Author Archives: WOJ@deborahsdescendants.com

When Good People Do Nothing

Living in the Spirit

July 29, 2021

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:1-16

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

In my lifetime, the correspondence from prison that left the most significant impression on me was Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from the Birmingham Jail. I wonder when he thought to compose it if he had just read Paul’s letter from the jail in Ephesus. While nearly 2000 years separate the two letters, the call for oneness fed by humility and love still flows through our world. We Christ-followers have a special calling to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, while working continuously toward justice for all. I learned in a recent Bible study that the prisons in Paul’s time did not provide food. Prisoners were one relative or friend away from sickness, even starvation if their sentences were long. Paul thanked those who cared for him while he was in prison (Philippians. 1:3-11). Had they not taken care of him, we, today, most likely would not have been blessed with his writings.

“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.” ― Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from the Birmingham Jail

While we might not be willing to go to jail for our faith, we can do much to further the cause of justice in this world. Writing our elected officials and firmly stating our support of just legislation is one way. Helping people legally eligible to vote who cannot because of barriers to their access is another. Let us not be among the appalling silence of the good people.

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes that we might see where our silence is hurting others. Empower us to do 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.

Taking God For Granted

Living in the Spirit

July 28, 2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 51:1-12 or
Psalm 78:23-29

Yet he commanded the skies above,
   and opened the doors of heaven;
he rained down on them manna to eat,
   and gave them the grain of heaven.
Mortals ate of the bread of angels;
   he sent them food in abundance.
He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
   and by his power he led out the south wind;
he rained flesh upon them like dust,
   winged birds like the sand of the seas;
he let them fall within their camp,
   all around their dwellings.
And they ate and were well filled,
   for he gave them what they craved. –Psalm 78:23-29

Psalm 51 is one of my favorites, and I have included the essential part for me as the prayer below. Although I have read all the Psalms many times and participated in Psalms studies, I could not recall anything about Psalm 78, which made me decide I needed to focus on it today. How much of God’s grace and abundance do we take for granted? How much do we question whether we can depend on God’s love? How does taking God’s love as a given impact our relationships with others who do not seem to share in the bounty of God’s love?

Jesus taught us that we can take God’s love and grace for granted. My experience is that life becomes chaotic when we do not. Scared, tired, hungry, and unaccustomed to managing their own lives, the Israelites craved the basics—food and water—which God provided. These were the first baby steps of transitioning from slavery to becoming a great nation. The presence of God’s love was just as significant to King David as to those escaping slaves. Problems arise when we fall into the trap of forgetting that continuing our allegiance to God is as crucial in our prosperity as in slavery. We drift toward thinking that our abundance is our own making and that if others are not reaping the same harvest, it must be their fault.

We should never take God’s love or anyone’s love for granted just because we can. Always knowing God loves us gives us the courage to love ourselves and others as we strive to be a part of creating a world ruled by love.

Prayer:
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
   and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
   and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
   and sustain in me a willing spirit*. Amen.

*Psalm 51:10-12

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.

Leaving the Familiar for a Strange New World

Living in the Spirit

July 27, 2021

Scripture Reading: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15

The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’

Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not.

Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, “Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.” ’ And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.”’ –Exodus 16:2-4, 9-12

Once I worked with people receiving public assistance, helping them transition from dependence to being self-sustaining. One of the most significant challenges I faced was helping them deal with leaving the desperate situation in which they live for the scary new world of work and self-support. Many people denigrate the poor for their condition. How would you feel if you were without income or support systems like a family that will come to your rescue? Would you have the knowledge or strength to do what it takes to ensure your children have food to eat and clothing to wear? Can you imagine living in a family where no one ever worked?

The Israelites had been slaves for some 400 years, generations of a way of being that robbed them of all sense of self-sufficiency where they were dependent on their slave masters. Freedom was a scary proposition. It took forty years of wandering in the wilderness before these people were ready to follow Joshua into the Promise Land, at least two generations. As we attempt to address the wellbeing of the homeless and the poor, we must exercise some empathy before we, like Moses and Aaron, walk with them out of the wilderness, in which they find themselves.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the gift of empathy as we walk with those moving to self-sufficiency. 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.

Misuse of Power

Living in the Spirit

July 26, 2021

Scripture Reading:
2 Samuel 11:26 – 12:13a

But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord, and the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, ‘There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds; but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meagre fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb, and prepared that for the guest who had come to him.’ Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, ‘As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.’ –2 Samuel 12:1-6

Of course, David was the man who took Bathsheba after having her husband killed in battle. Nathan used this story to tell a powerful man the reality he needed to face. There are many influential people in our world today running roughshod over anybody that gets in the way of their power or their greed. They, like David, have lost all sense of how their prestige and wealth have reshaped their view of themselves. It takes a child’s story to remind David what he had known all his life from his experience as a shepherd. Good shepherds, rather than taking advantage of their sheep, protect them from harm. Perhaps we all need to examine ourselves and see if there is a lesson here for all of us.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I forget to love my neighbor as I live myself. 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.

Living Savior

Living in the Spirit

July 25, 2021

Scripture Reading: John 6:1-21

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going.

Something unusual happened on a body of water at night in a storm, involving Jesus’s walking on water. It is recorded in three of the gospels*. Another story is reported that Jesus was asleep in a boat, a storm arose, and he quieted the water. The disciples express fear of the weather in these stories, causing Jesus to question their faith as he calms the storms. What are we to make of this? Why were the stories significant enough to appear so often?

The past eighteen months have felt like an out-of-control storm or two with a pandemic and a messy election hitting at the same time. We have all longed for a superpower to calm the waters, right our life’s ships, and provide smooth sailing during these challenges. Jesus had presented a fresh and compelling way of being among his followers. However, it was not accepted by the powers-that-be. Therefore, following Jesus was dangerous at times. Doing the right thing, doing justice right is always tricky when the principalities and powers are threatened. Paul describes it this way in Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

We must remember this:

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He’s always near
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your presence and guidance as we attempt to sail the seas of life. Amen.

*Also see Mark 6:45-56; Matthew 8:23–27; Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22–25

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.

Feeding the 5,000

Living in the Spirit

July 24, 2021

Scripture Reading: John 6:1-21

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.  A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’

When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

I have heard many sermons trying to explain this event and read commentaries doing the same.  I guess I am just too practical. I am sure these words have deep theological meanings, but when I read it, it says that when people are hungry, feed them. Even as the richest nation, we are doing a terrible job feeding the hungry.

How many people are hungry in the world? Globally, about 8.9% of the world’s population — 690 million people — go to bed on an empty stomach each night. Since 2014, the number of people affected by hunger has been slowly on the rise. If it continues at this rate, it’ll exceed 840 million by 2030*.

The USA provides the SNAP (food stamp) program, but I often hear people denigrate those who receive this help as lazy. They just need to get a job. The fact is that 75% of families receiving SNAP have one family member that works, and one-third of that 75% have more than one family member that works. Sixteen percent are over age 65. At least some are permanently and totally disabled. Non-disabled adults who are not working must seek work and take jobs offered to qualify for SNAP.

I know people are sick of hearing this, but hunger is a systemic problem related to low wages and the distribution of wealth that is far outside acceptable norms.  Indeed, the poor will always be with us, as will the rich, but having low wealth should not equate to suffering from hunger.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for taking the distribution of wealth in our world for granted. Help us develop a system where everyone at least has enough of the necessities of life. Amen.

*https://www.worldvision.org/hunger-news-stories/world-hunger-facts

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.

Caste Systems

Living in the Spirit

July 23, 2021

Scripture Reading:

Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.

This prayer is an astounding commentary on a world ruled by people whose fragile self-worth teeters tenuously on their place in the caste system they let define them. Caste systems are human creations contrived for evil gain and passed to generation after generation, accepting them as the norm. We are all God’s children, loved and cherished for who we are and what we can become. Paul states it this way: For this reason. I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.

God’s original design of the world was based on this premise. Whenever we chose to alter this vision of oneness chaos always ensues. God created us with the ability to live in oneness. God gifted us with God’s love and the ability to Love others. Indeed, we are never alone in striving to live God’s love. We will never find any shortcuts or rationales in the ways of the world that will ever supersede God’s design. We do waste a lot of time and energy trying.

Prayer: I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.. 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 Renewed Life

Living in the Spirit

July 22, 2021

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The mail deliverer failed to pick up an important letter I had placed for mailing. He had already disappeared by the time I saw the envelope still on the mailbox. I grabbed it jumped in the car and immediately took it to the closest post office. As I was leaving the post office my former exercise trainer crossed the street ahead of me. While I keep up with him on social media, I cannot remember the last time I saw him in person. It was pre-COVID for sure. I wheeled into the parking lot, and he came over to the passenger side window. We had a great reunion for a few minutes. I love these blessings that appear amid angst.

I credit my trainer for giving me back my life. My knee got so bad in the 1990s that I was barely able to walk and had to use a cane. At that stage in medical history, I was not considered old enough to have a knee replacement. I gained a lot of weight. When I finally reached the magic age (I do not think there is an age limit now), my knee was replaced and after physical therapy, I could walk with no pain but that was just about it.  I inquired of the physical therapist if there was nothing more I could do to get in better shape and got a vague answer. Frustrated, I got in my car and drove directly to the exercise business owned by my future trainer, and began the road to fuller recovery. As I read the above scripture, I thought that is exactly what Paul did for the Ephesians and what we are called to do to all people thirsting for being rooted and grounded in love. He introduced them to a new way of being. This letter was his continuing support of them.

My sister and I used to sing a popular religious song in the 1950s. It Is No Secret What God Can Do. We need to share that message with a world that seems to have lost sight of that truth.

The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through
Someone slipped and fell, was that someone you?
You may have longed for added strength your courage to renew
Do not be disheartened, I have news for you
It is no secret what God can do
What he’s done for others he’ll do for you
With arms wide open, he’ll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do
There is no night for in his light you’ll never walk alone
You’ll always feel at home, wherever you may roam
There is no power can conquer you while God is on your side
Take him at his promise, don’t run away and hide
It is no secret what God can do*
What he’s done for others he’ll do for you
With arms wide open he’ll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do

Prayer: Lord, grant us the gift of helping people know your love. Amen.

*It Is No Secret by Stuart Hamblen see at https://www.google.com/search?q=it+is+no+secret+what+god+can+do&rlz=1C1CHZN_enUS922US922&oq=it+is+n&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j35i39j0l3j69i60l3.4008j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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.

Saying Thanks

Living in the Spirit

July 21, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 145(8-9), 10-18

The Lord is gracious and merciful,
   slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
   and his compassion is over all that he has made.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
   and all your faithful shall bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
   and tell of your power,
to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
   and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
   and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The Lord is faithful in all his words,
   and gracious in all his deeds.
The Lord upholds all who are falling,
   and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
   and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand,
   satisfying the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is just in all his ways,
   and kind in all his doings.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
   to all who call on him in truth.

I added verses 8-9 to the scripture selection recommended in the lectionary because I had trouble understanding what the phrase in verse 10, All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, means. How do God’s works give thanks? In reading verses 8-9 it seems to make more sense. The works God does for God’s children result or should result in the recipients giving thanks to God. Jesus discovered that does not always happen when only one of the ten lepers he healed returns to thank him. (Matthew 8)

Most of us were probably raised to automatically say thank you to be polite when someone holds a door for us or sends us a card or flowers. How do we thank people who have done something so extraordinary that our whole life has been improved? Ratchet that up to the gifts God provides of love, salvation, grace, and more, what can we say?

Prayer:

How can I say thanks
For the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved
Yet You gave to prove Your love for me
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am and ever hope to be
I owe it all to Thee

To God be the glory
To God be the glory
To God be the glory
For the things He has done*. Amen

Prayer: Amen.

*First verse and chorus of My Tribute by Andraé Crouch see at https://www.google.com/search?q=how+do+i+say+thanks+for+the+things+you+have+done+for+me+lyrics&rlz=1C1CHZN_enUS922US922&oq=how+do+Isay+thanks+for+the+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i13j0i22i30l8.7063j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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.

Feeding the Hungry

Living in the Spirit

July 20, 2021

Scripture Reading:
2 Kings 4:42-44

A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, ‘Give it to the people and let them eat.’ But his servant said, ‘How can I set this before a hundred people?’ So he repeated, ‘Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, “They shall eat and have some left.”‘ He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.

Does this scripture sound familiar? It immediately reminded me of the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 (Matthew 14:13-21).  He was a student of the Hebrew scripture. We sometimes forget that God with Us is yesterday, today, and forever.

Regular pictures of hungry and dying children in Yemen appear on news programs. Yesterday I saw the starving children of Syria. There is something very wrong with a world where some countries throw away more food than could feed all the starving people in the world. We can have fierce theological discussions on various topics in the Bible, but there is no question that God wanted all of God’s children to have enough food and that all people are God’s children. Nowhere in any of those stories are there forms to fill out to determine if the people are eligible or requirements that they must work or seek work. In fact, feeding the hungry is the first item on Jesus’s criteria for judging us. (Matthew 25:35)

Prayer: Lord, help us feed the hungry directly and assure that our society addresses the significant systemic challenges to address hunger. 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.