02-22-09
God Watch
Mark 9:1-12
Man climbs to top of a mountain
Is God really up here?
“God, what should I do with my life?”
“Feed the hungry, strive for justice, work for peace.”
“Oh, I was just testing to see if you are real.”
“So was I.”
Have you had mountain top experiences?
I have
First at De Baca ranger camp in Lincoln, NM
Hiking alone I suddenly knew God was there – so powerful started to cry
Next time at Scout Camp in Sacramento Mountains
By the wowser cage
(A wowser is a mythical monster half bear and half lion)
Found God among the skunk cabbage
Peter, James and John had a mountain top experience
We all know the story. Jesus shining and talking to Moses and Elijah – the law and the prophet
Peter wanted to build three tabernacles (little booths)
He wanted to stay there forever
Jesus had business in the valley
Peter did not understand the business
Jesus dying on a cross like a criminal
He wanted to stay where he felt good
I did too
I was a boy or young man
Other people told me what to do
Just like Peter
Have you ever had a mountaintop experience?
Many happen someplace other than mountains
Reading a book – Singing a song
Watching birds, animals, people
Driving a tractor or car
Reading something from the i-net
Suddenly you just begin to worship
Suddenly you know God’s presence
Suddenly you know things will be okay
Suddenly you know peace, joy, love
Suddenly . . .
The disciples did not understand
They thought they met the transfigured Christ on the mountaintop
They did not realize they had been with the transfigured Christ for the last three years
There are times when the spiritual world seems closer – when the “suddenly’s” happen
But God/Christ/the Holy Spirit are always “there”
Always with us
They are easier to experience sometimes
At times, we expect to feel “suddenly”
It is my desire to bring you to those moments every Sunday morning
Moments when the transfigured Christ becomes very real to you
I hope, and pray, that occurs to some of you every Sunday, and to all of you on occasion
But mountaintop experiences are not where we live
Monday follows Sunday every week for six and one half thousand years of recorded history
“Normal” people do not feel the “suddenly’s” on Monday
God may be there, but we are too busy to notice him
In 1 Kings 19:11-12 Elijah was sent out to a mountain
First = wind – Lord not in the wind
Next = earthquake – Lord not in quake
Next, fire – Lord not in the fire
Last still small voice = THAT was the Lord
The Rev Marilyn MacDonald sent a piece of prose out to a number of other preachers. It goes like this:
"A person whispered," God, speak to me" and a meadowlark sang. But, the person did not hear.
So they yelled, "God, speak to me" and the thunder rolled across the sky.
But, they did not listen.
The person looked around and said, "God, let me see you" and a star shone brightly. But, the person did not notice.
They shouted, "God show me a miracle" and a life was born. But, the person did not know.
So, they cried out in despair, "Touch me God and let me know you are here." Whereupon God reached down and touched them.
But, they brushed the butterfly away, and walked on.”
Wednesday begins the period of Lent
Some will fast – some will ignore it
I would like us to resolve to look for God – in the little things
I would want you to keep a journal of your God Sightings
Every Sunday we will have time to share our God sightings with each other
You can read them from your journal
No pressure, only if you want to
When you know how others find God, it will help you look deeper
After forty days, it will be a habit to see God all around you
Won’t that be cool?
Think about it
To read more go to www.opendoorstochrist.org
Rev. O. K. Neal
