Monthly Archives: November 2016

Ignoring the Obvious

i-was-hungryAdvent
November 30, 2016

Scripture Reading: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Give the king your justice, O God,
   and your righteousness to a king’s son.
May he judge your people with righteousness,
   and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
   and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
   give deliverance to the needy,
   and crush the oppressor. –Psalm 72:1-4

This Psalm, written perhaps to celebrate Solomon’s ascension to the throne of Israel, outlines some ideas about God’s justice. Ideas we still work to emulate today. It seems strange to me that people of faith can get so highly exercised about many issues that are rarely if ever mentioned in the Bible, but often scorn the poor when we are repeatedly challenged from Genesis through Revelation to assure the wellbeing of the poor. I experience the same conundrum about welcoming the stranger. I wonder why we who claim to follow Christ ignore his major teachings even work against them.

Perhaps we react so adversely because for most of us, even upper middle class and wealthy people, we are just one major illness, one accident, one job loss, a bad recession, or worse a depression away from being poor. We choose to ignore that which we cannot control and thus we blame the people who end up poor, for whatever reason, for their situation. We do not want to see ourselves in their plight.

Jesus modeled a different approach. He foresaw a world where everyone shared equally in assuring the well-being of all others. He lived and breathed justice for all. Do we?

Take time this week to see the poor. If you feel you are poor, what do you need what do you want to change your way of being? Are you willing to make the necessary changes in your life? If you count yourself among those, who have enough, what part are you playing in making that a reality for everyone?

Prayer: Lord, Let your voice speak to our hearts, unclog our ears so that we hear what you are saying to 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.

Living in Harmony

piano_a_queue_ou_piano_doigts-5372Advent
November 29, 2016

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10

The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea. –Isaiah 11:6-9

Why do we seem hell-bent on devouring one another? The ugly anger that accompanied our recent election campaign still spills over into our daily lives. Why do humans have such a need to put someone else down? Do we feel better about ourselves, if we believe our importance is greater than another’s? Isaiah uses wild and domesticated animals in our scripture today to illustrate the world God desires. We know when raised together in a non-threatening environment with plenty of food available, these natural enemies can live together in harmony. Might that also be true of humans? God apparently created us with that in mind. We were created to live justly with each other. Another type of existence is futile.

During this Advent season, ponder your ideas of justice. It might be fun to write your vision of justice using human behavior in place of the behavior of wild and domesticated animals. What can you do starting now to bring your vision in sync with God’s vision bringing the results to fruition?

Prayer: Lord, open my heart and mind to take on your vision of justice. Make me a doer of your 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.

Discerning Right

fakeAdvent
November 28, 2016

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10

His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
   He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
   or decide by what his ears hear;
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
   and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
   and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
   and faithfulness the belt around his loins. –Isaiah 11:3-5

Fake news seems to be all the rage now as we are learning that some of the information we receive via social media is totally fabricated. Fake news is not new. All we need to do to view fake news is skim through the tabloids that line the wait to checkout in many stores. Social media fake news perhaps carries more weight since it most likely was shared with us by someone we trust. I am cynical of most things on social media. I tire of having to waste my time scrolling past something and determining that it is fake.

Isaiah tells us that the coming descendant of Jesse does not judge by what he sees or hears but by what is right. While I agree with this sentiment, knowing what is right seems to be a judgment point in and of itself. How do we who have vastly differing interpretations of what is right discern a common vision in Christ? Does doing right require us to let go of some cherished parts of our lives? Does it require us to love some people we perceived to be unlovable, not our kind of folks? Does continuing the battles on a few select issues on which we will never agree, trick us into believing we are doing the best we can at doing right?

Calling a moratorium on dealing with the wedge issues of the day makes sense. I fear though that we will just find other issues to take their place. Taking the time to ask God to guide us toward righteousness might be a better place to start. It will involve truly turning our lives over to God and letting God shape our vision.

Prayer: Lord, as we once again await your incarnation, make this a fertile time for the nurturing of our wholeness as you prepare us for renewed discipleship. 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 Siege of Aleppo

aleppo-then-and-nowAdvent
November 27, 2016

Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:36-44

Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. –Matthew 24:36-44

It is well beyond my imagination what the people of Aleppo, Syria are experiencing right now. They do not know who will be next to die or survive. I am sure some wonder if survival is worth it. One small child is pulled from the rubble alive, and the whole world celebrates. We forget that an estimated 450,000 people have died there, 50,000 were children while we helplessly sit and watch. How off guard were the people of Syria when the various rebels happened, the Assad Regime happened, ISIS happened? Are they any guiltier than we for just wanted to live their lives, love their families, and attend their houses of worship?

Christ was in the beginning, has come, and will come again and abides with us now in spirit and truth. Christ demonstrated the way of life where Aleppo’s under siege do not exist. Where lambs lie down with lions with children safely playing nearby as he studied in the prophets. Jesus’ call to stay awake is not just sentencing us to sleepless nights shivering from fear in our locked and gated homes. His call is a call to action. He wants us to love evil to death and to do that we must be alert and engaged.

Prayer: Lord, let your love fill all the gaps in our love so that your will becomes a reality in our world. 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.

In Denial

denialAdvent
November 26, 2016

Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:36-44

‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. –Matthew 24:36-39

What is it about human nature that causes us to live in denial? While it may have been true thousands of years ago that people did not know when a flood was coming, Noah did. I cannot image our ancient ancestors were clueless of weather signs. I missed the evening weather several years ago and had no knowledge of a wicked thunderstorm headed my way. While watching TV, the hairs on my dog’s back suddenly stood straight up as he jumped from my lap to the floor barking at me. I did not think twice. I grasped him in my arms and headed for my designated safe place. I had barely made it there when golf ball-sized hail broke all the windows on the north side of my house. Today we have all kinds of sophisticated weather forecasting tools and trained meteorologist to interpret them. Some storms still occur without notice, and there are still those who think they can outrun tornados or ride out a flood at home.

We behave the same way regarding how we live our lives and how we live in relationship with God. How many people other than Noah did God alert to the coming disaster? How many of the people who made fun of him refused to hear or heed the message?

God is dead serious about his call for us to love God and love each other. So serious, Jesus came to share this message and was crucified for it. Today 2000 years later, we serve a risen Savior who brings everlasting hope, faith, and love. What is it about human nature that causes us to live in denial?

Prayer: Lord, as we await your arrival once again in the renewal of our relationship with you and with all your children, make us strong in hope, faith, and love.

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.

Representing God

names-of-jesus Advent
November 25, 2016

Scripture Reading: Romans 13:11-14

Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. –Romans 13:12b-14

Living honorably, what does it mean? Raised with a good dose of honoring my family’s names by my behavior, I am very aware, on a purely human scale, of what it means to conduct myself knowing that what I do, not only reflects on me but also on all the others who share my name. A picture of my mother and father standing in the doorway of the office where I worked looking every bit like Grant Woods American Gothic* is seared in my mind. They received a letter in the mail from the local bank we both used, which told them I wrote a hot check. Never mind that the account was only in my name and the bank did not bother to notify me even though I was an adult. I knew I had not committed the sin of which I was accused and assured my parents I would take care of it. My trip to the bank resulted in discovering that the bank had deposited my paycheck to a closed account that belonged to someone else. I insisted that the bank call the store where the check had bounced and exonerate my good name. They also understood well by the time I left that they should contact me if they had a problem with my account.

Romans is talking about living honorably as representatives of God. I think it is living in such a way that everything we do reflects God in us. Now that is a tough assignment as we jostle routinely with all those little voices enticing us away from being God’s representative in our hearts and our outward behavior. Honoring God requires us to have a good working knowledge of God. The Lord graciously provided us a living example in Jesus Christ. While we lay claim to being followers of Christ, self-examination may illuminate how close we are to being like Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, help me to see myself as others see me. In so doing, show me how I can better represent you in my relationships with all. Amen.

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gothic

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.

Cockeyed Optimist

making-all-things-newAdvent
November 24, 2016

Scripture Reading: Romans 13:11-14

Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light
                                                  –Romans 13:11-12

I guess you might call me a cockeyed optimist*. This phrase in from the musical South Pacific which dealt with a time during World War II, in a place caught in the strife, and among a population dealing with racism. We too live in turbulent times. We fear fear itself in many ways. Our choice is to run and hide in our fear or accept this as our challenge to be a part of making all things new. I believe that with God’s help that is entirely within our grasp. I did not say it would be easy. It will require sacrifice; it will take all the best we have and then some.

A few more lines in the song further describe our dilemma:
I hear the human race Is fallin’ on its face
And hasn’t very far to go
But ev’ry whippoorwill
Is sellin’ me a bill,
And tellin’ me it just ain’t so*.

Advent is a wonderful time to take stock of our fears and any resulting negative thoughts or behaviors we might have. Do we love ourselves? If not, let God make us whole. Do we love all our neighbors as we love ourselves? If not, let God make us one. Do we see injustice in the world? If so, let God make us doers of justice. By Christmas Day, let God renew our hearts and minds readying us to assume our job in making all things new.

Prayer: Lord, walk with me each day during Advent as I examine myself. Help me see myself clearly and cleanse me where needed, preparing me for service to you. Amen.

*Line from the Song “A Cockeyed Optimist” from the Musical South Pacific composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein. See at https://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/southpacific/acockeyedoptimist.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.

Incarnation

god-with-us2Advent
November 23, 2016

Scripture Reading: Psalm 122

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
   ‘May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
   and security within your towers.’
For the sake of my relatives and friends
   I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
   I will seek your good. –Psalm 6-7

For whom do we wish peace? The author of Psalm 122, outlines a listing of recipients for whom he desires peace: Hometown, relatives and friends, and for the sake of the house of God. When peace exists for the house of God, all benefit.

Peace is not just the absence of war. Rome proclaimed the Peace of Rome through the threat of violence which held people in a constant state of fear. Peace, the Hebrew word in English is Salem, means completeness, soundness, and welfare*. I think of it as wholeness with God and with all others, a world without “us” and “them.”

It seems most people want the reality of peace. The problem is we see very different, often contradictory ways of attaining it. As a global community, we seem to be at a crossroads regarding how we want to live and move and have our being**. As we begin the annual reawakening of the incarnation, we are called to recognize that the way toward such peace is laid out for us. Let us dedicate this Advent season to a revitalization of our commitment to follow the way of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, pray with us when we do not know the words to say. Write on our hearts your message of renewal, so we can be fully the people you have called us to be. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/hebrew/7965.htm
**See Acts 17:28

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.

Power of God’s Love

love-never-failsAdvent
November 22, 2016

 Scripture Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5

He shall judge between the nations,
   and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
   and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
   neither shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob,
   come, let us walk
   in the light of the Lord! –Isaiah 2:4-5

I quote John 16:33 to myself often because it speaks a reminder I need not only to hear but to internalize:   I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’ Jesus Christ speaks this truth for yesterday as with our ancestor in faith Isaiah; to today as we live our love every day rain or shine; and particularly to tomorrow as we continue to pull together with Christ the yoke of Kingdom building. Isaiah foresaw the impossible and called the people to walk in the light of the Lord toward making it a reality. God through Christ calls us to the same mission today.

Prayer: Lord, you have gifted us with the honor of experiencing the greatest power on earth, your love. We thank you for sharing it with us. Help us to pass it on. 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.

Speaking Hope

partnershipsAdvent
November 21, 2016

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5

The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come
   the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
   and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
Many peoples shall come and say,
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
   to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
   and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
   and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. –Isaiah 2:1-3

Our charge has not changed. God’s vision of justice and mercy is still God’s vision. Our role as partners in God’s purpose is as strong and important now as it has ever been. God is working God’s purpose out. The first segment of the book of Isaiah recounts the processes at work within the people of God during the time of the Assyrian siege and the eventual exile of the people of God. Isaiah speaks hope even in devastation when dealing with a variety of governmental leaders.

Now you may consider this a strange analogy, but I think it is worthy to consider. I worked as a state employee under the leadership of eight governors. Each with a slightly different interpretation of the purpose of state government, and seven different Directors of Human Services who spun their ways into the delivery of agency responsibilities. Each election cycle resulted in re-tuning our work with some changes more radical than others. Most of the programs we administered were funded through a combination of federal and state funds. We crafted our programs to meet federal requirements laid out, while I worked, during the terms of six presidents and their numerous Secretaries of what is now the Department of Health and Human Services. The two entities did not always work in sync. On the frontline of Human Services, the staff open doors every day to the hungry, the poor, abused and neglected children and adults, and the disabled, many of whom might not have known who the president or governor was. Our first responsibility was to these people whom Christ called the least of these and our tasks was to bend and shape whatever was handed down to us to enhance their lives or to do as little harm as possible.

Isaiah is a good role model for us. He worked within the system to bring about positive outcomes, and he worked among the people of God to help them understand their ultimate faith and work must be driven by God’s plan.

Prayer: Lord, show us the way to live your love within whatever system we may find ourselves. 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.