Tag Archives: Called to Serve

Changing of the Guard

Living in the Spirit

October 19, 2020

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

The Lord said to him, ‘This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, “I will give it to your descendants”; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.’ Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord’s command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigor had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended.

Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unequalled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel. –Deuteronomy 34:4-12

Moses’ job was a lifetime appointment, as was Joshua’s. The passing of leadership responsibility is a constant in life from tribal leadership, monarchies, and democracies. Thus, change, too, is a constant in our lives. I have always wondered if Moses was disappointed at not entering the promised land or if he thought, in Paul’s words, I have finished the race* now is the time for someone else to take over.

Our call to serve God, whatever our responsibilities, is also a lifetime appointment. Our duties will change as the world changes, and our abilities develop. I was surprised to see former President Jimmy Carter walking with a hammer in hand across a Habitat for Humanity building site on TV recently. I think he is 96. When I was baptized in 1954, I never envisioned cell phones or computers being mainstays of my work.

In a few weeks, we face the changing of the guard in our governmental systems in our cities, counties, states, and nations. Some incumbents chose not to run for office, and some will lose. All our ruling bodies will have a different makeup of participants. We must work to make that transition as smooth as possible. As a country theoretically ruled by the people, we must remain engaged in assuring that our governments’ work is dedicated to guaranteeing the people’s common good.

Prayer:Lord, guide us in our civil engagement as we strive to build a better world ruled by your love. Amen.

*2 Timothy 4:7

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. A

ll rights are reserved.

Easter to Pentecost

Eastertide

April 13, 2020

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-32

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.

‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. –Acts 2:14a, 22-24

I just sang the Hallelujah Chorus at the close of Easter Sunday worship and then discovered, in the Lectionary at least, Pentecost happened. Jesus’s Disciples had 50 days to mourn and wonder and recover from the shock of the events we now cluster into Holy Week before Pentecost. Retrospect has its advantages. One of which is that the time of Lent and Holy Week is a time of remembering who we are and whose we are. Those first Disciples of Christ cleared the path and explained the course Christ called us to complete. They needed those 50 days. While we take sabbath as needed, our work continues with even greater enthusiasm because we took the time to revisit the parade of Palms, the Last Supper, the Cross, and the empty tomb.

And yet, sheltering at home because of the COVID 19 pandemic, some are experiencing a time of waiting, not unlike that time between the Resurrection and Pentecost. We are dealing with an unknown future, our whole way of being is upside down. While I sit at home pondering what is next, I watch reports in the news of all those working around the clock to save lives and bury bodies.

So, I am challenging myself, and welcoming you to join me, to discern where we are missing the mark in answerings Christ’s call to further the Kingdom of God in our world and begin making the changes to correct our aim.

Prayer: Lord, open all our senses to receive the insights you have for us as you draw us in the Spirits tether* focusing us on our next steps. Amen.

*Derived from the hymn, Draw us in the Spirits Tether by Percy Dearmer. See at: http://adventisthymns.com/lyrics/259-draw-us-in-the-spirits-tether

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.

Christ as Judge

Living in the Spirit
September 14, 2017

Scripture Reading: Romans 14:1-12

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

 Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God. –Romans 14:1-6

I guess the reason we have denominations is that “birds of a feather flock together.” People have different ways of addressing the spiritual or for that matter various aspects of life. A problem arises when we think our way of being or doing is the only way and we try to enforce it on others.

Argument arises with the degree of importance some beliefs or practices are related to the authenticity of the faith. Believers baptism vs. infant baptism, immersion vs. sprinkling, communion every Sunday or once a month or once a quarter were each historical areas of fervent discourse. Who indeed are we to pass judgment? Jesus said,

‘Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Matthew 7:1-3

The problem becomes more pronounced when we try to use our faith as a means of approving bigotry or hate such as we see in racism, ethnic cleansing, or discrimination related to sexual orientation, all human contrivances, each designed to set people apart. In Matthew 25 Jesus outlines the actions by which he will judge us: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, restoring those in prison, and welcoming the stranger. All these actions are in direct contradiction to bigotry and hate.

Prayer: God of Love, help us simplify our lives by accepting that you do the judging while we care for all your children in whatever situation we may find them. 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.

What if We Are Wrong

Living in the Spirit
September 10, 2017

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15-20

Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’
–Matthew 17-20

I wonder if we fully understand the partnership God calls us to in being the Body of Christ. I do not like to think about what I do now will be carried out in heaven. Even in writing these short devotions, I am amazed at how many little mistakes I discover when I proofread. Sometimes I do not see them and must rely on the grammar checker on my computer. I can understand the servant who buried the money his boss placed in his care rather than use it to grow the business*. But growing the business is what we are called to do. We may not always do it right, we may occasionally take one step forward and two steps back, but when we work together, we always do it with Christ in our midst.

We are observing the 500th anniversary of the Reformation this year when Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the chapel door addressing concerns he had about the church. I believe his actions were a needed correction to the corruption that had infested the church. God uses some to apply a checks and balances system when we wander too far afield.

We are in the midst of such a correction now as we deal with our sins of omission regarding various justice issues that seem lost in a maze of what it means to be a follower of Christ in the 21st century. If what we do on earth follows us to heaven then heaven help us to get it right now. I for one do not want to spend eternity in the midst of hate and war and violence and racism and oppression of any kind.

Prayer: Lord, give us the courage we need to walk your walk. Amen.

*See the Parable of the Talents at Matthew 25:14–30.

Finding Our Niches

Living in the Spirit
August 25, 2017

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:1-8

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. –Romans 12:3-8

God created each of us with a unique set of skills and abilities. I view the Body of Christ as an organic jigsaw puzzle with each piece differing, and all pieces being essential to reveal the whole picture. We have at least a three-fold mission as the Body of Christ, one to find all the pieces, two to welcome them as a part of the picture, and three to help them find their niche while nurturing their growth in fulfilling it. For an individual, a niche is a position suitable for the capabilities or merits of a person*.

My church a few years ago started posting the newsletter online and emailing it to those with an email address who request it. We have some people who prefer a hard copy, and they pick it up at the church. Others, primarily shut-ins and some who have moved away but like to keep up with our work, are mailed a copy through the postal system. One retired gentleman takes very good care of those who get copies mailed. I think it brings him joy, and I know it fills an empty spot in the lives of the recipients. He has found a great niche in the ninth decade of his life. There is not enough space to list all the other niches he has filled over the years. The one I hear the most about is sponsoring youth events. I’ll bet he is even surprised at some of the things he has done that brought great joy.

Be open to the leading of God and try some new things in your service to God. You might be very surprised at some of the gifts you discover.

Of course, the final results is the Kingdom of God vibrant in love across the whole earth. Let it be so.

Prayer: Lord, open windows of opportunity for all who seek you as we commit to being your Body in the world today. Amen.

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

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.

Stepping Out in Faith

Living in the Spirit
July 4, 2017

Scripture Reading: Genesis 24:34-36, 42-49, 58-67

And they called Rebekah, and said to her, ‘Will you go with this man?’ She said, ‘I will.’ So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,

‘May you, our sister, become
   thousands of myriads;
may your offspring gain possession
   of the gates of their foes.’
Then Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. –Genesis 24:58-61

Arranged marriages seem a little strange to us but they still happen in the world. I do not know how much of a choice Rebekah really had, but it seemed to be her decision. My guess is she and her mother had some long talks weighing the pros and cons. Marriage and bearing children were her culturally designation destiny.

I had wondered how my family members felt when they got on that ship to come to America aware they most likely would never see their loved ones who remained in the homeland ever again. I thought the same thing about family who traveled west in the USA until I found records where some aunts living in Pennsylvania visited Illinois in the 1840’s. We don’t think much about such a trip now. It was a major event then.

What Rebekah did was step out in faith to leave her family and travel to a new life. We are called in both small and large ways to step out in faith, move out of our comfort zones in service to God. It may mean interacting with strangers who become new friends, it may mean traveling to places far away or simply driving to the elementary school a few blocks from the church. It may mean learning how to use a saw, hammer a nail, or sack food. It may mean advocating for people whose voices alone are not heard. Whatever we are called to do, we must remember that we never do it alone. God is always with us and there are communities of faith ready and eager to join with us in a common cause.

Prayer: Grant us the courage of Rebekah to step out in faith when you call. 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.

Sent to Serve

Living in the Spirit
July 3, 2017

Scripture Reading: Genesis 24:34-36, 42-49, 58-67

So he said, ‘I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and he has given him all that he has.

 ‘I came today to the spring, and said, “O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if now you will only make successful the way I am going! I am standing here by the spring of water; let the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, ‘Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,’ and who will say to me, ‘Drink, and I will draw for your camels also’—let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.” –Genesis 24:34-36, 42-44

“That’s a God thing.” is my normal response when something appropriate happens that results in wholeness, oneness, or justice. I usually say the phrase in hindsight. In the midst of life, I think most of us respond with instinct, although I too like Abraham’s servant send prayers for guidance.

Instinct should not be whatever will happen, happens. Paul talks about Christ’s followers being like well-trained athletes. When a player is on the court or the field, his or her body and mind must meld together instantly in response to the movements of the other person or team. Really good athletes usually possess natural talents, and they enhance those talents with hour after hour of intense workouts, the study of opponents, shared wisdom from a coach, and practice, lots of practice.

Christ followers are charged with similar tasks designed to hone our whole being with the goal of serving God with all our hearts, minds, strength, and souls. Such preparation allows immediate response when indicated. Someone caught and saved a baby dropped from the 11th floor of a burning building recently in England. Most of us are rarely required to respond to such a serious circumstance. All of us live in communities where children are falling through the cracks of poverty, hunger, and inability to take full advantage of available education. There is something each of us can do to catch these children before they fall. It may take dusting off some old skills or learning some new ones. Start now, for the opportunity awaits.

Prayer: Lord, help us to find our niche in serving others and when needed to hone our skills in preparation. 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.

Put to the Test, Now What?

Eastertide
May 17, 2017

Scripture Reading: Psalm 66:8-20

Bless our God, O peoples,
   let the sound of his praise be heard,
who has kept us among the living,
   and has not let our feet slip.
For you, O God, have tested us;
   you have tried us as silver is tried.
You brought us into the net;
   you laid burdens on our backs;
you let people ride over our heads;
   we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a spacious place. –Psalm 66:8-12

Every child is different, but the tests are similar from encouraging that first step to taking off the training wheels. Babies plop on their diaper draped bottoms more times than not learning to walk. Parents watch for signs when their child is ready for each milestone in their growth and development. The Psalmist tells us that God, our Parent, does the same. Parents must discern when a child develops to the point of knowing the difference between right and wrong and the ability to choose right.  My paternal grandmother died when I was five, so I must have been very young when she discovered me turning the gas knobs on her kitchen range. Her gentle fear wrapping her arm around me and pulling me away while readjusting the knobs probably cured me of playing with the range more than anything she said. As young as I was I remember the incident well.

Milestones do not end with infancy. We face them at each stage of our lives. I recently attended a retreat on Aging and Sage-ing dealing with the continuation of ministry in the fourth quarter of life. The Psalmists gives us assurance that God is actively engaged in our growth and development throughout our lives. What is God nurturing in us currently? Are we being called to the next progression of our faith work?

Prayer: God we thank you that you have brought us out to a spacious place which indicates the opportunities for our service are varied and many. Guide us to where we are most needed and can best help. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the new Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Being Bold

becoming-like-christ (1)Living in the Spirit
October 9, 2015

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16

Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. –Hebrews 4:14-16

How boldly do we approach the throne of grace? Sometimes I think I lean toward Gentle Jesus Meek and Mild* and avoid the Jesus who called the Pharisees hypocrites to their faces. Part of my reaction results from my taking offense at people who speak in the name of Christ in language I can’t image him using, espousing tenets of faith alien to my perception of the One who called us to love. The truth is we need to be both as meek and as bold as he was. It actually takes a lot of courage to be either in our world today.

Hebrews is calling us to own the grace we have received. It is the relationship we have with God that will sustain us in our quest for a better world. It is God who can enables us to manifest patience and long-suffering** when faced with entrenched and generational challenges like racism and poverty. It is God who can give us the courage to stand up and speak out against the institutional realities of our culture that feed the injustice that causes racism and poverty.

Part of the motto of Star Trek was: To boldly go where no man has gone before. We are called to boldly go where Jesus, the Christ, has already trod and cleared the way for us and will walk with us still, if we approach his grace.

Prayer: Lord guide me in my meekness and my boldness. Let your love be the energy for my action. Amen.

*Title of hymn by Charles Wesley

**Definition of the word meek. See at http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/meek

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.

Joy, Joy, Joy

FeastEastertide May 9, 2015

Scripture Reading: John 15:9-17 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.–John 15:9-11

I awoke this morning with an ominous feeling. We are in the season of tornados and the last thing I heard on the news last evening was a caution to be weather aware a bad storm is headed our way. I think this may be good advice for those of us called to ministries of justice. We need to be justice aware for as much as I am prudent about tornados, my ominous feeling was more likely caused by the injustice I see all around me and the lack of concern, will to address, or will to give up the things that are in our own lives that lie at the foundation of injustice. With that as the backdrop, what on earth was Jesus talking about when he says that he has joy and that he wants us to have joy. Where do you see Jesus’ joy in the gospels?

Jesus said:

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44)

Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’ (Luke 15:10)

He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. (John 3:29)

These three seem to say that Jesus’ joy comes from our answering his call and all answering his call resulting in the fruition of the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. He invites us to share in the joy of the rule of love, and, I believe, that can only happen when true justice exists.

Prayer: Lord, help us experience the joy in loving one another in your name. 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.