Monthly Archives: August 2014

Violence and Love

Living in the Spirit
August 11, 2014 

Scripture Reading: Genesis 45:1-15 

Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come closer to me.’ And they came closer. He said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. —Genesis 45:4-5

My Sunday school class decided to study the book of 1 Kings this spring. Some felt they did not know much about this section of the Bible. Actually most of us did not know much about it. I am pretty sure now that some wished they hadn’t learned as much as we have. The history of the Kings of Israel following David’s death is pretty gory and cutthroat.

This has, however, been one of the best studies we have done that really forced us to grapple with the nature of God. Does God inflict evil to punish people for their sins? What about the innocents who get caught in the crossfire?  What is the source of evil? How come the “good” kings that are doing God’s will are just as violent or more so then the “bad” kings who did not follow God’s will? Actually using these rather barbaric stories by modern standards provide excellent fodder for dealing with such issues that occur in our world every day albeit usually at a less extreme level.

In our story today, Joseph has interpreted his brother’s selling him into slavery as a good thing. He says the result was that God sent Joseph ahead to preserve life, not only the lives of his family but the lives of many people throughout that area impacted by the famine. One thing my class pretty much agreed on in our study of Kings was that God works God’s purpose out in whatever muck we may throw at God.

So where does that leave us? There are a lot of really evil things that happen in our world every day. We as followers of Jesus Christ have chosen a path for life that is paved with love. God is working toward a world ruled by that love. We are called to work beside God and with God to the end that love will overcome evil. It actually already has in the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer: God who is Love, we don’t understand the violence of the Israelite kingdoms some three thousand years ago any better than we understand the violence in our world today. We do know that your desire is that we live love in all that we do. We do know that we can only do that through your amazing grace. Strengthen us for the tasks you set before us. 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.

Confidence

Living in the Spirit
                               August 10, 2014Jesus walking on water

 Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:22-33 

Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’ — Matthew 14:28-33

At first, the disciples thought they were seeing things. Peter in all of his bravado challenges the apparition, “Prove yourself!” and Jesus did. Even then Peter’s fear got the better of him.

 

When listening to sportscasters talking about rookies, they will often say, “He is an amazing athlete, has a great work ethic, but lacks the confidence to trust himself to use his talents and his training.” Peter lacked the confidence to take the winning shot and thus he passed the ball back to Jesus. The problem with that is there might not be enough seconds left in the game for the star to take the shot.

 

Jesus was preparing his disciples for life after his death. They needed to be able to sail through wind and waves, if the good news he was asking them to spread to the ends of the earth reached its destination. He was transitioning them from being dependent on his physical presence and preparing them for the coming of the Holy Spirit as their guide, comforter, and advocate.

 

We now live in the age of this Advocate as we face the winds and waves of the world beating against the way that Jesus taught and lived. Our confidence rest in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ as manifested in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is saying “I’ve got your back, take the shot.”

Prayer: Holy Spirit breathe on me
Till I am all Thine own
Until my will is lost in Thine
To live for Thee alone.* Amen.

From Hymn: Holy Spirit breathe on me by Edwin Hatch and B.B. McKinney
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.

Go Up the Mountain

Living in the Spirit
August 9, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:22-33 

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ — Matthew 14:22-27

It surely feels like we are in a boat that is about to capsize. The waves of war are beating against us as strife increases in Syria and Iraq, in Israel and Gaza, and in Ukraine and Russia.  The winds of crime blow across our own country with what seems like ever increasing senselessness. Our crime is also impacted by the drug cartels from Mexico and Central America. And in all these plays on power and greed, it is the children who suffer. In times like these, Jesus had to go up the mountain by himself to pray. He sets a good example for us as he apparently did for Abraham Lincoln who said:

I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.  

We do serve a risen Savior He’s in the world today.* We need to lock onto that reality and into the word “serve”. If we go up the mountain and pray or in the backyard or in a quiet park, we too will find the guidance we need to deal with both the waves and the winds of life.

Prayer: Lord, we do not know even how to pray about the problems across our world, the needs of people caught in the crossfires of human thirst for power and money. We are especially concerned for the innocents being forever damaged if not killed. Open our hearts and minds to see more clearly what we are doing that may be contributing to the strife. Guide us in our actions and attitudes. Make us a blessing to the nations. Amen.

*From Hymn: He Lives by Alfred H. Ackley
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.

 

Share the Good News

Living in the Spirit
August 8, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Romans 10:5-15 

But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ — Romans 10:14-15 

I do not know how many conversations I have had in recent months when someone says something about not being able to get around like they once did and my response is to ask if they have tried yoga. I share the good news that regular use of yoga has made me much more flexible, that the right kind of movement is one of the best things anyone can do for osteoarthritis, and that I am living proof of both. Regarding yoga, I don’t think I press the point too much, but I usually increase their interest. Now, if you get me started on tracing my family tree and encouraging others to do the same, the occasional response is that glassy-eyed look from someone trying to change the subject.

There is a time and place for discussions about what being in relationship with God through Jesus Christ has meant to us. If we know the greatest story ever told, why don’t we tell it? Most of those of us over 50, at least here in the Bible-belt, have been corned at one time or another by an oppressive zealot asking if we have been saved etc. I think in the backs of our minds we do not want to be like them so we don’t say anything at all.

Those of us who are called “cradle Christians” because we were raised in a Christian home and have known no other way of being may take for granted that everyone had the same experience. I learned on my first sleepover with a friend when I was about six that everybody didn’t follow the same routines as my family. My father loved to play the guitar and sing and almost every evening after we children had gone to bed he would sing. On that first sleepover, after lying in bed with my friend for a while, I finally asked her when was her dad going to sing, and she thought I was crazy. There are many young people in the world today who have little knowledge of the Christian faith because they never heard it at home.

Paul challenges us in this scripture today to realize that we cannot take for granted that everyone knows about the Good News of Christ Jesus. We are the ones to share it.

Prayer: O Lord, make me a blessing to someone today and please save me from boring them in the process. 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.

Saved for What?

Living in the Spirit
August 7, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Romans 10:5-15

 Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that ‘the person who does these things will live by them.’ …because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ — Romans 10:5, 9-13

I am thankful for people like N. T. Wright* who help me understand where I have landed when I jump right into the middle of a scripture that deals with issues of the first century. Particularly how those issues relate to the history of God recorded in the Hebrew Bible to which Paul often turns as he does in this scripture today. This background is crucial to our understanding, but since my purpose in writing these daily devotions is to draw attention to wholeness, oneness, and justice, I ask your indulgence, if I head immediately in toward those subjects and recommend further study regarding the wealth of learning that can be excised from this scripture as you will find in the citation below regarding The New Interpreter’s Bible.

The word “saved” translated from the Greek may have a different connotation than our use of the word today would suggest.  Merriam-Webster Dictionary suggests “hoarded” as a synonym for the word “saved”.  Somehow, “hoarded” does not seem remotely connected with Jesus’ intentions, although it may be the way we sometimes live out our faith. I am reminded of the parable of the rich fool who built bigger barns to store his abundance. (Luke 12:13-21) The Greek suggest that saved has the connotation to deliver out of danger and into safety; used principally of God rescuing believers from the penalty and power of sin – and into His provisions (safety).**

If God is not a hoarder, than surely God has some purpose in delivering us out of danger and rescuing us from the power of sin. Our primary purpose is to love God and to love one another to the extent that we become one together in a just world. We have been saved to make that happen.

Prayer: Give me the courage and the wisdom in joining with each of your other servants in loving myself and each of your other children into wholeness, oneness, and justice. Amen.

*The New Interpreter’s Bible in Twelve Volumes, Volume X, The Letter to the Romans, Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections by N. T. Wright. Abingdon Press, 2002.
**From Strong’s Concordance at http://biblehub.com/greek/4982.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.

Sent Ahead

Living in the Spirit
August 6, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b Death from The weavers revolt

When he summoned famine against the land,
and broke every staff of bread,
he had sent a man ahead of them,
Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 

The king sent and released him;
the ruler of the peoples set him free.
He made him lord of his house,and ruler of all his possessions,
to instruct his officials at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom. — Psalm105:16-17, 20-22

The picture by Kathe Kollwitz, Death, from the series The Weavers’ Revolt illustrates the hopelessness of famine. In a hovel of a room, a woman stands before her child with an empty bowl between them. Death in the form of a skeleton wraps one arm around the child while the other hand rest on the father slumped in death.

In our scripture today the Psalmist recognizes the trait of God that turns evil into good. In this instance the evil was Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery. The good was turning Joseph into a well-placed leader who foresaw the calamity coming and stored up food for the time of famine. It has been debated for years whether God punishes people via natural or even man-made disasters. I guess I rationalize the answer. I do believe we have to face the consequences of our own actions. I don’t believe that God ever wants any of God’s people to starve. I do believe we as followers of Christ are called to feed the hungry and otherwise address the needs of all of God’s children throughout the world.

Famine has been a challenge throughout history. Even today scientist work to develop food that can be used to nourish the starving in some parts of our world as we still try to fight for the precious lives of children and their parents. Perhaps we are the contemporary Joseph’s, the ones who have been sent ahead to prepare for such disasters.

Prayer: Give us the wisdom to not only feed the hungry but to also help them become self-sustaining. 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 Abundantly

Living in the Spirit
August 5, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 

Then Judah said to his brothers, ‘What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.’ And his brothers agreed. When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. — Genesis 37:26-28

The first murder reported in the Bible is brother killing brother, Cain killing Abel. Animosity, jealousy, and, in the case of Joseph the favoritism of a parent, leads to totally dysfunctional behavior. God in God’s wisdom, however, commanded us to love and love only exists in relationship with God or with others. Love is as necessary as food or water. When we continually substitute lesser things for love our response is always dysfunctional. Love God and live. Jesus said in John 10:10b, I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

 I don’t think 20 pieces of silver equaled abundance for Joseph’s brothers. I’m sure they realized that over the next several years starting with facing their father’s immediate grief. But what is meant by having life abundantly? The translators might have used any one of three other words to describe the type of life Jesus wishes for all: fully, amply, and plentifully. Fully could be understood to mean enough, but the other three words imply a sense of more than enough.

I have had the privilege of working on various justice issues with a wise retired couple, Mennonites, who when buying something for themselves, buy the same thing for someone else. If they get a new TV they buy two alike and give the other away. If they get new clothing, they do the same. They live abundantly. Such a practice would serve two purposes for me. It would make me consider how much I really needed those big ticket items and it would help me develop a more generous spirit.  I am not there yet, but I’m working on it.

I fear, in a world that emphasizes a prosperity gospel the meaning of abundantly turns us inward, toward self-satisfaction rather than outwardly toward building the Kingdom of God where all live abundantly as my friends are doing.

Prayer: Forgive me when I place things above you. Help me to order my life so that I love as you love. 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.

Whistleblowers and Tattle Tells

Living in the Spirit
August 4, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

 Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. This is the story of the family of Jacob. 

Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves.* But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. — Genesis 37:1-4

Thou shalt not tattle is one of the most sacred of childhood’s codes. Chronic tattle tellers are shunned and sometimes banned from the play group. I suppose the same could be said for what we adults call whistleblowers. Usually associated with the work place, both private sector and governmental, these are the people who report what they perceive to be less than acceptable work, or lack thereof, occurring on the job. Part of the problem is discerning whether the tattler or whistleblower is truly concerned about what has transpired or if they are trying to raise their own status at the expense of others. My hunch with Joseph is that his motivation was a little of both. As one of the younger brother, he was already envisioning himself as an equal to his father and thus saw the need for work to be productive. He had visions of ruling his brothers. At seventeen and younger, he did not have the good sense to not flaunt his superior talents and skills.  He soon got a lesson in humility in an empty cistern.

If nothing else the story of Joseph is a story of redemption. We could all take sides as to who was right and who was wrong in this situation. Rueben obviously knew what the brothers were doing was wrong. He even tried to intervene but failed. How many times have we wished we had stopped something or started something and did not? And when the dust has settled, how often would things had been better if we had implemented our wishes?

I personally have prayed many times, “God guard my tongue”. Those are usually times when what I wanted to say was more a shot back at something rather than addressing a problem. Shots back usually cause more problems, I have discovered. However, as far as regrets go, I have had deeper senses of failure when I have not spoken. It takes courage to tattle or to whistle blow when one’s motivation is spot on right and one knows it to the depths of that still small voice of God whispering in his or her ear. I still need to pray for God to guard my tongue. I also need to pray for God to loosen it when it is God’s will that I speak.

Prayer: Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:3) but help me also remember when you said if these were silent, the stones would shout out. (Luke 19:40) Give me the courage to speak out in your service. (Luke 19:40) 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.

Everyone Deserves to be Fed

Living in the Spirit
August 3, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:13-21 

When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. — Matthew 14:15-20

Ever been asked to do the impossible? How about being told to feed 5000 men plus women and children and you haven’t even been to the grocery store this week? This is what Jesus expected of the disciples, You feed them. I have heard sermons of every type preached on explaining this scripture.  One in particular is that when the two loaves and fishes were located everyone in the crowd started showing that they had food too. When all was shared there were even leftovers. I agree, that is a good lesson and certainly fits the message of Jesus, but I rather prefer not to waste time trying to figure out the unexplainable. Delving deeper into the truth of the story is more meaningful to me.

So what are the truths in this story:

  • Jesus had a need for time to be alone with God. Those precious moments are probably the primary reason he could be totally present with the crowds that followed him. Here he sets a good example for us.
  • Everyone deserves to be fed. I believe that includes social, mental, physical, and spiritual nurturing. Feeding the hungry is a primary function of the Body of Christ.
  • We might be surprised at the resources we have at hand to help us deal with any situation, if we allow God to open our eyes to them. The story of feeding the 5000 is similar to the story in 2 Kings when Elijah enables a widow to pay her mortgage by asking her neighbors to loan her as many vessels has they could to hold oil.  When the pots and pans were gathered they contained enough oil to sell and raise the money need to save her home. Most of us have some pots and pans.
  • Communing with God fills us up and makes us whole. When we are whole, we have the abundant resources to make other whole.

Prayer: Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven, Feed me till I want no more; Feed me till I want no more.* Amen.

*From Guide, me O Thou Great Jehovah by William Williams

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.

Curing the Sick

Living in the Spirit
August 2, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:13-21 

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. —Matthew 14:13-14

Because we get so caught up in the story in our scripture today regarding the feeding the masses, we may miss this excerpt about curing the sick. Jesus was a healer. While most of us could recite a list of nuisance health related complaints from sinusitis to headaches to backaches and some are dealing with more serious life impacting and limiting illnesses, we often overlook the healing of our souls. It is interesting that even science is more and more linking our physical ailments to both our mental and spiritual health. I just read in the paper yesterday that people who give of themselves live longer, more productive lives. Perhaps this whole scripture is about healing.

Yesterday, the news showed a woman protesting the care of Central American children at the Fort Sill Army Base. She did not want her tax dollars wasted in such a manner. Some in our Congressional delegations are fearful that the continued use of Fort Sill as an interim place to house these refugees might lessen its ability to train soldiers. It is my understanding the facility was selected because the dorms being used were vacant. The Oklahoma Governor is demanding that the federal government keep its projection of only using the facility for 120 days. I wondered, if our political leaders have thought what might happen to Fort Sill, if we really stopped fighting wars. The dorms are empty for a reason. Could we actually be nearing a point when we will be beating our weapons into plowshares? What would the closure of such facilities do to the economy of our state? And what better use of these facilities could we make than protecting children from the ravages of the world?

People of faith have been ministering to refugees all over the world for years. Many of the countries surrounding the fleeing people have limited resources themselves. I take great satisfaction in knowing that my country, using my tax dollars, are providing the basics of life: food, clothing, shelter, and medical care for these children and youth. People of faith are also there for them, but so is our country. People of faith are still in harm’s way in the homelands of these children working to make their country safer and more self-sustaining but in the meantime we can at the very least see that these children survive.

Prayer: Heal our souls, so fill us with your love that we cannot help but love our neighbor. 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.