Category Archives: Uncategorized

God’s Anger

Advent

December 7, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

O Lord God of hosts,
   how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
   and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
   our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts;
   let your face shine, that we may be saved.

But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
   the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you;
   give us life, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
   let your face shine, that we may be saved. –Psalm 80:4-7, 17-19

I have read about the anger of God. My memory is that it was often focused on his people. This scripture made me wonder what we might pray that would make God angry. I googled the questions to see what other scriptures might apply to this and had to laugh; there were many items dealing with our being angry at God but not God being angry at us. I can visualize God sighing in frustration over our repeated attempts to alter just a bit some of God’s guidance, like loving all our neighbors or doing justice in all instances.

If Jesus’s example gives us glimpses of want might make God angry at our prayers, we should consider Matthew 6:5-6, ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that others may see them. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we pray in ways that are not in keeping with your desire for our wholeness. Make us whole, make us one, make us just. 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 New Song

Living in the Spirit

November 9, 2022

Scripture Reading: Psalm 98
O sing to the Lord a new song,
   for he has done marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
   have gained him victory.
The Lord has made known his victory;
   he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
   to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
   the victory of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
   break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
   with the lyre and the sound of melody.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
   make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
   the world and those who live in it.
Let the floods clap their hands;
   let the hills sing together for joy
at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
   to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
   and the peoples with equity.

What a wonderful scripture for the day after the election. I do not know about you, but I am ready for a new song. Or perhaps I am longing for this very old psalm that assures us that God is the God of joy, beauty, music, and nature. God is love. We seem to have lost sight of that over the tension of the problems in our world today. As we prepare to turn the page on our choices of who will represent us in our government and start working together, we must let go of our divisiveness and work together to build God’s beloved world community.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for ordering chaos when you created the earth and for ordering the chaos we bring on ourselves as we meet the challenges of the world head-on.  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 Lord’s Hands and Feet

Living in the Spirit

Living in the Spirit

November 7, 2022

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 65:17-25
For I am about to create new heavens
   and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
   or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
   in what I am creating;
for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy,
   and its people as a delight.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
   and delight in my people;
no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it,
   or the cry of distress.
No more shall there be in it
   an infant that lives but a few days,
   or an old person who does not live out a lifetime;
for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth,
   and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.
They shall build houses and inhabit them;
   they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
They shall not build and another inhabit;
   they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
   and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
They shall not labor in vain,
   or bear children for calamity;
for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord—
   and their descendants as well.
Before they call I will answer,
   while they are yet speaking I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
   the lion shall eat straw like the ox;
   but the serpent—its food shall be dust!
They shall not hurt or destroy
   on all my holy mountain,
says the Lord.

We are the hands and feet of the Lord. Our goal is to develop the beautiful community God envisions today in everything we do. I truly think the Lord would love to return and find that we had gotten our act together and saved the Lord a lot of work on creating that new heaven and new earth maybe even just invite The Lord to join us all in a wonderful Sabbath.

Prayer: Lord, makes us doers of the Word and not just wait on you to come and clean up our messes. 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 Love

Living in the Spirit

October 27, 2022

Scripture Reading:

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring. To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are, indeed, called to love one another, and it seems that the principalities and powers feel a great threat from that thought. Greed is not compatible with love. Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely. No one’s worth is established by being better than anybody else. Hot-button issues are designed to distract from the real problems of our times. Love is the ultimate vision for living.

The ads sponsored by dark money during this election season illustrate the fear of those principalities and powers that we the people might actually live the calling of love through all aspects of our lives including our civic responsibilities.  The ads include just enough truth to bring out our worst fears but never tell the whole story. They were used to driving us away from voting here in Oklahoma for the last several years. That is not the answer. We have one of the lowest voting rates in the country. All eligible people need to vote.

The purpose of government is to provide for the Common Good. Take the time to consider what that means to you. For me, that includes the availability of quality affordable healthcare for all, quality public education for all children from birth to entry into a career that pays a living wage, restorative justice, and a totally revamped immigration system that protects from crime while fulfilling our call to welcome the stranger, and dependable infrastructure (roads, bridges, water, broadband access), safety protection (policing, criminal and civil justice, fire protection, safe available water, climate change, international relationships, and the military). I judge the candidates I vote for by their potential to deliver these goals as they relate to the office they want to fill for attaining the Common Good. What represents the Common Good for you? What candidates have the most potential for achieving the Common Good? Vote for them.

Prayer: Lord, lift us to higher ground so that your love can spread across our land and protect us from the evil that is around 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.

Burnout

Living in the Spirit

October 20, 2022

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. –2 Timothy 4:6-8

A libation is a liquid like wine or water poured out to symbolize total surrender* often to God. I am sure Paul experienced the feeling of being totally poured out as he indicated he had run his race; he was near the finish line. When I was still in my 20s, I experienced what is now called burnout. The word is tossed around rather loosely, but it is a very real condition** that needs to be recognized and treated. Lack of control, unclear job expectations, dysfunctional workplace dynamics, extremes of activity, lack of social support, and work-life imbalance** are causes of burnout in the workplace but they also relate to all of life. The more of these issues that one faces at once burnout deepens.  Our entire world is recovering from these life situations as we crawl out of the grasp of COVID. While it affected all our work lives and school, it also touched on every part of our lives and still is to some extent. I got my third booster shot yesterday along with my flu shot. Just as we seem to be returning to normal climate change rears up to remind us of another major challenge with which we must deal as some of the worst weather in recorded history causes death and destruction.

We need to check our habits: eat right, exercise, avoid alcohol or food overindulgence, get adequate sleep, and if indicated get professional help. More than anything, we must enrich our lives with God. Take time to meditate and pray. I love the story of Paul and Silas singing in prison (Acts 16:16-40). Listen to helpful music. I have a DVD of old favorite hymns that soothes my weary soul when I need it. Intentionally practice loving ourselves and loving others.

Prayer: Lord, life has been difficult for people since the beginning of time, surround us with your fortitude as we fight the good fight and continue to build a better world for all people. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/4689.htm

** For more information about burnout see https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642

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.

How do we judge others?

Living in the Spirit

October 9, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’

Jesus weaves many lessons into simple stories. Here he deals with racism while ostensibly addressing the need to thank God for God’s blessings. We humans do not like to be confronted directly with our prejudices. We all have them, and we all do not recognize them as judging people by some preconceived idea of who they are. Have you ever wondered why we seem to have such easy access to Canada and they to us, but have the need to build walls between the USA and Mexico? Racism is a relatively new concept, with 19th-century origins perhaps evolving from the aftermaths of the Civil War. What we classify as racism in the Bible was more like tribalism not based on skin color or other physical traits. Bigotry by any other name is just as discriminatory.

In this scripture, Jesus demonstrated that he judged people as Martin Luther King stated: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Prayer: Lord, open our hearts and minds to see people for who they are not some preconceived notion handed down to us through history. 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.

Restorative Justice

Living in the Spirit

This Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014 photo shows the gurney in the the execution chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

September 1, 2022

Scripture Reading: Philemon 1:1-21

When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith towards the Lord Jesus. I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.

For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but as more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. –Philemon 1:1-16

Oklahoma did not execute anyone between January 16, 2015, when executions were stopped because of concerns about the method used. In 2021, a new Governor and Attorney General returned to executions, in their minds correcting a miscarriage of justice. Yes, we are still using the same method. Since October 28, 2021, four men have been executed, and 25 additional people are scheduled for execution by January 12, 2023.

The story in the above scripture addresses the return of a runaway slave who had stolen from his master. In his journey, he encountered the Apostle Paul, who introduced him to Jesus Christ.  Apparently, Onesimus converted to following in the ways of Jesus, and Paul convinced him he needed to return to his owner and make amends for his crimes, which he did. The word “Onesimus” is Greek for the English word “useful.” Not only did Onesimus return, but Philemon was instructed to welcome him as a beloved brother rather than a slave as he returned more useful than when he left.

I recently heard the story of one of the men on death row in Oklahoma who was guilty of killing a man and has served 18 years on death row since his conviction.  Apparently, this man also had a conversion experience and now dedicates his life to welcoming and caring for new prisoners as they arrive, being useful to their wellbeing. His love and concern for them may be the balm they need to return to society as a useful citizen.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for not practicing restorative justice as modeled by a prisoner himself. 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.

Being a Person of Faith and a Citizen

Living in the Spirit

July 19, 2022

Scripture Reading: Genesis 18:20-32

Then the Lord said, ‘How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin! I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know.’

So the men turned from there, and went towards Sodom, while Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Then Abraham came near and said, ‘Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you then sweep away the place and not forgive it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?’ And the Lord said, ‘If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will forgive the whole place for their sake.’ Abraham answered, ‘Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?’ And he said, ‘I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.’ Again he spoke to him, ‘Suppose forty are found there.’ He answered, ‘For the sake of forty I will not do it.’ Then he said, ‘Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak. Suppose thirty are found there.’ He answered, ‘I will not do it, if I find thirty there.’ He said, ‘Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.’ He answered, ‘For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.’ Then he said, ‘Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there.’ He answered, ‘For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.’

I have observed that religions identify hierarchies of sins and find that the worst sins are behaviors they would never do. I have learned that in many instances, the ones raving the most against some sins are the practitioners of those sins behind closed doors. I was thus surprised that the lectionary writers chose to leave out the description of the sins that caused the discussion in the above scripture. They carefully opened the door that all of us must consider all aspects of our lives that may separate us from God and address those issues.

Politicians have recognized this tendency and instead of campaigning on their vision for the wellbeing of their constituents, they work to get your vote by highlighting divisive issues repugnant to many. As with our Supreme Court Justices, these same politicians soon forget what they promised regarding real problems in our society after they take office. I recommend we each take some time to identify the issues impacting our lives or the life of our friends and find out how candidates plan to address them. Can you afford the medication you or a loved one is prescribed? Do you have the internet access your children need to succeed in school? Have you lost a home or suffered other ill effects from the weird weather that we are experiencing due to climate change? Does your family’s income add up to a living wage (see https://livingwage.mit.edu/)? After you complete your list find out who the candidates are running for office where you live. See what you can find out about each candidate’s positions regarding your concerns. Your local library might be a good place to start. Make a list of the candidates you pick and take the list to the polls with you. Now, ensure you are registered to vote and learn where you can vote. Plan on how you will get to the polls or access absentee voting. Oklahoma City in the past has not charged bus fees for people going to vote. Many groups offer rides to vote if you need help reach out for it. Finally, vote. Your vote matters.

Prayer: Lord, open our hearts and minds to assuring that we are loving you and our neighbors as ourselves in our role as citizens. 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.

Intentional Love

Living in the Spirit

June 25, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:51-62

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village. –Luke 9:51-56

While Jesus seemed to be very spontaneous, he was always intentional, or perhaps his autobiographers only recorded his intentional acts. Jews and Samaritans did not like each other. In fact, most Jews when they traveled north took the route around Samaria to avoid Samaritans. The fact that he traveled through Samara at all was unusual. It probably was not unusual that they did not welcome him. I think Luke is telling us that Jesus knew he had a purpose to complete that was not going to be pleasant but was necessary for you and me and all God’s children everywhere even if it required facing, not just rejection, but ultimately death on a cross.

Our world is in crisis from a pandemic with a mind of its own to a war of pure greed. I just heard on the news that Putin’s not allowing Ukraine’s grain to be shipped out of port will probably cause a deadly famine in Africa and food shortages across the world. Our nation is being attacked by divide and conquer tactics resulting in stagnation in our government.

We, too, must become intentional in our work to create a compassionate community, where we work at loving our neighbor and loving ourselves intentionally until we get it right in the eyes of God.

Prayer: Lord, open our lives to be intentional as we work for a compassionate world. 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.

Wisdom

Living in the Spirit

June 6, 2022

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 8:1-4

Does not wisdom call,
   and does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights, beside the way,
   at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
   at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
‘To you, O people, I call,
   and my cry is to all that live.

Wisdom: the effectual mediating principle or personification of God’s will in the creation of the world: logos. Wisdom encompasses words like knowledge, insight, virtue, judgment, and prudence*.

I think this is the first time that I have looked up the meaning of a word and discovered that it originated from the personification of God’s will.  Jesus taught his followers in Matthew 10:16, ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. The “What would Jesus do?” fad that coursed through faith communities a few years ago was spot on. We do not always take the time to seek what Jesus would do.

Serious athletes follow a strict life plan that includes everything from getting enough rest and eating right to routine exercise topped off with a lot of practice. They develop what is called muscle memory so that when they are in the middle of a game their body and mind work together smoothly automatically. The Proverbs quote above is telling us we need to be as aggressive as an athlete about understanding and following God’s will in all that we do.

Prayer: Lord, create in us clean hearts so that when we communion with you we receive your messages rather than filtering them to what we want to hear. Amen.

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

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.