Our lives marked, recorded
in moments of joy
and in seasons of fire
learning through our trials,
through our struggles
times of loss and change
Growing in faith
trusting in our savior
becoming closer to God
Through the fires of adversity
finding God in our calming Spirit
our journey continuing
one season at a time
July 16, 2009 and July 19, 2009
written based on comments made 7/15/09
on the poem, In the Flames
------
In the Flames
Our lives, changed, tested, melted, molded
in the flames, in the struggles, in the challenges
the heartache, in the trials of life
in these moments, in these flames, perfected
refined as if silver, under the watchful, attentive gaze
the smithy, the creator, burning away the chaff
pruning in the furnace, the crucible,
shining metal, reflective of the maker
his face, his smile, his love shining in reflection
out of the fires, out of the flame we come changed
moving toward perfection, of our faith,
one season of fire at a time
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
Showing posts with label Malachi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malachi. Show all posts
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sermon - "Fire Walker", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, February 22, 2009
Isaiah 43:1-10
New Living Translation
(Video ‘Consuming Fire”)
(Reading of the Scripture from Isaiah New Living Translation)
Prayer:
Holy, Loving, Compassionate, Almighty God…We thank you for Your word. We pray that your Spirit would fall down upon us. We ask for the Spirit of discernment…of knowledge…of wisdom. We pray that we would have ears to hear, eyes to see and a willing spirit as we listen for what you would say to us today. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you O Lord, our Rock and Redeemer. May your message be heard through me or in spite of me. Speak Lord for your servants are listening. Amen.
Have you ever seen the movie “Fire Starter” with Jodie Foster and Kurt Douglas? Boy that was such an action packed movie. It’s a story of a little girl who has this gift…she can start fires with her mind. Everyone wanted to capture her so they could harness her gift for themselves. In one scene…she starts this fire…all you can see is fire all over the place…everything is all ablaze. Then…out of the fire…you see her coming out of the fire. She is not getting burned as she walks through. It’s almost as if the fire itself gave way for her walking through.
This scene in the movie reminds me of the scripture from Isaiah 43 this morning. Walking through fire and not getting burned…walking through the waters and not being overcome by them. I don’t know about you but I have had my share of walking through situations that feel like I am walking through fire. It seemed like every situation around me was a test to see what I would do. And if you are like me…I would rather not have to go through these times in my life. Some have been caused by what I have done and some are caused by what others have done…either way…you feel lost and alone as you go through the fire. You feel as if you will be consumed by the fire from below. You stand there…looking up to heaven…and say, “God…where are you? Why can’t I feel you? I need you! Save me!” But what you hear is silence…hopelessness.
But in the Isaiah passage (and many others) there is hope. In verse five God says, “Do not be afraid…I am with you…” I…am…with you…and not only is God with us but in verse ten God says, “But you are my witnesses…You are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God.” We are witnesses, servants and chosen…we have hope! We are precious, honored and loved! Our God is the God of comfort, of compassion, of peace and of hope and joy. There is hope and strength in the Lord our God.
Ok…so may ask…why do we have to go through these trials…why do we have to go through this “Fire Walking 101” any way? What good is it any way? What do these times hope to produce? Well I think I may have figured out a piece of this mystery. We go through this fire so that the things in us that need to be consumed…the things that need to be changed in our lives in order to live it to the fullest…what God had intended for us. This fire also brings us closer to God. We have to rely on God grace and love in order to “make it through to the other side. But when we make it through to the other side…we are not the same…we are closer to the image that God intends for us…what God planned for us since the beginning of time.
Uh…OK…it’s like this…Ray gave me a copy of what he found on the internet about the “Refiners Fire”. There was a story on the web site therefinersfire.org. The story goes something like this,
“Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the scriptures, and make them the subject of conversation. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse: "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." One lady's opinion was that it was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject.
She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her. "But Sir" she said, "do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" "Oh, yes, madam," replied the silversmith; "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."
The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Christ sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random; "the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he had forgotten to mention that the only way that he knows when the process of purifying is complete when he sees his own image reflected in the silver....”
God uses these times…this refining fire of our lives. Through these times our rough edges are smoothed. God allows these times so that we can be made into the image of Christ from glory to glory until God sees His reflection in us…but..not just for His viewing…oh no…others will also see His refection in us. The fire doesn’t consume the masterpiece but the impurities that lay within…below the surface. We are not consumed but this consuming fire brings us closer to our God and creator, and fills us with the Spirit of strength and enables us to withstand even the hottest oven.
Beloved…are you feeling as if you are going through a “Walk in the Fire”? Has life gotten you to the point that you just can’t take the fire anymore? Have the situations in your life got you on the “hot seat”? Take heart in knowing that the Eternal source of Peace is there with you…sitting by the furnace to be sure His masterpiece is not injured or destroyed. Beloved daughter and son…the source of deliverance and help is not far…even when you don’t feel Him there…waiting for the right time so that you may shine as the purest refined silver…to Him be the glory both now and forever.
Let us pray:
Creative source of all being, Almighty God, You who are the creator of all that is good and pleasing…help us, we pray, as we go through the Fires of life. Give us strength and endurance through these times so that we may shine with your image for all the world to see. May we be consumed with a passion for you and your will for our lives. Pour out your Pentecost fire upon us gathered here so that we may be ignited again and able to withstand the fires of this world. Revive us again. We pray this in the name of the perfector of our faith, our Lord Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit. All honor and glory is yours now and forever.
Amen
New Living Translation
(Video ‘Consuming Fire”)
(Reading of the Scripture from Isaiah New Living Translation)
Prayer:
Holy, Loving, Compassionate, Almighty God…We thank you for Your word. We pray that your Spirit would fall down upon us. We ask for the Spirit of discernment…of knowledge…of wisdom. We pray that we would have ears to hear, eyes to see and a willing spirit as we listen for what you would say to us today. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you O Lord, our Rock and Redeemer. May your message be heard through me or in spite of me. Speak Lord for your servants are listening. Amen.
Have you ever seen the movie “Fire Starter” with Jodie Foster and Kurt Douglas? Boy that was such an action packed movie. It’s a story of a little girl who has this gift…she can start fires with her mind. Everyone wanted to capture her so they could harness her gift for themselves. In one scene…she starts this fire…all you can see is fire all over the place…everything is all ablaze. Then…out of the fire…you see her coming out of the fire. She is not getting burned as she walks through. It’s almost as if the fire itself gave way for her walking through.
This scene in the movie reminds me of the scripture from Isaiah 43 this morning. Walking through fire and not getting burned…walking through the waters and not being overcome by them. I don’t know about you but I have had my share of walking through situations that feel like I am walking through fire. It seemed like every situation around me was a test to see what I would do. And if you are like me…I would rather not have to go through these times in my life. Some have been caused by what I have done and some are caused by what others have done…either way…you feel lost and alone as you go through the fire. You feel as if you will be consumed by the fire from below. You stand there…looking up to heaven…and say, “God…where are you? Why can’t I feel you? I need you! Save me!” But what you hear is silence…hopelessness.
But in the Isaiah passage (and many others) there is hope. In verse five God says, “Do not be afraid…I am with you…” I…am…with you…and not only is God with us but in verse ten God says, “But you are my witnesses…You are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God.” We are witnesses, servants and chosen…we have hope! We are precious, honored and loved! Our God is the God of comfort, of compassion, of peace and of hope and joy. There is hope and strength in the Lord our God.
Ok…so may ask…why do we have to go through these trials…why do we have to go through this “Fire Walking 101” any way? What good is it any way? What do these times hope to produce? Well I think I may have figured out a piece of this mystery. We go through this fire so that the things in us that need to be consumed…the things that need to be changed in our lives in order to live it to the fullest…what God had intended for us. This fire also brings us closer to God. We have to rely on God grace and love in order to “make it through to the other side. But when we make it through to the other side…we are not the same…we are closer to the image that God intends for us…what God planned for us since the beginning of time.
Uh…OK…it’s like this…Ray gave me a copy of what he found on the internet about the “Refiners Fire”. There was a story on the web site therefinersfire.org. The story goes something like this,
“Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the scriptures, and make them the subject of conversation. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse: "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." One lady's opinion was that it was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject.
She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her. "But Sir" she said, "do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" "Oh, yes, madam," replied the silversmith; "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."
The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Christ sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random; "the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he had forgotten to mention that the only way that he knows when the process of purifying is complete when he sees his own image reflected in the silver....”
God uses these times…this refining fire of our lives. Through these times our rough edges are smoothed. God allows these times so that we can be made into the image of Christ from glory to glory until God sees His reflection in us…but..not just for His viewing…oh no…others will also see His refection in us. The fire doesn’t consume the masterpiece but the impurities that lay within…below the surface. We are not consumed but this consuming fire brings us closer to our God and creator, and fills us with the Spirit of strength and enables us to withstand even the hottest oven.
Beloved…are you feeling as if you are going through a “Walk in the Fire”? Has life gotten you to the point that you just can’t take the fire anymore? Have the situations in your life got you on the “hot seat”? Take heart in knowing that the Eternal source of Peace is there with you…sitting by the furnace to be sure His masterpiece is not injured or destroyed. Beloved daughter and son…the source of deliverance and help is not far…even when you don’t feel Him there…waiting for the right time so that you may shine as the purest refined silver…to Him be the glory both now and forever.
Let us pray:
Creative source of all being, Almighty God, You who are the creator of all that is good and pleasing…help us, we pray, as we go through the Fires of life. Give us strength and endurance through these times so that we may shine with your image for all the world to see. May we be consumed with a passion for you and your will for our lives. Pour out your Pentecost fire upon us gathered here so that we may be ignited again and able to withstand the fires of this world. Revive us again. We pray this in the name of the perfector of our faith, our Lord Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit. All honor and glory is yours now and forever.
Amen
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Home through the Fires
The pathway, the narrow way
through the fires of life
the challenges, the moments of strife
the pain, the sorrow, the struggles
It is through these flames, this refining fire
under the eye of the smithy
we walk, we journey
we travel by faith
Watch over me Lord
each step of my way
testing me, steel me
for the work you would have me do
guide me through the fires
from the east, from the west
and bring me safely home
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
through the fires of life
the challenges, the moments of strife
the pain, the sorrow, the struggles
It is through these flames, this refining fire
under the eye of the smithy
we walk, we journey
we travel by faith
Watch over me Lord
each step of my way
testing me, steel me
for the work you would have me do
guide me through the fires
from the east, from the west
and bring me safely home
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
Fires of Life
The scripture revealing, the fires of life, the refining fire of God
the fires of the spirit, landing on us like doves
burning into us, consuming that which must be burned away
bringing us toward him, into his presence, speaking
in words we do not know, to those who are in need
being led by the fires by night, the cloud by day
going where the Lord commands, where he calls
becoming, in the testing, in the refining
a reflection of him, perfection a journey
pruned, refined, but not consumed
walking through the waters, through the fires
on our journey through life
the Lord walking beside us, all the way
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
the fires of the spirit, landing on us like doves
burning into us, consuming that which must be burned away
bringing us toward him, into his presence, speaking
in words we do not know, to those who are in need
being led by the fires by night, the cloud by day
going where the Lord commands, where he calls
becoming, in the testing, in the refining
a reflection of him, perfection a journey
pruned, refined, but not consumed
walking through the waters, through the fires
on our journey through life
the Lord walking beside us, all the way
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
In the Flames
Our lives, changed, tested, melted, molded
in the flames, in the struggles, in the challenges
the heartache, in the trials of life
in these moments, in these flames, perfected
refined as if silver, under the watchful, attentive gaze
the smithy, the creator, burning away the chaff
pruning in the furnace, the crucible,
shining metal, reflective of the maker
his face, his smile, his love shining in reflection
out of the fires, out of the flame we come changed
moving toward perfection, of our faith,
one season of fire at a time
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
in the flames, in the struggles, in the challenges
the heartache, in the trials of life
in these moments, in these flames, perfected
refined as if silver, under the watchful, attentive gaze
the smithy, the creator, burning away the chaff
pruning in the furnace, the crucible,
shining metal, reflective of the maker
his face, his smile, his love shining in reflection
out of the fires, out of the flame we come changed
moving toward perfection, of our faith,
one season of fire at a time
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
His Image Revealed
Shining through, the smooth, smooth surface
our bodies, burned clean in the fires,
not consumed, refined instead
over and over melted, molded, transformed
in the fires of life, the trials, the struggles,
made into his image, reflecting the creator;
but more, much more, revealing the master
in the spirit shining within, growing within us
being Christ in the world, through the spirit revealed
God made known through us, through our actions
through our witness, on the journey of faith
on our walk in life, his image revealed in us
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
our bodies, burned clean in the fires,
not consumed, refined instead
over and over melted, molded, transformed
in the fires of life, the trials, the struggles,
made into his image, reflecting the creator;
but more, much more, revealing the master
in the spirit shining within, growing within us
being Christ in the world, through the spirit revealed
God made known through us, through our actions
through our witness, on the journey of faith
on our walk in life, his image revealed in us
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
Walking in the Fires
In the fires, walking through the flames
unburned, whole, protected on the journey
walking in the waters, in the flames
the Lord beside me in the trials
guiding my steps, refining me
burning off that which isn’t needed,
the chaff, the burrs, the sharp edges
New creations, closer to God,
refined, made reflections of Christ
through the flames, purified,
made clean and pure, sanctified
through our walking through the fires
his eyes upon us, each step of the way
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
In the fires, walking through the flames
unburned, whole, protected on the journey
walking in the waters, in the flames
the Lord beside me in the trials
guiding my steps, refining me
burning off that which isn’t needed,
the chaff, the burrs, the sharp edges
New creations, closer to God,
refined, made reflections of Christ
through the flames, purified,
made clean and pure, sanctified
through our walking through the fires
his eyes upon us, each step of the way
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
His Image Reflected
Melted, refined, the excess burned away
walking through the fires
made smooth, reflections,
his image reflected in us.
Not merely reflected though,
not this alone
for he is within us too,
his spirit rising to the surface
reflected outward, shining through us
shining into the darkness
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
walking through the fires
made smooth, reflections,
his image reflected in us.
Not merely reflected though,
not this alone
for he is within us too,
his spirit rising to the surface
reflected outward, shining through us
shining into the darkness
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
Through the Fires
Through the fires, through the waters
the storms of life, God is with us
He who created all that is, all that way, all to come
there before the beginning, after the end
He who knows our days, before we are born
who has numbered our hairs on our heads
there with us along the way, the journey
the trials of life, through the waters,
through the refining fires
so we may find our way
so we may reflect him
his image, our lives
reflecting God
in the world
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
the storms of life, God is with us
He who created all that is, all that way, all to come
there before the beginning, after the end
He who knows our days, before we are born
who has numbered our hairs on our heads
there with us along the way, the journey
the trials of life, through the waters,
through the refining fires
so we may find our way
so we may reflect him
his image, our lives
reflecting God
in the world
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
Purified
Burned clean, the dross, the edges, the excess
burned away in the fire, clean, a reflection of him
purified by the trials, his steps beside my own
healed in the flames, the refiner’s fire
as silver, molten, changing,
as the clay on the potter’s wheel
shaped by your hands
made useful, worthy, the image of God
as we are made in his image
purified, burned clean
washed but not consumed by the fire
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
burned away in the fire, clean, a reflection of him
purified by the trials, his steps beside my own
healed in the flames, the refiner’s fire
as silver, molten, changing,
as the clay on the potter’s wheel
shaped by your hands
made useful, worthy, the image of God
as we are made in his image
purified, burned clean
washed but not consumed by the fire
February 22, 2009
Psalm 23:1-4
Malachi 3:1-20
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-10 and
Sermon, “Fire Walker”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Immutable – haiku
Constant, unchanging
I am the one Lord, Your God
forever, Amen
September 30, 2008
Malachi 3:6
I am the one Lord, Your God
forever, Amen
September 30, 2008
Malachi 3:6
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Anointed
He was baptized in the River
in the Jordan by Elijah;
but he was anointed king,
not by oil, as the prophets of old,
Samuel anointing David
He was anointed by the voice of God
the Spirit of God
washing down over him,
descending like a dove
a holy anointing
of the child in the manger
the grown Son of God
readied for the testing, the tempting
His ministry
by the anointing, the Son
with whom the Father
was well pleased
January 3, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
Isaiah 40:3
Malachi 3:1
Malachi 4:5
Matthew 11:1-15
in the Jordan by Elijah;
but he was anointed king,
not by oil, as the prophets of old,
Samuel anointing David
He was anointed by the voice of God
the Spirit of God
washing down over him,
descending like a dove
a holy anointing
of the child in the manger
the grown Son of God
readied for the testing, the tempting
His ministry
by the anointing, the Son
with whom the Father
was well pleased
January 3, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
Isaiah 40:3
Malachi 3:1
Malachi 4:5
Matthew 11:1-15
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