Category Archives: Uncategorized

God’s Covenant with Noah

Flood of loveEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
February 16, 2015

Scripture Reading: Genesis 9:8-17

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.’  — Genesis 9:8-11

In creation God extended us the gift of autonomy, self-direction. The subsequent history of God is the story of God cleaning up our messes when we failed to use that gift well and giving us second chances. Noah’s Covenant is just such a second chance. Since Noah’s covenant God has given us guidelines to live by, leaders and teachers, and prophets to warn us. And we still seek an easy way to have our autonomy while keeping our chaos too. It will never work.

It is the lie of evil that we can be fully ourselves by settling to be something less than God created us to be. Evil is a parasite that feeds on our talents and skills draining us of energy and vision. Short-sighted, we settle for second best or less. We war with each other and suffer from envy and greed, both sins that eat us from the inside out. The whole world suffers for it because it takes the energy and vision of all of God’s children working together to be the Kingdom of God.

The season of Lent introduces a new chapter in God’s attempt to save us from ourselves. God sent his son in the man Jesus to do whatever it took to redeem God’s people. As we enter this time leading up to Good Friday and Easter, let us consider not just becoming who God created us to be but turning the whole world into the Kingdom Jesus foresaw.

Prayer: Lord, we are surrounded by terrorism, racism, human trafficking, war, disease, climate change and so many other problems. It all feels too big to even try to address. This time, Lord, empower us to be the flood, a flood of love that washes away evil and turns your vision into reality. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

Tell It Now

Jesus following transfigurationEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
February 15, 2015

 Scripture Reading: Mark 9:2-9

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. — Mark 9:9

 This theme of not telling anyone what the first disciples were hearing and experiencing runs throughout Mark. Mark is apparently the first of the gospels in order of writing, but it was written many years after the fact. Mark does convey a certain sense of telling just the facts, getting the story down. But it has always been a puzzle to me why Jesus did not what them to tell others about his life.

I suppose it could have something to do with the timing of Jesus’ mission. He felt a need to accomplish some specific tasks, mainly preparing the disciples to carry on the ministry. I have never thought that it indicated a lack of confidence. He was confident at the age of 12. Perhaps Mark just wanted his readers to gain an understanding of the importance of the mission by telling it in such a full-motion manner.

Whatever the reason, we need to understand that we are engaged in a full-motion ministry that may be 2000 years old but is no less essential today than it was then, perhaps it is even more so.  There is no question about telling the story of Jesus now, however. We have even been commanded to tell it. (Matthew 28:19-20)

Prayer: Lord, write your words on our hearts so that that we can tell your story not only with your words and our words, but also with our actions. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Grief’s Denial

TranfigurationEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
February 14, 2015

Scripture Reading: Mark 9:2-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.  — Mark 9:2-8

 Six days ago, Jesus told the disciples he was to be killed and rise three days later and Peter rebuked him. Now Jesus takes Peter, James and John to a high mountain where they experience a vision of Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus. Peter wants to build structures to mark this special place. Peter was a man of action caught up in a whirlwind of reality that surpassed anything he could do. Ever been there?

My dad apparently had a heart attack late one Saturday. He had very bad stomach ulcers and although he had experienced chest pains, thought it was just his “old tum-tum”. He couldn’t breathe without sitting upright by Sunday and was retaining water. Taken to the local hospital he was immediately transferred to the Veterans Hospital in Oklahoma City where I met the ambulance and completed the check in. My mother and brother arrived shortly by car. The doctor soon came out and said Dad had suffered a massive heart attack with extensive heart damage. The prognosis was bad and only time would tell. He died one week after the first attack. My very intelligent mother did not take in at all what the doctor said. Years later she still did not remember it. She was in denial, the first stage of grief. Peter and, I image, the other disciples were all in denial not sure what was happening.

It is an appropriate lesson for us as we inch ever closer to Lent. It is hard to comprehend the measure of love with which God endowed us, not just in the life, but also in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Once we can accept the bad news of Jesus’ pending death, we can open ourselves fully to God’s great gift of love and saving grace. Amen.

Prayer: O Lord, it hurts to lose the ones we love. I would have loved to walk the paths of Israel with you, think I would have drank in every word that you said, and cannot imagine what it felt like to see you crucified. Walk with me now as I approach the road of Lent and open my heart as well as my mind to your last teachings. Be with me hanging back in the shadows, as I walk the road with you to Golgotha even knowing that I will soon stand with Mary Magdalene by the empty tomb. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

In Memory

Kayla MuellerEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
February 13, 2015

 Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  — 2 Corinthians 4:5-6

 The use of the word “slave” conjures up visions of people being forced to work against their will toward the prosperity of another. Paul’s use of the word with the defining “your” expresses the voluntary nature of his servitude based on his burning desire to enrich others through spiritual prosperity. These others may not even know they have such a slave. Kayla Mueller, the young humanitarian aide who was recently killed by ISIS in Syria, was another voluntary slave in the quest for wholeness, oneness, and justice in our world. Her light truly shone out of darkness. Her death is a call for all of us to let our lights shine out of darkness.

Prayer: Let a moment of silence speak for lives that shined and a lifetime of  action speak for keeping the light aglow.  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 American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Nobody Wins

God's planEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
February 12, 2015

 Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  — 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

 How did we get to the place where each group of Christ’s followers all think we have the inside scoop on God and we all disagree? While Kris Kristofferson’s words refer to a personal relationship, I think they apply here to the proclaimed members of the Body of Christ in the world today:

Anymore it doesn’t matter
 Who’s right or wrong
 We’ve been injuring each other
 For much too long

And it’s too late to try to save
 What might have been
 It’s over, nobody wins*

While I agree with the final diagnosis that nobody wins, I am not ready to give up, are you?

First, I think we need to consider that within the Body of Christ we are all winners. There is no competition when we are all loved by the very Source of life itself. Second, we need to recognize that none of us have been assigned the task of judging who is or is not “fit” for the Kingdom of God. Jesus sent us forth into the world to all people and Jesus Christ is the only one with the power to judge people. He has the capacity to look far deeper into our hearts and minds than any of us do. He even talked to church leaders about judging by outward appearances: You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean. (Matthew 23:26)

I think we need to invest a lot more energy in finding what makes us one and a lot less energy in practicing what divides us.

Prayer: Lord help us rest so completely in your love that we are enabled only to love our fellow brothers and sisters around the world for whom your love is complete. Amen.

*Taken from Kris Kristofferson, Nobody Wins see full song lyrics at http://www.metrolyrics.com/nobody-wins-lyrics-kris-kristofferson.html
 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 American. Used by permission. All rights reserved

The Judge

JudgingEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
February 11, 2015

 Scripture Reading: Psalm 50:1-6

Our God comes and does not keep silence,
   before him is a devouring fire,
   and a mighty tempest all around him.
He calls to the heavens above
   and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
‘Gather to me my faithful ones,
   who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!’
The heavens declare his righteousness,
   for God himself is judge. — Psalm 50:3-6

 It’s interesting how much time people spend doing other peoples’ jobs even when they have little if any credentials for the work. We’ve got the Monday morning quarterbacks, what I would call recliner politicians, make-it-fit theologians, and judges who lack the blindfold of justice. What all these have in common is that they understand the world from a self-centered viewpoint. The most entrenched truly believe that theirs is the only viewpoint. It is like the flat-earth people who could not accept that the earth was round or that the earth revolves around the sun rather than the other way around.

To function in societies throughout history, it has indeed been necessary for we humans to develop a keen ability to discern right from wrong, what is just and what is not, and how to deal in community with those whose self-perceptions differ to varying degrees from our own. I believe a large part of our salvation through Jesus Christ is the gift of helping us see past the limitations of our individual tunnel vision and giving us glimpses of what our universe looks like through the eyes of its Creator who is Love. Thus being equipped with love as the foundation of justice, Jesus’ coming freed us to love like he loved as a means of discerning how to live in community. God is responsible for ultimate judgment. Jesus stated it thusly, You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. (John 8:15-16)

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for freeing me from the task of passing ultimate judgment on others. Enable me to love and help me to understand that that is the foundation of all interaction. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

Double Dose of Spirit

Elijah's MantleEpiphany Celebration of God Manifested in the World February 10, 2015

 Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-12

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.’ Elisha said, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.’ He responded, ‘You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.’ As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, ‘Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!’ But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. — 2 Kings 2:1-12  

What is it of Elijah that the heir of his work, Elisha, is asking? The word “spirit” is very important in both the Hebrew and Greek languages in describing our faith work. The word “spirit” comes from the root for breathe, wind, spirit. As used in the scripture today, it seems to relate more to the temperament or disposition of the prophet.* Being a prophet is not for the faint of heart. Prophets seem to be the people who are totally immersed in God’s supernatural nature while their feet are planted firmly in the realities of life. Prophets are students of what is happening about them and seers of the ultimate outcomes of such behavior. Most of us do not want to hear that if we eat just one more piece of chocolate repeatedly we will gain weight. It is this type message Elijah and the other prophets had to deliver in regard to the reality of the world related to the Israelites and the requirement to have the ability to deliver this type message is why Elisha felt the need for a double dose of Elijah’s spirit to enable Elisha’s faith work.

It is that immersion into fuller fellowship with God, I believe, that Elisha saw in Elijah and knew he needed. He recognized the magnitude of the work ahead and realized that without God’s spirit in his life his work would be so much less fruitful. We each need that double dose of God’s spirit and love so that our work can bear much fruit toward the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God.

Prayer: Lord, give me the courage of Elisha to open my heart fully to your love and your spirit.  Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/hebrew/7307.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 American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Passing the Mantle

The MountaintopEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
February 9, 2015

 Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-12

Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I know; keep silent.’  — 2 Kings 2:1-3

 I attended a performance of a play today that reminded me of the story of Elijah, whose shoes, or perhaps sandals, were indeed very hard to fill. In reality they never could be filled. The Mountaintop by Katori Hall is imagining at its best as Ms. Hall creates a scene with Martin Luther King Jr. in the hotel room in Memphis the night before he is killed. He calls for room service and has his coffee delivered by a street-smart maid who gave back equal to whatever Dr. King could deliver. He has a great sense that he is going to die and he must deal with what he fears will happen to his quest, when he is gone. Can’t you just image a similar scene with Elijah as the bigger than life man of tremendous, extraordinary accomplishment fearing that all he has given his life for will die with him? I can image Jesus, too, looking down form the cross with only one disciple present thinking, “Did I do enough, are they ready to take the reins?”

We are each called to a mission that is unique to our skills and strengths, but we are all called to make disciples for Christ. As great as Elijah was, as successful as Martin Luther King Jr. was, and with all the saving power of Jesus, their true legacies rest in the work that they inspired in those who took up their mantles, including Katori Hall. I recommend, if you get the chance, that you see this play. Beyond that let us all be guided by the Spirit of God to take up the mantle of Jesus Christ, as Martin Luther King Jr. did, toward a world ruled by peace and justice.

Prayer: Make each of us peacemakers, seekers of justice, and disciple-makers, too. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights reserved

Staying Focused

prayerEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
February 8, 2015

 Scripture Reading: Mark 1:29-39

In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.  — Mark 1:35-39

 Jesus never lost sight of his focus. While he was constantly barraged by people wanting healing, wanting to hear him, wanting to be his student, he was able to address such needs within the path of his purpose. I think he was able to do this because he always found time to resynchronize with God. From the stories of him related in the gospels, he never particularly seemed rushed. He took time with beggars and rich young rulers, women and children, leaders of the synagogue and widows who gave their mite. He set a good example for us all.

Jesus also was wise in identifying the time to plant faith and move to the next neighbor toward his goal of bringing God’s message to all. He was recruiting workers for the harvest of justice. Of course, the building of community was important to this work, but community was a means to an end not the end itself. One of the great challenges of the Body of Christ today is to retain a thirst for righteousness like that which seemed to drive Jesus while maintaining the community of faith that undergirds the quests. I think it is particularly challenging for those of us who are somewhat removed from the plights of our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in oppression and poverty or the ones in prison or the ones around whose homes the waters of global warming are moving quickly to erode their land.

We, too, need to find our deserted places and communicate with God so that our time, and talent, and treasure is dedicated to spreading the love of God throughout the world as a means to God’s justice being reality for all.

Prayer: Lead me, guide me, along the way,
              for if you lead me, I cannot stray.
             Lord, let me walk each day with you;
             lead me my whole life through. Amen.

*Chorus from the hymn, Lead Me, Guide Me by Doris Akers
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 American. Used by permission. All rights reserved

Cleansing Demons

Cleansing DemonsEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
February 7, 2015

 Scripture Reading: Mark 1:29-39

That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.  — 1:23-34

Being demon possessed means one has come under the control of a fallen angel.* When one is demon possessed he or she is settling for something less than God. I fear we are all guilty of fooling ourselves at times by worshiping something less than God. Making such a choice fractures our relationship with God. Like Fred Sandford who oft said, “The Devil made me do it”, we don’t take responsibility for our own choices of following the easy, perhaps more mesmerizing, path instead of the road less travelled that provides far greater substance and sustenance for our souls.

In our times of digital communications when we can say instantly what we feel and think, we sometimes do not consider how our comments might be received. I do not know how many times I have written something that truly reflected what I was feeling at that moment. On rereading it, I noticed how petty it sounded. My tiredness, my frustration with my computer or whatever else is distracting me, or perhaps with the issue shines through with all its lack of glory. I have communicated the demon within me rather than the message God wishes my correspondent(s) to receive. I now try to proofread everything with this in mind. In my busyness, however, I sometimes miss something. I have found the process to be rather cathartic. It is my way of inviting God to cleanse me of the demons I am allowing into my everyday life. My hope is that someday I will be freed from those demons so I will not have to do so much rewriting being God focused will just come naturally to me.

Prayer: Lord, cleanse our hearts and our minds of the demons that rob us of energy that could be used more productively in your service. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/greek/1139.htm
**See Robert Frost poem, The Road Not Taken at http://www.bartleby.com/119/1.html

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 American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.