Tag Archives: Body of Christ

Being the Body of Christ

 

Living in the Spirit
August 13, 2015problem-of-evil

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20 Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. –Ephesians 5:15-17

Evil days, I suppose that means times—evil times, but it seems like evil is raising its ugly head every day, several times a day. How else do we make sense of two teenaged brothers, allegedly hacking their parents and three younger siblings to death and injuring seriously a 13 year old sister or a man alleged to have kill eight people including six children, some may have been his own, in what was called a domestic dispute? Two stories plucked from the news are just the tip of the iceberg of dysfunctional families and the dire consequences of their lives. If this is happening in families is it any wonder our world seems to have an unlimited supply of lone-wolf and other terrorist ready to strike at will.

Such tragedies occur in both non-religious and very religious families. Sometimes, I feel, we as the called Body of Christ on the earth today have failed miserably at our task of spreading the good news that God’s love is abundant and does not discriminate. Of course, to spread that news we must love abundantly and not discriminate.

When I was in college, and that was more than a few years ago, I heard the story of another student who was volunteering to help at Sunday school at a local church. A woman came to the church and brought her toddler son. Both were dressed poorly. The child was left in the nursery while the mother attended church and when she picked him up he had a note pinned to his shirt saying something to the effect that children attending this church wear church clothes on Sunday. She never went back.

When discerning the will of God we might start with 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: God of grace and God of glory on your people pour your powers* so that we might spread your love throughout the world. Amen.

*from God of Grace and God of Glory by Harry E. Fosdick see at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/o/godgrace.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.

The Importance of Diversity

jesus-walking-on-water1Living in the Spirit
July 26, 2015

Scripture Reading:
John 6:1-21 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going. –John 6:16-21

Matthew, Mark, and John all three report the story known as Jesus, walking on the Water. Each tell it a little differently. Makes me think that something unexplainable occurred and the account reported by each writer reflect their own unique experience or the unique experiences of their sources. It is rare that everyone who sees an event describes it the same. We all come from different backgrounds and have differing perspectives. I am amazed at time at the variety of descriptions of my own family’s events told as my sister, brother, and I remember them.

It is a source of great joy being recognized as individuals and known specifically by God who has a whole world, perhaps worlds, of individuals to love completely just as they are. The miracle occurs when God is able to pull such a diverse lot together and make us one. These disciples in our story today were in the process of becoming one. The event that occurred on this trip across the lake is now classified as a miracle. The miracle isn’t in the supernatural event as much as it is in the changed lives as these disciples integrate into the powerful Body of Christ they are becoming.

We, today, have inherited this same call to be one. We do not do a very good job of it as we flail about insisting our own perceptions are the only way of being one. I firmly believe there are as many ways of solving a problem as there are people working together to address it. The challenge is melding all the ideas together to find the best solutions. This may mean sacrificing our own superegos allowing each of us to become the resources God created us to be.

Prayer: God expand our vision to see the rightness in each of the diverse ideas coming together as we work to serve you and help us to put the puzzle of good ideas together making a whole that is complete and successful in being your Body in the world today. 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.

Productive Participation

Samuel anointing David King of IsraelLiving in the Spirit
June 29, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, ‘Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.’ So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.
–2 Samuel 5:1-3

Laurence J. Peter author of the book, The Peter Principle, is also the source of the quote, lead, follow, or get out of the way. I have found that to be good advice over the years, although I have sometimes found it hard to practice. In its purest form, it probably does go too far for often quality change comes at the edges or fringes of practice. I have always, however, believed there are as many ways to do something as there are people doing it and, therefore, if the only issue at hand is the practical stages of implementation then the advice has relevance. We all need to be mindful of this as leadership changes occur in our lives.

Our scripture today is remarkably free of the chirping of “we have never done it this way before” or the other side, everything Saul ever did was bad. Saul is given credit for what he did do and David is recognized as the leader for what will be done. Leadership changes are rarely that clean. My guess is that David set the tone for this description.

I have found it meaningful to listen to what I just called chirping because while it might not be pertinent to progress, it most likely is a measure of the feelings, fears, and dreams of the group’s membership. Those feelings, fears, and dreams are the stuff of positive or negative participation.

Change in leadership is a routine part of life in the Body of Christ. We as members of the Body need to take stock of our own feelings, fears, and dreams at such times and with God’s help turn them into productive participation.

Prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. –St. Francis of Assisi.

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.

Cornerstones

CornerstonLent
March 23, 2015

Scripture Reading: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

I thank you that you have answered me
   and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
   has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
   it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
   let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
   O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! — Psalm 118:21-25

Jesus was most likely skilled in carpentry. When he said in John 2:18, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ He probably was more aware than most in his audience of how absurd such a challenge was in practical terms.  He, of course, was not talking about the building of wood and stone that was visible to the crowd. Jesus was actually teaching something far more radical. He was saying that the presence of God through his death and resurrection was being moved outside the structure of the temple and into the hearts and minds of people everywhere. He was challenging the religious leaders of the day to step out of their comfort zone and the safety of the temple walls.

In point of fact, 20 or so years before the book of John was written the temple had been destroyed by the Romans. During that same time, the followers of Christ had continued the process of taking his message from Jerusalem to much of the known world.  These Christians still faced great persecution and hardship but they had heard the call and acted. The writer of John may have been reminding them of this history as encouragement in their present situation.

Two thousand years later we still need that same encouragement. It is so easy to get caught up in the everyday challenges of being the church, we can forget our role in being the Body of Christ in the world today. Holy Week exist to remind us.

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.

Restoration not Condemnation

PrisonerLent
March 14, 2015

Scripture Reading: John 3:14-21

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

 ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. — John 3:16-17

It would seem that God is a proponent of what we call today restorative justice. Our prisons, particularly here in Oklahoma I am sorry to say, are full of God’s children who have drifted from the path of, at least, civil law. At this writing we have about 40 people serving sentences of life in prison without parole for having been convicted a third time of drug trafficking. Perhaps a compelling argument can be made that there are a few, albeit a very few people, who for the sake of society’s safety may need to be taken off the streets forever, but even then there may be things they can do while in prison to make a contribution to society. For example, some prisons have programs where inmates train service dogs for the disabled. In so doing these prisoners experience not only the unconditional love of a pet, but also the knowledge that they are helping someone they might never meet.

I think God, however, might say something like this, “Anyone created in my image has the basic substance to be made whole and has a vital part to play in the furtherance of my Kingdom here on earth.” Every missing piece of the Body of Christ diminishes its ability to be what it is called to be. Every piece that is saved, returned to wholeness, can be the link that makes the Body of Christ, functioning in our world today, greater than the sum of its parts.

As we consider our own salvation during this Lenten season and as we contemplate what it means to be condemned, let us forgo the practice of condemning others, and practice the art of restoration.

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*
Lord, help us to follow your lead and turn condemnation into restoration. Amen.

A Player not Just a Fan

unconditional loveLent March 13, 2015

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10 and [God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. — Ephesians 2:1-10

We did nothing to deserve the love of God and there is nothing we can do to earn it. God is love. All people are God’s chosen people. The concept that God loves us unconditionally is very hard to grasp in a society that is dominated by competition. We were, however, not created for competition with each other, but to do good works together as the Body of Christ. I do not question that part of being made in the image of God is the desire to improve our skills, increase our productivity as individuals and in teams. It seems to me that the most outstanding athletes are the ones who constantly strive to beat their own best.

What I, at times, and others of us might find, if we really examine our lives, is that we are fans rather than players in the Kingdom of God. God calls us to be players. Those who take the field as members of the Body of Christ must be well schooled in the ways of Christ, must practice them at every opportunity, must find our niche and hone it to what Paul calls perfection.  We must be ready to participate at a moment’s notice whether we are on the first team or warming the bench. And we must enable all our fellow players to do the same thing. We are called to be one in Christ.

Our ability to be the best that we can be starts with our accepting the gift of grace that is the unconditional love of God. We need nothing more to make us each whole. Wholeness enables oneness.

Prayer: Draw us in the Spirit’s tether,  for when humbly in your name  two or three are met together,  you are in the midst of them.  Alleluia! Alleluia!  Touch we now your garment’s hem.* Amen.

 *First verse of hymn, Draw Us in the Spirits Tether by Percy Dearmer
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.

Being Hope

Being hopeLent February 22, 2015

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:9-15 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ — Mark 1:14

John’s arrest must have been a bitter blow for Jesus. John was a mentor, cousin, and friend. Perhaps the arrest was the catalyst for the start of Jesus’ ministry. He surely had been working in some capacity with John before the arrest but he now moved onto center stage.

It is hard to watch one’s society imploding, crumbling inside itself as external pressures seem to be insurmountable. John had become an irritant to King Herod, chastising him for his personal misdeeds, and soon Herod would simply have John beheaded as a favor to his wife. Living in such a situation leads to hopelessness and futility. Yet this relative and friend of John’s, this Jesus, responds to the arrest by declaring the good news that the kingdom of God was near.

How do we apply that lesson today in parts of the world where there is little or no hope left? How do we bring hope to our own inner-cities where poverty and lack of opportunities stifle wellbeing? How do we live out being the hands and arms and heart and legs and feet of the Body of Christ in our world today?

Take a few minutes to ponder these questions and then literally write down at least one, maybe two or three, things you can do today that will bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to a hurting world. Perhaps it’s checking on someone who is alone and snowed in. Perhaps it is writing and sending a check to an entity bringing hope to the world, perhaps it is gathering all those shoes you no longer wear and taking them to a ministry that distributes shoes to people on the street. Now do it.

Prayer:  Lord, enable me to be that part of the Body of Christ that you have called me to be and to do the tasks that are associated with it. I understand I cannot do everything, help me realize and actualize that I must do something. 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.

God’s Love Never Ends

Christ proclaims to the dead in spiritLent
February 19, 2015

 Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight people, were saved through water. — 1 Peter 3:18-20

Commentators differ in opinion about what this scripture is saying. Some believe the Christ, after Jesus’ death, visited the spirits of those who died in the Great Flood and were subsequently imprisoned in the spirit. To them he proclaimed his message. Others think it refers to offering salvation to all spirits imprisoned in death. While it would be interesting to know precisely “who” the writer of 1 Peter was addressing here, I think it may be more important to recognize that it indicates God’s love never ends and God never stops trying to reach all of God’s children.

In all honesty, this scripture had meaning for the living of that day and for us today. For, I believe, we are fully capable of enshrouding our spirits in prisons right now that keep us from being whole and being one within the Body of Christ. Christ did not suffer just for us to transition to a glorious retirement center after our death. Christ suffered and died to free us to carry on his work in the world today. As the man, Jesus, he knew full well his limitations in space and time. His mission, which by the way he fulfilled beyond all imagination, was to plant the seeds of the Kingdom of God so that they might spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. We are still sowers and reapers in that garden.

Lent is a great time for each of us to consider the shrouds that are holding us back from being whole and working with all the parts of the Body of Christ. Jesus never once said it would be easy. Oh, well, maybe he did: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’(Matthew 11:28-30)

Prayer: Lord we thank you for suffering for us and for bringing us to God. Now, guide us as we share your yoke in ministry 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 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

Called As Partners in Christ’s Service

CallingChristmas
December 26, 2014

Scripture Reading: Mark 13:24-37

 ‘But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
   and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven,
   and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. — Mark 13:24-25

After recommending that we all see the movie, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, even though I have not yet seen it, I was pleased when my nephew, David, talked about it with some excitement at my Christmas party. It had made him dig deeper into what it meant and that is what I hope about all three movies mentioned yesterday. It also made me realize how very long ago it was that I had become acquainted with The Hobbit by J.R. R. Tolkien from which the movie was developed. The characters were fuzzy in my memory. I decided I wanted to read it anew before I saw any of its three movies. I had forgotten what a wonderful book it is. It deals with good and evil and finding and following the right narrow path.

And then the day after Christmas the lectionary gurus immediately force me to address not the birth of Christ but the promised return of Christ. For after all, it is all tied together in one package. While the book of Mark does not address the birth of Christ, I was not ready to jump to Jesus’ warnings at the close of his ministry on earth just before his arrest. Dark days of suffering are coming, he said. The path is narrow and there is evil as well as good awaiting us.

Called as partners in Christ service, we are not to burrow into our safe havens but seek that narrow path, take on evil with the help of God, and clear the way for making all things good, also with the help of God. Nobody said it would be easy. It seems we as the body of Christ in the world today cannot even agree on what is evil and what is not. I believe, there is purpose in such distraction and it is not good.

Called as partners in Christ service, we need to work together on those things with which we do agree and work with and through God toward discernment about those things with which we do not agree. Paul may have said it best in Romans 8:28: We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Prayer:
Called as partners in Christ’s service,
    Called to ministries of grace,
    We respond with deep commitment
    Fresh new lines of faith to trace.
    May we learn the art of sharing,
    Side by side and friend with friend,
    Equal partners in our caring
    To fulfill God’s chosen end.

     Christ’s example, Christ’s inspiring,
    Christ’s clear call to work and worth,
    Let us follow, never faltering,
    Reconciling folk on earth.
    Men and women, richer, poorer,
    All God’s people, young and old,
    Blending human skills together
    Gracious gifts from God unfold.

     Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission,
    In a small or global sense,
    Help us bear each other’s burdens,
    Breaking down each wall or fence.
    Words of comfort, words of vision,
    Words of challenge, said with care,
    Bring new power and strength for action,
    Make us colleagues, free and fair.

     So God grant us for tomorrow
    Ways to order human life
    That surround each person’s sorrow
    With a calm that conquers strife.
    Make us partners in our living,
    Our compassion to increase,
    Messengers of faith, thus giving
    Hope and confidence and peace.* Amen

* Called as Partners in Christ’s Service, Composer: John Zundel, 1870, Author: Jane Parker Huber, 1981 Available at: http://worship-organizer.awtrey.com/hymnal/?number=343

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.