Tag Archives: Advocacy

Serpents and Doves

Jesus’ Ministry
January 17, 2019

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says ‘Let Jesus be cursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.
–1 Corinthians 12:1-3

I wonder what circumstances in Corinth led Paul to explain that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says ‘Let Jesus be cursed!’? I assume that such a situation did happen, it became so controversial that Paul felt the need to intervene. We live in a world where writing or saying bizarre or wacky things is constantly used as a distraction from real issues that need to be considered. Besides reading or listening to the news each day I now must review fact checkers to help determine what was fact, partial fact, fiction, or at the least was taken out of context.  Such behavior is becoming the norm in our country. We all get so bent out of shape over the craziness we lose track of the real issues. Jesus said, Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:37)

The greatest challenge is figuring out how to deflect the distraction without making the distraction even bigger. Letting others drag us to their level of divisiveness helps them not our cause. We must become shrewder than them at taking the high road as they are at dragging us down.

‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16

Prayer: Grant us your peace, O God, so that we may be ready when called upon to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 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.

Run and Not Grow Weary

Living in the Spirit
October 19, 2018

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. –Hebrews 5:7-10

Scriptures tell us that Jesus routinely took time to pray. Being guided through constant communion with God through the Holy Spirit is the most important action we can take as we advocate for the oppressed and others, such as children, who cannot speak for themselves. God’s presence with us in our advocacy provides hope when there seems to be none, opens doors that may have been sealed shut for years, and gives energy when mental and sometimes physical fatigue otherwise would overcome us.

but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
   they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
   they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Prayer: In the quietness of this moment, we invite you to fill our souls with your love as you enable us to love others through our advocacy. 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.

Planting Seeds

Living in the Spirit
June 16, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 4:26-34

He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’ –Mark 4:26-29

Charles, who does my yard work, had one of his staff trim the two crepe myrtles in my front yard yesterday. Over the late spring, the bushes both had become very scruffy and were blocking sunlight from reaching the earth surrounding their trunks. Charles suggested that I buy some grass seed and spread it on the revealed bare ground.

My scruffy crepe myrtles are a great metaphor for what is happening in our world today. Hate and greed and lust for power are blocking the love of God from reaching all of God’s children. Those of us who have heard the call to be part of the Body of Christ have an urgent call to overcome where ever possible those things that are blocking God’s light by our love nurturing our world so that God’s children cannot just survive but thrive.

Families with children are fleeing a plague of violence in Central and South America that is killing adults and children. Separating the children from the parents at the border as an incentive to reduce refugees seeking asylum is ludicrous. While these parents mourn the loss of contact with their children, the parents are putting faith in the USA to not kill them. The sad thing is our public officials do not even know that. We the people are better than what our government is doing in our names.

‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. –Matthew 5:14-16

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we fail to be conduits of your light throughout 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.

Shouting Stones

Living in the Spirit
June 7, 2018

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—‘I believed, and so I spoke’—we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. –2 Corinthians 4:13-15

Luke’s report of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem includes a story of some Pharisees asking Jesus to order his followers to stop celebrating his arrival to which Jesus replied, ‘if these were silent, the stones would shout out’. (Luke 19:40) Jesus’ message of love to the world cannot be quieted even if we do not say a word. But how much better would the world be if we followed Jesus’ lead and spoke out about injustice and about his way of being that results in the well-being of all God’s children?

Paul spoke because he knew that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus. Our faith is grounded in the faithfulness of God. While we humans may waver in our beliefs, fight doubt, and question ourselves, God’s faithfulness to us is rock solid.

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
  Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
    “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!*

Prayer: Lord, enable us to speak out against injustice as we work to share your love throughout the earth. Amen.

*First verse and chorus of Great is Thy Faithfulness by Thomas Obediah Chisholm. See at https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/19

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.

Responding to Negative News

Living in the Spirit
June 1, 2018

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. –2 Corinthians 4:5-12

I probably watch too much news. Inherited the trait from my father, I think. He was a farmer and was primarily interested in the weather but morning, noon, evening, and night we tuned in to news reports. The weather reports often defined my dad’s workday. If rain was projected for the next day, he would most likely have worked as late as possible bailing hay and hauling it to dry storage. Now I get pings on my cell phone telling me of a car crash near my home. I wonder what my dad would think about that. I am not particularly interested in car crashes; I do want to know if there is a tornado headed my way.

Hearing the news often leaves me afflicted in every way. At times I admit to being crushed; perplexed and even driven to despair as I hear of divisiveness, politicians who seem clueless to reality and unwilling to address desperate situations, and random killings in schools and restaurants. I just completed reading Ken Follett’s book The Pillars of the Earth and noticed that people in the 12th century CE were not too different from people today. I had already discovered that we very much resemble the people described by the prophet Amos from around 800 BCE.

Perhaps rather than being numbed by the news resulting in a state of chronic depression we should take my father’s example and use the threatening news as a springboard to positive work toward a better world. This is not a time to be timid. It is a time to share Christ’s message in word and in deed. It is the time to advocate for positive change in providing for the Common God. It is a time to counter divisiveness with dialogue. It is a time to love like Jesus loved. It is a time to rely on that extraordinary power belonging to God.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the courage to answer your call to creating a world that is one ruled by love. 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.

Advocacy

Eastertide
May 18, 2018

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:22-27

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. –Romans 8:26-27

This is one of my favorite scriptures because it assures me that even in my weakest moments I can depend on my Advocate to translate the mishmash of my mind into something meaningful and right.

We talk a lot of modeling our lives in the ways of Jesus, but I do not hear much about following the patterns of the Holy Spirit, which is also an example of how we are to live.

There is a program now that does just that for abused and neglected children following the role model of the Advocate. Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA for short are assigned the responsibility of being an advocate for the child involved. Children get lost in all the challenges of court intervention. Even if their parents are abusive or neglectful in the eyes of others they are still the child’s parents and have been their primary source of learning about life. I remember a child in foster care whose mother suffered from severe hallucinations. She had the children dodging unseen airplanes bombing them inside their house.  The foster child told me until he was in foster care he thought that was the way all mothers were, that was his normal. We did not have CASA volunteers when I worked in child welfare, but they serve such an important role in redeeming the lives of children while protecting the fragile relationship of parenting as much as possible.

There are many places for advocates to make a difference in the lives of not only children but the elderly, persons with disabilities, the homeless. Look around and see where your talents and skills might be used as an Advocate.

Prayer: Thank you God for the gift of the Holy Spirit and thank you for all those who willing heed your call to advocate for others. 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 our Love

Eastertide
April 8, 2018

Scripture Reading: John 20:19-31

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ –John 20:24-29

I would have wanted to see Jesus alive too. I would have deeply regretted not being there when he appeared. And I rejoice that Thomas had the opportunity to touch Jesus’ hands and side. I rejoice even more that the disciples told their stories emphatically enough that 2000+ years later I had the opportunity to know this person Jesus and learned to love him without seeing his hands or touching his side. As disciples of Christ, we are all called to share that message throughout the world.

Legend has it that Thomas took his message of Christ to the people of India and was very successful. Sharing the message of Jesus is tricky in today’s cynical society. I was listening to a video report from an advocacy coalition this week. The first two speakers represented faith-based groups. Both spoke shortly and eloquently about the need to improve public education in Okla. One of those running commentary post popped up on my screen while they spoke asking why faith-related people should open the presentation.  My impression was the author of the popup had had one too many dealings with representatives of faith-based groups whose ideas were alien to the author. A lot of faith-based ideas put forth are alien to me.  A quick review of Acts and the letters in the New Testament indicate that problem existed from the beginning.

Two thoughts strike me as I consider this conundrum. First, our actions speak louder than our words. People judge us by our love. Our words mean more if we live them in every aspect of our lives. Second, we are called to do justice and have a responsibility to tell our stories of God’s love whenever possible. We do not need to get into verbal duels or toss scriptures at one another, but it is important that we share our stories just as the first disciples including Paul and Silas and others did even as others were providing a differing viewpoint.

Prayer: Lord, help us represent you well to the people we encounter. 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 Order of Melchizedek

Lent
March 15, 2018

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:5-10

So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,
‘You are my Son,
   today I have begotten you’;
as he says also in another place,
‘You are a priest forever,
   according to the order of Melchizedek.’
–Hebrews 5:5-7

The mysterious Melchizedek of unknown parentage and place is described as King of Righteousness and Peace, High Priest, forerunner of David, and in the order of Jesus. He first appears standing in support of Abraham. In Hebrews, he is identified with Christ.

My morning ritual usually involves watching national news programs while eating breakfast after which I work on these daily devotionals. At times over the years, the juxtaposition of the news and these devotionals have proved to be prophetic. I seem to notice that more and more recently. Today with reports of what I perceived to be out of control government chaos, reading about God’s eternal advocates was most helpful. In God’s care when evil makes a run, we can take comfort in God’s all-powerful presence countering evil.

Such trust does not mean we are to sit back and hope for a superhero to swoop in and save our day. It does mean that as we advocate for righteousness, justice, and peace, God has our backs.

Prayer: Holy One, thank you for your constant presence. Help us to be good advocates for bringing about your righteousness in this 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.

Greed Addiction

Ordinary Time
January 18, 2018

Scripture Reading: Psalm 62:5-10

Those of low estate are but a breath,
   those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
   they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion,
   and set no vain hopes on robbery;
   if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. –1 Corinthians 62:9-10

God is magnanimous. having been made in the image of God, we are fully capable of being magnanimous too. So why aren’t we? And, why are we sometimes guilty of wrapping greed in sanctity?

Magnanimous means:
1. having, showing, or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind: devoid of meanness or          pettiness

2. showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit.

The Indian Removed of the 19th century dubbed Manifest Destiny was nothing, but greed run amok. Slavery, often justified by using Biblical quotes, provided labor that garnered greater profits for their owners. Today, companies not paying a living wage, reap the fruits of their employees’ labor driving the stock market to record highs while forcing their staff to rely on food stamps, Medicaid, and child care subsidies. Our society disparages people receiving these benefits. Private prisons, to make a profit, rely on an ample, and continuous stream of persons convicted of crimes and have little motive to rehabilitate them. The military industrial complex depends on war or the fear of war to be successful. And there is no question in my mind that our so-called immigration problem could be quickly solved if some folks weren’t profiting greatly off the backs of undocumented aliens.

So how do we move this mountain of greed and attain the abundance that Jesus desires for all of God’s children? A first step might be revisiting what that abundance looks like and what it means to have enough.

Regarding our epidemic of greed, faith groups universal must ascertain whether they are contributing to the problem through investments or even underpaying their staff. Individuals too would reap the benefits of examining their investments, attitudes, and behaviors. Justice requires us all to speak for those without voice or power.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we get caught in the grip of greed. Show us ways to live your love in all aspects of our lives. Amen.

*http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/magnanimous

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 an Advocate

Ordinary Time
January 7, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:4-11

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ –Mark 1:9-11

Baptism has a history all its own. The Jewish faith practiced ritual cleansing thus baptism was not a new concept with Christianity. Baptism and its purposes were a source of debate from the early years of Christian theology and may still be today although most of us have taken our stanch in our chosen denomination. What does it mean to you? What do you suppose it meant to Jesus?

Many students of the Bible demarcate Jesus’ baptism as the beginning of his earthly ministry. There is not much if any information about his life from the age of 12 when he visited the temple with his parents and his baptism when he was speculated to be around 30 years old. Was he working as a carpenter with Joseph during that time? I read a book a few years ago that suggested he was a disciple of John the Baptist and had traveled and learned from John until it was time for him to take the leadership role. Perhaps John’s death thrust him into the spotlight.

I was baptized at the age of six in a church that practices believers baptism. Apparently, some members thought I was too young. I understand our pastor, Dr. Fred Keller, was my advocate for accepting my confession of faith and baptizing me. I did not know about this issue until several years later. As innocent as I may have been at six, I probably never made a more sincere decision and commitment. I guess I was living the principle ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew 18:3)

What I learned at that early age is that God’s Spirit advocates for us at times through our brothers and sisters in Christ and we need to be aware of any call we receive to advocate for others.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, strengthen us in your service when you need us as advocates. 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.