Monthly Archives: December 2016

Jesus, the Refugee

welcoming-the-strangerChristmas
December 31, 2016

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:13-23

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’ –Matthew 2:13-15

Because of the plight of the millions of refugees around the world today, many recalled this Christmas season the fact that Jesus was a refugee baby with his parents escaping the wrath of Herod as they fled to Egypt. We see pictures of rescuers pulling children from their bombed-out homes and thank God that at least that one survived. People respond to the plight of individuals they encounter more quickly than to statistics and long-range projections. Non-profit fundraisers recognize this reality as they make their year end pitches.

I am not suggesting it is a bad thing to focus on one example of a larger problem. Indeed, quite the opposite, I believe our advocacy can only stem from real life experiences and encourage everyone to volunteer some time with the homeless, the mentally ill, prisoners, children trying to learn while hungry and who lack proper clothing for the weather, homebound elderly and disabled persons, and yes refugees. When we see the magnitude of the problem, we see the importance of intervention at all levels.

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door. ― Emma Lazarus

Prayer: Creator and Sustainer of all, open our eyes and ears to the reality of your children who do not have enough, who are not safe, who are not self-sufficient and open our hearts to foster solutions to actualize all your children’s fullest potential. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Relatives Through Christ

debtorsprisonChristmas
December 30, 2016

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 2:10-18

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
–Hebrews 2:14-18

I grow weary of competition among the nations. There are no borders in the Kingdom of God. We are called by God to want enough for every man, woman, and child in this world. I must desire a living wage not only for every citizen of the United States, but also very every citizen of Mexico, the Congo, and, yes, Russia and China. If I want peace and safety in my hometown, I want it for Chicago and Aleppo too.

Genealogy is a great equalizer. I have met a first cousin eight times removed through my research. I have not been able to verify it fully, but I believe one of my ancestors and his father came to the USA in 1759 on a prisoner ship from England. What behavior had resulted in their deportation, I wonder? Many came from debtor’s prisons, others as thieves and some for brawling. Or I could be mistaken and that family line, as other researchers believe, may be the offshoot of a nobleman whose son came to the USA on a lark in 1618. The son became landed gentry. I have a rather fanciful vision of DNA tracing us all back to the same starting point. Wouldn’t it be interesting if we all had to accept that we are all at least cousins? Isn’t that what the creation story is trying to tell us? Isn’t that the message Jesus taught?

Prayer: Lord, enable us to view your world through your eyes to see the solutions you intended since the beginning. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Siblings of Christ

brothers-and-sistersChristmas
December 29, 2016

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 2:10-18

It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, ‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’ And again, ‘I will put my trust in him.’ And again, ‘Here am I and the children whom God has given me.’ –Hebrews 2:10-13

Brothers and sisters are most likely our first best friends, our first reviles for attention, our first confidants, the first to tattle-tell on us, our first foe in a fight, the first to rescue us from a bad situation, and whether we like it or not remain our brothers and sisters forever. For those who had no brothers or sisters, cousins may have filled the bill to some degree. My sister taught me to read before I started to school. Most days when she arrived home from school, we played school. She was the teacher; I was the student. Once my brother carried me from the school bus over a very muddy driveway to the house to save my precious new shoes from getting soiled. Siblings, cousins, our brothers and sisters in Christ help us each develop wholeness in dealing with life situations as we grow and mature. They mold our identity in oneness as we face the world together and introduce us to the determination of justice whether it involves who gets the last cookie or how we otherwise problem solve.

The crux of the Christian faith is God’s relationship to Christ and through him the enfolding and emboldening of all people as children of God. The Body of Christ includes all who accept and recognize the relationship. In so doing we answer a call to spread the Good News of God’s love throughout the universe. While our task seems impossible, it is made possible through the power and love of God through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, each of your children, have a role to play in creating your world ruled by love. Write our part on our hearts and equip us to strive with our whole being to fulfill it. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Praise and Thanksgiving

give-thanks-and-praiseChristmas
December 28, 2016

Scripture Reading: Psalm 148

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
   for his name alone is exalted;
   his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
   praise for all his faithful,
   for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord! –Psalm 148:13-14

It has been a tough year. Uncertainty and unease seem to rule our lives. Such times are good times to look back over the year and consider the things for which we are thankful and the things for which we praise God.

There are of course personal thanksgivings. I was thankful this very morning for waking without congested sinuses and am probably one of the few people who praises God for the first freeze of the fall, pollen be gone. I praise God for a wonderful brother and sister and their offspring from whom I gain great happiness.

I am thankful for an inclusive community of faith where I can worship God, study, and work together with others in addressing human need locally and throughout the world as we seek to love God and love like Jesus in all aspects of life. I praise God for our recently called new Associate Minister and our Senior Minister who strives every day to bring light into the world.

I praise God for the advocates with whom I work toward social justice, for their commitment to the least of these, and for their desire to make our world a place where all have enough living in safety and peace on a sustainable earth.

For what do you praise God, for what are you thankful?

Prayer: God of Justice and Mercy, thank you for your constant presence and guidance in our quest to be the Body of Christ in the world today. And most importantly, we praise you for giving us the gift of Love, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Discernment Guided by God

eisenhowerChristmas
December 27, 2016

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 63:7-9

For he said, ‘Surely they are my people,
   children who will not deal falsely’;
and he became their savior
in all their distress.
It was no messenger or angel
   but his presence that saved them;
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
   he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. –Isaiah 63:8-9

I inherited being a news hound from both my parents who read the local newspaper every day and watched network news morning, noon, and night after we purchased a television. I do remember getting the TV; I do not remember listening to the news on the radio. I am confident my parents did. I sometimes wonder if it is worth the frustration that results in feeling helpless when taking in all the bad in the world. The news is a great source of information for intercessory prayer and does remind me that God is the only source of salvation.

We now must discern what is real news and what is fake. Such discernment is nothing new. I worked on a child abuse case in the 1970’s that resulted in the death of a child, knew the sordid details far more than I wanted. The evening news described the situation so incorrectly I did not recognize it until I heard the names. It was horrible enough in reality; there was no need to enlarge the story. Propaganda is an ancient form of warfare. At a time when media relies on profits to measure success, stories of great import land on the editors’ floor while, at least locally, we seem to thrive on car chases.

I suppose other generations have said what I will state now. There has never been a more important time for each of us to place our trust in the God of our salvation.

Prayer: Lord, guide my discernment to see the world from your eyes and target my life’s work toward your perspective. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Living Graciousness

search-meChristmas
December 26, 2016

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 63:7-9

I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,
   the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,
because of all that the Lord has done for us,
   and the great favor to the house of Israel
that he has shown them according to his mercy,
   according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
–Isaiah 63:7-9

I subscribe to a grammar checking service and am often amused at the corrections suggested for the scriptures I quote. I never insert the suggested corrections in the scriptures. I figure the NRSV team gave it their best shot. My favorite is anything written by Paul invariably receives a “too wordy” comment. I doubt he would have appreciated that. I must confess when I look up specific word meanings from Hebrew and Greek scriptures in Strong’s Concordance; I am amazed at and thankful for the skills of the translators making the transition from one language to another lucid. I possess neither the patience nor the detail orientation much less the language skills necessary to translate.

The Bible recount(s) the gracious deeds of the Lord. It is the substance and context of the scriptures that matters. It is important for we students of God to review and remember these historic acts of God. We also must not lose sight of the continuing nature of God’s working in and through us. We are called to continue the recording of the gracious deeds of the Lord through our lives. Like the grammar checker, we need to check our deeds routinely. Do they reflect the gracious nature of our Lord?

Prayer: God of Grace, we live in a world where our every action can create a reaction. We are part of houses divided on everything from faith to freedom to love. Make your plumb line* clear to us as we strive to be your gracious followers. Amen.

*See an illustration of God’s plumb line in Amos 7.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Fear Not, We have a Savior

fear-notChristmas
December 25, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’ –Luke 2:8-14

The Greek word translated as fear in this scripture is phobeó that means to put to flight, to terrify, frighten*. It is the root word for the English phobia that means an exaggerated and often disabling fear usually inexplicable to the subject, occasionally having a logical but usually an illogical or symbolic object, class of objects, or situation**. Fear is a normal emotional response to a potential threat. Fear prepares our whole being for making proper responses to that which might harm us. The word phobia is descriptive of miss-channeled responses to fear by overreacting in a way that might be more harmful to us than the original threat. I know about phobias. I suffer from an illogical fear of tight places called claustrophobia. I trace it to being caught under our house when I was a child. I can talk myself out of it, but I still experience that first feeling of lack of control in some situations. I rejoiced when someone invented the open sided MRI.

There is a lot of fear going around right now. We must choose whether our response is logical or illogical, targeted toward peace on earth in all its facets or not. Today we celebrate God with Us. Today we rest in the assurance that we need now cower in illogical fear. Our Savior has come and is with us today. He calls us to use our fears to bring about peace on earth through love. More importantly, he offers his constant presence with us to help when we feel that first inkling of lack of control. God is in control.

Prayer: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’ Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/greek/5399.htm
**http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/phobia

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

God is Always With Us

eternal-love-of-god-larry-bishopAdvent
December 24, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7

I wonder how many times I have read or heard this scripture. When does it sink in that God came to dwell among us, experience humanness, and eventually provide atonement, making us at-one with God? Has the story become just another childhood tale bringing feel-good sentimentality? Has it fallen in line with remembrances of Mom’s applesauce cake or hanging our favorite ornament or singing Silent Night to the neighborhood with friends? These are all good things, wonderful memories of childhood carried forwarded for the next generation.

God has always been with us, but apparently, God came to the realization that we sometimes lose track of that truth. So, God came to dwell among us in the personage of Jesus, the greatest act of love ever recorded. On this Christmas Eve, we may be a part of a picture-perfect experience engulfed in all the love we can handle or we may be with no one shivering in the cold seeking warmth from the heat of a grate on the sidewalk. No matter where we are, God is with us, has always been with us, and will always be with us. Thanks, be to God.

Prayer: Lord, let the warmth of your love infuse our beings wherever you find us today. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Active and Engaged Disciples

emmanuelAdvent
December 23, 2016

Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Active and engaged in living describes the vision Christ brought to us. He remains integrally involved training, redeeming, purifying, and making us zealous for good deeds. His work is as ongoing as ours is. We still have so much to learn. When calamity throws us to the ground, we continue to require Christ’s forbearance repeatedly to dust ourselves off and get back up to finish our journey. We occasionally find ourselves mired in the ways of the world needing Christ’s cleansing love to make us whole again. And there remain more good deeds calling us than we will ever be able to do without the synergy of God’s love in Christ and the fellowship of the Body of Christ in the world today.

We serve a risen Savior, and during Advent, we recall the time before his coming preparing to celebrate his arrival, God with Us. Let today be a day of thanksgiving for redemption draws nigh*.

Prayer: Lord, in the busyness of this season, let us not lose sight of the significance of your coming to us in human form, an innocent baby, Savior of the World. Amen.

*Derived from Luke 21:28

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

 

Bringing Salvation to All

cropped-stereotypes12Advent
December 22, 2016

Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Impiety = properly, a lack of respect, showing itself in bold irreverence – i.e. refusing to give honor where honor is due. *

Jesus came to bring salvation for all, not just a chosen few. He asked, commanded, us to make that our mission for life. Each time we show a lack of respect for anyone, we show a lack of respect for Jesus. Jesus did not send us forth to force anyone to do anything. We are called to tell his story and to let our lives be a living testimony to his love as we live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.

It is easy to say; I love everyone; it is much harder to live it. Nowhere in the Bible does it say, hate the sin, love the sinner. We are called to respect each person as he or she presents themselves to us. The genuine nature of our response to someone is the primary introduction to positive communication. The Bible illustrates this in its reporting of all of Jesus’ interchanges with the vast array of people he encountered along the way.

As we examine ourselves this Advent season, let us be aware of our internal response to others we encounter. If our first reaction is negative, pray about it. Seek understanding regarding what in our lives caused such a response. Let us give the negativity to God and ask God to clear our being of preconceived notions that hamper communion with others.

Prayer: Lord, grant me a better understanding of my prejudices and free me from their stranglehold. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/greek/763.htm

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.