Tag Archives: Healing our Souls

We Need Gilead’s Balm

Living in the Spirit

August 13, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 12:49-56

‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided:
father against son
   and son against father,
mother against daughter
   and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
   and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’ –Luke 12:49-53

I think I have shared this story before but at times it bares repeating. I heard Dr. Fred Craddock preach several years ago about the French word Ennui as a descriptor and disrupter of faith at times. We are living in such a time as this. Ennui* has been adopted into the English language and means a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction: languor or emptiness of spirit.

We see it in many places. Voting participation is at a very low point. Having been swamped with dark advertisements among the various campaigns, I do not believe any of them. Church participation is down. People describe themselves as spiritual, not religious. Jesus is quoted as saying he came to light a fire in our world and indeed, he did. The history of God in our world seems cyclical and we humans seem to need such attention-getting action to set us back on our foundation. Climate change is literally lighting fires all around us calling us to be responsible for the earth God created for us. COVID opened the windows to the failures of our health care system. The death of Breanna Taylor and others opened our eyes to the scourge of discrimination in our land. We must work to heal these wounds of our society as we strive for wholeness, oneness, and justice in our country and world.

There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole,
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged
and think my work’s in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again**.

Prayer: Amen.

*https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/ennui

**Refrain and the first verse of There Is a Balm in Gilead. See at https://hymnary.org/text/sometimes_i_feel_discouraged_spiritual

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.

Prayer

Ordinary Time

February 22, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Exodus 34:29-35

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterwards all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Moses came down from Mount Sinai after spending time with God and receiving the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 34:29) Elijah drained of all strength, burnout we would call it today, He was nourished by God’s angels and then traveled to Mount Horeb and entered a Cave to find renewal. (1 Kings 19) Jesus went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12) and the next day he called the 12 disciples. The pattern of prayer between God and God’s followers flows through the entire Bible. We are called to follow that pattern today. When trying to organize a people from living in slavery to becoming a nation, to fighting against the evils of out-of-control power, to selecting the right people for a mission that eventually led to changing the whole world. God is there on the mountaintop or in the church basement. Be attentive to God’s presence as you lay before God whatever is stirring in your soul to gain strength in its accomplishment.

Prayer: Lord, as we travel the path of service, let your love be our strength to carry on in simple and dynamic situations.  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.

Healing Damaged Self-concepts

Living in the Spirit

August 12, 2021

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. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When listening to some of our political leaders being interviewed, I find myself drawn into discerning where they fit on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need or The Stages of Faith described by James W. Fowler in his book by the same name*. Where are these people stuck on the steps of one or both of those maturation measurement tools? The speakers remind me of the two-year-old lying on the floor screaming and kicking because they did not get what they wanted or may not know what they want. They are at the stage of life when they might say, “You cannot make me wear a mask.” However, they perceive they have the right to outlaw everyone else from wearing a mask.

I have observed over time that one of the most damaging messages parents and others deliver to a child is that they are fundamentally better than everyone else. Such messaging is harmful because deep in every person’s heart is the knowledge that they are not better. Yet, if we are blessed with talents and skills, that does not enable us to mistreat others. Indeed, Jesus tells us in Luke 12:48b, From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

How do we undo the harm that brings about damaged self-concepts? How do we help ourselves and others climb the steps to psychological and faith growth? Assisting people to develop empathy is a good starting point. I have recently seen some beautiful examples of children perceiving the needs of others and working to meet those needs. My mother’s nursing home had an arrangement with a nearby grade school. Classes of children came and did artwork with the patients. My mother, a former teacher, enjoyed participating with the children. The students developed a loving understanding of the unique needs of the elderly. Maybe some of us adults need to work on empathy also.

Prayer: Lord, open our hearts to the good in everyone, including ourselves, so that we may share your love in all we do and speak. Amen.

*https://www.institute4learning.com/2020/06/12/the-stages-of-faith-according-to-james-w-fowler/

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 the Healer

Living in the Spirit

July 18, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Mark 6:53-56
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

The time has come to stop debating who is right and who is wrong—who has the corner on God and who does not. We are experiencing what we have known all along if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. (Mark 3:25)   We have tested the idols of our world and found them lacking. We have learned from experience that the love of money is the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:10) Now we need to invite Christ to walk among us and heal our wounded souls.  God wants our love of God to be our choice as God wants us to foster a world where we all love one another by choice. Is that the vision we each see when we look in a mirror? Does our life reflect any of these ways of the world that sent Israel into exile, later allowed the temple to be destroyed, and the fall of Rome? Democracy is the image of its people.

Prayer:
Draw us in the Spirit’s tether; For when humbly, in thy name,
Two or three are met together, Thou art in the midst of them:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Touch we now thy garment’s hem.

As the brethren used to gather In the name of Christ to sup,
Then with thanks to God the Father Break the bread and bless the cup,
Alleluia! Alleluia! So knit thou our friendship up.

All our meals and all our living Make us sacraments of thee,
That be caring, helping, giving, We may true disciples be.
Alleluia! Alleluia! We will serve thee faithfully*. Amen.

*Draw us in the Spirit’s Tether, by Percy Dearmer, Chalice Hymnal page 392

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 Cross

Lent

March 21, 2021

Scripture Reading: John 12:20-33

‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—”Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. –John 12:27-33

The closest I come to identifying with Jesus facing the Cross, and it is not even close, is laying on the gurney before going into surgery. Both of my knees have been replaced. Although I knew the surgery was the right decision, I was not looking forward to the pain and rehab I faced post-surgery. I did not realize in those moments before surgery how much pain I had experienced for years up to that moment and how limited my life had become walking with a cane and having gained a lot of weight from lack of exercise. The irony is, the post-surgery pain was not as bad as the untreated pre-surgery pain, and the post-surgery pain faded away with healing.

As I was thinking about this, I recalled Jesus sitting on the hillside looking down on Jerusalem weeping because the people were not heeding his warnings. Jesus was fully aware that his followers then and his followers now can get so caught in our separation from God it becomes our norm. We may even think it is what God wants for us. We learn to accept it, but that is not living the abundant life God desires for all God’s children. The Cross’s story is that God clears us of all the clutter that holds us back from fully being the people we were created to be. Jesus’s resurrection exemplifies our new life in Christ.

The above is just an illustration, not even a very good one. Many face health and mental health issues that are disabling to their bodies but not their souls. I still have arthritis, and it will most likely always be with me. I am asking you to step back and visualize how humans adapt to spiritually unhealthy attitudes that are not aligned with God’s ways. When we each can recognize them and bring them in line with God, our whole world will become more righteous.

Prayer: As we draw nearer to observing Jesus’ last week, help us be aware of what it means to us in our faith development. Make us whole. 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.

God With Us

Eastertide

April 17, 2020

Scripture Reading:
1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Watching the morning news before I write these devotions may not be a good idea. It is an excellent source of my discerning, where I need to direct my prayers. We do suffer various trials. Health care workers are tested by fire. And God loves and cares for all of us, even those who do not believe God exists.

And no, I do not believe God sent this virus to punish any one or all of us. God does allow us to suffer the consequences of our decisions and our society’s decisions. While we do need to return to financial stability, acquiring wealth is never more important than people’s lives, all people’s lives. God created us with brains; God intends for us to use them for good. I do not think parsing theology right now is particularly helpful. I know that sharing the love of God is essential. And in the final analysis, loving God and loving one another is all that matters. The salvation of our souls is not just an event in a distant time or at our deaths. Particularly now, God’s consistent and eternal salvation of our souls is crucial to our traversing the trials we face today and every day.

There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole,
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged
and think my work’s in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again.*

Prayer: We thank you, Lord, for the consistency of your presence as we struggle with the challenges of our world today. Enable us to love like Jesus. Amen.

*Refrain and first verse of There is a Balm in Gilead https://hymnary.org/text/sometimes_i_feel_discouraged_spiritual

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.

Save Our Souls

Epiphany
February 3, 2017

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,
‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
   nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him’—
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. –1 Corinthians 2:6-10

Are we still crucifying the Lord of glory today? Are we different from the first-century people who longed for a savior but wanted to be saved on their own terms? God provided us with a Savior and we vex him still today.

How do we mesh together human wisdom and God’s wisdom? Our ancestors in faith left us a wonderful legacy of what it means to live in and out of God’s wisdom in the writings that became the Bible. Studying and learning from their experiences should help us avoid the same pitfalls. As with human history, we do not learn well from God’s history either. Change the places and names in the book of Amos and it would describe our world today.

Studying is only fruitful when our hearts, minds, and souls are aligned with God’s wisdom. Opening ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit is key to coming in sync with God. It may be painful at times. Just like starting a new physical exercise program, re-engaging the muscles of our souls may ache a bit as we realize how far we have drifted from God. Besides being our trainer, the Holy Spirit also provides the balm needed for holy healing.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we chase after lesser gods and claim them as savior. Reconnect us with the one who died to save us, Jesus Christ who promised and sent the Holy Spirit to guide us through life’s journey. Thank you Lord for saving our souls. 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.