Author Archives: WOJ@deborahsdescendants.com

Being Strategic

Ordinary Time

January 21, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 4:12-23

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
   on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
the people who sat in darkness
   have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
   light has dawned.’
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ –Matthew 4:12-17

Jesus moved strategically throughout his ministry until he didn’t. He probably thought he could be next to be arrested when he relocated to Capernaum. From the beginning, he had a mission, and he could not complete it by sitting in jail or, worse, being beheaded. I wonder why he waited around when he was called to save a sick Lazarus; I do not think he wanted Lazarus to die so he could raise him, but I do think there was a reason.  

We, too, are called to be strategic in answering our call to being a servant of God. The maintenance of close communion with God is essential to avoiding responses that set back our progress. Learning from our mistakes is also important. We must hone our spiritual muscle memory.  

 Prayer: Lord, help us be intentional in our growth in serving you more nearly. 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.

The Power of God’s Love

Ordinary Time

January 20, 2023

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. –1 Corinthians 1:18

The Greek word apollumi* translated here as perishing means absolute destruction, to come to a miserable end.  While we may long for a second coming where all evil will be ended, death is the certainty we all face in real-time with the hope and faith that it is not the final answer.

We live and have our being in the meantime, and it is in the meantime that our focus must be. We are called to share the message about the cross so that those who are perishing because they are missing the faith, hope, and love of Christ can experience the love of God.  Please note the language in this scripture describes the here and now, not a done deal. The people are described as perishing, not destroyed.

This is not just about individual salvation but also about systemic change resulting from our being the whole body of Christ worldwide. That starts for us in the USA in our communities, our states, and yes, our nation.

Benjamin Franklin spoke the words; Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.

Our country is perishing in various ways, and we as individuals and members of communities of faith,we are charged with bringing the same faith, hope, and love we know to reconcile the whole world to Christ’s amazing grace.

Prayer: Lord, open the doors of our hearts for sharing your love with others so that your amazing grace can influence outcomes for those with all kinds of needs across the world. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/622.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.

Divided We Fail

Ordinary Times

January 19, 2023

Scripture Reading:

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you should be in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you should be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, ‘I belong to Paul’, or ‘I belong to Apollos’, or ‘I belong to Cephas’, or ‘I belong to Christ.’ Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? –1 Corinthians 1:10-13

I have lived through these battles on various church related issues. The most outrageous one I remember was when I was a child. The board of my church determined that the chairs at the communion table were getting rickety and needed to be replaced. A committee was appointed, and they chose to purchase upholstered chairs instead of strictly chairs made of wood and the fight began. Scriptures were exchanged supporting all sides opinions. Some families left the church over this incident. I must admit it was a great learning experience for me as a child teaching me an important lesson regarding the hard work needed to be one in Christ.

Our faith groups inability to find oneness spills over into our government. The greatest challenge in our world today is seeking the Common Good. I wonder sometimes if there is such a thing. I just heard a report on a news program that there is a crisis across the US regarding how to feed our public-school children. Public education is the foundation of any democracy. Everyone learns better when they are not hungry. Approximately 50% of public school students in Oklahoma are eligible for free lunch (2023) * They are not the problem. The problem is our poverty rate is so out of date that the families whose incomes exceed the levels used to determine eligibility for these programs cannot afford them. Why are we not including funding the feeding all the children in public school? They are our future, and we want them all to be the very best adults they can be.

The idols of greed, lust for power, and bigotry blind us to what is right, what is just regarding our faith experiences and our search for the Common Good.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we get so caught up in being right, we become wrong. Amen.

*https://www.publicschoolreview.com/free-lunch-stats/oklahoma

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.

God’s Tent

Ordinary Time

January 18, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 27:1, 4-9

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
   whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
   of whom shall I be afraid?

One thing I asked of the Lord,
   that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
   all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
   and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter
   in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
   he will set me high on a rock. –Psalm 27:1, 4-5

I needed this scripture this morning. It is a soothing balm in a world that seems destined to destroy itself as unbelievable weather events keep occurring. Where politics is being ruled by varied issues that have nothing to do with the Common Good distracting us from the real issues that need to be addressed.  Church has been caught up in the distraction.

In 1937 — the year the Gallup poll began — seven out of 10 Americans attended church. In 2020 — before the pandemic — only 47 percent of Americans belonged to a church, synagogue or mosque, according to the survey. It’s been trending downward since 2000*. 

I used the word church above rather than faith because the word church brings to mind a building. I am not suggesting we element buildings of worship.  I am struck by the words in the above scripture saying that God will conceal us under the cover of God’s tent. Does our living our faith reflect what God expects of us?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the balm of your Psalmist. Let them lead us back to the shelter of your love. Help us reflect your love in our service to you. Amen.

*See at https://www.npr.org/2022/12/10/1141010320/as-attendance-dips-churches-change-to-stay-relevant-for-a-new-wave-of-worshipper#:~:text=In%201937%20%E2%80%94%20the%20year%20the,been%20trending%20downward%20since%202000.

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.

Ending Oppression–Sharing Love

Ordinary Time

January 17, 2023

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4
But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness
   have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
   on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
   you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
   as with joy at the harvest,
   as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
   and the bar across their shoulders,
   the rod of their oppressor,
   you have broken as on the day of Midian.

I am reading the book Horse by Geraldine Brooks. It is very good, and I highly recommend it. It is the story of a champion horse and his trainer, a young slave in the pre-Civil War south, interspersed with the perspective of current-day scientists looking back on that time. The young slave was the son of a well-respected slave who was a valued horse trainer, eventually gaining his freedom. The son was groomed to follow his father’s career and learned well, but he was born into slavery and remained a slave as the story begins. He experienced the rod of the oppressor and learned well the behavior necessary to survive, but survival was not his goal; freedom was.

As I read the above scripture, this young man’s quest for freedom and wholeness sprung to mind. He found the light of God in many places. He learned to read from a preacher who taught him using the Bible as his textbook. Teaching a slave to read was against the law. He learned to look for the helpers as Mr. Rogers recommended and found them along the way. But most importantly, so far as I have read, he cared about others. His owner had a big bet against another man’s horse that was to conclude after two races. The young man’s horse won the first race leaving the older horse well behind. After the first race, the young man saw that the competitor’s horse could not make the second race and tried to warn against that horse running again. No one listened; the horse was forced to run again, was beaten again, and died in the night after the race.

One of the greatest challenges of forming the kingdom of God, the Beloved Community, is understanding that God’s love is not just for some but for all. When we experience that love, we must also share it without distinction.

Prayer: Lord, as you guide us from any oppression we may experience, enrich our lives to love without judgment. 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.

The Great Light

Ordinary Time

January 16, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 9:1-4
But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness
   have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
   on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
   you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
   as with joy at the harvest,
   as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
   and the bar across their shoulders,
   the rod of their oppressor,
   you have broken as on the day of Midian.

On a personal note, it has been a dark week. Monday morning, I received a call that one of my best friends through all 12 years of public school had died. Her obituary described well what a wonderful servant she was for doing her part to meet the needs of all. That evening I learned that a friend had died suddenly and unexpectedly who, by any measure, was one of the best legal advocates for all disadvantaged people but particularly immigrants in Oklahoma City.

This is also the week that newly elected leaders take their place in trying to find common ground for the Common Good when both at the federal level and the state level, some seem dedicated only to keeping the government in turmoil resulting in nothing getting done about very serious issues.

We, indeed, have seen a great light in the coming of Christ. Our great challenge is following that light. I fear we who call ourselves Christian have been caught up in the artificial lights of the world, causing us to lose sight of the light of Christ. Now is the time to rekindle the light of Christ, examine our lives to see if we are following his ways, and reignite his vision through our service and love.

Prayer: Lord, guide us in examining ourselves to discern where we may have slipped away from fulfilling your vision. Restore us to our mission. 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.

Called to Serve

Ordinary Time

January 15, 2023

Scripture Reading: John 1:29-42

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter). John 1:35-42

The story of John’s disciples leaving him and immediately following Jesus is somewhat truncated in the telling. We do not know how long John had been preaching that the Messiah was coming. His disciples were probably well versed in the scriptures from the prophets and most likely had heard John refer to him as the Lamb of God. After spending time with Jesus, John’s disciples accepted him as the One and immediately went to bring others into the group. Andrew’s first response was to tell his brother, Simon Peter.

I have always assumed that Peter was the older brother, which may or may not be true. He was a leader, a take-charge person, and somewhat impulsive. At the beginning of Peter’s relationship with Jesus, he was not necessarily the kind of person one would describe as a rock, but he became one.  Jesus saw that trait in Peter from the beginning. Even though Jesus chastises Peter at one point, saying, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’ (Matthew 16:23). And at Jesus’s trial, Jesus said to Peter, ‘Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ (Matthew 26:34) Yet Peter became a rock for the beginning of the church.

We are each called for service that only we can do with the guidance of the Spirit we need to fulfill being the person God created us to be as we fulfill that calling. We may not be Peter, but we would never have had Peter without Andrew.

Prayer: Lord, help us to find our calling and guide us in fulfilling 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

The Story of God

Ordinary Time

January 14, 2023

Scripture Reading:

John 1:29-42

The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’ –John 1:29-34

I do not know which John wrote the book of John or even if it was only named to honor the disciple, but I do like how the author writes. After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me. In one poetic sentence, the writer of John told the whole history of Christ’s being. He was present at creation and is coming to lead us forward into God’s kingdom.

I read the Bible primarily as story. I think I always have. God cannot be carefully dissected and thus understood in totality. We piece together the ways of God by the pictures drawn in antiquity, bringing to life that which cannot be fully understood. Yet, from those historical pictures, we can glean the very essence of God, the Creator, Parent, Son, and Spirit guiding us into becoming the person God created us to be as individuals and as crucial interconnected parts of the Beloved Community.

The challenge of reading scripture as story or fact is the same. We are tempted to read the script the way we want it to be and not necessarily the way God meant it to be. Thus, we must maintain good communication channels with God in all of God’s manifestations with clean hearts and right spirits.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of scripture and the gifts of prayer and meditation, so they all blend together, bringing us closer to 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.

Spiritual Gifts

Ordinary Time

January 13, 2023

Scripture Reading:

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. –1 Corinthians 4-9

I wander into activities that seem to be above my pay grade. The digital world drives me crazy as the software providers seem to be in a race to see who can develop the greatest new thing without notifying their customers; they have changed everything overnight. The thing I hate the most is signing on to do something very important and needed quickly to be greeted by a message an update needs to be made. If I make the update, I do not have a clue what they have changed and how to deal with it. So, when I read in the scripture above you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. I thank God for filling in the gaps often with others who share in the work.

Paul describes these spiritual gifts in Romans 12. They are summarized as—(a) perceiving, (b) serving, (c) teaching, (d) encouraging, (e) giving, (f) ruling, and (g) mercy* The first one, perceiving, is probably what I need the most when wrestling with the computer dragon or an eight-year-old might be more helpful. These gifts are all important. Perceiving the situation I am trying to address gives me the motivation to make the effort to learn what I need to learn to complete my mission. Serving, however, is the primary reason for all that we do as we serve the Lord. Teaching, encouraging, and giving are all important as we work together as a community of faith striving to build a better world. I do not know about the ruling gift, but I defiantly need mercy and to show mercy.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gifts of the spirit that undergird all that we do in your name.. Amen.

*See at https://www.regent.edu/journal/journal-of-biblical-perspectives-in-leadership/romans-12-spiritual-gifts/#:~:text=The%20seven%20motivational%20gifts%20found,people%20regardless%20of%20faith%20tradition.

Grace and Peace

Ordinary Time

January 12, 2023

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. –1 Corinthians 1:1-3

The Greek word, charis*, translated as grace, is preeminently used of the Lord’s favor – freely extended to give Himself away to people. Grace is a very appropriate greeting in a letter reminding the recipient of God’s loving presence and blessing. The Greek word, eiréné**, translated here as peace, describes a sense of wholeness—when all essential parts are joined together.

I must confess that definition of peace surprised this introvert who, on occasion, longs for time alone and considers that to be peaceful. I had to remind myself that much of my alone time is tied to trying to discern wholeness in our fragmented world***. As a retiree who now devotes by choice time to advocacy work, I identify more with the phrase peace, peace, when there is no peace, which is found in Jeremiah 6:14 as well as Jeremiah 8:11. and in Ezekiel 13:10 and 16. However, we all must remember that wholeness, when all essential parts are joined together, is the goal or should be the goal of all advocacy. The greatest challenge in advocacy when a perceived wrong is trying to be corrected, is that first we understand that God is the final authority regarding justice and righteousness, I do not get to define it. In most instances, the people who are supporting their version of the issue believe as deeply as I do that the justice and righteousness they desire is of God.

Getting into I can out-scripture you fights never work. What worked for Jesus was listening to the stories of the ones he was trying to help. Walking beside them and helping even his very human disciples to recognize righteousness in their interactions. Sometimes when we are working to make systemic changes with all its paperwork and give and take, we probably need to seek peace among those we are trying to serve. We might even want to take someone with us from the other side of the issue and try to understand why we see the situation and solutions so differently. Who knows we might find common grounds for the Common Good.

Prayer: Lord, help us understand ourselves as we try to understand others. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/5485.htm**https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm

***Taken from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) identity statement, We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one Body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us. – Disciples of Christ Identity Statement

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.