in jail, but they did not. In a dark moment, they bring God's light into a dark cell.

Paul and Silas sing praises to God in that cell — not laments for the suffering (which would be understandable) but praise for the privilege of being God’s servants in the face of injustice.

God has already sprung the apostles from Roman prisons in Acts 5:17-21, and Peter in Acts 12:6-11, and it is about to happen again in the Philippian jail. But before doing so, Paul and Silas seize an opportunity. They reached out to those who were also in that prison, and to the jailer as well. They stayed to help change lives. This is an escape story without an escape.

Earlier, Paul remained in the city of Philippi, and encountered a woman named Lydia. (Acts 16:11-15) She believed in God. Lydia’s life was changed by Paul, and so too the life of a jailer and most likely the others who were in prison with him.

The jailer washes the wounds of Paul and Silas. They have church. In Acts 16:31, the Word of the Lord is shared, they were of service to one another, baptism took place (33b), and they shared a meal (34a). The jailer and other prisoners have now entered Christian fellowship.

During this time, the magistrates who threw Paul in prison think they are still in control. Paul then reveals his Roman citizenship for the first time (vs. 39). Once again, the magistrates’ sense of power and control is taken away, so now the leaders of Philippi beg Paul to simply leave them alone. But before Paul goes, we hear in verse 40 a reminder that the church is still there in Philippi in the house of Lydia and the house of the jailer. The church remains, serving and proclaiming the Risen Lord and how the world is being released from its sense of imprisonment.

This is an escape story without an escape. When we are given the opportunity to leave a situation, we must first ask if our work is done. It is then we leave on our own terms, by God’s power, not the world’s power.

Praise be to God for when not escaping too soon is a good thing! May we continue to do good work while we await our release from whatever we are going through.