Tag Archives: Loving Like Jesus

A New Thing

Eastertide
April 22, 2017

Scripture Reading: John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 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. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’ –John:19-23

For fear of the Jews, the disciples huddled behind closed doors not knowing what else to do absent their leader. I must say it is hard for me to image being afraid of the people with whom I have worshiped all my life. I think of Muslims dealing with groups such as ISIS. I think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer walking toward the gallows. I think how divided Christians are today and wonder could we be headed down this same path.

Even amid very real fear, Jesus calls and empowers us to continue his ministry. Sent is a key word here. We are not called to an enclosed locked-down hiding place. We are called to go forth into the world loving God and loving the way Jesus loved as our primary mission. Yes, it is important and necessary that we share our ministry in a loving community of faith that nurtures and trains us for ministry. Such a place is not an end unto itself but the means to the end of initiating and building the Kingdom of God in our world today.

The gift of the Holy Spirit is key to the success of our mission. We may have differing tasks. There are many ways to show love. Some provide food, some feed the hungry. Some who have recovered from alcohol or drug addiction mentor those trying to free themselves from addiction’s slavery. Others provide a caring, safe environment for the receipt of treatment. Some advocate for restorative justice. Others provide preschools to break the pipeline to prison.

I cannot image the Holy Spirit giving divisive guidance to those who have chosen to follow Christ. We need to find the things on which we agreed and divvy up the work according to our skills and resources. When we are out of sync with each other, we are most likely out of sync with the Spirit. In such situations, rather than trying to win battles against each other, we must turn to God, ask for forgiveness, and seek the Spirit’s guidance in doing a new thing.

“I will do a new thing in you;
I will do a new thing in you;
Whatever you ask for, whatever you pray for,
nothing shall be denied.”
saith the Lord; saith the Lord!* (See Isaiah 43:19)

Prayer: Lord forgive us when we get so caught up in being right that we become wrong in our love. Do a new thing in us. Amen.

*I will do a New Thing in You by Audrey Byrd see at http://www.hymnary.org/person/Byrd_Audrey

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.

Bringing Salvation to All

cropped-stereotypes12Advent
December 22, 2016

Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Impiety = properly, a lack of respect, showing itself in bold irreverence – i.e. refusing to give honor where honor is due. *

Jesus came to bring salvation for all, not just a chosen few. He asked, commanded, us to make that our mission for life. Each time we show a lack of respect for anyone, we show a lack of respect for Jesus. Jesus did not send us forth to force anyone to do anything. We are called to tell his story and to let our lives be a living testimony to his love as we live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.

It is easy to say; I love everyone; it is much harder to live it. Nowhere in the Bible does it say, hate the sin, love the sinner. We are called to respect each person as he or she presents themselves to us. The genuine nature of our response to someone is the primary introduction to positive communication. The Bible illustrates this in its reporting of all of Jesus’ interchanges with the vast array of people he encountered along the way.

As we examine ourselves this Advent season, let us be aware of our internal response to others we encounter. If our first reaction is negative, pray about it. Seek understanding regarding what in our lives caused such a response. Let us give the negativity to God and ask God to clear our being of preconceived notions that hamper communion with others.

Prayer: Lord, grant me a better understanding of my prejudices and free me from their stranglehold. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/greek/763.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.

Soul Memory

hopeLiving in the Spirit
November 13, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 21:5-19

‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls. —Luke 21:12-19

Athletes talk about muscle memory or learning to see the whole field or court at once. As followers of Christ we need to develop what I call Soul Memory. We must attain a degree of wholeness that every action or reaction is filled with the spirit of God. In times like these we need soul memory.

Our tasks of being the Body of Christ in the world is vital now. We tend to think that our chaos is the worst chaos, but consider what Luke and the disciples experience at the beginning of our journey. We can bury our heads in the sand or we can recognize our current situation as an opportunity to testify to the love of God through Jesus Christ. Remember Christ will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God,
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God.

Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us, who wait before thee,
near to the heart of God.

Prayer: Lord, help us grow our soul memory so we can hear your words guiding us to tell your story. Amen

First verse and refrain of the hymn Near to the Heart of God by Cleland Boyd McAfee see at http://www.hymnary.org/text/there_is_a_place_of_quiet_rest

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.

Wrapped in Love

Abraham-Welcomes-Strangers-in-14th-Century-illuminated-manuscriptLiving in the Spirit
August 25, 2016

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can say with confidence,
‘The Lord is my helper;
   I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?’ –Hebrews 13:1-6

This sage advice excludes any instruction for us to judge anyone else. The writer of Hebrews takes the time particularly to state that God judges fornicators and adulterers we do not have that assignment. This scripture advises us on how we need to conduct ourselves and examine ourselves.

This scripture, wrapped in love, encourages us to show hospitality to strangers. I worked in a big chain restaurant in high school and college. One day while working the counter an older gentleman scooted onto one of the stools in my station. I handed him a menu. He pushed it away and said, “I just want a cup of black coffee.” As I got the coffee for him, I asked if he would like a piece of pie to go with his drink. He said, “What do you have?” and I gave him the laundry list of pies available that day. He ordered pecan and yes, he did want wiped cream. After serving the pie, I refilled his cup and made some small talk with him while handing him the ticket. Moving on to another customer, I did not notice when he left. He had not touched the pie, and he left me a standard tip. Shortly after that, the manager approached me and said, “Do you know who you just served?” I said, “No I did not recognize him.” The manager said that I had just served the owner of the chain who had taken the time to congratulate the manager on the quality of the service. It seems the owner traveled the country incognito and tested the staff to see if we were fulfilling his goal of providing hospitality. I was just doing what I had been trained to do both by my parents and by that manager.

We are called to welcome the stranger as if he or she were a messenger from God. I believe all strangers are messengers from God sent to enrich our lives or for us to enrich theirs.

Prayer: Lord, show us the Christ in each person we encounter in our walk 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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Strangers No More

BradRachfordLiving in the Spirit
May 16, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 14:1, 7-14

He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’ –Luke 14:12-14

There is no question that my family, friends, and various church families have had an enormous impact on me making me stronger and wiser. There is also no question that the strangers I have encountered throughout my life journey have too. Even the most limited contact can make a life-changing difference.

My dad and my Uncle Harvey were both veterans of World War II, so I have a special place in my heart for vets. While serving the hungry homeless as a volunteer, I was tasked with handing out fried pies with pictures of green ninja turtles on the front. Well over six-foot-tall, a bronze-skinned broad-shouldered Native American proudly wearing his dog tags advanced in the slow moving line to my station. I guessed he was a Korean War vet. He picked up one of the fried pie packets and asked, “What kind of pie is green?” He could not read. I told him it was filled with vanilla pudding that the pictures were characters from a movie. He smiled and took one. I guess he liked vanilla pudding. My empathy for homeless vets grew mightily that day. While we do need to welcome the stranger for their benefit, we get at least as much in return in opening our hearts and minds to a fuller understanding of the world in which we live making us better conduits of God’s love.

Prayer: God of Mercy and Justice, open our hearts to see what we need to see, hear what we need to hear to serve you more nearly. 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 Game Plan

beggar-signLiving in the Spirit
August 6, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 14:1, 7-14

When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ –Luke 14:7-11

There is a country and western song by Mac Davis popular several years ago with this first line: Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble When you’re perfect in every way. It comes to my mind each time I read this scripture. The scripture seems to game the art of humility, and that bothers me. It does not bother me more than those who assume they are the center of attention, and the best seat is surely intended for them. It points out the truth of the song; it is hard to be humble and be self-confident and be fearless in facing the challenges of the world. It is impossible unless we have incorporated into our very being the source of all humility: the overwhelming love of God that enables who we are at every point in life.

Jesus set the example for all. He seemed to have time for everyone. Yesterday, I was in a hurry, had to run to the grocery store for a quick purchase on my way to somewhere else when A woman stopped me in the parking lot holding up some money in her hand and asking if I could give her more. I rarely carry much cash, and I do not believe that handing out money is particularly helpful, but I did not give her my time. I did not even find out what she needed. I said, “Sorry I cannot help” and sped on to my next task. People soliciting money is not an uncommon occurrence and in Oklahoma City it is against the law to beg, but I missed the mark in this encounter. I need to game plan myself a way to love a child of God like the woman in the parking lot while not contributing to whatever problems she might have that led her to that situation and fitting her into my hectic schedule.

Prayer: Lord, help me to prepare for whatever you call me to do. Let me learn from my failures and not repeat them. Amen.

*See at https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=&oq=O+Lord+its+hard&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4WQIB_enUS519US519&q=o+lord+it%27s+hard+to+be+humble+lyrics+&gs_l=hp..1.0i10l5.0.0.0.7913………..0.gBdG8vC4ZSY

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.

Judging Others

examine-yourselfLiving in the Spirit
July 28, 2016

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-11

Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. –Colossians 3:5-10

It is interesting that scriptures, like the one above, are used by Christians as the basis for judging other people. When we do, we are not reading it well. If ever there were a self-help scripture, this is one. Addressed to each of its readers, it does not give license to judge others. It gives encouragement to examine oneself and work to shed those behaviors that are not only separating us from God but also inhibiting our ability to carry forth the work Christ called us to do. I fear Christians tend to stop reading at the end of the first list for which most can claim some self-righteousness. We rarely get to the second list for which most can find some complicity.

On first observation, these lists include words that are open to broad interpretation. My greed may not be like your greed, but it is still greed. It is hard to change old habits. Impossible in my case without the loving, tenacity of a forgiving God who remolds and remakes* me every day as I examine myself and come up short. Hopefully, pray fully, not as short as I was the day before.

Our need to judge others robs them of the experience of their discovery in relationship with Jesus Christ to be remolded and remade. We only need to introduce them to the love of God and support them as they join our journey toward wholeness. Our words may be important as a part of that introduction, but our deeds of love are crucial in accepting them just as they are and for the persons they are becoming.

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for remolding and remaking us. We ask that you enable our love to be like yours so others can come to know at least a tiny taste of your love through us. Amen.

*From the refrain of Are Ye Able by Earl Marlett. See at http://www.hymnary.org/text/are_ye_able_said_the_master

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.

Love Like Jesus Loves

Elijah being nurtured by GodLiving in the Spirit
June 13, 2016

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 19:1-15a

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, ‘Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.’ He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food for forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there. –1 Kings 19:4-9

Hard times, hard times. I spent last week viewing the new Roots series. I recorded the first show because I had a conflict and recorded the rest because I could not take the story night after night. Having read the book and seen the previous series, I was well acquainted with the events. I don’t remember if I knew that my ancestors owned slaves the first time I watched it. Don’t think I did. I knew it this time. Topping that off with watching the news while eating before church on Sunday morning, I learned that 20 people had been killed in Orlando, Florida by another senseless shooting. It was just more than I wanted to handle. By the time I got to church the count had risen to 50, the largest mass shooting in modern US history.

In our scripture today, Elijah had reached his breaking point after taking on the priest of Baal. He made the wrong woman mad, and Queen Jezebel wanted him dead. He ran to the hills and hid out alone, ready to give up and just die, when the scene described above occurred, and he experienced the nurture of a loving God. I, too, experienced the nurture of a loving God as I listened in worship today about lives saved from simply providing the means for people to have clean water, heard a Yoda quote: Do. Or do not. There is no try. , and was reminded that Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ (John 8:12)

I take heart in one of my favorite scriptures in times like these, John 16:33, I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit and a community of faith working together to let your light shine in the darkness as we Do. Love like 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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Finding Common Ground

feeding_the_homeless_810_500_55_s_c1Living in the Spirit
May 24, 2016

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 18:20-39

At the time of the offering of the oblation, the prophet Elijah came near and said, ‘O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your bidding. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.’ Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt-offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and even licked up the water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, ‘The Lord indeed is God; the Lord indeed is God.’ –1 Kings 18:36-39

Elijah had created a situation that looked impossible, trying to burn an offering to the Lord on a waterlogged altar with no flame. He wanted to show those who cast their hope on imitations of power that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel was the one true source of power and God did not forsake him.

We are caught up in world settling for many lesser gods, playing faith groups against each other driving wedges among God’s people. It is time that we who believe there is one God desperately need to become one in God. How do we do that? We certainly, individually and collectively need to pray for God’s guidance and open our hearts to the truth the Lord will provide. We also need to find the few things we proclaim that are similar and worked from those points to find oneness.

The big argument that took place in Jerusalem to deal with issues of what is right and what is wrong in worship and beliefs was very heated. On most issues it seems they agreed to disagree. But they did come to one area of solidarity, the need to feed the poor—not a bad place for any of us to start.

Prayer: Lord love us to oneness. Forgive us when our foolish pride to be right creates wrong actions. Help us find common ground on which to build your kingdom. 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.

Living Love

Love like JesusEastertide
April 30, 2016

Scripture Reading: John 14:23-29

Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. –John 14:23-24

John begins with: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) He is not talking about holy scripture, he is talking about Jesus who came to live among the peoples of the earth and among other purposes, modeled God’s love.

Either we live love or we don’t love. The author of Hebrews 12:4 puts it pretty succinctly, Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. God created us, I believe, with an infinite capacity to love. For our souls, it is easier to live love than to not. We actually invest more energy in not loving: holding grudges, discriminating against others, feeling the need to be better than others because we cannot accept the fullness of God’s love for ourselves. What is the old saying, it takes two muscles to smile and 40 to frown?

The greatest testimony and praise we can give to God is to love like Jesus loves. Such love is unconditional. It is enabled by the unconditional love we receive from God.

Prayer: Lover of my Soul, cleanse me of all that blocks my ability to love like you. Make me whole, make all your people one, and lead us to live our love through justice. 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.