Author Archives: WOJ@deborahsdescendants.com

God is not Dead

Living in the Spirit

October 3, 2022

Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Yesterday was a very busy day for me. About 9:30 pm, I finally kicked back in my recliner and pulled up the national newspapers to read. It was depressing, to say the least. Reports from the impact of hurricane Ian laid out grime details of its destructive, deadly impact. The division in our nation seeped through almost every other article. A line from the Christmas carol, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day came to mind

For hate is strong and mocks the song
 Of peace on Earth, goodwill to men*.

Jeremiah, in the scripture above, provides good advice for us today.  Continue to build the beloved community no matter what is going on around us. The carol goes on to say,

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on Earth, goodwill to men*

Prayer: Let it be so. Amen.

*From the hymn, I heard the bells on Christmas day by Henry W. Longfellow, see at https://hymnary.org/text/i_heard_the_bells_on_christmas_day

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.

Persuaded to Trust

Living in the Spirit

October 2, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 17:5-10

The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.

‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”? Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!”’

Faith is to be persuaded, to come to trust*.

Faith (4102/pistis) is always a gift from God, and never something that can be produced by people. In short, 4102/pistis (“faith”) for the believer is “God’s divine persuasion” – and therefore distinct from human belief (confidence), yet involving it. The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers, i.e. the persuasion of His will (1 Jn 5:4: for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. )*.

My book club is reading the book Sugar Birds by Cheryl Grey Bostrom. Anymore, I listen to most books, to lessen the strain on my eyes. I have been very busy recently and needed to find the time to read this book before our group meets to discuss it. I listen to the first chapter which was very sad, and I just laid it aside. I really did not want to return to it, but finally did. It is the story of life in families and communities where bad things happen to good people and where the strength to deal with that is in the gift of God’s faithfulness. The challenge lies in being able to come to that trust. There is a grandmother in the story who quietly prays without ceasing to intersect with the gift of God’s faithfulness.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. –1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of faith you share with us like the manna from heaven giving us enough faith when we need it. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/4102.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.

Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places

Living in the Spirit

October 1, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 17:5-10

The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.

‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”? Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!”’

This is a dense scripture. One almost must be in the mind of the author to understand the message fully. The Interpreter’s Bible questions its grammar. I guess that is on the translator, but the original language was probably a challenge too.

The point is not that they need more faith; rather, they need to understand that faith enables God to work in a person’s life in ways that defy ordinary human experience. The saying is not about being able to do miraculous works or spectacular tricks. On the contrary, Jesus assures the disciples that with even a little faith they can live by his teaching on discipleship*.

I am not sure what that means either, but it reminded me of a conversation in a Bible study recently when we were discussing the state of our world right now. I noted that there seemed to be a need among people that to be of worth they must be better than another person or group of people. That sounds contradictory to the understanding that all people were made in the image of God and that it would be impossible to be better than anyone else. A thoughtful participant said, that even if we are made in the image of God, we must choose to follow God. Until we accept God’s grace, we cannot fulfill our discipleship leaving us wandering around trying to find love in all the wrong places to quote an old song**.  Serving God is a joy, not slave labor. I fall back on the scripture Matthew 11:28-30, ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

Prayer: Lord, when we grow frustrated in our discipleship, bless us with the joy of being a conduit of your love. Amen.

*The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume IX Luke John page 322

** Lookin’ for Love by Wanda Mallette, Bob Morrison, and Patti Ryan

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.

Letters of Love

Living in the Spirit

September 30, 2022

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-14

I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. –2 Timothy 1:3-7

There is a lot between the lines of this scripture because it is a letter to a friend who can fill in the blanks. Why would someone think the author might not have a clear conscience, why was Timothy crying? Were those tears of joy or pain or being overwhelmed Timoty shed? What was the connection between Timothy’s family and his need to rekindle the gift of God he had received? While we will never know the answers to these questions, they illustrate well the importance of sharing in community with others who are striving to build the beloved community. No matter what the details of the correspondents’ lives are, the advice closing out this scripture is good for all of us. God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

I am a coward about some things but hopefully not the things that matter. My greatest fear is through my advocacy work, I might make things worse. Therein lies the need to recognize that we are graced by a spirit of power and of love with whom we need to maintain open communication, and that requires self-discipline.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the grace of your love that fills the gaps in our ability to serve you as you completely. 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 with Us

Living in the Spirit

September 29, 2022

Scripture Reading:

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us. –2 Timothy 1:8-14

Hymns often run through my mind when I read the scriptures upon which they are based. Many of those hymns have been removed from hymnals. While some may have questionable theology many just do not meet our current language and music styles. The one that flashed through my mind as I read the above scripture was, I know not why God’s wondrous grace To me He hath made known*.

1 I know not why God’s wondrous grace
to me is daily shown,
nor why, with mercy, Christ in love
redeemed me for his own.

Refrain:
But “I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I’ve committed
unto him against that day.”

In times like these, with storms, fires, wars, and injustice rampant, we need to read/sing/hear this message and know that our Lord is indeed able to keep that which all of us have committed against such times like these.

Prayer: Lord, help us remember who we are and whose we are as we deal with life’s challenges. Amen.

*I know not why God’s wondrous grace To me He hath made known by D. H. Whittle see at https://hymnary.org/text/i_know_not_why_gods_wondrous_grace_to_me

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.

Patience or Long Suffering

Living in the Spirit

September 28, 2022

Scripture Reading: Psalm 37:1-9
Do not fret because of the wicked;
   do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass,
   and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
   so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
   trust in him, and he will act.
He will make your vindication shine like the light,
   and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
   do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
   over those who carry out evil devices.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
   Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For the wicked shall be cut off,
   but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

The word translated in the NRSV Bible as patience among the listing of the fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) in other translations reads forbearance or longsuffering. I tend to identify more with the translation longsuffering. Patience is a nice word. Longsuffering is a self-pitying word. Patience is encouraging a baby to take its first steps. Longsuffering is waiting for a teenager who is already an hour late from curfew while the parent wonders if the teen has been killed in a wreck or whether the parents want to wring the teen’s neck for being late and making them worry. Both understandings apply to our work in implementing the beloved community that Jesus called us to champion. At times, we take baby steps, and at other times we must step out in faith into the unknown of spiritual growth needed to complete the tasks set before us. Babies land on their back sides many times before that first step lands. Whether we like it or not, teenagers must learn from their own mistakes as adults also must.

The above Psalm teaches us that we never are alone as we journey through our lives serving God. We need to develop the spiritual disciplines to lean into God’s presence in all that we do and trust God to do God’s part.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your patience in helping us develop as your servants. Forgive us for any long-suffering we cause you as we learn from our own mistakes. 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.

Partners in Christ Service

Living in the Spirit

Living in the Spirit

September 27, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4

O Lord, how long shall I cry for help,
   and you will not listen?
Or cry to you ‘Violence!’
   and you will not save?
Why do you make me see wrongdoing
   and look at trouble?
Destruction and violence are before me;
   strife and contention arise.
So the law becomes slack|
   and justice never prevails.
The wicked surround the righteous—
   therefore judgment comes forth perverted.

Then the Lord answered me and said:
Write the vision;
   make it plain on tablets,
   so that a runner may read it.
For there is still a vision for the appointed time;
   it speaks of the end, and does not lie.
If it seems to tarry, wait for it;
   it will surely come, it will not delay.
Look at the proud!
   Their spirit is not right in them,
   but the righteous live by their faith. –Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:2-4

What we fail to understand is that God expects us to do our part in providing for the Common Good among all people. The first line of this scripture calls for help, but I fear we want God to wave a magic wand and make everything the way we want life to be. There are many problems with this way of thinking, but the major one is that we all have different perceptions of what that way should be. God expects us to work together to find common ground in defining and providing for the Common Good as we seek justice, act kindly, and walk humbly with our Lord (See Micah 6:8) The hymn Called as partners in Christ’s service* addresses this well.

Prayer: Lord, help us respond with a deep commitment to fulfilling your chosen end.  Amen.

*See at https://digitalsongsandhymns.com/songs/6113

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.

Lamentations

Living in the Spirit

September 26, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Lamentations 1:1-6, 3:19-26

Judah has gone into exile with suffering
   and hard servitude;
she lives now among the nations,
   and finds no resting-place;
her pursuers have all overtaken her
   in the midst of her distress.

 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
   his mercies never come to an end;
 they are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness.
‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,
   ‘therefore I will hope in him.’

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
    to the soul that seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
   for the salvation of the Lord. –Lamentations 1:3, 22-26

I watched Ken Burns latest series on PBS which describes the USA’s interaction with the Holocaust. Most of it was not news to me but seeing it all gathered together was heart-wrenching. It was also frightfully similar to parts of our nation today. Some with their heads buried in the sand, some leaning toward fascism.  Others see what is happening but do not think it is theirs to solve, and others want to help but do not know what to do.  

Yesterday, I took a day off from the news. I have grown tired of hearing another senseless murder occured in my city overnight, and lamentapoliticians raving about issues that take the focus off the real problems that cry out to be addressed–lack of health care, poorly supported education systems, homelessness, and hunger. I needed to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations are good for the soul as God strengthens our backbones giving us the courage to rise and be the people God created us to be as we do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God. (See Micah 6:8)

Prayer: Lord, grant us the courage we need to serve 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.

In the World Not of It

Living in the Spirit

September 25, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Luke 16:19-31

Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.” He said, “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” He said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” ’ –Luke 16:26-31

What does it take to make us do what is necessary to address a problem?  The phone part of my cell phone went dead on me this morning giving me the message that I had no SIM card. My very first reaction was, “what time does Target open?” I cannot live without a telephone. The store was not opened yet. I calmed down a bit so I accessed, via my computer, my phone carrier explaining my problem. The woman who responded asked me a few questions and then instructed me on how to access my SIM card and guided me through cleaning it. I chatted back that I would rather take it to someone else to fix. She said let’s try this first and I following her patient detailed instructions removed the SIM card, cleaned it, and reinstalled it. My phone worked again. If I had followed my first instinct, I probably would have spent a lot of time and money for no good reason because dust seeped through the edge of my phone and temporarily blocked its working.

As the scripture above indicates, we, too, have had Moses and the prophets and Jesus, who did rise from the dead, and still, we panic and search the ways of the world to address our life challenges before we recall we are children of God and our first step in managing our life should be to touch base with God and take strength in knowing who we are and whose we are. If we live our faith, eventually, like Paul in 1 Timothy 4:7, we will be able to say, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Prayer: Lord, help me stay in touch with you through my daily spiritual disciplines so that I seek your guidance in all phases of intersecting with the world. Remind us all, we are in the world not of it. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Can’t Bye me, Love

Living in the Spirit

September 24, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 16:19-31

‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.” But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. –Luke 16:19-25

I am so tired of being asked for money. During this election season, I get five or more text messages or emails a day begging for campaign donations. Most of the pundits I hear predicting election outcomes base their prognostications on how much money the candidate has raised whether it came from a few rich supporters or many small donors. The Beatle’s song titled Can’t Bye Me, Love runs through my mind, and I wonder if we end up electing people who are better at raising money than finding common ground for the Common Good. I am not sure the skills are interchangeable.

Jesus indicated that he judges us by how well we love our neighbors. He is quoted in Matthew 25 listing the criteria by which he judges people:  feeding the hungry, providing water for the thirsty, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, restoring the prisoner, and welcoming the stranger.  Rather than how much money a candidate raises, where they stand and act on these issues might be a better criterion for choosing someone to serve in our government.

Prayer: Lord, enable us to love our neighbors as you would have us to love 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.