A Gentle and Quiet Whisper

Good afternoon, Loved Ones,

Consider this story of Elijah as we approach Father's Day.

1 Kings 19:3-15 (The Message)

^3-5 When Elijah saw how things were, he ran for dear life to Beersheba, far in the south of Judah. He left his young servant there and then went on into the desert another day's journey. He came to a lone broom bush and collapsed in its shade, wanting in the worst way to be done with it all—to just die: "Enough of this, God! Take my life—I'm ready to join my ancestors in the grave!" Exhausted, he fell asleep under the lone broom bush.

Suddenly an angel shook him awake and said, "Get up and eat!"

⁶ He looked around and, to his surprise, right by his head were a loaf of bread baked on some coals and a jug of water. He ate the meal and went back to sleep.

⁷ The angel of God came back, shook him awake again, and said, "Get up and eat some more—you've got a long journey ahead of you."

^8-9 He got up, ate and drank his fill, and set out. Nourished by that meal, he walked forty days and nights, all the way to the mountain of God, to Horeb. When he got there, he crawled into a cave and went to sleep.

Then the word of God came to him: "So Elijah, what are you doing here?"

¹⁰ "I've been working my heart out for the God-of-the-Angel-Armies," said Elijah. "The people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed the places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I'm the only one left, and now they're trying to kill me."

^11-12 Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by."

A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.

^13-14 When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, "So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?" Elijah said it again, "I've been working my heart out for God, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies, because the people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed your places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I'm the only one left, and now they're trying to kill me."

^15-18 God said, "Go back the way you came through the desert to Damascus. When you get there anoint Hazael; make him king over Aram. Then anoint Jehu son of Nimshi; make him king over Israel. Finally, anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Anyone who escapes death by Hazael will be killed by Jehu; and anyone who escapes death by Jehu will be killed by Elisha. Meanwhile, I'm preserving for myself seven thousand souls: the knees that haven't bowed to the god Baal, the mouths that haven't kissed his image."

Elijah has hit the wall. He's up against that wall that we often hit ourselves; the "I give up" wall, the "I'm all alone" wall, the "what's the point" wall. But Elijah finds that he's not alone, that God has not given up on him and that the point is still justice and hope. Whether you are a father or mother or a brother or sister you have surely struggled with keepin' on keepin' on. I give thanks today that we are not alone in the struggle. I am thankful for the fathers/brothers/mentors who have helped me get over the walls.

Check out this father/son song. It inspired me --- hope it does you too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbqF6Xv1mNU

Thank you, Lord, for . . .

. . . my father, Dean Behrens. Although he died when I was 5 and I barely knew him, I remember a few moments and I am grateful for those memories and whatever good he passed on to me through those moments we shared together.
. . . my brother, Greg Behrens. I know of no more patient and kind person than my big brother. I'm thankful for his work as a father and a dedicated leader in his faith community.
. . . my step-dad, Jerry Nelson. Jerry stepped in when I needed a father figure and immersed our family into a small faith community. I remember the day he came into our room and asked us to call him "Dad."
. . . my Prebyterian father, Tom Williams. Pastor Tom welcomed me into a new church family and mentored and counseled me. He has been an inspiration for my pastoral call.
. . . my Parishioner dad, Bill McCune. When our boys were little Bill encouraged me saying, "enjoy this time, Rick. These are the best years."
. . . my older-brother-of-another-mother, Terry Woodbury. Pastor Terry has been an unwavering friend, supporter and partner in minstry.
. . . my brother-from-another-culture, Alfonso Tot. Pastor Alfonso has expanded my understanding of what it means to follow Christ. He has challenged my faith as we have worked hard to embrace a common vision.
. . . Randy, Bump, Javier, Dedric, Greg, Mike, Darrick, Ricardo, Jonathan, Mark and many others to numerous to mention who have been part of God's grace in my life.

We are "surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses." We are never alone.

Gimme cinco and have a great Father's Day.

Pastor Rick