Monthly Archives: June 2017

Hope

Living in the Spirit
June 20, 2017

Scripture Reading: Genesis 21:8-21

When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, ‘Do not let me look on the death of the child.’ And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, ‘What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him.’ Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.

 God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and became an expert with the bow. He lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. –Genesis 21:15-21

I heard a speaker once say that the difference between being poor and living in poverty is hope. Hope is what God planted in Hagar’s heart. Hope is the gift we are called to share with the hopeless. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs* states that humans must have their physical needs (food, clothing, and shelter) and safety just to survive. To thrive, we must know love and belonging, which are foundational to good self-esteem and finally self-actualization. Hope is a driving force in helping people sustain an upward climb through these levels of development.

The Save the Children organization recently released a worldwide study of the status of children and a separate piece on children in each state in the USA. They are both heartbreaking reports but provide important information we need to know. Oklahoma ranks 46th among states in tracked negative outcomes impacting the futures of children. Oklahoma’s bad rankings result primarily from its high teen birth rate and high infant mortality rate. They were the major problems in Oklahoma when I first became a social worker in 1969. We have made progress but far less than other states.

There are a lot of Ismael’s in the world today in need of necessities and safety and just as importantly in need of hope. We as followers of Christ are called to be distributors of hope. The many children in refugee camps around the world remind us of Ismael as do the children in classrooms in Oklahoma sent home on Fridays with a backpack of food because the school lunch program is believed to be the children’s primary source of nutrition.

Prayer: Lord, enable our ability to distribute hope as well as developing systems designed to help all become self-sufficient. Amen.

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs
**http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.B143/Official_USA_Site.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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Purpose

Living in the Spirit
June 19, 2017

Scripture Reading: Genesis 21:8-21

The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, ‘Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.’ The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, ‘Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named after you. As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring.’ So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. –Genesis 21:8-14

Does this story leave a bad taste in your mouth like it does mine? I wonder how the sudden loss of Isaac’s older brother, one he apparently enjoyed, impacted Isaac? For all the hubbub about Ismael and Isaac that surrounded Isaac’s birth, Isaac’s only accomplishment recorded for posterity was fathering Esau and Jacob, and Jacob tricked him.

God seems to work within human falterings and failures. At least I hope God does because I have made a few missteps along the way. We learn from our mistakes or we should. Paul says in Romans 8:28, We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

There it is again. We are called to be intentional about our purpose. What is God’s purpose for us? How do we know we are on the right track? There is an old ponderous hymn written in 19th-century language dealing with God’s purpose that says we must grow love in all people and work for the reign of the Prince of peace. I think those both are fitting for today.

God is working his purpose out,
as year succeeds to year,
God is working his purpose out,
and the time is drawing near;
nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

What can we do to work God’s work,
to prosper and increase
the love of God in all mankind,
the reign of the Prince of peace?
What can we do to hasten the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea?*

Prayer: Lord guide us in your prospering and increasing your purpose and when we go astray show us the way back to your path. Amen.

*First and third verses of God is Working His Purpose Out, Words by Arthur Campbell Ainger see at http://hymnary.org/text/god_is_working_his_purpose_out

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Good Spirits, Good Health

Living in the Spirit
June 18, 2017

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35-10:23

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. –Matthew 10:1-4

Jesus called his disciples and gave them the power to cast out unclean spirits, and cure every disease and sickness. Does this call still apply to disciples today or just that laundry list of disciples? If you were one of them, how would you react? What would the world be like without any unclean spirits and no disease or sickness?

Spirit is the essence of life—breath. Unclean describes something that is properly, not pure (because mixed), i.e. adulterated with “a wrong mix” and hence “unclean” (because tainted by sin).* Recently, I find myself being disturbed by all the derogatory adjectives that people seem to need to say about others with whom they disagree. Those adjectives usually stop my reading or listening. I form more of an opinion about the author than the subject. They do not allow me to make a decision about the story or the exploration of ideology or theology. These adjectives, sometimes adverbs, are most prevalent in political dialogue. Their source gives the words a wrong mix. There are a lot of unclean spirits to cast out. We might start by casting them out of ourselves with God’s help. How otherwise do we discourage unclean spirits?

Medicaid and Medicare created in the 1960’s were baby steps to addressing health care for all. I attended meetings from 1970’s forward, designed to address this issue. We may be the only developed country in the world without some universal health care. Why? Health markedly impacts one’s ability to be self-supporting and self-sufficient. I believe adequate, accessible, and affordable healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Jesus seems to teach something like that in our scripture today. He calls us all to be a part of the solution. For more information about worldwide healthcare see the WHO** website referenced below.

Prayer: O Great Healer, enable us as healers too. Some of us are professional healers bless us in our work. Help the rest of us find and do our part to make the world whole and healed. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/greek/169.htm
**http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs395/en/

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Lost Sheep

Living in the Spirit
June 17, 2017

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35-10:23

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’ –Matthew 9:35-38

It strikes me that the church divided is like sheep without a shepherd. How can we possibly follow the same Master with diametrically opposing actions, attitudes, and beliefs? Each individual, each group thinks he or she or they are as right as right can be. Our battles with one another distract from Christ’s vision and our mission to attain it.

Sheep are by nature social animals. One of the first animals to be domesticated, they are often tended by youth. Jesus talks about one sheep going astray and the extraordinary steps the shepherd takes to bring it back into the fold. (See Luke 15) Our society seems to have lost the vision of the Common Good. We seem to have morphed into a mindset that if business profits are good, the economy will flourish and all will eventually benefit. Such theory does not take into consideration that businesses cannot thrive without a healthy, well-education workforce who live and work in a safe environment producing and nourishing the next generations.

Greed has become our shepherd leading us not into green pastures where we can thrive but into parched fields of weeds and thorns. While most of us will never experience great wealth or enormous power, we let their trappings dangle before us like forbidden fruit tempting us away from the loving Shepherd who wants only the best for each of us and all of us.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for turning away from you and wandering into deep darkness in search of wealth or power. Find us in our loss-ness and return us to your fold. 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Weak and Strong

Living in the Spirit
June 16, 2017

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1-8

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. –Romans 5:6-8

The word weak* used here means without strength perhaps even ill. I know weak. My grip is not good. The small lids on salad dressing bottles are my enemy. Someone gave me a pair of adjustable pliers that I leave set in the groove for removing the lids from my salad dressing. It works amazingly well after I discovered its utility, I try once to open a lid, which occasionally works, but then I grab my trusty pliers. The thing about weakness is we must know and accept it before we find a way to the end we desire.

As much as we humans, particularly Americans, like to think and act individually we were created to live and breathe and have our being** in community as we are called to be the Body of Christ on earth today. We could all make long lists of outstanding individuals who have accomplished amazing things. Not a single one of them can take credit alone for their accomplishments. They each had a mother, father, teacher mentor, soulmate who enabled his or her work. We as the Body of Christ cannot take credit alone for anything we accomplish as Christ formed and commissioned us and dwells with us in all that we do.

Love does not require credits. I heard once again a policeman being interviewed on the news about saving someone’s life. He risks his life to save the other. His response was “It’s my job.” Loving is just our job. We do it better when our love impacts others to love. When we all love one another, the entire world will know wholeness. That is God’s love.

Prayer: Lord, we each have weaknesses and strengths. Enable us to work together so that all become strong in your service. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/greek/772.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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Emptiness of Spirit

Living in the Spirit
June 15, 2017

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1-8

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. –Romans 5:1-5

I personally want to thank God for inspiring Paul to write the book of Romans and Paul’s following through on the task. I know of no scripture dealing with discipleship that is more practical and thus helpful to answering our calling than the words quoted above. Paul is challenging us to follow through on our call of Kingdom building no matter what obstacles we encounter.

It is funny what I remember from my high school education. One pithy saying that has stuck with me is Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.  Fred Craddock in a sermon some years ago called the church to task for its lack of enthusiasm. I learned a new word hearing him speak. He introduced me to the French word ennui*, which like many other borrowed foreign words is now appearing in our English dictionaries. It means a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction:  languor or emptiness of spirit:  tedium, boredom* Have we lost the spirit of our faith? Have we lost the Spirit of our faith?

What is holding us back from being the people of God, assigned to be a blessing to all other peoples, assigned to love God above all else, and to demonstrate that love through our love of others? A couple of weeks ago I cried with a young woman interviewed on the evening news. She and her Muslim friend were saved from harm by three men who intervened when a white supremacist attached the two. The attacker turned on the men killing two of them and injuring the third. In the interview,   the young woman said through her tears, “They died for me.”

We followers of Christ should be able to relate to that. Has our individualizing of our faith divorced us from the pain and suffering of others? Have we gotten so caught up in trying to whitewash the essence of Jesus’ ministry that we have forgotten his suffering, endurance, character, and hope? Everything he did as God Incarnate, he did for others. Everything.

Prayer: Lord,
 Do not cast me away from your presence,
   and do not take your holy spirit from me.
 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
   and sustain in me a willing spirit. Amen (Psalm 51:11-12)

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Servants of the Living God

Living in the Spirit
June 14, 2017

Scripture Reading: Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

O Lord, I am your servant;
   I am your servant, the child of your serving-maid.
   You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice
   and call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord
   in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord,
   in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!—Psalm 116:6-19

I honestly do not know what point the Psalmist is trying to make by self-attesting to being a servant and the child of a serving-maid. Perhaps he is identifying with one in poverty or maybe one humbling himself before God. When I read it, however, I immediately think of my mother as a servant of God. She was not the typical serving-maid by profession, but she had the heart of one who wanted to make all things good for the others who crossed her way. She was a deaconess, a teacher, a social worker, and a leader. Hard work and perseverance were her standard practices. She passed on her trust in God to all three of her children and while we God graced each of us with gifts differing we are all children of one of God’s serving-maids.

What are we passing on to our children? What examples do we see in their behavior that reflects our influences? The questions are for all, not just parents or grandparents. Children are like sponges they take in all that surrounds them. I held my six-week-old great grandniece yesterday for the first time. Her bright blue eyes were recording everything. Will they see us loving our neighbors or making fun of them, will they see us welcoming the stranger or chasing them away, will they see us supporting peace through love or peace through violence? There future in many ways is in our hands. Let us vow and keep our vow to model God’s love in all that we do.

Prayer: Lord, help us realize that we are all role models whether we know it or not. Help us to see ourselves as the little ones see 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Serving God: Loving our Neighbors

Living in the Spirit
June 12, 2017

Scripture Reading: Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7

They said to him, ‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ And he said, ‘There, in the tent.’ Then one said, ‘I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?’ The Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh, and say, “Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?” Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.’ But Sarah denied, saying, ‘I did not laugh’; for she was afraid. He said, ‘Oh yes, you did laugh.’—Genesis 18:9-15

Given the same circumstances, like Sarah, I might laugh too; so might you. Jesus seemed to enjoy life, a good indication that God might get a twinkle in God’s eye on occasion also when surprise leads to joy. Some of us take things at face values; others almost always need proof or at least to probe deeper.

Sarah’s reaction is only one focus of the scripture. The eight verses preceding those quoted above describe the routine but radical hospitality that was prevalent in the Middle East in Abraham’s time. Abraham and Sarah were welcoming strangers long before Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. God’s messengers reciprocated the warm hospitality with the best wishes they could proclaim. Abraham understood that all people are God’s people.

On arriving at the end of the dirt road that intersects a state highway, a relative of mine encountered a Hispanic family with not only a flat tire and no spare but a ruined tire. Only a youth spoke English, and after some unsure discussion, my relative took the man and the youth to the closest town 15 miles away and worked with the local Walmart to get a new tire. The rest of the family stayed with the car.  When they went to pay, the youth translated that the man did not bring any money. My relative swallowed hard, thinking he was scammed but paid for the tire anyway and took the youth and the man back to their car. As soon as they arrived the man spoke to his wife, she dug into her purse and pulled the exact amount needed for the tire and handed it to the man who gave it to my relative. The two men working together mounting the tire onto the car. The family was most grateful for the help, and my relative wished them well as they drove away. God was served and a youth observed two brothers in Christ acting like they knew their Parent well.

Prayer: Lord, help us always be aware that what we do is a reflecting of you at all times in all ways.  Make us good role models. 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

 

Naming God

Living in the Spirit
June 11, 2017

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Theologians have struggled to describe God for centuries. Library books overflow with books trying to explain what is now called the Holy Trinity. Curiosity is built into human nature. The more we to understand God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the better we can model our lives toward being in sync with The Lord. I must confess I have as much trouble with naming God when I write as the scribes of the Hebrew Bible had. My go to name is The Lord. In my mind, it covers all the dimensions of One who is indescribable except in the reported experiences, small glimpses of truth those who love The Lord share. When I use “God,” “Jesus,” “Christ,” or “the Spirit.”,  I am thinking of a specific trait that fits my text. God is Creator/Parent, Jesus is Mentor/Role Model/Teacher, Christ is Messiah/Savior/Judge,  the Spirit is Counselor/Advocate/Constant Companion. I am sure there are more.  Each title holds its own significance for me. Forming relationships with each requires me to be malleable in my total growth and development, particularly spiritual development.

Paul’s final salutation in 2 Corinthians speaks to his understanding of the various aspects of the Lord. I am sure his sharings have influenced mine. Perhaps this is what he is referring to in Philippians 2:12b when he says, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Prayer:  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Power and Justice

Living in the Spirit
June 10, 2017

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20 
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

Jesus proclaims in the scripture above that all authority in heaven and on earth is his. Where does that leave the power brokers in our world today? Where does that leave each of us? We are a nation enamored with power. A close friend, a former supervisor of mine, told of a wealthy local man who stormed into her office very angry upset that a relative of his was turned down for nursing care payments. He loomed over her demanding an explanation, which she gave him. His relative owned more resources than were allowed in the requirements for the program. The relative would have to liquidate the resources before the state could help her. He looked down into her eyes and said in a commanding voice, “Do you know who I am?” She replied “Yes, Mr._____ I do know who you are but you apparently do not know who I am.” and she gave him her name and reached out to shake his hand. Knocked off guard with a questioning look on his face, he turned and walked out of her office. I asked her what she would have said if he had asked who she was.  She just grinned. She was a child of God and thus she was committed to doing what was right and just and I am sure if he wanted to talk to her boss she would have arranged it.

Power is worthless if it is not of God. Power without justice is evil and will destroy itself from the inside out. The sad thing is it may destroy others it catches in its net.

Prayer: Lord, shield us from becoming driven by any power other than yours. Help us not only do justice but live 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.