Living in the Spirit

June 20, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17

Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
   for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you;
   save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord,
   for to you do I cry all day long.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
   for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
   abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
   listen to my cry of supplication.
In the day of my trouble I call on you,
   for you will answer me.

I am a member of the Poor People’s Campaign—A National Call for Moral Revival.  In 1968, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and many others called for a “revolution of values” in America. They sought to build a broad, fusion movement that could unite poor and impacted communities across the country. Their name was a direct cry from the underside of history: The Poor People’s Campaign. Shortly after this vision was put forth, Dr. King was assassinated, and his vision was never fully implemented.  In 2018, Rev. Dr. William Barber II set forth to call together a group to foster that Moral Revival.

We live in a wasteland of poverty, with over 140,000,000* people in the USA living in poverty. The problem we must first address before we can make headway on assuring that everyone has enough to meet their basic needs is the poverty of our souls tied up in the modern-day idolatry of greed and lust for power. Jesus calls us to love God and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:39) I have come to believe that what we are missing in answering that calling is loving ourselves. For some reason, we seemed to have adopted a worldview that to be of worth; we must be better than others. That results in the twisted truth that we do love our neighbors as we love ourselves with an inferiority complex that we try to correct by putting others down.  

All people are created by God, and all people were deemed to be good. Once we can each accept that fact, we can build the world as a beloved community where all have enough.

Prayer: Lord, heal our souls, make us whole, make us one. Amen.

* https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/140-million-maps/

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 in the Spirit

June 19, 2023

Scripture Reading: Genesis 21:8-21

The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, ‘Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.’ The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, ‘Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named after you. As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring.’ So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. –Genesis 21:8-14

What is of God, and what is of culture? How do we weave culture into our faith while letting faith be the driving force in our lives?  In Abraham’s culture, a wife held a higher status than a slave. Sarah had failed to have a child, and descendants were necessary for that culture, so Sarah used her slave to conceive a child for her. He was named Ismael.  Years later, Sarah became pregnant and had Isaac. The first child inherited the family business in that culture, and Sarah wanted that inheritance to go to her child, Abrahams’s younger child.

While this story may seem odd to us, we, too, must deal with what is of God and what is of culture and how we weave the two together. We deal with these issues every day. I recently read in the newspaper that the Southern Baptist Church announced that women could no longer be pastors in their churches. That decision was based on their understanding of the Bible. Some of that culture was shaped by the ancient cultures of people like Abraham that are still past down to us today. I am not sure there are any pastors described in the Bible. The Jewish religion had Rabbis and prophets. The word Pastor only appears in one place Ephesians 4.11: The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers (NRSV). Strongs uses the word Evangelist instead of pastor to translate the Greek word euaggelistésas, someone with a vocational calling from God to announce the good news of the Gospel*. I believe we are all called to announce the good news of the Gospel; some are called by God to make it their vocation. I also appreciate the saying, Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words (attributed to St. Francis).

*https://biblehub.com/greek/2099.htm

Prayer: Lord, you call us each to serve in many ways. Give us the courage to find the best outlet for your calling and to fulfill it with all our hearts. 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 in the Spirit

June 18, 2023

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. –Matthew 10:9-23

It is frightening to hear people believing information that is not true. If lies are repeated enough with enough drama, they grow into ideas that become new inventions, having nothing to do with truth. Indeed, we are sheep being sent into the midst of wolves. Anymore, I cross-check most things I read or hear.  Many newspapers now carry a section where it cross-checks what they are quoting. The fact that it is being said, even if incorrect, is news.

I tend to blame most of the ills in our world today on greed and lust for power. Our governments at all levels are caught in the dependence on greed for people to win elections. I receive text messages and emails daily asking me to donate to some candidate. Broadcasters predict who will win elections by how much money they have raised. We, the people, are the only ones who can rein in this greed and lust for power, but before we start, we need to read the above scripture, take it to heart, and not get caught up in the idols of our day.

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
   and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
   and to walk humbly with your God?

Prayer: Lord, enable your love within us to love the idols out of our 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.

Living in The Spirit

June 17, 2023

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’ –Matthew 9:35-38

The just released KIDS COUNT Report shows Oklahoma Ranks 46th for Child Well-Being among the 50 states in the USA.  It is sponsored by THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION. If you want to get a glimpse of what disturbed Jesus as he went from cities to villages and saw people who were harassed and helpless, read this document. You will find it at https://okpolicy.org/kids-count-report-shows-oklahoma-ranks-46th-for-child-well-being/

There is no excuse for Oklahoma to rank so badly as compared to other states in the USA. Legislation passed this session raising teacher pay may help some, but much more is needed.

Prayer: Lord, help us see our neighbors you have called us to love as you saw them. Help us become your laborers to correct this travesty. 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 in the Spirit

June 15, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
   Worship the Lord with gladness;
   come into his presence with singing.

Know that the Lord is God.
   It is he that made us, and we are his;
   we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
   and his courts with praise.
   Give thanks to him, bless his name.

For the Lord is good;
   his steadfast love endures forever,
   and his faithfulness to all generations.

Practicing Thanksgiving is not only good for our souls, but it is also good for our mental health. Life can be frustrating with many small things that slow us down or complicate our lives.  That is especially true when we reach the age where we walk into the kitchen and do not remember why we went there in the first place. Making a habit of listing the things we are thankful for each evening when we go to bed can be a great way to calm ourselves for sleep.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for always being with me as I stumble through some parts of life and bask in other gifts you shower on me like a beautiful sunset, a funny cartoon,  and things we may take for granted, but others cannot, like food and shelter. 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 in the Spirit

June 14, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Exodus 19:2-8a
They had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.’

So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. The people all answered as one: ‘Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.’ Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.

The big word in this scripture is “if.”  if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. The egalitarian in me does not like the suggestion that God has favorites.  So, I read this as saying that anyone who keeps God’s covenant would be God’s treasured possession. Even that does not recognize that all people are made in the image of God and have the potential to live in God’s covenant. Some people who do not pass our inspection may be doing better than those of us who judge others by our interpretation of what is right, which may be a narrower or broader interpretation of God’s righteousness.

For everyone, however, God’s righteousness is the quest for what is right and what is just. It is designed for the well-being of all, and it is the quest of all who believe that living in God’s love is the ultimate way of being whole for everyone.

Prayer: Lord, open our hearts to follow you by your definition of love of others, not our definition filtered by our culture or the ways of the 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.

Living in the Spirit

June 13, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
I love the Lord, because he has heard
   my voice and my supplications.
Because he inclined his ear to me,
   therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
What shall I return to the Lord
   for all his bounty to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
   and call on the name of the Lord,
I will pay my vows to the Lord
   in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord
   is the death of his faithful ones.
O Lord, I am your servant;
   I am your servant, the child of your serving-maid.
   You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice
   and call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord
   in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord,
   in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!

Relationship, this scripture speaks about relationship with God. It speaks to how we reach out to God, respond to God, how we do our part in that relationship. It starts with the understanding that he started that relationship by inclining his ear to us. He still is hearing us today.

Prayer:

Thank You Lord For Saving My Soul,
Thank You Lord For Making Me Whole,
Thank You Lord For Giving To Me,
Thy Great Salvation So Rich And Free. Amen.

Chorus Thank You Lord, by Seth and Bessie Sikes, see at https://divinehymns.com/lyrics/thank-you-lord-for-saving-my-soul-song-lyrics/

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 in the Spirit

June 12, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7)

The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, ‘My lord, if I find favour with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.’ So they said, ‘Do as you have said.’ And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, ‘Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.’ Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. –Genesis 18:1-8

Abraham’s people practiced hospitality that is beyond our imagination. Would we welcome strangers walking by our front yard and prepare them food? I grew up on a farm, and when I was a child, our doors were never locked, and we would invite people into our home that we might not know, someone who had had car trouble or got lost trying to find a relative’s farm.  No one ever entered our doors without at least being offered a glass of water.  I now live in the city, keep my doors locked, and talk to people who ring my doorbell through a closed door with enough glass to see them. If they are handing out something, I invite them to place it on the step. Last winter, the national news carried a story of a couple in Buffalo, New York, who found an elderly man freezing in the snow that shut down the city. They picked him up and brought him into their home, saving his life. It is called radical hospitality. While we do want to take proper precautions, we also need to weigh how we treat people and how we can find ways to practice hospitality with all people we meet.

Prayer: Lord, free us from unreasonable fear and open our hearts to the ways we can provide hospitality to all we meet in our service to you. 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 in the Spirit

June 11, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.’ And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute-players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district. –Matthew 9:18-26

Jesus was a healer. He left us a heritage of caring for the sick and disabled. Like so many things in our society, we have taken a good thing, a very necessary thing if we are to thrive as a people, and turned it into a den of robbers*.

The United States has one of the highest costs of healthcare in the world. In 2021, U.S. healthcare spending reached $4.3 trillion, which averages to about $12,900 per person. By comparison, the average cost of healthcare per person in other wealthy countries is only about half as much**.  US Health System Ranks Last Among High-Income Countries***. The high cost of our health care results from the layers of profit spread among its varied services.

We can, and we must do better.

Prayer: Lord, help us see better ways to provide health care to all and give us the courage to implement the changes necessary to improve that health care. Amen.

*Borrowed from Matthew 21:13

** See at https://www.pgpf.org/blog/2023/01/why-are-americans-paying-more-for-healthcare#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20has%20one,only%20about%20half%20as%20much.

*** https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2784346

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.