Monthly Archives: June 2015

“Do you not care?”

Under his wingsLiving in the Spirit
June 20, 2015

Scripture Reading: Mark 4:35-41

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 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?’ –Mark 35-38

My mother was a notorious back seat drivers. It never seemed to bother my Dad. He was a good driver. Didn’t need the help. I think he rather found it attractive. Her children did not.

Mom had received a call from her sister saying her mother, my grandmother, had suffered a massive stroke and they did not know if she would survive. My dad was sick, at the time also, and could not take Mom. She called me and I drove her to Arkansas and her mother. While there, my grandmother stabilized, but we received word that my father was sicker. So with a weather forecast predicting ice, we hurriedly packed and headed home hoping the beat the freezing hazard. There were virtually no other cars on the road, and that was lucky for me. The drizzle was getting heavier and when I braked to stop at a light in Sapulpa, I did not stop, sliding completely through the intersection. The drizzle had turned to ice. An amazing thing happened on that treacherous sixty or so miles further on the journey home, my mother never once called out a panicked instruction. I am sure she was praying with all her might, but I think she knew intuitively that her calm would rub off on me. A mile or so before reaching Drumright, I topped the hill on what was then Highway 33, lost control of the car and plowed deep into the ditch burying my front axle. I swear it wasn’t two minutes later when a man knocked on my window, said he was in a winch truck, and thought he could pull me out and he did. He followed me to a service station as the ice turned to snow and the road became straighter. I have always identified that man as an angel. We made it home safely.

The answer is yes, Jesus does care about our perishing, all aspects of our lives actually, and no matter the outcome of the journey, even if we do not make it home safely, I have the confidence that He is with me all the way. I hope you feel that too.

Prayer: Lord I thank you for your abiding presence. 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.

 

Help Wanted

quote-costly-grace-is-the-treasure-hidden-in-the-field-for-the-sake-of-it-a-man-will-gladly-go-and-sell-dietrich-bonhoeffer-212186Living in the Spirit
June 19, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. – 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Help wanted: We are looking for a few select people who possess purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God which at all times manifests itself in righteousness.  Persons applying must possess great endurance as the job may entail afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger. All interested applicants please contact your local church.

I laugh sometimes when I hear the TV advertisements for drugs. They usually illustrate the ads with idyllic scenes of attractive, healthy people enjoying life at its fullness as the voice over disclosures sound out a horrifying list of side effects often ending in the possibility of death. Perhaps the pharmaceutical companies used Paul’s letter to the Corinthians as their template. If Paul is using his personal experience as encouragement to sign up for the life of Christ, it might give some reason for pause.

The real question in any task we undertake comes down to: Is the end result worth the investment of our time, energy, hardships, and even death? Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven is worth everything and gave his life in pursuit of realizing the Kingdom.  So did Paul.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:44-45)

Prayer: Lord, we long for your kingdom of justice and love. Equip us for the journey as we work toward its fulfillment. 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.

 

Acceptable Times

procrastination-7Living in the Spirit
June 18, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,
‘At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
   and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! –2 Corinthians 6:1-2

I stepped on the scales this morning as I do every morning and was dismayed at what I saw. You see I had a crazy day of eating yesterday. Very busy all day I was part of a team serving a big reception with mountains of food. I did not have time to really stop and eat, and although the reception had healthy food, I knocked my whole system out of whack with too much sugar, no doubt too many calories, and not enough water. It will take a few days for my body to return to normal. I have a bad habit though of letting such a one day indulgence turn into license to drift into routine bad habits. Now, however, is the acceptable time, not tomorrow or next week, for me to return to a healthy routine for living.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul is applying this same phenomenon to our spiritual lives. There are many things that distract us from practicing our spiritual disciplines of prayer, study, worship, service, meditation, or whatever is best suited for our own spiritual growth and development. The reception I attended followed a wonderful spiritual experience but today is the acceptable time to return to the routine opportunities for communion with God.

Although waiting for God is an ancient and worthwhile practice of faith, procrastination is not a spiritual discipline.

Prayer: Lord, when I am weak help me hold fast to your strength. 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.

Oppressed

OppressionLiving in the Spirit
June 17, 2015

Scripture Reading: Psalm 9:9-20

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
   a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
   for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. –Psalm 9:9-10

As a part of our competitive natures, I suppose, we seem to be suffering from an epidemic of Christians racing to see who are being the most oppressed. If the laws of our land do not support our specific system of belief for everyone, we are being oppressed. Never mind, we still have the freedom to believe whatever we choose, we just are not able to force it on others. This probably arose from an accurate reading of the scripture that Jesus came to set the oppressed free.

If we, as partners in Christ service, are called to join him in setting the oppressed free than identifying our own life situations as oppressive, frees us from having to see much less deal with the true oppression spread throughout our earth. I particularly loved the logic of the people (not necessarily identified as Christians) I heard about on the news recently who feel they are being picked on by being fined for over use of water in a draught ridden area where farmers cannot produce the very crops we all need to eat without such conservation measures. It was these people’s opinion, if they are willing and able to pay the higher cost of the water, they should be able to use as much as they like.

We become oppressors when we succumb to worshipping our beliefs or an elevated self-worth rather than God. Idols are not all made of stone.

While we do our good works let us not forget that the real solution lies in a world in which charity will have become unnecessary.-Chinua Achebe

Prayer: Lord God, open our eyes to see the oppression in the world and our hearts to dong something about it so that all can know the fullness of life you desire for 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.

 

The Bully on the Bus

On the bus bullying1Living in the Spirit
June 16, 2015

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 17:32-49

The Philistine said to David, ‘Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the field.’ But David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied….When the Philistine drew nearer to meet David, David ran quickly towards the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. –1 Samuel 17:44-45, 48-49

When I was in the third or fourth grade, the high school guy with the worst, meanest reputation road my school bus. He actually would later end up in juvenile detention and adult prison. I do not know how much of that I understood or even knew, when I was eight or nine years old. I knew I did not like him picking on me. He was a bully. I also don’t remember ever being taught to fight back to protect myself. My brother was, but I don’t think that was approved behavior for young girls.

In any case, this guy keep reaching over the back of my seat on the school bus and messing with my hair or grabbing at my books. It was an innate reaction on my part. I don’t think I thought about it at all, but with one swift slap of the little purse I was carrying, I creamed his face and cause a very serious nose bleed. I was horrified as blood spurted everywhere, but the entire school bus broke out in gales of laughter. The meanest guy in school had been brought down by a little girl. The bus driver quickly stopped the bus, quieted the rest of the bunch, and attended to the guys nose bleed. I heard him call the guy by his name and say, “You need to stop picking on them”. The driver said nothing to me as I sunk deeper and deeper into my seat mortified that I could do such serious harm.

I honestly cannot remember ever hitting anyone again and have become a very strong supporter of non-violent approaches to solving problems. David’s words still ring true in a non-violent world. We are called to come to [our enemies] in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Peace work is, in fact, just as important for the bully as it is for the oppressed. All of God’s children need to be saved from injustice, even the ones causing it.

Prayer: Lord, teach us your ways so that our innate responses are acts of live not violence. 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.

 

Truth in Justice

Death_Penalty_hi_res_Living in the Spirit
June 15, 2015

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 17:32-49

Saul clothed David with his armor; he put a bronze helmet on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail. David strapped Saul’s sword over the armor, and he tried in vain to walk, for he was not used to them. Then David said to Saul, ‘I cannot walk with these; for I am not used to them.’ So David removed them. Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd’s bag, in the pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine. –1 Samuel 17:38-40

I believe in taking prudent precautions. I take shelter when a tornado siren is sounded. Lock my doors on my house and car. But I also know that all the precautions in the world will not save me from all that can harm me. In the story of David and Goliath, David knows where his strength lies and it is not in the heavy armor of a warrior. He was a shepherd who had honed his skills at protecting his sheep with the tools available to him.

David also knew as a teenager what Paul instructed us over a thousand years later:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:10-11, 14-15)

Paul speaks of truth, righteousness, and peace as the armor that will protect us from harm. On April 3, 2015, Anthony Ray Hinton was released from death row after serving 30 years for a crime he did not commit. The truth had finally set him free. He was quoted as saying, “All they had to do was to test the gun, but when you think you’re high and mighty and you’re above the law, you don’t have to answer to nobody,” Hinton told reporters. “But I’ve got news for you — everybody that played a part in sending me to death row, you will answer to God.”* I wonder how many men like Anthony Ray Hinton we have executed.

As followers of Christ, we are called to speak the truth, live righteously, and be at peace. Just as importantly we are compelled by the love of God to demand the truth for others, hold our public officials accountable for righteous action, and in all things seek peace.

Prayer: We pray for the future of Anthony Ray Hinton as he returns to a society that failed him. We also pray for your guidance and strength to do everything we possibly can to assure truth in justice throughout our land. Amen.

*http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/03/us/alabama-death-row-inmate/

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.

Little Things

mustard seedLiving in the Spirit
June 14, 2015

Scripture Reading: Mark 4:26-34

He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’ –Mark 4:30-32

Little things matter. I lived in Denver for two years back in the 1970’s where the preciousness of water was already understood and conservation practices, at least among some, were the norm. I learned to turn off the running water while I brushed my teeth. A simple act, when practiced by all, saves gallons of water every day.

The police in the USA are rethinking how they relate to the people they serve and protect in light of recent race related incidents. One response has been a return to the police walking through neighborhoods, meeting the people, forming positive relationships, particularly with children, so bonds of trust can be form.

Hardened criminals, some serving life terms, who for all intents and purposes are no longer considered of worth to the world, in their minds and ours, are making the world a better place by training working dogs. Once trained these dogs serve as companions to children who have seizures or to soldiers with PTSD or to others who can benefit from the special skills of these dogs. The prisoners doing the training learn they are people of worth and for a time with each dog receive unconditional love.

The Kingdom of Heaven does not arrive unannounced. It grows like a mustard seed until the whole world is full of its glory. We are all partners in the planting of its seeds and the tending of the plants that result.

Prayer: Lord, you have called us as partners in the unfolding of your Kingdom, help us each to find our job and tend us so that we may grow in sharing your 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.

Seeds of Love

Parable of the seedLiving in the Spirit
June 13, 2015

Scripture Reading: Mark 4:26-34

He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’ –Mark 4:26-29

The insidious nature of evil is recognized. It creeps in slyly yet it can eventually overcome its prey in harmful, damaging, or destructive ways. In this parable Jesus describes the kingdom of God as guileless, which sounds terribly fragile, frail even. But then, of course, there is nothing stronger than love.

I grew up on a farm. My family was dependent on those planted seeds growing and producing food for our table and to feed our animals. Farming is a career steeped in faith. For five or so years Oklahoma has been plagued by drought. This spring crops were ruined by floods, but at the next time of planting the seeds will be sown to start the cycle again. Seeds are not planted out of cunning but out of perseverance. The lesson of the seed is one of faith but more importantly one of love.

The writer of the book of Hebrews put it this way: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3) These verses are followed by a short history of God among God’s people being faithful in love even when promised outcomes are not in their lifetime.

God’s people are called to plant seeds of love that do not harm and are not destructive but persevere throughout history to re-form the world into a place lacking evil.

Prayer: Lord, make us all sowers of the seeds of 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.

A New Me

A New MeLiving in the Spirit
June 12, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-17

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! –2 Corinthians 5:16-17

This scripture describes well the cliché, it is easier said than done. Just yesterday, I had to deal with flashes of distrust about a person who some time ago treated me unfairly. I no longer have any formal relationship with this person who is held in high esteem by many. I actually think I understand why he did the things he did from a psychological viewpoint and recognize that he is blind to the hurtful nature of his actions. I know I am not the only person who has been caught by his crossbow. Because of that, to a degree I can feel agape love for him, not unlike Jesus did looking down from the cross saying, Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)

I have not yet enter the realm of being able to love him as a sibling, which I think would more adequately reflect the love within a community needed to foster the Kingdom of God among us. A big part of my reaction is the result of either not allowing God to heal the hurt still written on my soul from that relationship or not realizing/accepting it has already been healed.  I wonder if the day will ever come when I might run into him at a meeting and this history never cross my mind as I greet and chat with him. I have had that happen with others later, realizing what had happened thanked God for the return to wholeness in the relationship. Until we can reach this point we cannot be conduits of wholeness for the other who needs it also.

Prayer: Lord, let your transformation continue to flow through me. Make me whole so that I can more fully be a part of your oneness. 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.

Love not Violence

love one anotherLiving in the Spirit
June 11, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.  –2 Corinthians 5:14-15

I am an NCIS fan. There is a scene in one of the shows following Ziva’s rescue from terrorists where Gibbs sits across the table and helps her deal with what had happened. She had been raised and trained as a contemporary Israeli warrior to kill before she got killed. Her whole perspective in life was geared for the fight. The experience of watching an innocent man murdered and her treatment by the terrorists had opened her eyes to the wrongness of the violence engrained in her very being from childhood. She sees no reason to continue living. Gibbs says something to the effect that that part of her did die out there. It no longer ruled her life.

In our scripture today Paul is saying the same thing to us. Christ offered his life as a sacrifice so that we could move the Kingdom of God forward, not through violence and hate, but through love. It is not an easy transition to make. Old habits die hard and we do pay the consequences of our own actions, but the way out of the mire of evil exists in Jesus Christ. 1 John says it better than I ever could:

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him…. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgement, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. –1 John 4:7-9, 17-18

Prayer: Transform each of us so that all the little things in our lives are ruled by love until all of our whole lives are ruled by love and the whole world is ruled by 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.