Author Archives: WOJ@deborahsdescendants.com

Judging the Nations

Christmastide

January 1, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 25:31-46
‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’

For me, the above scripture is the most important scripture in the Bible. (Micah 6:8 is a close second) They both offer concrete ideals for our personal relationships with others. Reread the first part again. It is not just instruction to individuals; it is how whole nations will be judged. I fear at times, we are more invested in our personal salvation than in the salvation of all God’s children in every nation as we live into God’s goal of a single kingdom blending all people in a world ruled by love.

Let us dedicate 2023 to wanting the very best for all God’s people and nations and remembering that all people were created in God’s image with the understanding that what is the very best for us personally is not necessarily the best for others. God created diverse people for a reason, and we must respect that.

Prayer: Lord, help us work toward our diverse oneness with you this year, starting with our nation. 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.

Loving the World’s Outcasts

Christmastide

December 31, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 25:31-46
‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’

This is probably one of the most ignored scriptures in the Bible, but it is Jesus’s final word to us in Matthew and may be the most important. I got very tired of people running for office who often begin and end their ad identifying as a Christian, but their ad was full of making fun of others and winning votes for their antics. Can you find one instance in the scriptures where Jesus ever made fun of anyone? He spent much of his time with the outcasts of his day, letting them know that God loves all the people God created.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we turn our back on your example to follow the world’s wisdom. Turn us around, recharge our 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

New Things

Christmastide

December 30, 2022

Scripture Reading: Revelation 21:1-6a
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
‘See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.’

And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.

One of my favorite choruses is I Will Do a New Thing in You based on Isaiah 43:19:

I am about to do a new thing;
   now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
   and rivers in the desert.

The chorus makes it more personal, but it is also copyrighted, so I cannot share the words, but the title says what moves me and hopefully moves all of us to action. We need to do new things, most of which are as old as time. Loving your neighbor is first commanded in Lev. 19:18. Doing Justice is described in Micah 6:8. Matthew 25:31-46 spells out precisely how Christ will judge us individually and as a nation, remember for I was hungry and you gave me food… Living in a democracy, we do not have a monarch or dictator to blame for our failures to provide for the Common Good, the purpose of government. We, the people, select those who represent us and who are supposed to support our biding. Maybe the new thing Christ is trying to do with us wakes us up to our responsibilities in providing for the Common Good.

Prayer: Lord, help us see the new/old things you expect from us and give us the courage to do them. 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.

Using Free Will Wisely

Christmastide

December 29, 2022

Scripture Reading: Revelation 21:1-6a
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
‘See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.’

And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.

God is with us right now; the real question is: are we with God? Free will is perhaps the greatest gift God gave us. It opens the door to being whatever we want to be and doing whatever we choose. We forget that free will endows us with the responsibility to choose wisely. Maintaining a close relationship with our Creator is the best way to enhance our use of our free will for us and all of God’s creation.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of free will. We open our hearts and minds to you and ask for your guidance in using it wisely.  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.

Knowing the Majestic God of Love

Christmastide

December 28, 2022

Scripture Reading: Psalm 8
O Lord, our Sovereign,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.
   Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
   to silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
   the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
   mortals that you care for them?

Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
   and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
   you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
   and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
   whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Sovereign,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!

I am what is called a cradle Christian. I probably sang Jesus, Loves Me in the womb. I really cannot imagine what a Godless world would be. I have taken God for granted forever. Does that belittle God? Indeed not. I think God wants us to take God for granted, but with the understanding that once we know God, we have a responsibility to live God’s love so that everyone can take God for granted, and thus our world would be ruled by God’s love.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for writing the words of the above psalm on the heart of one of your children who willingly shared the truth of your being present with us even in your majesty.  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.

A Time to Read

Christmastide

December 26, 2022

Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace. –Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

I cannot read this scripture without my brain switching it to the song Turn! Turn! Turn! sung by the Birds. Because I learned it first from hearing that song, I did not realize until I read it just now that the line a time to tear, and a time to sew is referring to sewing cloth, not sowing seeds which are covered in the third line that starts with a time to plant. This realization made me think of my mother because those two activities, gardening, and sewing, all sorts of other things, were probably my mother’s favorite activities.

The list could go on. I do not see a time to write or record history anywhere on this list. Solomon is credited as the author. It seems odd that he would leave out the very thing he was doing. I wonder if he had included writing what the opposite action would have been, a time to read, perhaps. Spending time reading scripture every day grounds us in the Word of God. Reading selections that we can quote by heart and suddenly be struck by words that have always been there and seeing them from a different perspective is important.

As we begin a new year, let us dedicate daily time to read the Bible. I like following a lectionary because it forces me to read parts unfamiliar to me and some that make me uncomfortable. That reaction often makes me dive deeper into what is being said. I pull out my Interpreter Bible to see what others think or check out Strong’s Concordance to see insights from the original language.

Prayer: Lord, help us all be students of the Word both written and through our communion with 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.

Christ is Born Today

Christmas Day

December 25, 2022

Scripture: John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

For many people, Christmas day is a time to share love with families or friends with merriment and joy. A candlelight Christmas Eve service might light the way, a Christmas Day worship service might set the stage this year, or both. Gift-giving traditions will be followed, and favorite foods will remind us of that special cake grandma used to make. For others, this may be a more sober time because of the illness or death of a loved one. Yet we rest in the hope of God with Us even in times of sorrow or pain.

For others, this may be a painful time. For them, for whatever reason, the celebration of Christmas brings back unhappy memories resulting from family discord, extreme poverty, misdirected beliefs, or unhappy situations in our lives today. I recall the faith of the Ukrainian people on this very day and probably many days to come as they deal with war. We need to remember that these situations are exactly the reason God came and dwelt among us to redeem us from the world’s challenges.

Christmas is a time for all Christ-followers to rededicate themselves to build the Beloved Community worldwide sooner than later.  

Prayer: God with Us, empower our love to spread your love in our homes and to the ends of the earth. 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.

Fully Divine Fully Human

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2022

Scripture: John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

While I do think it is important to acknowledge that Jesus was fully human, I an glad that the book of John was written and including in the Bible following the birth stories because it brings us fully back the understanding that the one who came to dwell among us as God with Us was also truly divine. Using more abstract words like the Word and light, John confronts the mystery of One who supersedes anything we can even imagine while sharing the experiences of those who interacted with this Word, this light as we would any other human. God is not only with us, God knows how it feels to be human.

The book of Genesis tells us that God created each of us in God’s image. I think that means we are all fully capable of loving like God as was modeled by Jesus in his sojourn on earth. Throughout the Bible we see testimony of God’s desire for justice and mercy among all God’s creation. Just like all children, as children of God we sometimes stumble and miss the mark, but God’s love sustains us and will guide us into God’s light when we seek to restore our relationship with God striving to become fully the individuals and the people God created us to be.

Prayer: That you Lord, for dwelling among us and showing by your actions the way to fulfill our calling in building your beloved community. 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.

God Will Do a New Thing In Us

Advent

December 23, 2022

Scripture:

Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12)

For to which of the angels did God ever say,
‘You are my Son;
   today I have begotten you’?
Or again,
‘I will be his Father,
   and he will be my Son’?
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’
Of the angels he says,
‘He makes his angels winds,
   and his servants flames of fire.’
But of the Son he says,
‘Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever,
   and the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
   with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’
And,
‘In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,
   and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain;
   they will all wear out like clothing;
like a cloak you will roll them up,
   and like clothing they will be changed.
But you are the same,
   and your years will never end.’ –Hebrews 1:5-12

As freezing Siberian weather descends on us, we continue to deny climate change occurring all around us whether of human origin or not. I read with trepidation these lines from the above scripture,

‘In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,
   and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain;
   they will all wear out like clothing;
like a cloak you will roll them up,
   and like clothing they will be changed

I suppose it should not bother me since I accept that we humans perish and wear out. We still try to take care of ourselves and live as long and vital life as possible. Many of us have designated the donation of our organs to extend the life of others.  Caring for the earth is part of caring for ourselves.

The poet indicates that while the earth will wear out it will also be changed. My mother never, ever wasted anything. When our clothing wore out to the point it was no longer fit to wear, she carefully examined each garment and found the pieces of cloth that were not worn, clipped them out, and used them to make quilts

God created the earth and all that is on it including humans to flourish and care for one another. We should not take that responsibility lightly as we sojourn with God in the world we know today as we await our future with God.

Prayer: Creator God, open our hearts and mines to finding the ways in which we can care for your creation including each of 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.

Building the Future

Advent

December 22, 2022

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12)

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. –Hebrews 1:1-4

I heard yesterday on the news that the Taliban had reinstated the rule that Afghan women could no longer attend university.  The move was expected. As I read the scripture above that thought crossed my mind because scholars have no idea who wrote the book of Hebrews. One speculation is that it might have been a woman because of their standing in that culture in the first century, women were not normally accredited with such work. Priscilla and Mary Magdalene have been named as possible authors. The King James Version of the Bible identifies Paul as the author, but the written form of Hebrews is very different from Paul’s writing.

Regardless of the author, the document seems to have been targeted at churches needing to examine their vision and purpose, perhaps as they shift from awaiting and imminent return of Christ toward making ready the Kingdom of God for Christ’s return. That idea plays out well in the scripture quoted above.  The scripture reminds us that prophets had predicted Christ’s coming many years ago and in these last days Christ, God with us, came to dwell among us, made purification of our sins, and returned to his work at the right hand of God. In so doing, he instructed us to continue his work here on earth. We might liken our call to work on building the Kingdom of God to Jesus’s instructions to the disciples in Luke 22:8: So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.’

Prayer: Lord, guide us by your Spirit through your work to do our work to actualize the Kingdom of God here, now, and for the future. 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.