Monthly Archives: June 2016

My Norms or God’s

normsLiving in the Spirit
June 10,2016

Scripture Reading: Galatians 2:15-21

For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. –Galatians 2:19-21

Which comes first a rule or a norm? The word “norm” is defined as an authoritarian rule, a standard of conduct or ethical value, or an ideal standard binding upon the members of a group and serving to guide, control, or regulate proper and acceptable behavior. * So what is the difference between a rule and an authoritarian rule? An authoritarian rule has a bases beyond the rule itself. Perhaps the only reason we obey the speed limit is the knowledge that we might have to pay a ticket if we fail to obey the law. That is a shade of authority and probably the one on which most of us fall back. Jesus calls us to a higher authority, the authority of doing what is right for the sake of its rightness. It is called justice. Actually it resonates also throughout the Mosaic laws and particularly the prophets. I commend to you Joan Chisttester’s book The Ten Commandments: Laws of the Heart to explore this further.

Discerning justice is a whole lot more complicated than following closely a check list of rules that, once obeyed get us through the turnstile of rightness. Thus we try to win the battle of being the people who establish the rules. We certainly want our norms to be at the top of the list. It makes life a lot easier since we are already practicing them.

How do we know that our norms are in synch with God’s or for that matter how do we know another’s norms are not in synch with God’s? What is just? What is really right? Discerning justice requires a very close walk with the Lord. It requires us to study the Biblical word of God and the Word of God in the person of Jesus Christ. Discerning justice is a precursor to doing justice which we are called to do.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for assuming that my norms are your norms. Broaden my vision to see your justice and help me take the difficult journey to make your justice my rules for living. Amen.

*http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/norm

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 Prime Directive

African proverbLiving in the Spirit
June 9, 2016

Scripture Reading: Galatians 2:15-21

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! –Galatians 2:15-17

Laws exists to bring order out of chaos, to identify actions and activities that promote the Common Good into becoming universal practices. Thus, laws are fluid, they are adjusted to changing times and circumstances. Laws about where to hitch our horses may still be in statute but have, in general, been rendered unnecessary. Whereas, how, where, and how long we park our cars is very important. Whether we follow a law depends on many things. Some of us just do it automatically, others seek what they can get away with, and still others apply laws more practically based on the current situation.

God’s laws may be described in the same manner with the one exception that such laws are based in our relationship with God. Based in the sure and certain knowledge that we are each loved by God and that our best expression of response to that love is loving God in return and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. This raises the pursuit of the Common Good to a higher plain where our decisions become interdependent. Love rules. We are called to become a majority who lives like Jesus lived, loves like Jesus loved,and moves the world toward wholeness in the process.

It is indeed a call to move mountains when we feel like tiny ants, each trying to move a piece of sand. God’s call to wholeness can only be fulfilled by God’s grace that serves as the sinew knitting us all into one Body with the guidance of the Holy.

Prayer: Lord, help us as a society to work together to assure the Common Good for all in response to your prime directive to 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

Pick Your Fights

and eye for an eyeLiving in the Spirit
June 8, 2016

Scripture Reading: Psalm 5:1-8

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
   will enter your house,
I will bow down towards your holy temple
   in awe of you.
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
   because of my enemies;
   make your way straight before me. –Psalm 5:7-8

One of the greatest challenges in life is avoiding being goaded into being unrighteous when one is constantly bombarded with discrimination and oppression. What is it said about bullies? They rarely get caught. The one who gets caught is the one that finally swings back at them. How does one practice turning the other cheek while working toward justice in our world today?

I have never been a boxing fan, yet I have come to hold high regard for Mohamad Ali, whose life is being celebrated this week following his death. He was one of those people who could maintain their own self-worth in all humility, even have fun with it. Accepting one’s innate self-worth as a child of God is hard enough for most of us. Doing that while walking humbly with our God is even harder. Yet it is exactly what we are called to do.

I believe this can only be done by keeping our eye on the end result and not getting caught up in the chaos life routinely throws in our path. Let it go, walk away, pick your fights are all necessary reactions toward attaining a just world. Investing the time with God necessary to find our straight way enables our steadfastness.

Prayer: Lord, set your plan so firmly in our hearts and minds that we are enabled to keep our focus in our journey toward justice. 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.

As Ye Sow

FloodingLiving in the Spirit
June 7, 2016

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 21:1-21a

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria; he is now in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. You shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: Have you killed, and also taken possession?’ You shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, dogs will also lick up your blood.’

Ahab said to Elijah, ‘Have you found me, O my enemy?’ He answered, ‘I have found you. Because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord, I will bring disaster on you; I will consume you, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel; –1 Kings 21:17-21

In Hinduism and Buddhism, it is called Karma. Others would use the phrase “as ye sow so shall ye reap”, which is probably based on Galatians 6:7, Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. Jesus took a more circumspect attitude when he is quoted as saying in Matthew 5:45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. Jesus had no doubt seen/experienced justice unrequited. Now the Hindus and Buddhist believe that Karma may have been the result of actions in a previous life or that it will find completeness in a future life and the people of faith who follow a what-you sow-you-reap philosophy may have final judgement in mind. Jesus was concerned about justice being achieved through acts of love by his follower in real time. He calls us to do justice every day.

It is interesting that Jesus illustrates justice using weather. As I write this, vast acres of Texas are underwater, several people have drowned; a tropical storm is heading toward Florida; and there was a 3.5 level earthquake recorded in the Oklahoma City metro this morning. These have historically been classified as acts of God and recovery from them required our loving response. Consideration now must be given to human responsibility at least to some degree in the nature and frequency of these “natural phenomena”. Even if humans are not responsible, science seems to indicate that our preventive efforts could lessen their impact.

Doing part of justice may be as simple as loving ourselves and our neighbors enough to recycle, drive energy efficient vehicles, and heat and cool our homes efficiently and effectively.

Prayer: Lord guide us in fulfilling our charge to have dominion over the earth as we seek to be loving caretakers of 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.

Greed in the Name of God

Claws_Of_AxosLiving in the Spirit
June 6, 2016

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 21:1-21a

So [Jezebel] wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal; she sent the letters to the elders and the nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. She wrote in the letters, ‘Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth at the head of the assembly; seat two scoundrels opposite him, and have them bring a charge against him, saying, “You have cursed God and the king.” Then take him out, and stone him to death.’ The men of his city, the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. Just as it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, they proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth at the head of the assembly. The two scoundrels came in and sat opposite him; and the scoundrels brought a charge against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, ‘Naboth cursed God and the king.’ So they took him outside the city, and stoned him to death. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, ‘Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.’—1 Kings 21:8-14

This story starts with Ahab wanting a piece of Naboth’s land that he did not want to sell and Naboth, as you see above, paid a high price for wanting to retain his ancestral land. After all, Ahad needed a garden plot closer to his house and he was not to be denied. The very idea of procuring a garden plot by falsely accusing someone of cursing God is absurd but is it very far fetch from what is happening in our own country as we sell our souls for transitory wealth?

I find it nearly as offensive when we misuse our tax dollars to line someone’s pockets. Private prisons come to mind when we cross the line of keeping them fully stocked with prisoners to meet a quota whether that is the best means of rehabilitating the prisoner or not. The buying and selling of candidates for office might also fit in this category.

Greed is probably more addictive than tobacco which I understand is one of the most addictive drugs, at least hardest to quit. The first step in recovering from an addiction is acknowledging that it exists but that is only the first step. The most important step is sharing that acknowledgement in repentance with God and enlisting God’s help in freeing oneself of its tentacles.

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to see the grips of greed that have infiltrated my life and guide me to your way of ordering my needs and wants. 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.

Unexpected Results

John NewtonLiving in the Spirit
June 5, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 7:11-17

Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!’ The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us!’ and ‘God has looked favorably on his people!’ This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country. –Luke 7:14-17

What’s in a miracle? Is it a much desired result that was hoped for but deemed to be impossible? Is it mind over matter or coincidence? Is it real or a magic trick? What’s in a miracle?

We live in an interest, cynical time where we question everything in some instances demanding scientific proof and yet on the other hand accept as truth totally unverifiable happenings. I believe we are living in a time with far more ramifications than the industrial revolution had. Caught in the middle of it, we ride a tide of questions with no answers and answers with no roots.

My experience with God’s miracles are the small changes in my own being and behavior that could only have come from a divine and loving creator, parent, savior, advocate. John Newton, the former slave trader, probably said it best, Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me*. If God can change John’s heart and my heart, God can do anything.

I don’t think the miracles recorded in the gospels are only there to tell us of God’s grace and power through Jesus Christ. I think the stories were shared to help guide us in bringing about those much desired, but totally unexpected results on our journey to the Kingdom of God. Prevention of deadly disease and accidents is certainly one of those desires. Another is elimination of poverty.

Prayer: Lord, give us a heart for your desired outcomes for all your children and open doors of opportunity for us to pursue them. Amen.

*From Amazing Grace by John Newton see at http://www.constitution.org/col/amazing_grace.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.

Preventing Poverty

Dust bowlLiving in the Spirit
June 4, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 7:11-17

Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. –Luke 7:11-17

Jesus was probably acutely aware of how very important it was that his widowed mother had sons who could support and care for her. His brothers’* very existence freed Jesus to go about his ministry. A widow losing her only son was not only one experiencing painful grief, but also one facing destitution.

My paternal grandmother was widowed in 1928 with the death of my grandfather, leaving her with a houseful of older children from both their previous marriages and three younger children of their own. The year of his death is important. The great financial crash happened the next year and in just a few more years this family was living in the throes of the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma. My dad was ten when his father died. He dropped out of school after finishing the eighth grade to work the farm; what was left to work. I heard his stories about the dust and the failed crops but I don’t think I fully understood the situation until cleaning out my parent’s home, we found my grandmother’s purse. In it were several five dollar mortgages with differing dates from the bank where she had mortgaged cattle to get enough money to buy groceries. Social Security was created to assure that such devastation never occurred again. We have very short memories.

Jesus did what he could to help the grieving widow who had lost her son. We are called to do what we can to prevent poverty. What is the old saying of Benjamin Franklin’s: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?

Prayer: Lord protect us from our own greed that cannot see the need to plan for the future, not just ours by all of your children’s futures. Amen.

*My musings about Jesus’ brothers caring for their mother does not mesh with the story of Jesus, from the cross, asking John to care for her. I have learned from my own genealogical explorations that weaving together the bits and pieces of one’s history does not always result in a satisfactory whole, but it does usually contain a kernel of truth. Perhaps Mary out lived all her sons just as John outlived all the other disciples.

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.

Finding Your Quest

nature-quest-2Living in the Spirit
June 3, 2016

Scripture Reading: Galatians 1:11-24

Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him for fifteen days; but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, ‘The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they glorified God because of me. –Galatians 1:18-24

Just as with sisters, the relationship between brothers is special and unique. I have often felt for Jesus’ brother, James. I always picture him as the second oldest, although I do not know if he was. If not the second oldest, he was apparently the next best alpha male. Tradition holds that Mary was widowed at some time before the recorded history of Jesus’ ministry began. If that is the case, while Jesus was away being a Rabbi, James was apparently at home keeping things afloat. Paul reports in 1 Corinthians 15:7 that Jesus-resurrected appeared to James. I wonder if this event was shared with Paul at the meeting described in our scripture today. It must have had a major impact on James’ life as he went on to become the leader of the church in Jerusalem. I also think it is pretty special that with everything else that was going on, Jesus took the time to connect with James.

Paul did not stay in Jerusalem but initiated his ministry in other regions, perhaps beginning his outreach to the gentiles, but more than likely starting with the Jews who were scattered about the whole region. He probably knew he had to prove himself before he would be accepted back at the home base.

What of your life experiences has made you peculiarly well prepared to take the message of Jesus Christ to certain populations? You have a story to tell. It may seem rather vanilla to you but it may mean the difference in a life lost to a life found for another. It never ceases to amaze me the people who seem to have a gift for working with prisoners, the poor, the homeless, drug addicts, and the mentally ill who really had no background at all in the area they work but something lit the flame in their hearts and something is lighting a flame in our hearts today.

Prayer: Lord, help those who have not yet found their quest to recognize it, help all who know their quest to hone their skills and invest their whole being in attaining 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.

Right or Wrong

words2Living in the Spirit
June 2, 2016

Scripture Reading: Galatians 1:11-24

You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus. –Galatians 1:13-17

It is really hard to admit when one is wrong, particularly when it relates to one of the, if not the most important thing in your life. Back in the early 1980’s the church I was attending decided to deal with the question of whether women should be elders or deacons. This was an interesting question when one considers that my denomination had female ministers since the 1800’s. Even with that history, it was no less controversial. The glass ceiling was first broken with the decision to elect a female elder. The next year consideration was given to regarding female deacons. It was approved after heated discussion. The next year I was elected as a deacon. Sometime during my first year of service, one of the most outspoken men against female deacons approached me and apologized saying, “I was wrong.” I know it was hard and it meant a lot.

I have always thought that Paul was so thunderstruck by the experience he had on the road to Damascus that he had to withdraw from the world for a while to glean from the scriptures as he knew them so well through the eyes of the Word of God he met on the road that day. Thus, was born probably the greatest Christian evangelist in history.

There are a lot of positions being taken and negative speak being spilled out in this election year that is at least hurtful and in some cases harmful to the targets of these vocal bullets. Our world is changing as it has been changing since it was created and we must adjust to new rightness as we live into the justice of the gospels—the Word for this time and this place.

Prayer: God give us both the wisdom to discern what is the rightness according to the Word and the courage to admit when long held cultural ways may not be. 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.

Perseverance

Team ConceptLiving in the Spirit
June 1, 2016

Scripture Reading: Psalm 146

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
   I will sing praises to my God all my life long. –Psalm 146:1-2

As you may have guessed, I am an ardent Oklahoma City Thunder fan and have been since they arrived in my fair city. The Thunder lost Monday night in a game for the ages and now they probably will take a few days off and then begin again to prepare to win the championship next year. I used them as an example in my book of people who do their individual best together. We people of faith are called to keep our eyes on bringing the Kingdom of God to fruition by using every talent we have together to facilitate God’s purpose for all.

This may sound strange, but I look at athletics as a positive way to channel some of our basic competitive instincts. Paul was into sports and often used it as a metaphor for his work. It sure beats war. The teams, following the end of the game, shared appropriate congratulations with an undertow of see you again next year. I am also impressed with how they model a world where Christians and Muslims, blacks and whites live together well in sibling-like love.

The Thunder faced unbelievable odds in getting to this final game. They never should have been there. A new coach, no matter how good he is, needs time to meld and mold a team. Having recovered from knee replacement surgery, I can tell you that it takes months to get back into a new normal way of movement and my normal movement pales in comparison to Kevin Durant’s who had major foot surgery last year. I cannot imagine the shared pain of the deaths of Dion Waiter’s brother, Monty Williams’ wife, and co-owner Aubrey McClendon. But that is life, as I am sure these guys would tell you, and they persevered through it.

Congratulations Thunder for a year well played. I know you are disappointed at not winning it all, but I want to thank you for your tenacity and for being the gift you are to your fans.

Thunder Up!

Prayer: Lord, help us to persevere in our work toward fulfilling your call to make justice and mercy a fixture in our society. 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.