If rocks could talk, what a story they would tell! The rock upon which Jacob slept (Genesis 28:11) could testify of a God who gives second chances to people who have fallen, cheated and schemed like Jacob. The stone that provided water for Moses and the Israelites (Exodus 17:6) would remind us of a God who provides for our needs in the wilderness of life. The stone upon which the Law of God had been written (Exodus 31: 18) could talk about the love of a God who sought through words written in His own hand to provide His people with an opportunity to respond to His loving act of deliverance. Upon that stone, God was establishing the basis for our relationship with Him throughout the rest of Scripture (i.e., Because I have done this for you, therefore I ask you now to do this in response). Then in 1 Samuel 17: 40, little pebbles that fit into the hand of a shepherd boy could remind us of our God who defeats the giants in our life, no matter how imposing and impossible they seem at first. In the life of Jesus, there are any number of rocks and stones. What would the stones that Satan used to tempt Jesus to turn them into bread (Matthew 4:3) have to say to us? What testimony could they offer as to how Satan tempts us so precisely to the desires of our heart? Yet, in Jesus we see the Word of God giving the strength to resist and not buckle beneath temptation. Then in John 8:7, what story of love and mercy could be told by that one stone held in the hand of Jesus? An angry and self-righteous mob stood ready to throw stones at the head of the adulterous woman. Jesus holds up one stone. “Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone.” One by one they leave until only Jesus and the woman are left. Of what would the stone at Lazarus’ grave testify (John 11:38-44)? 

Then there are the rocks of Palm Sunday. If these rocks could talk, they would remind us that we were created for the praise of God. 

 “‘I tell you,’ he replied, ‘If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out’” (Luke 19:40). 

 The religious leaders wanted Jesus to quiet the crowd. Jesus sternly reminds them that the praise of God is not something that can be stilled. You and I were created to praise God and to bring glory to His name. 

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure to the praise of his glorious grace” (Ephesians 1:4-6)
--
 

Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

Rev. Dr. Brent L Parrish

Telling someone what you have learned about God’s forgiveness is one thing. Telling God’s forgiveness is one thing. Telling someone who has hurt you, “I forgive you” is another story altogether. 

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). 

It would be so much easier for me if “kind” and “compassionate” were in reverse order. “Kind” is an action-oriented word. “Compassionate” is a feeling-oriented word. Placing them in that order calls upon me to act kindly toward a person whether the feelings precede those actions or not. I would rather wait until I feel like it. God in His wisdom understands, however, that so often action needs to precede feelings. The first and foremost action is that of forgiveness. 

Now before we go too much further, let’s clarify what forgiveness is because there are many misconceptions. Forgiveness is not a matter of forgetting, almost pretending that something never happened. God certainly forgets. He tells us in Jeremiah 31:34b: 

 “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” 

God is able to completely forget and clear out of His thinking or remembrance the wrong that I have done. When I try this, I end up feeling guilty that I must not have forgiven a person when their offense to me keeps rising up in my mind. Forgiveness is as much a process where I must daily die to myself and allow Christ and His love to rise up within me. Joseph of the Old Testament is a great example of one who does not forget. He remembers quite well what his brothers did to him. Through a painstaking process, he works toward reconciliation with his brothers. James R. Bjorge in his book, “Living in the Forgiveness of God,” writes, 

“Forgiveness happens when past resentments are dealt with, not just discarded; are owned, not disowned; are recognized, not repressed; are released, not retained” (p. 60). 

Forgiveness is not forgetting, nor is it excusing. Forgiveness is not a matter of sweeping under the carpet what someone has done to us. Realize that just a few verses before we are told to forgive “just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32), we are also told, “In your anger do not sin” (vs. 26a). Nor is forgiveness a matter of “time heals all wounds.” Sometimes time will only cause bitterness to take root. God’s Word warns, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (v. 26b). 

Forgiveness involves in our relationships what it did with Jesus on the Cross—the canceling of the debt we believe someone owes us. This does not mean we leave them off the hook. Rather, it means that we take “the knife” out of our “gut.” In “The Art of Forgiveness,” Lewes Smedes writes: 

“When you forgive a person, this does not mean you are immediately healed. When you forgive a person, this does not mean you are going to be buddy/buddy. When we forgive a person, this does not mean we surrender the right to restitution or justice when appropriate. When we forgive a person, this does not mean that we trust them, yet. When we forgive a person, we are not avoiding pain; we are opening the door to healing. When we forgive, we take the journey at the pace we are able to handle . . . the deeper the hurt, the longer the journey” (pp. 177-178)
--
 

Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,
 

Harold Sherman wrote a book, “How to Turn Failure into Success.” In it, he offers a “Code of Persistence,” listing eight principles for success. These principles may be helpful in some of life’s challenges. The problem I see in them, however, is what happens if you cannot get beyond the first one— # 1: “I will never give up so long as I know I am right.” What happens when you know you are not right? What happens when your sense of personal failure overwhelms you to the point that you cannot move forward? What would this code mean to Peter in light of the events of Good Friday? 

Have you ever wondered what it was like for Peter waking up on that Saturday following the crucifixion? Hours earlier he had been so self-assured, so confident, never believing that he could do such a thing: “Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you’” (Matthew 26:35). 

 Then hours later, he would deny His best friend, his Master, not once but three times. How could he get out of his mind that moment when the eyes of Jesus and his met in the judgment hall? 

 “Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what your’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:60-62). 

 How does one stop the tears? Jesus had warned him. He was too full of himself to listen. Now, how does he undo the damage done? Jesus lies in a grave, dead. What is Peter to do with his guilt? Then comes the news: 

 “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you’” (Mark 16:7). 

The women report that they have seen Jesus. He is alive! He wants to meet with the disciples. Is this good news for Peter and the rest? Or does it add to their terror and fear? If the news is true, how will they face the One they have betrayed and denied? 

 Two words, however, offer comfort and hope: “. . . and Peter.” “Tell His disciples and Peter.” In those two words, the angel of God is signaling Peter that he is loved. The message of the empty tomb is nothing less than that of forgiveness. 

God does not want our sins of the past or our lack of loyalty and love toward Him to keep us distant from Him. “Tell His disciples and Peter.” The compassion and gentle grace of those words are not only for Peter, they are for you and me. Take a pencil and write your name just beneath Peter’s in that verse in your Bible. If you are troubled by past sins or if your heart has wept and wept and nothing undoes the wrong and failure of the past, write your name just below Peter’s. Not all the tears we cry or the good intentions we offer will bridge the gap that our sins have created between us and Jesus. The Good News, however, is that they don’t have to. He bridges that gap. Through His death and resurrection, our sins have been paid for in full. 

--
 

Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

Rev. Dr. Brent L Parrish

Remember the story of the Sunday School teacher who witnessed to a Boston shoe clerk, Dwight L. Moody? Listen further to an account of that witness: “Kimball found Moody working in the stockroom, wrapping and shelving shoes. Kimball said he spoke with ‘limping words.’ He later said, ‘I never remember just what I did say: something about Christ and His love; that was all.’ He admitted it was a ‘weak appeal.’” (p. 70). 

 The fire that was kindled in the heart of D.L. Moody by a modest Sunday School teacher would kindle a fire of love and hope in the hearts of thousands. 

When I consider the bold acts and witnesses of the early Church, I do not see eloquent men and women. Paul admitted as much: “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power”( 1 Corinthians 2:1-5). 

I felt with Margaret what Paul felt with the Corinthians. Have you experienced that too? Boldness in those moments is not defined by what we say. It is the willingness to be God’s vessels, trusting that His Spirit will reveal itself. This is exactly what Jesus asked the disciples to have confidence in. As He was preparing to leave them, they were terrified. In response He said, 

“Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11). 

 We may stumble over the words, but the power of God will not. Tell it boldly. Bold in the power of God. Who in your life have you been burdened over as to where they stand with Jesus? Tell it boldly! Not bold with words necessarily, but bold in the confidence that the Spirit will give you the words to say and will then work with those words long after you have finished. Tell it boldly in the confidence that what you are sharing with them is lifegiving, breathing with hope. 

My prayer is that you will hear in response, “I believe that too.
--
 

Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

Rev. Dr. Brent L Parrish

What do you know about Andrew? He was one of the twelve disciples. What else comes to your mind when you hear his name? He was Peter’s brother. Time after time when Scripture identifies Andrew, it does so with these words, “Andrew, Peter’s brother.” Do you think that this bothered Andrew to always be known as “Peter’s brother”? 

Andrew was Peter’s brother, but Scripture tells us that he was known for more than that. Andrew brought Peter to Jesus. He is not the only one that Andrew brought to Jesus. We are told that he brought a little boy forward with his bag lunch:

“Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’” (John 6:8-9). 

 We are also told that he brought certain Greeks forward who wanted to meet Jesus: 

 “Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we would like to see Jesus.’ Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus” (John 12:20-22). 

Andrew did what he had done with others. He opened the door for them to meet Jesus. 

 Andrew may have taken a back seat when it came to his brother Peter, but this did not stop him from telling people about Jesus and bringing them forward to meet Him. 

When I review these readings, certain things impress me about Andrew’s character. First, Andrew seemed to be a humble person, whose pride did not get in the way of being a witness for Jesus. As soon as Andrew had met Jesus, he immediately went to his brother: 

 “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’”(John 1:41). 

 “The first thing.” So excited with the news about Jesus and so devoted to his brother, Andrew goes immediately to tell him. A dominant, older sibling can sometimes cause the younger brother or sister to be filled with resentment or jealousy. There is none of that here. Andrew brought Peter to Jesus. Could he guess that his elder brother would overshadow in this area as well? Probably. Jesus would give Peter a new name, a nickname of sorts: 

 “‘You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which when translated is Peter [or Rock])” (v. 42). 

 There is no such mention of a nickname for Andrew. It may be that Andrew played “second fi ddle” to his brother. He wasn’t a part of the inner circle even though he was one of the first to be called by Jesus. This did not stop him from placing others first when it came to telling them about Jesus or helping then in their journey. Andrew was willing to give up many things, including his pride, for the sake of bringing people forward to meet Jesus. Who is the Andrew in your life? Who brought you to Jesus? Who has placed you first, not caring if they got acknowledged or even noticed? 

 The mission of the Church is blessed when there are those who are willing to serve as an “Andrew” within the ministry and lives of its people. Who are the Andrews in your congregation—those people willing to sacrifice in order to help other people?

Andrew was one of the first to hear of Jesus, the Lamb of God. He was the first to tell his brother Peter about Jesus. Yet, oftentimes he comes in second as far as recognition in Scripture. He never wrote an Epistle. He is not mentioned in the Book of Acts or any of the Epistles. None of this apparently fazed him in the slightest way. Second in life so often, his passion was to tell others first. Tell them about Jesus. His first priority was to bring them to Jesus so that their hearts could be ablaze with His love as was his own. Can you imagine the impact upon our churches were they to be filled with people with Andrew’s heart—befriending people and introducing them to Him one at a time? The fire of Christ’s love is kindled in the hearts of people one at a time.
--
 

Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

Rev. Dr. Brent L Parrish

Prayer is at times difficult and hard. While at times we yearn for it, we also hide from it. Prayer is in many ways the battle. Prayer is, however, bathed in grace and love. God hears us not because of our earnest efforts, but because of nail-pierced hands that pray on our behalf. In prayer we are not trying to overcome God’s reluctance; we are taking hold of His willingness. We dare not make prayer about us. It is about Him, not me. 

As a way of illustrating this, take a look at Mark 9:14-32. Jesus has just come down from the Mount of Transfiguration. Immediately, he is faced with a problem. A man is asking His disciples to cast out a demon from his son. The boy is thrashing about and foaming at the mouth. Can you imagine how chaotic this moment must have been? The disciples had been unable to cast out the evil spirit. In regard to that, Jesus is later asked why the disciples could not cast the spirit out. He said, “This kind can come out only by prayer” (v. 29). 

So the boy’s father approaches Jesus and says, “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us” (v. 22). Listen to what follows: “‘If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’”(vv. 23-24). 

The prayer of the boy’s dad is not what one would call a classic prayer. It is simple. It is honest. It is childlike. “I believe, help me overcome my unbelief!” That sounds like a prayer that I have offered many times. Jesus responded to the man, not because of his great prayer, but because of Jesus’ great love. 

 I have come to believe that just as we are so apt to think that salvation is in some way tied to our efforts, we are also prone to think that prayer is about us getting it down right. Maybe we hide from prayer because of this inner need to have everything just right. We look to get our faith up to a certain level or our life in order before we pray. These things are important, but we are starting from the wrong end. It is about Him, not us. Who is He? What has He promised? 

--
 

Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

Rev. Dr. Brent L Parrish

Another characteristic of Jesus’ prayer life was His incredible honesty. Outside of the Cross, one of the most common pictures that are placed in the chancel of a church is a picture of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. Those two symbols—the Cross and the Garden are reminders of Jesus’ honesty in prayer. 

When He brought His disciples with Him to the Garden, He was distressed to His innermost being (Mark 14:32-33). In His agony, He seeks another way: 

 “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). 

 Jesus was expressing an honest tension inside of Him: I do not want to go through this and yet I want to follow your will in it. 

Another honest prayer comes from the Cross. Jesus cries out with words that fall on my ears in an unsettling way: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). Gone is the intimate reference to “Father,” replaced by the impersonal, “My God, My God.” There He hangs, pouring out His honest and deepest pain. 

God can be honored in honest prayers. You and I can be strengthened in honest prayers. In both of Jesus’ prayers, I see Him stronger afterward. In the Garden, He would leave His disciples saying,

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). 

 Do you hear His confidence in those words, “I have overcome the world”? He was already assured of victory because He had submitted to the will of His Father. Satan held nothing over Him. There was the suffering He had to face, of course, but the battle had been won for Jesus when He had in honesty poured out the tension within and submitted himself to His Father’s will.

--
 

Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,