September 17, 2020
Now when the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord according to the directions of King David of Israel. They sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, “For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
- Ezra 3:10-11
In the time of Ezra, the Temple had already been destroyed. Many folks thought the building of a new Temple would never come. Yet by the grace of God, the Israelites were able to return and rebuild it! With the foundation laid, they took a moment to celebrate.
Many of you know, I try to spend a few minutes in quiet prayer when I’m in my office. I often light a candle to focus on. You might remember the candle pictured, as the one I used for the first online worship videos. Then one Sunday it wasn’t there anymore. I couldn’t use it because it had fallen over in the car one hot Louisiana summer afternoon. When I found it the next morning, it was a bizarre looking lump of wax. I couldn’t light it because the wick was hidden somewhere inside. I was disappointed that it could no longer shine as online worship began. My first instinct was to throw it all away. With a fleeting hope and a prayer, I simply sat the Yankee Candle jar upright and left it in the car. The next morning, I found the candle had resumed a functional shape!
It stays in my office now. As I pray in my office with this candle flickering on the desk, I am reminded how difficult it was for me to not throw away the candle when I found it. With some patience and a good spot in a hot car, it set itself right. After the year we’ve had, there are many days when I feel out of sorts, like that melted candle with a covered wick and no way to shine. Perhaps you feel that way too. This week I hope you’ll remember this candle. It took some time in the sun to find its light. Our time with the Son is also working to transform us so we can better shine the light of God’s love. Soon enough we will be sharing, “God is good and God’s loving kindness is forever!”
Be good to yourself this week.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Peter
- Ezra 3:10-11
In the time of Ezra, the Temple had already been destroyed. Many folks thought the building of a new Temple would never come. Yet by the grace of God, the Israelites were able to return and rebuild it! With the foundation laid, they took a moment to celebrate.
Many of you know, I try to spend a few minutes in quiet prayer when I’m in my office. I often light a candle to focus on. You might remember the candle pictured, as the one I used for the first online worship videos. Then one Sunday it wasn’t there anymore. I couldn’t use it because it had fallen over in the car one hot Louisiana summer afternoon. When I found it the next morning, it was a bizarre looking lump of wax. I couldn’t light it because the wick was hidden somewhere inside. I was disappointed that it could no longer shine as online worship began. My first instinct was to throw it all away. With a fleeting hope and a prayer, I simply sat the Yankee Candle jar upright and left it in the car. The next morning, I found the candle had resumed a functional shape!
It stays in my office now. As I pray in my office with this candle flickering on the desk, I am reminded how difficult it was for me to not throw away the candle when I found it. With some patience and a good spot in a hot car, it set itself right. After the year we’ve had, there are many days when I feel out of sorts, like that melted candle with a covered wick and no way to shine. Perhaps you feel that way too. This week I hope you’ll remember this candle. It took some time in the sun to find its light. Our time with the Son is also working to transform us so we can better shine the light of God’s love. Soon enough we will be sharing, “God is good and God’s loving kindness is forever!”
Be good to yourself this week.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Peter
