Tag Archives: Loving Like Jesus

Greed is Not Healthy

Living in the Spirit

September 22, 2022

Scripture Reading:

1 Timothy 6:6-19

Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. –1 Timothy 6:6-10

I think the pandemic of greed that has overtaken our world is much more serious than any health pandemic. Greed is surely a part of why the COVID virus has been so devastating. The cost of healthcare in the USA is higher than in any other industrialized nation*. We rank last in quality of care**.  We have pierced ourselves with many pains to maintain our quest for wealth.

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to see the world as it is for all people, not just the wealthy few. Amen.

*https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/health-spending-u-s-compare-countries-2/#Health%20consumption%20expenditures%20per%20capita,%20U.S.%20dollars,%20PPP%20adjusted,%202020%20or%20nearest%20year

**https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2021/aug/mirror-mirror-2021-reflecting-poorly#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20ranks%20last%20overall,age%2060%20(23.1%20years).

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.

A time to Die

Living in the Spirit

September 7, 2022

Scripture Reading: Psalm 51:1-10

Prayer for Cleansing and Pardon
To the leader. A Psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

Have mercy on me, O God,
   according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
   blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
   and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,
   and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
   and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
   and blameless when you pass judgement.
Indeed, I was born guilty,
   a sinner when my mother conceived me.

You desire truth in the inward being;
   therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
   wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
   let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
   and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
   and put a new and right spirit within me.

I am writing this the day after James Coddington was executed in Oklahoma. He killed a friend after going on a rampage of stealing from stores to buy drugs. He had served 15 years in prison for the crime and had become a changed man. He peacefully accepted his death by human hands not by God’s timing.

Psalm 51 is one of my favorites. I usually do not quote the headings added by the publisher of the Bible cited below that I copy for these postings. I quoted it today because it describes why David prayed the prayer. His affair with Bathsheba had caught up with him. I take to heart Romans 3:23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. It reminds us of our need to maintain a close and meaningful relationship with God. I also do not believe any human has been given the right to pronounce final judgment on anyone. God always leaves open the opportunity for forgiveness and restoration. Humans should too.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for not loving our neighbors by granting them the time to live that allows them to seek God’s forgiveness however long it might take until God decides their time to die. 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.

Doing Right

Living in the Spirit

September 5, 2022

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah

4:11-12, 22-28

At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert towards my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse— a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them.
‘For my people are foolish,
   they do not know me;
they are stupid children,
   they have no understanding.
They are skilled in doing evil,
   but do not know how to do good.’

I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void;
   and to the heavens, and they had no light.
I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking,
   and all the hills moved to and fro.
I looked, and lo, there was no one at all,
   and all the birds of the air had fled.
I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert,
   and all its cities were laid in ruins
   before the Lord, before his fierce anger.

For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be a desolation, yet I will not make a full end.
Because of this, the earth shall mourn,
   and the heavens above grow black;
for I have spoken, I have purposed;
   I have not relented nor will I turn back.

Jeremiah does not mince words, and still, the people did not pay attention to him. The world he describes sounds a whole lot like ours. The western third of our nation is in a dire state regarding water, the most basic need of living. We seem skilled in doing evil largely related to greed. When the bill was recently passed in Congress including a provision that the staff at the IRS would be increased so they could investigate and deal better with tax cheaters, many were outraged saying it would raise our taxes. They did not seem to recognize that if they are not cheating on their taxes, the taxes will not go up. That reminded me of the County Commissioner crisis in Oklahoma in the 1970s where most of the Commissioners were taking kickbacks on county contracts. When challenged about the process, their answer was everyone was doing it.

We are called to do right and doing right is designed to make our lives better.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for burying our heads in the sand and ignoring the small and large things in our lives that negatively impact others. 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.

Restorative Justice

Living in the Spirit

This Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014 photo shows the gurney in the the execution chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

September 1, 2022

Scripture Reading: Philemon 1:1-21

When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith towards the Lord Jesus. I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.

For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but as more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. –Philemon 1:1-16

Oklahoma did not execute anyone between January 16, 2015, when executions were stopped because of concerns about the method used. In 2021, a new Governor and Attorney General returned to executions, in their minds correcting a miscarriage of justice. Yes, we are still using the same method. Since October 28, 2021, four men have been executed, and 25 additional people are scheduled for execution by January 12, 2023.

The story in the above scripture addresses the return of a runaway slave who had stolen from his master. In his journey, he encountered the Apostle Paul, who introduced him to Jesus Christ.  Apparently, Onesimus converted to following in the ways of Jesus, and Paul convinced him he needed to return to his owner and make amends for his crimes, which he did. The word “Onesimus” is Greek for the English word “useful.” Not only did Onesimus return, but Philemon was instructed to welcome him as a beloved brother rather than a slave as he returned more useful than when he left.

I recently heard the story of one of the men on death row in Oklahoma who was guilty of killing a man and has served 18 years on death row since his conviction.  Apparently, this man also had a conversion experience and now dedicates his life to welcoming and caring for new prisoners as they arrive, being useful to their wellbeing. His love and concern for them may be the balm they need to return to society as a useful citizen.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for not practicing restorative justice as modeled by a prisoner himself. 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.

Looks May be Deceiving

Living in the Spirit

August 27, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 14:1, 7-14

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.

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 14:1, 7-11

I recently attended a meeting of a not-for-profit group planning a fundraising banquet. People contacted to support the organization had inquired about the appropriate dress for the occasion. For some reason, that seemed incongruent to me. I flashed back to a memory of my aunt, a librarian, and her husband, a farmer. Recall the American Gothic painting, and you will get an idea of this couple’s appearance. My aunt wore homemade house dresses, probably saving her newest one for church. Her husband did not wear overalls, but I do not remember ever seeing him in anything other than khakis and a plaid or other patterned shirt. He might have had a white shirt for Sundays. They determined it was time to buy a new car, and my uncle had seen and liked the latest Cadillac. At the Cadillac dealership, they were greeted politely, and the salesperson answered their questions, but there was no great sales pitch. Eventually, my uncle said he would take one, and the salesman invited the couple to his office to do the paperwork. When he asked where they were getting a loan, they replied they plan to pay cash for it. He quietly stared at them for a moment and told them the final price. My aunt got out the checkbook and wrote the check for the full amount. The salesman took the check to the next office. My aunt heard him call the bank to ask if the account held that much money. The banker assured them it did. He came back to his office a different person, all smiles and with a “what can we get for you now” attitude. My aunt loved telling that story.

But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’—1 Samuel 16:7

Something to keep in mind this election season.

Prayer: Lord, help us make good judgments as we exercise our civic responsibilities. 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.

Realignment

Living in the Spirit

August 26, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to, do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. –Hebrews 13:7-8, 15-16

I just caught the difference in the above scripture between considering the outcomes of our leaders’ ways of life and imitating their faith. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of the lord (See ROMANS 3:23), including our faith leaders. We hear clergy being castigated about everything from egregious sexual abuse clergy to failure to return a telephone call. Indeed, the clergy is always being viewed closely for their behavior. They are caught in a special web of being observed and judged. All Christ-followers need to live their lives as closely as we can in step with Christ’s ways. Even Jesus did not meet the test of the religious leaders at times. He healed on the sabbath, picked grain on the sabbath, and ate with sinners, among other actions. We are all called to examine ourselves regularly and consider the outcomes of our way of life so we can realign our ways with Jesus’s ways. Jesus’s beneficial characteristic is that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We just need to recalibrate to that source of unchanging eternal love.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we fall short of our commitment to your service. Please lead us to follow the better way. 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.

Actions Speak Loudly

Living in the Spirit

August 25, 2022

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 13:1-8

We could classify this as good advice to live by. We could also recognize the unknown author of Hebrews as a student of both Hebrew and New Testament scriptures. It contains a little Ten Commandments, some Sermon on the Mount, and parts of Matthew 25. It is good that we read through such scriptures routinely to reinforce their importance. It is just as important that we live what we believe. I like the quote, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” Usually attributed to St. Francis, which is now open to debate. These words speak a valuable lesson. How we treat others is often how we will be judged. When we act and speak in Christ’s name, we set the stage for how others understand him. In times like these, I shudder when I hear some of the things done in Christ’s name. Thus, besides being acquainted with the scriptures, we must maintain a close connection with God, who is indeed our helper.

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*.

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

First verse and refrain of the hymn Near to the Heart of God by Cleland Boyd McAfee, see at https://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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Initiating Love

Living in the Spirit

August 21, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Luke 13:10-17

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

When we get caught up in following rules as our primary purpose in life, we have lost the reason for the rule. Rules are established to smooth the way to an outcome. They should never be the outcome itself.  We are called to love one another and be of service to each other. I love the example Jesus sets for us of initiating contact with the woman bent over and unable to stand up straight without her having to ask for help. Making such an approach required tact and a genuine interest in the person needing help. It also means we do not push our values on another. When I supervised direct social work years ago, I received a call from an irate woman who had been among the members of a Sunday school class that had provided Christmas gifts for a needy family. The woman had driven by that family’s house and had seen the little girl who received a dress as her gift. She was playing in the dirt wearing the dress “just ruining it.”  The woman said she would never donate like that again. I told her we appreciated her gift and were sorry she felt that way. I did wonder if any of her children had ever had a dress they loved so much they never wanted to take it off.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for setting the example of giving of ourselves without expecting anything in return and perhaps like the bent-over woman changing a person’s life for the good by one simple act of 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.

Following the Rules

Living in the Spirit

August 20, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 13:10-17

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Rules were not necessarily made to be broken but learning how to make exceptions to rules is a key to faith maturity. Rules are guidelines to simplify life. I get frustrated by the number of drivers who do not use their turn signals. The use of a turn signal is a driving rule. I also get frustrated when people forget to turn them off after making a turn. And yes, I am guilty of having done both at one time or another. I must admit that driving is much safer and simpler when everyone plays by the rules. Of course, my best effort at correcting the situation is to be a good role model. I did not get the assignment to police anyone else’s behavior. We have a well-trained police force to do that.

The rules about working on the Sabbath exist for both the purpose of resting the human body from the hard work, mental or physical, people do the other six days of the week and for setting aside time to reconnect and focus on our relationship with God. The Bible accounts many times when Jesus withdrew from the crowds, even the Disciples, to connect more deeply with God.

The above scripture seems to describe a game of who is the holiest. I cannot imagine any greater feeling of connectedness to God than the ability to touch someone and heal their deformed body. Now that is a Sabbath for the ages.

Prayer: Lord, guide our dedications to following your rules designed to make our lives more manageable while continuing 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Civic Duty of a Christian

Living in the Spirit

August 12, 2022

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:29-12:2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. –Hebrews 12:1-2

Anybody can say they are a Christian. However, growing up I sang the song that rendered the message, they will know we are Christians by our love*. Hebrews tells us we are called to run with perseverance the race that is set before us. That race is joining Christ’s crew to finish the task he started in his life, death, and resurrection of transitioning our world into the Kingdom of God– the beloved community of God.

Our nation is built on the concept of the separation of church and state. Our constitution even provides in the First Amendment that Congress make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise. While candidates certainly have a right to claim to be Christian, you may want to check out their record, if you are considering voting for someone this year because they identify as Christian. They may have a different definition of Christianity from yours. Are their actions dedicated to the descriptions of how Jesus judges our work for God’s kingdom found in Matthew 25? Do they seek the good of all people, not just a chosen few? Do they pander to the rich to the detriment of the poor? Do they serve their constituents, not just their political party or their faith group? For example, do they support public education designed to transition all children into adulthood ready to be self-supportive and self-sufficient? Do they understand that being healthy is crucial to being a contributing member of society? Thus, health care must be a right, not a privilege. Does it bother you that the USA ranks number 1 among industrialized countries in the cost of health care** and 18th in the quality of care***? Does it bother you that the USA and Oklahoma’s minimum wage is $7.25 an hour when a living wage for one person is $15.75**** in Oklahoma? What are the candidates for office you are considering doing to address these issues? If the purpose of government is to provide for the Common Good, surely these issues should be at the top of all our elected officials’ concerns.

Prayer: Lord, guide us as we fulfill our civic duties.  Amen.

*See full lyrics of They Will Know We Are Christians by Peter Scholtes at https://hymnary.org/text/we_are_one_in_the_spirit

**https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/health-care-costs-by-country

*** https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/best-healthcare-in-the-world

****https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/40

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.