Monthly Archives: June 2015

What’s in a Symbol?

jesus-love-crossLiving in the Spirit
June 30, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years…. David occupied the stronghold, and named it the city of David. David built the city all around from the Millo inwards. And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him. –2 Samuel 5:4-5, 9-10

What is in a name or a symbol for that matter? The Star of David is an instant sign of his impact on the world. Years ago my parents visited me just after I had purchased the book, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. It was a large book and was still dressed in its dust cover where it stood prominently in one of my bookcases along with several other books of history including a couple of sets of books on the Civil War and Allan W. Eckert’s massive work The Winning of America Series describing the conflicts between new settlers and indigenous peoples. I am not an historian but I enjoy history and do believe it is important to understand it in our attempts not to repeat it.

The dust cover had a very big swastika on the back. My mother said, “I would not have that book in my house.” I explained it was a critical analysis of the rise of Hitler and she accepted that but insisted everyone who saw the swastika might not be aware of the content of the book. I removed the dust cover, relegated it to the trash, and returned the book with its plain spine to the shelf. Hitler was only interesting history to me to my mother and father, he was pure evil.

The flying of the Confederate flag and the use of derogatory symbols and names related to Indians have been in the news recently. Such symbols do need to be retained in museums so that we never forget the events they represent and we learn from any mistakes made. Symbols from our pasts incorporated in our daily lives need to remind us of the good we can glean from our history like the Cross of Jesus’ Love.

Prayer: Lord, help us let go of any foolish tensions that divide us and hold on to those things that make us better for loving you and loving one another. 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.

Productive Participation

Samuel anointing David King of IsraelLiving in the Spirit
June 29, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, ‘Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.’ So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.
–2 Samuel 5:1-3

Laurence J. Peter author of the book, The Peter Principle, is also the source of the quote, lead, follow, or get out of the way. I have found that to be good advice over the years, although I have sometimes found it hard to practice. In its purest form, it probably does go too far for often quality change comes at the edges or fringes of practice. I have always, however, believed there are as many ways to do something as there are people doing it and, therefore, if the only issue at hand is the practical stages of implementation then the advice has relevance. We all need to be mindful of this as leadership changes occur in our lives.

Our scripture today is remarkably free of the chirping of “we have never done it this way before” or the other side, everything Saul ever did was bad. Saul is given credit for what he did do and David is recognized as the leader for what will be done. Leadership changes are rarely that clean. My guess is that David set the tone for this description.

I have found it meaningful to listen to what I just called chirping because while it might not be pertinent to progress, it most likely is a measure of the feelings, fears, and dreams of the group’s membership. Those feelings, fears, and dreams are the stuff of positive or negative participation.

Change in leadership is a routine part of life in the Body of Christ. We as members of the Body need to take stock of our own feelings, fears, and dreams at such times and with God’s help turn them into productive participation.

Prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. –St. Francis of Assisi.

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 by Faith

Yoke6Living in the Spirit
June 28, 2015

Scripture Reading: Mark 5:21-43

Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. –Mark 5:25-29

It seems we humans are pretty good at living by faith when there is nothing else left to live by. The old saying holds true; there are no atheists in foxholes. The harder course is living by faith when we put a lot of stock in our own skills. Created in the image of God, we were born with brains and hearts, muscles and senses to use. Called by Christ to be his Body in the world today, we are partners in his kingdom building. Instilled by the Holy Spirit, every action we take comes under the guidance of God’s love. I do not believe faith and works are contradictory but complementary. Jesus said:

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matthew 11:28-30)

The woman in our scripture today was on a twelve-year quest to be made whole. She was apparently open to trying new things. I love the phrase: She had heard about Jesus. How many people in our world today are longing for wholeness and either have not heard about Jesus, or at least not about his love. Who will tell them about Jesus? Who, in living his love, will expel the negative images of God, people may have experienced? We are the ones called to love like Jesus and when we head out the door to spread the good news we had better put on Jesus’ yoke because we will need it.

Prayer: Holy one hone me as you will use me to spread the good news to anyone who needs to hear 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.

Jesus, the Healer

the-raising-of-jairus-daughter-english-schoolLiving in the Spirit
June 27, 2015

Scripture Reading: Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.’ So he went with him. –Mark 5:21-24

Is the availability of accessible, affordable, and appropriate health care a right or a privilege? This is a very complicated question. Medical professionals deal with it on a daily bases as they make difficult, ethical decisions regarding the efficacy of health care and its cost. In Oklahoma state sponsored mental health care is rationed with the more critical cases getting highest priority. By not treating early onset conditions, either physical or mental, we are mostly likely contributing to conditions becoming worse requiring more costly interventions later. While there are some medical procedures that might be deemed unnecessary for the wellbeing of people, such as purely cosmetic surgery on a normally healthy and attractive person, I believe that basic health care is a right and thus falls under the definition of the common good for which governments have some responsibility.

The assurance of the provision of health care is more than charity or even compassion for I believe people are our most valuable resource. Created in the image of God, all people have been endowed with talents and skills necessary to make our society function as God envisions it. When we as a society fail to enable each person’s full potential, we are negatively impacting the full fruition of God’s kingdom.

The reports of Jesus’ ministry found in the gospels illustrate the level of importance he gave health care. Our scripture today tells of his healing both a small child, who would not have been considered of much value at that time, and an unclean woman, who sought his healing in the anonymity of touching the hem of his garment. His care and concern for the least of the people is surely a plumb line for our care of each other.

Prayer: O Great Physician, let your healing powers surge through us as we work toward all your children’s wholeness. 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.

Justice for All

WR-Enough-for-All-2007-BannerLiving in the Spirit
June 26, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15

I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written,
‘The one who had much did not have too much,
   and the one who had little did not have too little.’ –2 Corinthians 2:13-15

Paul refers to the story of manna from heaven provided for the Israelites as they wondered in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. (Exodus 16:18) As you will recall in the story God provided enough food for the day but no more, except there was enough food to carry through the Sabbath so that all could observe it and rest.

I have read about bills being written, some passed, in various states throughout the nation, defining and controlling how people who receive public assistance can spend the cash they receive and requiring the passage of drug tests as an eligibility requirement. There is an assumption that no one receiving public assistance or food stamps is capable of handling their own money and that they all must be drug users, I guess. It seems to me we have to denigrate the poor to justify reducing expenditures for welfare. The irony is putting systems in place to police the use of these funds or do drug testing would cost more than the money saved. The data show that only a very small percentage of public assistance recipients ever test positive for drug use*. And I would challenge anyone to try to just survive for one month on food stamps and public assistance. I doubt most could make their utility bill payments.

All this chatter is a ruse to avoid the real issues. If everyone were paid a living wage, the number of food stamps recipients under the age of 65 could easily drop by at least half making a major dent in the cost of government. We do not want to struggle with the messiness of reworking the tax code to help small businesses pay a living wage and to make others pay their fair share of the cost of doing business. Food stamps, child care assistance, and Medicaid are primarily wage supplements for businesses.

Paul is not saying we are to encourage dependence. He is saying we need to foster independence through assuring justice for all.

Prayer: Lord forgive us for shaming the working poor in our country. Help us fine the way to assure that The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little. Amen.

*http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/02/26/3624447/tanf-drug-testing-states/

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.

 

Eager Finishers

finish-what-youve-started-titleLiving in the Spirit
June 25, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15

For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. –2 Corinthians 8:9-12

I am a good starter but once things are running well I am ready to move on to something else. I have learned to accept this as part of my personality. Thanks to Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®), I discovered that I am described as a builder. I need to always work with those wonderfully dedicated souls who like to maintain. Paul had apparently encountered some of my type in Corinth. They apparently had a great idea, initiated it, but did not finish. It appears related to providing care for the poor. It sounds like the Corinthians had experienced an economic downturn and had struck their great idea from the agenda. He is essentially telling them to rework their budget accordingly, but not to give up on that for which they were most eager.

Building the Kingdom of God is a major project where we often take one step forward and two steps back before we experience breakthroughs edging us a little closer to what Jesus envisions.  The events of recent days are proof only that we are still not finished. Whether it is refugees streaming from Syria or Africa, innocent people shot in a church, homes destroyed by nature, or intrinsic bigotry, we must gather the resources that we have continuing our journey toward the final rule of Love.

Prayer: Persistent Lover, foster your eagerness in all of us both builders and maintainers toward your vision of Shalom. 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.

The Synergy of Love

gods-love-cs-lewis-550x320Living in the Spirit
June 24, 2015

Scripture Reading: Psalm 130

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
   and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
   more than those who watch for the morning,
   more than those who watch for the morning. –Psalm 130:5-6

The families of the victims of the recent mass killing were apparently well practiced in waiting for the Lord for at the accused killer’s bond hearing several of them spoke, for example: “I will never be able to hold her again, but I forgive you,” a daughter of Ethel Lance said. “And have mercy on your soul. You hurt me. You hurt a lot of people but God forgives you, and I forgive you.”* Such an immediate response could have only come from much time committed in being in communion with God. It illustrates well the presence of the grace of God in Mrs. Lance’s life and that of her daughter. What a wonderful testimony to honor a mother!

It is extremely challenging to develop the practice of waiting on the Lord letting God guide and direct us as we respond to the issues of daily life. It is, however, a habit of the heart worth pursuing. Paul uses the example of athletes. In order to play a game, run a race, or perform a gymnastic routine, one has to be in really good shape, which comes from daily routines of practice. The patterns of their sport are so encoded in their brains that their reactions are automatic.

We live in a world where hitting back, road rage reactions, bullying, and put downs seem to be what is encoded in our brains. It is these little habits of discord that lead to general societal dysfunction. Evil can create synergy where the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. Christ calls us to build our lives around God’s love reflected in our love. The whole world will benefit from loves synergy.

Prayer: Lord, help us develop as spiritual athletes, exercising our loving until it is our well-honed automatic response to everything. Amen.

 *http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/charleston-church-shooting-main/
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.

 

Love One Another

love-one-anotherLiving in the Spirit
June 23, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27

How the mighty have fallen
   in the midst of the battle!  

Jonathan lies slain upon your high places.
   I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
greatly beloved were you to me;
   your love to me was wonderful,
   passing the love of women. –2 Samuel 25-26

It has happened again, another mass murder. This time in a beloved church. This time at a Bible study. Nine people were killed all precious in the sight of God and certainly to their loved ones. The Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, the Senior Minister at the church, was one of the victims. He was also a state senator and a valued leader for such a time as this.

Jonathan was a valued person to David. Jonathan was the natural person to follow his father Saul to become king, but unlike his father, Jonathan apparently saw and supported the potential in David as king. Caught between two beloved people, he protected David and served his father to his death,  too. He indeed was a much loved brother by choice not by chance and son.

What have we done to our children that they feel the need to kill senselessly? And yes I do think society needs to own this problem, not just the family, not just the community. We say one thing and live another. We ignore burgeoning mental health issues, rationing services. I do not know about South Carolina where this mass murder took place, but in Oklahoma only 25% of the needed mental health professionals are available and most people could not afford the services, if they existed. And we worship at the foot of exceptionalism while proclaiming all people were created in God’s image.

We serve a risen Savior who is in the world today and who 2000 years ago gave us the solution to our society’s shortcomings today. He called us to love one another.

Prayer: God forgive us for our separation from you that causes us to live outside your love. Make us whole. Make us one. 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.

Respect

david_griefLiving in the Spirit
June 22, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27

David intoned this lamentation over Saul and his son Jonathan. (He ordered that The Song of the Bow be taught to the people of Judah; it is written in the Book of Jashar.) He said:
Your glory, O Israel, lies slain upon your high places!
   How the mighty have fallen!
Tell it not in Gath,
   proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon;
or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice,
   the daughters of the uncircumcised will exult. –2 Samuel 17-20

David never lost his respect for his nemesis Saul, who had once valued David for the skills in which he excelled, but turned violently against him when Saul felt threat to his own power and status, when the people seemed to prefer David to Saul. At Saul’s death on the battlefield, David mourned even as he assumed the role of King.

We live today in communities of faith that are divided within and among each other. We have differing interpretations of what it means to be followers of Jesus Christ and in some instances it seems those differences are more important to us than Jesus Christ himself who called us to be one. There are no winner and losers in the Kingdom of God. We would do well to follow the example of David in his treatment of Saul.

Paul spent most of his ministry sorting out differences of opinions between Jewish Christians and gentile Christians, much of it related to cultural differences and much of it related to whether the gentiles were required to follow Jewish laws. Paul was able to move the development of the church forward by his total and absolute commitment to putting Christ crucified first. Everything else fell into place when he started with this perspective. This is a good role model for all of us to follow.

Prayer: Lord, help us to turn our eyes upon you, look full in your wonderful face, so that the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of your glory and grace.* Amen.

*Adapted from the chorus of Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Helen H. Lemmel. See at http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Turn_Your_Eyes_upon_Jesus/

 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.

 

Oppression’s Anonym

Not oppressedLiving in the Spirit
June 21, 2015

Scripture Reading: Mark 4:35-41

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ –Mark 4:38-41

What are some anonyms for the word oppressed? The unabridged dictionary doesn’t list any. It seems to me that most of the problems among the peoples of God is a lack of understanding regarding what it means not to be oppressed. While some have lived in oppression for generations and know that way of being as their norm, most of us are fairly quick to recognize when we are being set apart for mistreatment and most of us are just as quick to react to it.

It is very difficult for people who have been in prison for years to adapt to freedom. Many return to a life of crime because that was what they knew before prison and they do not know how to be free. Restorative justice works to assist such prisoners in realizing their full potential in positive pursuits.

What about those of us who have lived in relative abundance for generations? Does freedom from oppression mean living our lives in laissez faire, a policy or attitude of letting things take their own course? If it feels good do it. The history of the Israelites indicate that was exactly what they envisioned. Such an attitude kept them on the roller coaster of feast and famine until they lost everything and were overcome by their own failure to take care of business. The resulting greed and misuse of power is what leads to oppression. The abundant life of which Jesus spoke was meant for all. Why are we afraid to live in such abundance when we serve a God who loves and takes care of all of us?

It seems to me, a large part of Jesus’ ministry was dedicated to defining the anonym of oppression as being freed to choose to love ourselves and one another and to take responsibility for ourselves and one another. If there is anyone in the world oppressed God is still working to end the oppression and expects us to be working toward that same end.

Prayer: Lord, heal our fears of not being whole if everyone else is also whole. 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.