Tag Archives: Loving Like Jesus

Peace, Peace

Advent

December 8, 2022

Scripture Reading: Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The second Sunday in Advent is celebrated as Peace Sunday. I am writing this on December 7, a day that does live in infamy. The day Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. The day the US officially became a part of World War II. Jesus came to bring us peace, but we must be willing to give up those things over which we war to have peace. Greed and the lust for power are two of the most hideous causes of war. Jeremiah addressed it in his day as described in the following scripture:

For from the least to the greatest of them,
   everyone is greedy for unjust gain;
and from prophet to priest,
   everyone deals falsely.
They have treated the wound of my people carelessly,
   saying, ‘Peace, peace’,
   when there is no peace.
They acted shamefully, they committed abomination;
   yet they were not ashamed,
   they did not know how to blush.
Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
   at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,
says the Lord. –Jeremiah 6:13-15

Our world seems to be itching for discord. An actual war exists in Ukraine as Russia wants to take that country over. An insurrection at our own Capitol on January 6 reared its ugly head here in the US. And now some group has destroyed the electrical systems in North Carolina, leaving thousands of people without heat and lights.

What triggers people’s need to address life’s challenges through violence? Where has their peace gone? How do we mend the brokenness in our society, our world?

During this season, we celebrate the Prince of Peace. We need to do more than celebrate but adapt to the Lord’s rule of love and welcome others to do the same.

Prayer: Lord, let your light shine through those who love you so that others can know your peace that passes understanding. 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.

We are Called to Love not Judge

Advent

December 6, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 7:10-16

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.

The challenge is how we discern what is evil and what is good. Evil works very hard at looking harmless, looking preferable. We as a people seem to spend a lot more time judging others for the evil we see in them than removing the log from our own eyes. (See Matthew 7:5) In most instances, what we perceive as evil in others is a sign they may need or love, not our condemnation. ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ ( See John 8:7) We might want to read (or read again) C. S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters when we find ourselves judging others’ sins rather than examining ourselves for getting caught up in the evil of self-righteousness.

A mighty Fortress is our God,
A Bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle*.

Prayer:  Lord, guide us as we struggle through life’s temptations and grant us the will to walk well with others who struggle too. Amen.

*First and second verses of the hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God by Martin Luther see at https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/886

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.

Bearing Fruit

Advent

Advent

December 4, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 3:1-12

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight.” ’

Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’ –Matthew 3:1-6, 11-12

Bear fruit worthy of repentance. One of my favorite stories of faith is John Newton’s. He is the author of the hymn Amazing Grace. Growing up, he had little or no faith-based background. After being conscripted into the English navy as a young man, he continued a career in sailing. Upon discharge, he became involved in the lucrative business of transporting slaves. On one treacherous trip, his ship was caught in a massive storm. John Newton found himself praying to a God he barely knew, committing his life to the Lord if he were saved. He survived the storm and keep his promise. Another ten or so years passed before he was convicted of how wrong the slave trade was. He was ordained in the Anglican church and became an ardent abolitionist. He bore fruit worthy of repentance.

While we may never have been caught up in such evil itself, we have a responsibility to address evil as it impacts others. We are called to do justice and not just ignore the evil that surrounds us.

Prayer: Lord, as you opened John Newton’s heart to the evil that surrounded him, open ours to the injustice that is in our world today and show us the way to overcome it for all people. 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.

Growing in Love

Advent

December 3, 2022

Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:1-12

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight.” ’
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’ –Matthew 3:1-6, 11-12

John the Baptist is saying that all need repentance. We, indeed, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) The one who is coming demands more. He demands that we learn to live together and care for each other as we grow in wisdom and truth.

Humans stumble through progress. Sometimes we take two steps back and one step forward. Repentance can lead to self-righteousness rather than a quest for justice.  We are drawn to measuring our worth by needing to be better than others. The only person we are challenged to improve is ourselves. By interacting, however, we may learn from others as they learn from us.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for coming to us in human form as a role model in sharing God’s 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.

Living for Jesus

Advent

December 1, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Romans 15:4-13

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. –Romans 15:4-6

Paul was a dedicated student of scripture, and what he knew of scripture was the Hebrew Bible. He probably was also well acquainted with the Apocrypha. The gospels we are familiar with were all written after his death. Perhaps that is why his writing is always looking forward to something better. His letters are full of preparation for the return of Christ in his fulness.

I wonder if we today view the gospels as the end of the story, not the continuation of God’s creative longing for a world ruled by love. Do we stir together the laws of the Hebrew Bible and the grace of the Gospels and call our work done? If we live a good life following the rules and accepting God’s gracious gift of sending God’s son to redeem us from our sins, do we think we can rest on our laurels?

The gospels mark the progression of God’s mission. If anything. it increases our responsibility:

And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. Mark 16:15

And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28:18-20

The Kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is! ‘ or ‘There it is! ‘ For, in fact, the Kingdom of God is among you” (Luke 17:20-21

Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-22

Prayer: Lord, empower us to live your love as we progress toward a world ruled by your 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.

Government and Leadership

Advent

November 30, 2022

Scripture Reading: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Prayer for Guidance and Support for the King

Of Solomon.
Give the king your justice, O God,
   and your righteousness to a king’s son.
May he judge your people with righteousness,
   and your poor with justice
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
   and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
   give deliverance to the needy,
   and crush the oppressor. –Psalm 72:1-4

I included the title offered in my Bible for this scripture as it is helpful to know that this was a prayer for Solomon when he assumed the throne. We do not live in a monarchy. In a democracy, we have installed new leaders recently, and we do need to pray for them. In a democracy, we, the people, are responsible for selecting qualified people for each job and for holding their feet to the fire to address well the issues for which we elected them to represent us. Certainly, a fair justice system is important, particularly for the “least of these*” who may not have the voice or influence necessary to correct injustice in our society.

The national poverty rate was 12.8% in 2021 but was significantly different for the nation’s oldest and youngest populations, according to a new Census Bureau report released today.

The child poverty rate (for people under age 18) was 16.9% in 2021, 4.2 percentage points higher than the national rate, while poverty for those ages 65 and over was 10.3%, 2.5 percentage points lower than the national rate**.

In the US, one out of every 10 people over 65 lives in poverty. At the same time, Congress is considering how to cut Social Security and Medicare, which are the programs that make the elderly have q poverty rate lower than the national rate. The worst outcome is that one out of every six children lives in poverty while we have a low unemployment rate. How can the poverty rate be so high if the unemployment rate is so low?  The minimum wage has not been raised since 2009. It is meaningless today, as is the official poverty rate; both are well below a living wage***. If governments are responsible for caring for the poor, then we have much catching up to do.

Prayer: Lord, help us all be defenders of the poor. Amen.

*Matthew 25:40 And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

** https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2022/10/poverty-rate-varies-by-age-groups.html#:~:text=U.S.%20Poverty%20Rate%20Is%2012.8%25%20but%20Varies%20Significantly%20by%20Age%20Groups&text=A%20.,organization%20in%20the%20United%20States.

***See MIT’s Living Wage Calculator at https://livingwage.mit.edu/

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 with Us

Advent

November 26, 2022

Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:36-44
‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

All these horrible shootings that are occurring across our country give credence to this scripture. We never know when our lives will end, but the useless waste of life at a grocery store, school, or movie theater is inexcusable.  Jesus’s warnings about the end of time, I think, are meant to alert us to the mission for which we have been chosen—to develop a world where love is the normal relationship between all people. I do not think Christ wants to come back and pitch his tent among people who seem to work hard at ignoring his way of being. He originally came to dwell among us to share the way of love. Visualize how much better all our lives would be if we choose to follow his example.

Jesus blessed us with his continuous presence when he gifted us with the Holy Spirit. We need to quit turning to the ways of the world to define our society and realign with the love God shares with all his creation remaining in constant contact with The Spirit of God. When love truly rules God is with us.

Let all mortal flesh keep silence
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ, our God, to earth descending,
comes our homage to command*.

Prayer: Lord, as we sit in silent meditation enter our hearts and heal our brokenness as individuals and as a society enabling our work in answering your call to develop a world ruled by your love. Amen.

The first verse of the hymn Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence paraphrased Gerard Moultrie from Liturgy of Saint James believed to have been written around 400 B.C.E.

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.

Discerning God’s Ways

Advent

November 21, 2022

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come
   the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
   and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
   Many peoples shall come and say,
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
   to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
   and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
   and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
   and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
   and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
   neither shall they learn war anymore.
O house of Jacob,
   come, let us walk
   in the light of the Lord!

How do we discern the ways of God? How do we test differing interpretations of scripture, of the history of our faith, and of the acts of God in our lives? How do we strip from the ways of the world, our culture, and the ancient cultures from our understanding of how to love God, love ourselves, and love others as we love ourselves? Where is our mountain of the Lord where God may teach us God’s ways that we may walk in God’s path?

In the 19th century, two of my great aunts had their left toddler arms tied to their sides until they were “cured” from being dominantly left-handed based on the scripture in Matthew 25:33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. The assumption was made that the right hand was the favored one, but that is not the big problem. The big problem is that my ancestors could have gotten so caught up in stopping their children from being left-handed that they lost track of the critical purpose of the scripture–to feed the hungry, care for the sick, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, and restore the prisoner.

I think it is essential to study the Bible on our own, but it is also important to hear how others understand scripture. Discerning worldviews impact our reading of scripture and can help us separate what is cultural and what is God’s ways. Practicing a daily examination of ourselves regarding the practice of our faith will help us be intentional about following God’s way.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the gift of discernment regarding being in sync with you. Amen.

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

Christ, Our Role Model

November 18, 2022

Living in the Spirit

Scripture Reading:

Colossians 1:11-20

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. –Colossians 1:15-20

Christ is our ultimate role model. He sets a very high standard, and yet he indicates that his yoke is easy, and his burden is light*.  I fear most of us are guilty of thinking that everyone else thinks as we do, or at least should.  We all perceive the world through the perspective we have cultivated over time. I grew up on a farm; people raised away from that environment may never have the same sense that I do regarding the source of their food. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:12: For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.

A part of accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior is accepting him as our ultimate role model, which requires us to examine our thinking and ways of relating to others through the lenses of his example. We do that primarily through the teachings that have been passed down to us from the information captured by those who shared it with us via scriptures. We are all parts of the Body of Christ, we are not Christ, but we can learn from him and live our lives in such a way that others can get some sense of Christ through our attitudes and behavior.

Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day**

Prayer: Lord, open our minds and our wills to see more clearly and live more nearly the way you love.  Help us revamp our lives to follow that example. Amen.

*See Matthew 11:30

**Song from the musical Godspell Written By Stephen Schwartz see at https://genius.com/Godspell-day-by-day-lyrics

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

Recovering

Living in the Spirit

November 12, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 21:5-19

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’

They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them.

‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. –Luke 21:5-11

Luke was believed to be written around the time that the temple in Jerusalem was desecrated and destroyed. The book’s message was surely impacted by that event.

 A few days ago, a level-four tornado struck causing major damage in Idabel, a town in southeast Oklahoma. On the day after the tornado, I watched a reporter standing in front of a church that was now a pile of scrap wood interspersed with broken pieces of stained glass. Two days later the same reporter stood in front of people setting up folding chairs in the yard with debris in the background that had not yet been removed. They were preparing for worship. This church did not have the long history of the temple in Jerusalem, but for its members it contains similar memories of weddings and funerals, making lifelong friends, and watching children grow in spirit and truth, adults too. Such events remind us that bad things do happen to good people. However, they also remind us of what is important in life and that loving God and loving our neighbors as we love ourselves can never be destroyed and will prevail as we restore our buildings while sharing our love as we work to build the Beloved Community.

Prayer: Lord, we pray for all the people caught in climatic disasters, the ravages of war, and the violence of discrimination. Show us the ways we can share our love with them in meaningful ways including 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.