Author Archives: WOJ@deborahsdescendants.com

Feeding our Souls

Living in the Spirit

Scripture Reading: James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a

Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. –James 4:3, 7-8

This Scripture hits a little too close to home in our world today. We are all tempted to want our cake and eat it too. We do not care enough about ourselves and our neighbors to take the most straightforward precautions of wearing a mask, washing our hands, and socially distancing—let alone get vaccinated.  What drives us to cross the line away from loving God and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves to self-righteousness and transient self-satisfaction? Have we lost or perhaps sold our ability to love and be loved to the distractions of the world?

Love is as essential as food to thrive in our world. 

Interpersonal acceptance and rejection theory (IPARTheory) predicts that perceived parental acceptance (love) and rejection (lack of love) have universal consequences on children’s and adults’ psychological adjustment and maladjustment*.

When we love money, power, or anything else more than God, we become so mired in greed that we cannot even love ourselves, much less God or others. We all get caught in such snares at one time or another. Thus, we must routinely examine our motivations and responses to life situations. For example, when I worked long hours at sometimes hopeless activities, I would drive through a fast-food place on my way home and grab a reasonably healthy sandwich for dinner. If my situation continued to be challenging, I began doing this every day. Each day or so, I added something else. Eventually, I ordered a burger with double meat, double cheese, a large order of fries, and a large shake. I was trying to feed my soul with the food of the world. Reestablish my relationship with God was the only means of healing my soul. Going straight home passing the fast-food place was a start. Drinking a large glass of water refreshed my body and helped too. Listening to some of my favorite hymns while walking in my house or on my elliptical gave me rest for my weary soul, after which I could enjoy food that would better nourish my body. What have you done for your soul today?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of music that soothes my soul and reengages me with you.  Amen.

*https://www.hilarispublisher.com/open-access/worldwide-implications-of-parental-love-and-lack-of-love-on-childrensand-adults-psychological-adjustment-and-maladjustment-metaana-2471-271X-1000150.pdf

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 Wisdom

Living in the Spirit

September 16, 2021

Scripture Reading: James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of Wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such Wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. –James 3:13-18

Gentleness born of wisdom sounds like learning from one’s mistakes. We all make them, some small, some great. If our experiences make us bitter rather than better, we have learned nothing. James indicates there is a third piece to this process. Whether the Wisdom we gain from experience is complemented with the Wisdom that comes from God. God created us with free will; God also provides us with the constant presence of the Spirit to guide us in our development toward wholeness.

James provides pointers to help us differentiate worldly wisdom and God’s Wisdom. God’s Wisdom is clearly identifiable when it is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.My challenge is recognizing my partiality or hypocrisy. I seem to see it in others, but I need the light of Christ brightly illuminating a pure vision of myself.

Prayer: Lord, shine your light on me so that I am open to letting your light shine through me. 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.

Wicked Distractions

Living in the Spirit

September 15, 2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 1

Happy are those
   who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
   or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
   and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees
   planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
   and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.

The wicked are not so,
   but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,
   nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
   but the way of the wicked will perish.

I wondered what the word wicked meant in Hebrew, but when I checked, I discovered the word wicked used above was not the original Hebrew in this Scripture. Instead, the Hebrew word for sinner was used*, which means not following the law. The word wicked, to me, carries a connotation of someone who is innately evil and has ulterior motives. I am just glad I did not have to translate anything from an ancient language and time to be applied to our current world.

That said, a couple of things caught my attention. First, I have grown quite weary in recent years of the scoffers who have taken over our media. They pontificate on what they think is wrong but never seem to address the problems in our world. So much of evil’s role is to distract us from the good God calls us to do. We need to look behind these distractions to see what the real purpose is.

The last phrase also struck me: but the way of the wicked will perish. It does not say that the wicked will perish. It says their way will perish. God is working God’s purpose out, and that gives us the hope we need to live in God’s righteousness even when it seems the wicked are winning.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the wisdom to see what is driving the distractions in our world, and show us your ways of righteousness. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/hebrew/2400.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.

The Righteous One

Living In the Spirit

Living in the Spirit

September 14, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22
But the ungodly by their words and deeds summoned death;
considering him a friend, they pined away
and made a covenant with him,
because they are fit to belong to his company.


For they reasoned unsoundly, saying to themselves,
‘Short and sorrowful is our life,
and there is no remedy when a life comes to its end,
and no one has been known to return from Hades.
‘Let us lie in wait for the righteous man,
because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions;
he reproaches us for sins against the law,
and accuses us of sins against our training.
He professes to have knowledge of God,
and calls himself a child of the Lord.
He became to us a reproof of our thoughts;
the very sight of him is a burden to us,
because his manner of life is unlike that of others,and his ways are strange.
We are considered by him as something base,
and he avoids our ways as unclean;
he calls the last end of the righteous happy,
and boasts that God is his father.
Let us see if his words are true,
and let us test what will happen at the end of his life;
for if the righteous man is God’s child, he will help him,
and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries. –Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-18

The Above segment of Scripture is described as the Speech of the Wicked in the New Interpreter’s Bible* which continues by outlined four major parts: 1) The temporary nature of life, 2) thus creating a despairing drive toward pleasure, 3) a similar drive toward power, 4) opposition to the righteous one. These four items sound so hopeless, so faithless, so without love. Jesus asks in Matthew 16:26, For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? Jesus brought a message of support for the Righteous One as being the only way to find wholeness in this life. So he describes it in John 10:10b, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I tend to be dedicated to living life now following the ways of Christ, which is and can be the fulfillment of God’s abundant life. It involves living into the full actualization of the Kingdom of God now and in whatever way God’s eternity becomes real.

Prayer: God of Grace, shield us from forces tempting us to oppose the righteous one. Amen.

*The New Interpreter’s Bible Volume V, Wisdom, Abingdon Press, page 459

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 Good Woman

Living in the Spirit

September 13, 2021

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 31:10-31

A capable wife who can find?
   She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
   and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
   all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
   and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant,
   she brings her food from far away.
She rises while it is still night
   and provides food for her household
   and tasks for her servant-girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
   with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength,
   and makes her arms strong.
   Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
   and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor,
   and reaches out her hands to the needy. –Proverbs 31:10-20

The above scripture was read at my mother’s memorial service. We selected it because it describes her perfectly. She was a hard worker. We lived on a farm, which meant everyone had their responsibilities. Mom was an ardent gardener. When we produced more than we could eat or store, she gave the extra away. She was also a Deaconess in the Methodist church before she married and, at times, a schoolteacher and a social worker.

This scripture describes women who buy fields and sells merchandise. It suggests the equality of role responsibilities in a family. Unfortunately, we live in a world where the work done by women is less valued than that of men doing the same work or work of equal importance. We need to correct that.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the role models in our lives who serve as examples of living your 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

Tantrums

Living in the Spirit

September 12, 2021

Scripture Reading: Mark 8:27-38

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ –Mark 8:34-48

As I observe adults in our world today, I am often reminded of what has been dubbed the terrible twos.

Two-year-olds undergo major motor, intellectual, social and emotional changes. Also, children at this age can understand much more speech than they can express — a factor that contributes to emotions and behaviors that are difficult for parents to interpret.

Two-year-olds are struggling with their reliance on their parents and their desire for independence. They’re eager to do things on their own, but they’re beginning to discover that they’re expected to follow certain rules. The difficulty of this normal development can lead to inappropriate behavior, frustration, out-of-control feelings and tantrums*.

Jesus’ statements, in the above scripture, address this point of development. When we can set living like Christ as our priority, everything else falls into its rightful place. God wants all of God’s children to have enough of the necessities of life to fulfill their calling as Christ-followers using all their gifts. When some are exceptionally gifted more is expected of them. It does not mean they are better than anyone else. While there will always be different levels of wealth, the point at which anyone’s wealth crosses over into greed they lose their connection to following Christ. The same is true of power. Our self-righteous use of power endangers others causing us to fail to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.  Thus, we fail God, too.

Prayer: Lord, we are afraid of what we do not understand. We cannot put into words how that impacts us. When we feel out of control, reassure us that you are in control and grant us the knowledge of your righteousness to guide our behavior. Amen.

*https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/terrible-twos/faq-20058314

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 Like Jesus

Living in the Spirit

September 11, 2021

Scripture Reading: Mark 8:27-38

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. –Mark 8:27-30

The Title Messiah*, translated into Greek as Christ, describes the God-appointed King of the End of Time, also called the Anointed One.  All the Kings of Israel were anointed, and all were very human. Therefore, the Messiah would be the ideal King to rule at the End of Time. The phrase End of Time evokes ideas of perfection attained and continuing, or the opposite everything lost, and chaos returns.

God did not create the world to fail. God cared so much about the world and the people in it that God dwelt with us in the person of Jesus, who gave his life, gifting us with grace. God did not leave us without help. The Spirit of God was sent to be with us as we strive toward being the people God created us to be. God longs to keep company with us, but we must choose to keep company with God, who is Love. God will only live in community with us in mutual Love. Loving God and one another is what we are called to perfect. Revelation 21:3 expresses God great desire to dwell with us,

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;

When greed, lust for power, or any other sin overcomes our quest for God’s Love and loving like Jesus, we become a part of an evil empire. Such entities have attempted to rule throughout the history of God. If we continue in that quest, we will fail. Paul puts it this way, For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Prayer: God, who is Love, today let us choose Love, and when we fail to love like Jesus, guide us to wholeness. Amen.

*The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, an Illustrated Encyclopedia, Abington Press 1981

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.

Out of Control

Living in the Spirit

Living in the Spirit

September 10, 2021

Scripture Reading: James 3:1-12

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh. –James 3:5b-12

If no person can tame the tongue, then we must rely on God’s saving grace to guide our words and still the uproar within our being that allows our mouths to spew forth venom. Once hurtful words get out, they can never be erased. Often such words exponentially grow as they draw on responses, either in support or in angry opposition.

The COVID pandemic has brought out the worst in many instances when frustration has led to harm-filled shouting and placing blame while not accepting responsibility for one’s own actions. Experiencing helplessness can cause such behavior. We are never alone in any situation, good or bad. The Spirit of God is present. An old hymn, we rarely sing probably because the music is so slow and ponderous, informs our faith,

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

In times like these, we need to be reminded of God’s Love for us and continuous work to bring about God’s Kingdom. I do not believe God sends pandemics or storms or fires to punish us, but he does allow them to happen. Our negligence in caring for the earth and its people is often a direct or indirect cause of such calamity. Therefore, we would do well to work toward a better perspective of what is happening and what we need to change in our lives and society to work toward oneness in Love.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we let the world’s fears and frustrations supersede your plan for our lives. Open our hearts and minds to work with you toward gaining your purpose. Amen.

*First verse of God Is Working His Purpose Out by Arthur Campbell Ainger see at https://hymnary.org/text/god_is_working_his_purpose_out#Author

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.

Bind Us Together

Living in the Spirit

September 9, 2021

Scripture Reading: James 3:1-12

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. –James 3:1-5a

I do not see myself as a teacher. I did teach 5th graders in Sunday School one year when I was in college that I think went well. However, I was a complete failure with 5-year-olds when I was asked to teach another Sunday School class. While on paper, I may be listed as a teacher at adult Sunday school and Bible study, I identify myself as a facilitator. Many in these groups are older, more studied, and wiser than I am. I make coffee, order materials, raise questions to keep the discussion going, and I have learned a lot over the years through these processes. I do often pray, guard my tongue, O Lord. Depending on the translation, there are at least 100 verses in the Bible that give this instruction. Some use the word “mouth” rather than “tongue.” I have also learned through experience that it is essential to gauge one’s timing when a comment might be apt but not appropriate at the moment. I am still working on that.

In times like these, dialogue among both people we know, and strangers is vital to address our world’s divisiveness. We are all afraid of the COVID virus, whether we want to admit it or not. There is much uncertainty regarding ending the war in Afghanistan. Many are too busy trying to survive while rebuilding following a significant storm and fires. What does the future hold? Are we now ready to address climate change? Can we give peace a chance in a world full of injustice and terrorists? What difference can I make toward addressing such complex issues?

God created us with brains and hearts and gifted each person with skills and talents. God created us to work together as one. The only way we can do that is to meet one another with respect and seek common ground for the common good, remembering Matthew 18:20, For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’

Prayer:

BIND US TOGETHER, Lord, Bind us together
With cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord,
Bind us together,
Bind us together with love*. Amen.

Refrain from song Bind us Together by Bob Gillman, see at https://www.worshiptogether.com/songs/bind-us-together-bob-gillman/

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.

Prayer Answered

Living in the Spirit

September 8, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 116:1-9

I love the Lord, because he has heard
   my voice and my supplications.
Because he inclined his ear to me,
   therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
The snares of death encompassed me;
   the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
   I suffered distress and anguish.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
   ‘O Lord, I pray, save my life!‘ –Psalm 116:1-4

I am writing this the day after I found out an infant I had been praying for died. Having worked in a children’s hospital, when I heard the child’s diagnosis, the first thing that flashed through my mind was to let her go. She is not going to make it. I immediately felt wrong about even thinking that and, thus, have prayed for her, entrusting her in God’s care. I am indeed sorry she was not the first to beat this cancer. There will be a first someday, I pray.

I was reminded of a patient in the hospital where I worked with an equally negative outcome predicted. She was 13 years old, and when told there was nothing else medical science could do at the time except highly experimental treatments, she said to bring them on. She knew the treatments might not do any good but being a part of these tests may save someone else in the future. So she participated in trials until the doctors said no more, and she died. Eventually, the first patient survived that cancer through surgery and medication, and many others have since.

Jesus’s ministry on earth was encapsulated in three years where he briefly demonstrated that we were to do such things as feed the hungry, care for the sick, and welcome strangers. He not only spoke these words, but he also lived them—fed the five thousand on the hillside, healed many, including the child of the Syrophoenician woman. Jesus’ ministry was setting the example for our service to God to this day. He even prepared us for the reality that bad things happen to good people when he said it rains on the just and the unjust*.

A wise pastor preached a sermon on prayer that left a lasting impression on me. He said, God always answers prayer. The answer will either be yes or no. We may not understand God’s response when it breaks our hearts. It is only through faith that we can move forward, trusting that God’s Love will sustain us through the things we do not understand.

Prayer: Lord, today we asked a special blessing on all those caught in the throes of the things they do not understand. Grant them your Shalom. Amen.

*See Matthew 5:45

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.