Author Archives: WOJ@deborahsdescendants.com

Initiating Love

Living in the Spirit

August 21, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Luke 13:10-17

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

When we get caught up in following rules as our primary purpose in life, we have lost the reason for the rule. Rules are established to smooth the way to an outcome. They should never be the outcome itself.  We are called to love one another and be of service to each other. I love the example Jesus sets for us of initiating contact with the woman bent over and unable to stand up straight without her having to ask for help. Making such an approach required tact and a genuine interest in the person needing help. It also means we do not push our values on another. When I supervised direct social work years ago, I received a call from an irate woman who had been among the members of a Sunday school class that had provided Christmas gifts for a needy family. The woman had driven by that family’s house and had seen the little girl who received a dress as her gift. She was playing in the dirt wearing the dress “just ruining it.”  The woman said she would never donate like that again. I told her we appreciated her gift and were sorry she felt that way. I did wonder if any of her children had ever had a dress they loved so much they never wanted to take it off.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for setting the example of giving of ourselves without expecting anything in return and perhaps like the bent-over woman changing a person’s life for the good by one simple act of 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.

Following the Rules

Living in the Spirit

August 20, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 13:10-17

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Rules were not necessarily made to be broken but learning how to make exceptions to rules is a key to faith maturity. Rules are guidelines to simplify life. I get frustrated by the number of drivers who do not use their turn signals. The use of a turn signal is a driving rule. I also get frustrated when people forget to turn them off after making a turn. And yes, I am guilty of having done both at one time or another. I must admit that driving is much safer and simpler when everyone plays by the rules. Of course, my best effort at correcting the situation is to be a good role model. I did not get the assignment to police anyone else’s behavior. We have a well-trained police force to do that.

The rules about working on the Sabbath exist for both the purpose of resting the human body from the hard work, mental or physical, people do the other six days of the week and for setting aside time to reconnect and focus on our relationship with God. The Bible accounts many times when Jesus withdrew from the crowds, even the Disciples, to connect more deeply with God.

The above scripture seems to describe a game of who is the holiest. I cannot imagine any greater feeling of connectedness to God than the ability to touch someone and heal their deformed body. Now that is a Sabbath for the ages.

Prayer: Lord, guide our dedications to following your rules designed to make our lives more manageable while continuing 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.

Truth

Living in the Spirit

August 19, 2022

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:18-29

See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.’ This phrase ‘Yet once more’ indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire. –Hebrews 12:25-29

Truth exists. I have read descriptions of modernity as the state of being current, or up with the times. This may contribute to the downplaying of history current in our world. Now is all that matters, as tomorrow everything may change. The implication is that cultural changes are driving us. Today’s cell phone is out-of-date tomorrow. Truth in modernity thus is as malleable as we want it.

The reshaping of truth, however, is not modern. It is at least 2,000 years old. In the story of Jesus’ trial interview with Pilate, Jesus is quoted as saying, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ To which Pilate responds by asking, ‘What is truth?’  (John 17:36-38)

We are being shaken to our core today with the chaos of a divide and conquer war being waged to separate us from one another. Yet we are called to be one by Jesus to love and care for one another and not to be ruled by the principalities and powers of a greed-driven world.

let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1b-2

Prayer: Lord, Grant us the courage 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.

Change is Coming

Living in the Spirit

Living in the Spirit

August 18, 2022

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:18-29

You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. (For they could not endure the order that was given, ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.’ Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, ‘I tremble with fear.’) But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. –Hebrews 12:18-24

Hebrews ends with a comparison of a relationship with God via comparing old with new, the law compared to the gospel, Abel’s blood spilled and Jesus’s blood bringing in a new covenant. Moses trembled with fear as he approached the holy mountain while entrance to the heavenly Jerusalem is a coming home experience.

Our world and everything in it routinely experiences small but dramatic changes. Thirty years ago, did you imagine life with a cell phone? Major changes have had even greater ramifications, the Renaissance for example, or the “discovery” of the New World. I believe we are in one of those major-change times right now and I believe we are called, to work with God to tilt the outcome toward the formation of the Beloved Community.

Our world is suffering the chaos of change, threatened with battles between authoritarianism and democracy, the growing division between the haves and the have-nots, and climate change that threatens our very being. God continues to shape our world just as he created the earth out of chaos. We must be open to God’s calling to partner with God in the work of making the Beloved Community a reality.

Prayer: Lord, turn our fear of what is happening in our world today into energy to build 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.

Godlike

Living in the Spirit

August 17, 2022

Scripture Reading:
 Psalm 103:1-8
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
   and all that is within me,
   bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
   and do not forget all his benefits—
who forgives all your iniquity,
   who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
   who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works vindication
   and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
   his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
   slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

We serve a mighty God, a loving God. Like a parent, God watches us mature and struggle with good and bad choices. We need to learn from our mistakes and our successes. We need to recognize God in the work we do. I shared a story in my Sunday school class recently. How I withdrew from a club when I thought it had mistreated my sister. My sister continued in the club until she graduated from high school.  I then added something that even surprised me. I said I guess I am more like my mother than I thought. I often describe my mother as the great egalitarian. I pale in comparison. Loving everyone was buried deep in the marrow of her bones. My sister is actually more like my mother than me. They both loved to work in the garden and sew. As we are all somewhat like our human parents, we all have been gifted by God with Godly traits that God expects us to develop and use to God’s glory. This Psalm invites us to recognize that and also that God is always with us in all situations.

Prayer: Lord, help us to grow and develop the art of loving others you imprinted in 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.

Repairing the Breach

Living in the Spirit

August 16, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 58:9b-14

If you remove the yoke from among you,
   the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
if you offer your food to the hungry
   and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
   and your gloom be like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you continually,
   and satisfy your needs in parched places,
   and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
   like a spring of water,
   whose waters never fail.
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
   you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
   the restorer of streets to live in. –Isaiah 58:9b-12

The word breach today is most often used to describe an infraction or violation of a law, obligation, tie, code, or standard unfulfillment or nonfeasance constituting infraction*. During Isaiah’s time, it most likely took on the connotation of something that was broken, ruptured, or torn condition, a place showing rupture, split, or fissure*. While the definitions are much the same the first describes a more sanitized meaning where we would go to court, whether civil or criminal, and handle the issue. Isaiah speaks more of something more visceral and observed as being irreparable but must be repaired for life to be meaningful. As impossible as life may seem at times, we serve a God who is a repairer of the breach and who has called us to be repairers of the breach.

We are at a crossroads in our nation, the whole world, where breaches surround us. Where discerning what is just and right has become so fractured, we cannot find the common ground needed to support the Common Good even to the extent that we are caught in a pulling contest with God being the rope. Rather than conducting a religious tug of war, we must let God be God as God strives to rebuild us and makes us repairers of the breach.

Prayer:
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
reclothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise**.  Amen.

*https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/Breach

**First verse of the Hymn Dear Lord and Father of Mankind by John Greenleaf Whittier. See at https://hymnary.org/text/dear_lord_and_father_of_mankind

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 Do Justice

Living in the Spirit

August 15, 2022

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,
‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’
Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me,
‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”;
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.’
Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth;
and the Lord said to me,
‘Now I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to pull down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.’

I have been so impressed with some of the youth and young adults who have picked up the causes of justice in our land. They are ready to see a world built on caring for one another. I think they must have grown tired of divisive empty words when so much of importance is at stake.

Most of the prophets professed the need to have God put words in their mouths. I know that feeling every time I write something. I never want my words to be turned around against the situation I am addressing. I also remember Joan of Arc’s dilemma when she prayed for a message from God, and none came immediately. I know the wisdom of sleeping on something I have written to see it with fresh eyes, so I am not missing the mark.

I guess what I am trying to say is that all Christ-followers need to be brave like the young Jeremiah or the youth of our day standing against the injustice they see as we answer God’s call to end discord and build a loving world.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the courage to follow your call to 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.

The Climate is Changing

Living in the Spirit

August 14, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 12:49-56

He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, “It is going to rain”; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat”; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? –Luke 12:54-56

Probably many of us have had our heads in the sand regarding climate change. Oh, I recycle my garbage that can be recycled, drive an energy-efficient small car, and adjust my thermostat to the most efficient level I can. That clearly is not enough. The signs of the impact of climate change are getting bigger and more serious but some of our leaders are unwilling to take the steps necessary to protect our fragile earth. We know much that can be done to slow down the onslaught before it is too late. How long have we been putting this off?

The Climate is Changing

The climate is changing! Creation cries out!
Your people face flooding and fire and drought.
We see the great heat waves and storms at their worst.
We pray for the poor, Lord — for they suffer first.

We pray for the animals here in our midst
who cannot defend their own right to exist.
We pray for the mountains and forests and seas
that bear the harsh footprint of our human greed.

We thank you for people who treasure the Earth,
whose faith has long taught them its beauty and worth.
We thank you as well for the children and youth
who look to the future and speak out the truth.

We thank you, for leaders, courageous and brave,
who know that the Earth is worth fighting to save,
who care about justice and what they should do,
who listen to science and work hard for you.

You love this good Earth, and you sent us your Son!
May we love our neighbors — there’s work to be done.
May we, by your Spirit, do all in our power
to care for your Earth in this critical hour*.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for failing to care for the earth you created for us. Amen.

*The Climate is Changing hymn to the tune of ST. DENIO 11.11.11.11 (“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”) by Winfrey Gillette See at https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/new-hymn-lyrics-support-efforts-to-counter-climate-change/

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.

We Need Gilead’s Balm

Living in the Spirit

August 13, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 12:49-56

‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided:
father against son
   and son against father,
mother against daughter
   and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
   and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’ –Luke 12:49-53

I think I have shared this story before but at times it bares repeating. I heard Dr. Fred Craddock preach several years ago about the French word Ennui as a descriptor and disrupter of faith at times. We are living in such a time as this. Ennui* has been adopted into the English language and means a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction: languor or emptiness of spirit.

We see it in many places. Voting participation is at a very low point. Having been swamped with dark advertisements among the various campaigns, I do not believe any of them. Church participation is down. People describe themselves as spiritual, not religious. Jesus is quoted as saying he came to light a fire in our world and indeed, he did. The history of God in our world seems cyclical and we humans seem to need such attention-getting action to set us back on our foundation. Climate change is literally lighting fires all around us calling us to be responsible for the earth God created for us. COVID opened the windows to the failures of our health care system. The death of Breanna Taylor and others opened our eyes to the scourge of discrimination in our land. We must work to heal these wounds of our society as we strive for wholeness, oneness, and justice in our country and world.

There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole,
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged
and think my work’s in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again**.

Prayer: Amen.

*https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/ennui

**Refrain and the first verse of There Is a Balm in Gilead. See at https://hymnary.org/text/sometimes_i_feel_discouraged_spiritual

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.

Civic Duty of a Christian

Living in the Spirit

August 12, 2022

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:29-12:2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. –Hebrews 12:1-2

Anybody can say they are a Christian. However, growing up I sang the song that rendered the message, they will know we are Christians by our love*. Hebrews tells us we are called to run with perseverance the race that is set before us. That race is joining Christ’s crew to finish the task he started in his life, death, and resurrection of transitioning our world into the Kingdom of God– the beloved community of God.

Our nation is built on the concept of the separation of church and state. Our constitution even provides in the First Amendment that Congress make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise. While candidates certainly have a right to claim to be Christian, you may want to check out their record, if you are considering voting for someone this year because they identify as Christian. They may have a different definition of Christianity from yours. Are their actions dedicated to the descriptions of how Jesus judges our work for God’s kingdom found in Matthew 25? Do they seek the good of all people, not just a chosen few? Do they pander to the rich to the detriment of the poor? Do they serve their constituents, not just their political party or their faith group? For example, do they support public education designed to transition all children into adulthood ready to be self-supportive and self-sufficient? Do they understand that being healthy is crucial to being a contributing member of society? Thus, health care must be a right, not a privilege. Does it bother you that the USA ranks number 1 among industrialized countries in the cost of health care** and 18th in the quality of care***? Does it bother you that the USA and Oklahoma’s minimum wage is $7.25 an hour when a living wage for one person is $15.75**** in Oklahoma? What are the candidates for office you are considering doing to address these issues? If the purpose of government is to provide for the Common Good, surely these issues should be at the top of all our elected officials’ concerns.

Prayer: Lord, guide us as we fulfill our civic duties.  Amen.

*See full lyrics of They Will Know We Are Christians by Peter Scholtes at https://hymnary.org/text/we_are_one_in_the_spirit

**https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/health-care-costs-by-country

*** https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/best-healthcare-in-the-world

****https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/40

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.