Category Archives: Uncategorized

Moving Mountains

Living in the Spirit
September 5, 2018

Scripture Reading: Psalm 125
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
   which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
   so the Lord surrounds his people,
   from this time on and forevermore.
For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest
   on the land allotted to the righteous,
so that the righteous may not stretch out
   their hands to do wrong.
Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
   and to those who are upright in their hearts.
But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways
   the Lord will lead away with evildoers.
   Peace be upon Israel!

And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there”, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’ –Matthew 17:18-20.

What do children of God do when the spreading of God’s love requires them to move mountains? The reading of the Psalm above is comforting, if we seek a safe haven from all the evil in the world where school shooters cannot reach us, where nerve gas and bombs dropped from planes cannot fall from heaven, where children are not ripped from parents arms, where the wealth resulting from drug sales is not worth more than the peoples’ lives the drugs infest, where hunger is not as normal as death.

Jesus sang a new song, spoke a new vision calling us to place protective mountains where they are missing; calling us to step out of our comfort zones and see the scepters of wickedness resting on all lands. Jesus asked us to build nothing less than a new heaven and a new earth where the faith of our ancestors in God’s protective care still flows through us as we work to make all things whole within the love of grace of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: God of the Harvest, grow our tiny faith seeds into love that can move mountains when mountains of change are needed. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright A 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.

Sowing Justice

Living in the Spirit
September 4, 2018

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 22:1-2,8-9, 22-23

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
   and the rod of anger will fail.
Those who are generous are blessed,
   for they share their bread with the poor.
Do not rob the poor because they are poor,
   or crush the afflicted at the gate;
for the Lord pleads their cause
   and despoils of life those who despoil them. –Proverbs 22:8-9, 22-23

We are reaping calamity and it is most often because we are sowing injustice. The word translated injustice in the above scripture may also be translated iniquity or unrighteousness*. I fear because our culture attempts to view justice objectively, which is a good thing, we may, however, lose some of the essence of justice’s connection with relationship(s). An eye for an eye could be viewed objectively as being just. When considered as it might apply to relationships one with another the phrase takes on new meaning. Meaning that asked the question: what is right?

One of my great grandfathers was hit in the head with a Minié ball during a Civil War battle which was left in his head as the surgery to remove it was deemed too dangerous. It apparently limited his vision immediately and some thirty years later he received a veteran’s pension for a full disability as the bullet had finally blinded him. This injury was considered a side effect of war, and it begs the question would he have received justice if the man who shot him were located and had his eyes removed? I did not know my great-grandfather, but my guess is while he might have held a grudge or might not have, I doubt he would have wished the same disability on anyone else. I doubt he held a grudge. He was far too busy farming and raising a family. He knew the searing pain of having his oldest son died of disease at the age of 15 and the joy of raising his other children who became successful adults. If he had held a grudge the only person, he would have hurt was himself wasting his time and talent on something that leads to nothing but inward turmoil.

Justice, righteousness is about relationship. It is by nature subjective not objective. While our legal system must function in an objective way, real justice, righteousness is about heart and God’s love. God must define the justice and righteousness we live. Our relationship with God or rightness with God is reflected in the just, righteous ways we live in relationship with others.   We can and have addressed blatant injustice through our legal system through things like the Civil Rights Act and that was a good first step but the needed reconciliation only comes when we all seek God’s righteousness and justice in the way that we live.

Prayer:  Righteous God, mold us and make us love like you in our relationships with all others. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5766.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.

Just Love

Living in the Spirit
August 25, 2018

Scripture Reading: John 6:56-69

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’ –John 6:56-69

The teaching referred to in the above scripture is Jesus saying we must eat his flesh and drink his blood to be a part of his Kingdom. Of course, he is speaking metaphorically but I do not think he is overstating the case. The internal struggles that occur within us as we deal with the temptations of the world and the commandments to love God and love one another are hard. Our tendencies are to define narrowly what loving one another means and often define the other as people who are like us. We expel people from the list of those we must love who are not our color, not our sexuality, not our income bracket, not our language, not our faith. Jesus identified no limits.

We also like to restrict our love by our definition of sin. We say we love people but not their sin. In this case, we apply our definitions of sin to the other setting ourselves up as a judge. I think Jesus was clear that none of us got the assignment of being judge regarding others relationship with God. Jesus set the example by interacting with all types of people seeming to prefer those who were viewed as outcasts. Perhaps he thought they needed more of his love since, we his followers, were not willing to love them.

The paradox is when we let go of our need to control God and learn to love like Jesus, life gets much easier not harder. We do not have those internal struggles we do not have to worry about what other people think or how they will react. If we allow the love of God to flow through us, it is much easier to let our love flow to others.

Prayer: Lord, cleanse me of the insecurities that hold me back from loving like Jesus. 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.

Rough Roads Ahead

Living in the Spirit
August 24, 2018

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:18-20

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. –Ephesians 6:10-20

December 23, 1776–THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated*.

The USA is clearly in a crisis of its own making brought on by misplaced values and the ennui of ignoring our responsibilities as citizens to be intentional about the preciousness of the foundations upon which our country was formed.  We, indeed, long to be summer soldiers and sunshine patriots but that choice is no longer available, if we want to survive and thrive as a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people.  We are being used and abused by principalities and powers with strong self-interest who tease us with 30 second sound bites design only to rile our worst prejudices and fears, using quotes taken out of context and often totally unrelated to the matter at hand. Divide and conquer is the battle plan of choice.

In Christ, we are called to oneness to do the hard work of finding common ground and in the case of our government upholding the Common Good. Those principalities and powers we must overcome require us to delve deep into our source of support, the very Spirit of God, who can cleanse our hearts and minds of our prejudices and fears and can use us as tools to overcome any obstacles that are in the way of actualizing a world ruled by love.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. –John 14:27

Prayer: Lord, strengthen us to seek your guidance as we journey through a world fraught with obstacles to the full realization of your Kingdom.  Amen.

*From Crisis by Thomas Paine

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.

Untapped Potential

Living in the Spirit
August 20, 2018

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. He said, ‘O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart, the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day fulfilled with your hand. Therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant my father David that which you promised him, saying, “There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.” Therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you promised to your servant my father David. –1 Kings 22-26

God is working his purpose out* is a 19th-century hymn that we do not sing much anymore if at all. I do not know if it is even in our current hymnal. It has a slow, plodding accompaniment that many today would find boring. Even the plodding music has a message. I have my own rendition of the title. I think it should read: God is working God’s purpose out whether we are a part of the process or not. Solomon’s prayer above stipulates God’s promise to God’s followers: “There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.” (Emphasis Added)

God is working his purpose out,
as year succeeds to year,
God is working his 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. (Verse 1)

We live in a world where we take far too much for granted because we perceive ourselves as privileged. God’s promise is made to all God’s children and we are called by God to assure that all God’s children experience God’s grace whether it relates to the necessities of life, security, or shalom.

What can we do to work God’s work,
to prosper and increase
the love of God in all mankind,
the reign of the Prince of peace?
What can we do to hasten 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? (Verse 3)

Prayer: God, help us see past our privilege and see and enable the release of the untapped potential of all your children. Amen.

*First and Third verses of God is Working his Purpose out by  Arthur Campbell Ainger, see at https://hymnary.org/text/god_is_working_his_purpose_out

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.

Governance

Living in the Spirit
August 13, 2018

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14

Then David slept with his ancestors, and was buried in the city of David. The time that David reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned for seven years in Hebron, and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established.

 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places. The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt-offerings on that altar. –1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3—4

Passing the torch of leadership in good times is probably the desire of all leaders. David had lived through turmoil, lead battles even against his older son, and buried his best friend killed as he fought next to his father King Saul. David, too, loved the Lord and taught his son Solomon to do the same. He must have grown into the role of father. It is better to grow into wisdom than away from it.

We have little experience dealing with monarchies with hereditary structures of rule. Even those countries that still have monarchies usually have some type of shared rule. Rule by one person today is usually classified as a dictatorship. In the USA we operate within a form of representative government with three branches having a checks-and-balance system over each other. Whether we like it or not, we are responsible for the leadership of our country, if we choose to fulfill our roles as citizen and fully engage in the process of electing those leaders or if we do not.

While we may long for the wisdom of Solomon and the patience of Job while we discern how we vote, I think the more important key is determining whose message is right and just within the framework of the love of God as manifested in Jesus Christ. It is all too easy in our world today to lose sight of the Common Good and only deal with what is in it for me. Campaigns are often targeted at our most self-centered vulnerable inclinations. Digging deeper into candidates’ accomplishments and demonstrated positions on issues is necessary to make those wise decisions for which we long.

Prayer: Grant us the insight we need to make the right decisions during this election cycle. 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.

Shepherd’s Roles

Living in the Spirit
July 21, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. – Mark 6:30-34

There is a scene in the musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, where Jesus is surrounded by people grabbing at him and holding on to him. It brought to life for me the life Jesus led during his ministry. We, today, are acquainted with seeing crowds surrounding superstars who are caught between the desire to please their fans and the desire for a life of their own. I wonder how many times Jesus’ memory flashed back to his odyssey in the desert following his baptism where he was confronted by the major temptations of life: greed, pride, and the lust for power, which were tempting him at every moment of his ministry.

We all face these and other temptations every day and we all must take some time to find a deserted place, rest for a while, and regain our focus and our purpose. Sometimes we must find our equivalent of a boat on the sea to make such a retreat a reality. The result is clarity of vision. We see people who long for a leader, a shepherd, and we too may experience the compassion for them that we need to keep us motivated in our work.

We are all called to care for each other to be a shepherd after the example of the Good Shepherd. The Bible provides role models for the various tasks needed to make our world a place of shalom, a place of peace and well-being and support for each other. After meeting Jesus, Andrew found his brother Peter and said you have got to meet this man. Barnabas not only financially supported Paul’s ministry but ran interference for him and was known as an enabler of the early church’s mission. Pheobe opened her heart and her home to leaders in the church and was entrusted to deliver Paul’s letter to the Romans. In that letter, Paul described Priscilla and Aquila as my helpers in Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for all your shepherds as we strive together for shalom. 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.

Ridding Ourselves of Bitterness

Living in the Spirit
July 10, 2018

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19

As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart. –2 Samuel 6:16

Harboring hatred in our hearts only harms ourselves. Michal faced may tragedies. Her father and brother Jonathan were killed in battle, her marriage to David was political not grounded in love, although she was willing to protect him at first. In her day, women had few rights and little recourse if mistreated. There were plenty of good reasons for her bitterness. The same is true of all oppressed people today, but like Michal, it is a choice whether we let the bitterness of oppression overtake us. The alternative is to choose to strive for personal wholeness through our relationships with God. I am not suggesting that people being oppressed be subservient, just take whatever treatment is foisted on us. I am saying we must not let the oppressors recreate us in their image.

Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery. Using all his skills in positive ways, he became a leader in Egypt. Eventually saving his whole family from starvation*.

Moses’ mother, Jochebed, was wise and did not want her newborn son slaughtered by the Egyptians. She could have withdrawn and burned with hatred, but she understood a mother’s love for a baby and floated Moses in a reed basket to safety under the care of Pharaoh’s daughter**.

I have no idea what Dorcas’ personal life was like, but she lived in a time when women had few rights. Yet, she chose to live a life filled with love and concern. She made clothing for others***.

Paul was beaten and imprisoned for answering God’s call to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to the whole world. He maintained a positive attitude even sang while in prison****.

When bitterness threatens to overtake us, we all need to turn it over to God and let God remold us and make us anew.

Prayer: Lord, free me from any bad reactions I might experience to real or imagined mistreatment so that my responses to life reflect your love not someone else’s hate. Amen.

*See Genesis 37:18-36
**See Exodus 1 & 2
***See Acts 9
****See Acts 16:25

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.

Shame and Pride

Living in the Spirit
June 26, 2018

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27

After the death of Saul, when David had returned from defeating the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag.

 David intoned this lamentation over Saul and his son Jonathan

 O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
   who clothed you with crimson, in luxury,
   who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
How the mighty have fallen
   in the midst of the battle!

 Jonathan lies slain upon your high places.
I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
greatly beloved were you to me;
   your love to me was wonderful,
   passing the love of women.

 How the mighty have fallen,
   and the weapons of war perished! –2 Samuel 1:1, 17, 24-27

How do we recover when we discover we have chosen a wrong path or followed a wrong leader? What do we do when we suddenly realize the things we valued were nothing but noisy gongs or clanging cymbals* designed to distract us from the way of love? What happens when we get caught up in the greed and lust for power of others thinking they are right for us too? Do we attempt to fall on a sword and ask our enemy to finish the process or do we turn to God who is Mercy and love, seek forgiveness, and reframe our lives?

What do we do when we win the war if not the battle putting our rivals to shame? The Amalekites did David’s dirty work in unseating Saul from the throne. David did reap full revenge for the death of Jonathan and for Saul before the war was over. He could have gloated or become overbearing in pride Instead he mourned the deaths of both Saul and Jonathan. Are the verses above David’s thoughts as he heard of the death of his best friend who did not have to die on that battlefield. Jonathan was there because he loved his father even though he knew his father was wrong.  Do we seek God’s wisdom in healing wounds that divide us and strive for oneness in future ventures of love and peace?

Prayer: God of Mercy and Justice, forgive us when we give up and when pride might overcome us. Help us keep our focus on our mission of building a world ruled by love. Amen.

 

*Derived from 1 Corinthians 13:1

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.

Action not Worry

Living in the Spirit
June 23, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 4:35-41

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’

Recently I watched the nightly news as is my normal routine and saw stories about immigrant children being separated from their parents as they attempted to enter our country. When I went to bed the stories replayed in my head and I could not go to sleep. I read for a while and in the wee hours of the morning did finally fall asleep.

During my first year of social work graduate school, I did my field placement at an agency tasked to advocate for the aging. The leader of that agency was an amazing woman and I learned a lot from her. The main lesson that stuck in my mind is that she rarely wavered from a peaceful, calm demeanor. She practiced a way of being that demanded she does the very best she could on the things she was called to do and over which she had control. She did this taking into consideration that she was always working with teams and groups and had to consider, enable, and respect each of their members’ talents and contributions as they intersected with her. There is no doubt in my mind that she would have marshaled a major response to an issue like the separation of children from their parents or grandparents. She might have lost some sleep because of reviewing next steps or evaluating the ones she had taken. I do not think she would have worried.

Is this essentially what Jesus is modeling for us in our scripture today? We have the same opportunity to trust God fully as Jesus did no matter what the situation and we need not worry either. I am obviously not there yet. I wonder if my sleepless night was telling me I had not done all I could do?

I play solitaire on my computer sometimes and the app I use has a message that flashes saying “there are no more moves possible”. Wouldn’t it be great in our ministries if we had a similar message from God? Jesus modeled the answer to that question recorded in the gospels in scenes describing how he went alone to pray including the scene in the Garden of Gethsemane when he was assured he had other moves to make. Constant communing with God creates trust.

Prayer: Thank you God for your abiding presence with us. Help us not to waste such a wonderful resource. 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.