Monthly Archives: October 2015

Practicing the Presence

Sensible-thingLiving in the Spirit
October 21, 2015

Scripture Reading: Psalm 34:1-8 (9-20)

I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
   and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant;
   so your faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,
   and was saved from every trouble.
The angel of the Lord encamps
   around those who fear him, and delivers them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good;
   happy are those who take refuge in him. –Psalm 34:4-8

Think of the look on a child’s face the first time he stand alone, the first time she ties her own shoes, or the first time he rides a bike without training wheels that is what radiance looks like. We often talk of radiant brides and there is a radiance on the face of athletes when they score the winning shot or cross the finish line. It is amazing how fulfilled even the last contestant in a marathon looks when he or she crosses that line. God is with us continuously when we are trying to be the person God created us to be.

What fears are holding us back from fulfilling our goals? Have we chosen the right goals in the first place? While there is fear in possible failure is there deep satisfaction in each point of progress we make as we pursue our dreams? This Psalm is attributed to David as he feigned madness to avoid being killed. (1 Samuel 21) Whether that is true or not, David practiced the presence of God in all of his achievements and even in his sins. We would do well to practice God’s presence in every aspect of our lives for the Lord is good.

Prayer:
God, who touchest earth with beauty,
make my heart anew;
with thy Spirit recreate me,
pure and strong and true. 

Like thy springs and running waters,
make me crystal pure;
like thy rocks of towering grandeur,
make me strong and sure.* Amen.

*First and second verse of God who Touches Earth with Beauty by Mary Susanne Edgar see at http://lyrics.astraweb.com/display/110/hymns..unknown..god_who_touchest_earth_with_beauty.html

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.

Rushing Winds

Rushing windsLiving in the Spirit
October 20, 2015

Scripture Reading: Job 42:1-6, 10-17

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends; and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then there came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and they ate bread with him in his house; they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him; and each of them gave him a piece of money and a gold ring. –Job 42:10-11

Does God bring evil upon any of his children? Job is a play, so, I suppose, the writer may take some poetic license, but the question is raised: are people pawns in the battle between good and evil? There is no question, it sure feels like it sometimes. Why are innocent people caught in the crossfires of gang warfare? Why do we assume violence is the best path to peace? Why are children drowning as they are swept from their parents arms when escaping from war or starvation? Where is God in all the chaos in our world today?

I do not question God’s presence in all places at all times. I also believe God sometimes intervenes in miraculous ways we cannot explain, but I know that God implanted God’s image in each of the people of creation. Once we accept we are a leaf connected to that vine together and own that relationship with God, we are compelled to become our part of the solution.

This idea first came to my mind while reading the last part of Acts 1 when the disciples decided it was time for them to get about the business of doing what Jesus had called them to do. It is rather a boring segment of the Bible rather like reading the minutes to a meeting. The disciples elect Mathias to replace Judas. Chapter 2 is an abrupt and amazing transition from that meeting. Rushing winds and tongues of fire are experienced by those present filling them with the Holy Spirit. We call it the birth of the church. I wonder, if God was just waiting for the disciples to recover from their grief and remember whose they really were and what they were put on this earth to do.

Do we realize whose we are and what our mission is?

Prayer: Lord, you commanded us to love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Let your rushing winds pass among us today enabling our love for such a time as this. 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.

Seeing through New Eyes

Spiritual blindnessLiving in the Spirit
October 19, 2015

Scripture Reading: Job 42:1-6, 10-17

Then Job answered the Lord:
‘I know that you can do all things,
   and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
“Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?”
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
   things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
“Hear, and I will speak;
   I will question you, and you declare to me.”
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
   but now my eye sees you;
therefore I despise myself,
   and repent in dust and ashes.’ –Job 42:1-6

The story of Jesus’ healing the man born blind in John came to mind when I read this scripture. In the first century many believe that misfortune was the result of sin. The man’s physical blindness was considered the result of sin. So sin plays a dual role in the scripture because the Pharisees deem Jesus a sinner thus he surely could not heal, yet he did. ‘I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see’ (John 9:25) There is also a dual role in the blindness as the scripture is pointing out the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees.

It is spiritual blindness which our scripture addresses today and when Job’s spiritual eyes are opened and he more fully comprehends the living God he is drawn to repent, turn around from his former ways of understanding.

I remember the day my sister first got glasses. She was discovered to be very nearsighted through a routine school eye check. She had apparently adapted to it so well it had not become apparent. When we walked out of the eye doctor’s office and she had on her new glasses, her first comment was “those trees have leaves.”

Most of the prevalent –isms in our world today, racism, sexism, etc. are the result of nearsighted spiritual vision. We are unable to see the image of God in each persons. The only correction for this condition is letting God open our eyes, repent of our shortsightedness, and begin to love everyone like Jesus loved.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.* 

Prayer: Lord help me see others as you see them and love like you love. Amen.

*First verse of Amazing Grace by John Newton see at https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/313

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.

Following to Lead

jesuschrist_mary_marymagaleneandthedisciples_20130319Living in the Spirit
October 18, 2015

Scripture Reading: Mark 10:25-35

They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.’ –Mark 10:25-35

In reading this scripture I flashed back on the times I have been on tours following a guide through places I have never been before in countries with languages I did not speak.  The guide in Turkey last year carried a large maroon and white umbrella, which he would hold high in the air when we walked through thick throngs of people. We were responsible for keeping our eye on that umbrella.

Jesus is preparing his disciples for a reality they are not yet able to comprehend. Denial is often the first stage of grief. Their reported fear indicates they understood his words but there is a difference in understanding words and responding to them appropriately. Most people understand what they are being told about not texting while driving; it may take a close call or a friend’s accident for them to internalize the lesson and curb their behavior. But what were the disciples to do anyway? Jesus’ death was a done deal and he was walking straight toward it.

Jesus’ words were most important to them after the fact. So important that they recorded them for us to read and apply to our lives. We are blessed by their stories as we struggle to make the kingdom of God real in our world today. Jesus’ lesson is important. We are called to walk forward with our eyes on his umbrella and all will be well.

Prayer: Jesus our Lord and Savior, nurture us until we fully comprehend the depth of your love and in that comprehension empower us to follow in your path as we lead in the world 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.

Universal Love

believeLiving in the Spirit
October 17, 2015

Scripture Reading: Mark 10:25-35

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’ –Mark 10:25-35

I sometimes have trouble getting a thin thread through the eye of a needle much less a camel. Jesus uses this absurd illustration to describe the challenges faced by all of us who worship wealth to enter the kingdom of God. Now few, if any, of us actually proclaim we worship wealth but our actions speak louder than our words at times. There is hope, however, because God can do the impossible.

How do we order our lives to get our way of being in synch with what we state we believe? I am coming more and more to think that I over use that word believe. I was required to write my creed in a class once. It is a tough assignment wrestling with putting into words the bases of my faith, my trust in God. It could have been very long but as I wrote it got shorter and shorter because I kept folding little bits of belief into all-encompassing ideas. I just kept returning to loving God and loving the way Jesus loved. A laundry list of things I believed about God or Jesus or people or what is sin began to seem somewhat irrelevant. Sometimes our beliefs get in the way of our loving like Jesus. This happens most often with me, because when I form a belief I set the parameter for whom and how I love rather than accepting God’s universal love that has no boundaries.

Prayer: Open my heart to accepting the boundless wonder of your love is meant for everyone.  Forgive me when I insert my own judgment on what is worthy of my 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.

Privileged and Entitled

jesus_prayingLiving in the Spirit
October 16, 2015

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. –Hebrews 5:7-10

We are a society of privileged, entitled people. We do not see it in ourselves because it is our norm. We take for granted food on our tables, heat in the winter, cooling in the summer, clean water, showers every day or more, cars to drive with gas in the tank, health care available, insurance to pay for it, college for our children, and on and on until it is suddenly all gone. Fires on the west coast and floods on the east have resulted in people finding themselves with nothing of material substance. Most will have insurance and government disaster programs are available as is the generosity of friends and neighbors, but such loss causes a reordering of the things we value in life.

There are, of course, people who are a part of our society that do not share this same reality. They do not know where their next meal will come from, sleep on heat exhaust vents to keep warm in the winter, and wander into libraries or malls to cool down in the summer. There feet are their primary source of transportation, the emergency room their health care system.

Jesus was the son of God but he never took that for granted. He lived a life of reverent submission fully aware of his privileges and entitlements yet willing to give it all up in his quest to share the love of God with us. We are the heirs to his accomplishments and need to order our lives within the context of God’s love not the lesser life of privilege and entitlement. God wants everyone to enjoy the abundance of his love and that includes having food on every table.

Prayer: God of Justice, order our lives in your love and help us to see what is truly important and work to make that a reality for all. 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.

Dealing Gently

PanhandlerLiving in the Spirit
October 15, 2015

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’; as he says also in another place,
‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’ –Hebrews 1:6

Often we do not deal gently with those we consider to be the ignorant and wayward. We actually set them up as examples of what we do not do ourselves. Thus, we grant ourselves absolution for our own sins because we think someone else is surely fairing worse than us in the sin department. We see this all the time. For example, a teacher recently told one of her students that the student was going to hell because she was left handed based on the teacher’s understanding of the Bible. I guess being right handed is not a sin?

Some in Oklahoma City have been trying to clear the streets of panhandlers. I suppose, their presence on the street is an embarrassment to some. It probably should be. We should take better care of them than we do. Oh, that is not the reason being used for outlawing panhandling. It is dangerous for them to be so close to the streets and they could get killed or cause a wreck. I think it is interesting that in all the discussion I have yet to hear an example of that happening. We have had some accidents that involved joggers and bikers, but we build set aside lanes to protect them.

God did not call us to be hypocrites. We do that already all too well ourselves. God granted us the example of Jesus to follow as one who lived his love with each and every wayward person he met. We are called to do no less.

Prayer: O Lord, free us from our need to place others in a hierarchy of grace when your love knows no bounds, including loving us even when we are being hypocrites. Let your love so infuse us that we no longer need our self-made hierarchies of grace. 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 Blessing of Diversity

diversityLiving in the Spirit
October 14, 2015

Scripture Reading: Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c

O Lord, how manifold are your works!
   In wisdom you have made them all;
   the earth is full of your creatures. –Psalm 104:24

I think we sometimes forget that God created the earth to be manifold—diverse. It is interesting that some take offense at scientific explanations of creation. I, on the other hand, think it is one of the greatest compliments we pay God to invest our energies in trying to figure out exactly how God made all this happen. A surgeon once told me that he was rather agnostic about God until he started studying the human body and realized what a marvelous invention it was.

It also makes sense to me that if God created a diversity of people, God had reasons for doing so and we need to respect those reasons as we respect the differences in people. I worshipped yesterday evening with one of the most diverse group that could be gathered. Most were homeless, although one in sharing her blessing for the week with the group told of finally finding someone who would rent to her using her housing voucher. She took her seat and in a few moments returned to speak again in this part of the service set aside for sharing blessings. She wanted to thank her case manager for sticking with her through it all and believing in her. She choked up while expressing her thanksgiving it meant so much to her.

Today let us praise the Lord for the wonderful work of God’s hands and reflect that praise in how we love one another.

Prayer: O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed: 

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!* Amen.

*First verse and refrain of How Great Thou Art by Stuart K. Hine. See at http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/h/o/w/how_great_Thou_art.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.

Shame

shame1Living in the Spirit
October 13, 2015

Scripture Reading: Joel 2:21-27

You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
   and praise the name of the Lord your God,
   who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.
You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
   and that I, the Lord, am your God and there is no other.
And my people shall never again
   be put to shame. –Joel 2:26-27

Is there shame in drought? Perhaps there is if it results from something of which we had control but surely not if it was not in our control. People have associated weather disasters to sin, however, for eons. I am sure that was true in the time of Joel. Jesus may have been one of the first to challenge this proposition when he said it rains on the just and the unjust. (Matthew 5:45) What purpose does shame serve?

Shame in some ways is an antitheses of justice. I have heard the definition of shame as guilt turned inward. This is based on an assumption that if bad is happening to you there must be something wrong with you. If we spend much time talking to someone who has been sexually molested, we often see this reaction. However, shame is associated with many behaviors and outcomes. Such shame results from societal messages that define states of being as bad to justify unequal treatments and policies. Think about shame associated with poverty.

Shame is not an acceptable reality within the parameters of the love of God and nothing else matters. When we have sinned, done something that separates us from God, God expects us to turn around from such behavior and be reconciled to God by asking for forgiveness. We are then expected to go about the business of living in God’s grace and fulfilling our call to serve. Neither can be accomplished if we are hindered by shame.

Prayer: Lord heal the wounds that remain with us that are resulting in shame and show us the ways we can end injustice that operates on the fuel of shame. 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.

Rain

Drought_Swimming_HoleLiving in the Spirit
October 12, 2015

Scripture Reading: Joel 2:21-27

Do not fear, O soil;
   be glad and rejoice,
   for the Lord has done great things!
Do not fear, you animals of the field,
   for the pastures of the wilderness are green;
the tree bears its fruit,
   the fig tree and vine give their full yield.  

O children of Zion, be glad
   and rejoice in the Lord your God;
for he has given the early rain for your vindication,
   he has poured down for you abundant rain,
   the early and the later rain, as before.
The threshing-floors shall be full of grain,
   the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. –Joel 2:21-24

Joel is speaking words of hope here, recovery from drought. The economy will recover the food will grow again in abundance. There will be enough to eat. Hope comes and goes here in Oklahoma as we ride the roller coaster of rain and no rain. We had floods in May and ample rain in June and July but then the drought began to seep back upon the weather maps on the evening news. Red is the color we definitely do not want to see on the maps, but now once again there is red in the county that normally has the most rain of all. The beauty of fall is lost in drought. The trees go from green directly to looking almost dead.

Joel knows drought is a fickle thing. He reassures his people that God is in the early rain and to take that as a sign that God is the god of the harvest. The challenge we face today is whether our own actions are contributing to weather irregularities. While we worry about drought the people on the east coast are drowning in the out of control flood of waters from a tropical storm.  The people on the west coast are living in drought continuously now. Is this just a normal cycle of weather life or is our ignoring the impact we have on the climate costing us greatly?

We were commanded care of the earth by God at creation. That was obviously done for a reason. Dominion does not mean license to do whatever we want. It means responsibility so that we and all the animals can rejoice for long into the future on this earth that God has provided.

Prayer: Lord, make us good stewards of your provision. 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.