Tag Archives: Loving One Another

Where is Hope?

March 6, 2023

Scripture Reading: Exodus 17:1-7
From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?’ But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?’ So Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.’ The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.’ Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’

As I read this scripture, I thought of all the refugees in our world today, most fleeing feared or certain death in their homeland, others trying to protect their children from being pulled from their homes into the drug cartels life, and all stepping out in a great unknown wilderness with hope. We are God’s servants called to welcome these strangers and help them become our neighbors. My church has sponsored two refugee families in the past ten years. The first from a refugee camp in Rwanda, now a self-sustaining, self-supporting family. The other is a recently arriving family from Afghanistan, learning a new language and customs, working at a new job, and welcoming a new baby.

There are no easy answers to the challenges faced by people adrift in the world caught in the crossfires of greed, lust for power, and even climate change. Many layers of response must be well coordinated as we seek to bring about God’s Beloved Community for the whole world and all the people in it. As a wealthy nation, we must start by removing the beam from our eyes before we can even begin to make these strangers our neighbors, whether it involves improving the situation in their homeland or helping them resettle in a new place. Certainly, they must never be the scapegoats for political games.

Prayer: Lord, teach us to welcome the stranger and to open our hearts to them as they become our neighbors, near and far. 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.

Acceptance

Ordinary Time

Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’—1 Corinthians 1:26-31

I was having a sleepover with a good friend when I was in the fifth grade. After dinner, my friend and I were supposed to be doing homework sitting on the floor in her family’s living room while her mother was cleaning up the dishes. A boy had been placed in our class that week who came to our town to live with a foster family. He and his brother had apparently not attended school for a while. After the school staff reviewed the records on the boys and visited with them, the principal determined that the younger one, who was 15 needed to be placed in the fifth grade. He was already six feet tall and could barely sit behind a fifth-grade desk.

While working on our homework, my friend and I started calling him dumb and laughing about how he dressed. Suddenly my friend’s mother appeared in the doorway, still drying a frying pan in her hands, and said, “ I want you girls to stop making fun of the new boy in your class. You aren’t any better than he is.” And she turned back into the kitchen. Just as quickly, she reappeared and said, “And nobody is better than you.” That was one of the most powerful lessons I have ever learned, and it still has a powerful impact on me to this day.

Prayer: Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.
Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believe
we are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live*. Amen

First verse of the hymn Help us Accept Each Other by Fred Kaan, See at http://www.pateys.nf.ca/cgi-bin/lyrics.pl?hymnnumber=632

God Will Do a New Thing In Us

Advent

December 23, 2022

Scripture:

Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12)

For to which of the angels did God ever say,
‘You are my Son;
   today I have begotten you’?
Or again,
‘I will be his Father,
   and he will be my Son’?
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’
Of the angels he says,
‘He makes his angels winds,
   and his servants flames of fire.’
But of the Son he says,
‘Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever,
   and the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
   with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’
And,
‘In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,
   and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain;
   they will all wear out like clothing;
like a cloak you will roll them up,
   and like clothing they will be changed.
But you are the same,
   and your years will never end.’ –Hebrews 1:5-12

As freezing Siberian weather descends on us, we continue to deny climate change occurring all around us whether of human origin or not. I read with trepidation these lines from the above scripture,

‘In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,
   and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain;
   they will all wear out like clothing;
like a cloak you will roll them up,
   and like clothing they will be changed

I suppose it should not bother me since I accept that we humans perish and wear out. We still try to take care of ourselves and live as long and vital life as possible. Many of us have designated the donation of our organs to extend the life of others. Caring for the earth is part of caring for ourselves.

The poet indicates that while the earth will wear out it will also be changed. My mother never, ever wasted anything. When our clothing wore out to the point it was no longer fit to wear, she carefully examined each garment and found the pieces of cloth that were not worn, clipped them out, and used them to make quilts

God created the earth and all that is on it including humans to flourish and care for one another. We should not take that responsibility lightly as we sojourn with God in the world we know today as we await our future with God.

Prayer: Creator God, open our hearts and mines to finding the ways in which we can care for your creation including each of us. Amen.

Modeling our Lives After Christ’s

Living in the Spirit

August 24, 2022

Scripture Reading: Psalm 112

Praise the Lord!
   Happy are those who fear the Lord,
   who greatly delight in his commandments.
Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
   the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
   and their righteousness endures forever.
They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
   they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
   who conduct their affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved;
   they will be remembered forever.
They are not afraid of evil tidings;
   their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
   in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;
   their righteousness endures forever;
   their horn is exalted in honor.
The wicked see it and are angry;
   they gnash their teeth and melt away;
   the desire of the wicked comes to nothing.

I wonder how the actions of adults in our world today are going to impact our children. I see grown men and women in responsible positions acting like toddlers experiencing the terrible twos of having temper tantrums, not listening to anyone, and demanding their way as the only way. I recently watched a US Senator harass and harangue a woman being considered for a judicial appointment asking her the same questions repeatedly which she answered the same way each time. What do the children think if they see that kind of behavior on TV? Do they emulate them? I generally think that people who act like that have no genuine ground on which to stand so they put on a show to distract from their lack of skill or ulterior motives. Yet others line up to support them.

How we behave matters. If we identify as a follower of Christ and do not treat others with respect, we reflect poorly not only on ourselves but also on the One we serve.

Prayer: Lord, guard our tongues and guide our actions as we interact with others so that our actions and behavior might glorify you. Amen.

The Climate is Changing

Living in the Spirit

August 14, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 12:49-56

He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, “It is going to rain”; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat”; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? –Luke 12:54-56

Probably many of us have had our heads in the sand regarding climate change. Oh, I recycle my garbage that can be recycled, drive an energy-efficient small car, and adjust my thermostat to the most efficient level I can. That clearly is not enough. The signs of the impact of climate change are getting bigger and more serious but some of our leaders are unwilling to take the steps necessary to protect our fragile earth. We know much that can be done to slow down the onslaught before it is too late. How long have we been putting this off?

The Climate is Changing

The climate is changing! Creation cries out!
Your people face flooding and fire and drought.
We see the great heat waves and storms at their worst.
We pray for the poor, Lord — for they suffer first.

We pray for the animals here in our midst
who cannot defend their own right to exist.
We pray for the mountains and forests and seas
that bear the harsh footprint of our human greed.

We thank you for people who treasure the Earth,
whose faith has long taught them its beauty and worth.
We thank you as well for the children and youth
who look to the future and speak out the truth.

We thank you, for leaders, courageous and brave,
who know that the Earth is worth fighting to save,
who care about justice and what they should do,
who listen to science and work hard for you.

You love this good Earth, and you sent us your Son!
May we love our neighbors — there’s work to be done.
May we, by your Spirit, do all in our power
to care for your Earth in this critical hour*.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for failing to care for the earth you created for us. Amen.

*The Climate is Changing hymn to the tune of ST. DENIO 11.11.11.11 (“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”) by Winfrey Gillette See at https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/new-hymn-lyrics-support-efforts-to-counter-climate-change/

Expect Nothing

Ordinary Time

February 12, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 6:27-38

‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. –Luke 6:27-36

I do not recall when I started practicing the art of expecting nothing in return. It must have been somewhere in my childhood. The most positive thing about expecting nothing is when a positive response returns to you—an uncontrolled smile or a reflexive hug—it becomes an unexpected blessing.

There is no way any of us can know everything that has happened in another’s history or even if they have a toothache that makes them behave the way they do. Others have the same problem when they consider why I do what I do or say what I say. I think God created very different people because a diversity of skills and talents are needed to maintain the world. Sometimes we need others to translate those differences to help create cohesion in the work we do. I grew up on a farm went to a very small rural school. Although I have lived in a city two-thirds of my life, I still understand the differing needs of people living in the country and those living in the city. I can become a translator between the two entities.

Jesus uses the language of the day like “enemies” to describe other people, but he is also saying that there are no enemies when love rules; there may be some people who do not understand that yet. We are called to translate that through our love.

Prayer: Help us to love others expecting nothing in return. Amen.

Death Has No Sting

Ordinary Time

February 10, 2022

Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ—whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.

I believe in a Supreme Being that is love and the source of all that is, I call God. I believe in the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, who embodied the Supreme Being when he came to earth as a newborn, lived the life of a human, shared the love of God with all, was crucified on a cross, died and rose again. He breathed the Spirit of God on all his disciples as he has continued to do from that time forth. With the Spirits guidance Jesus commissioned us to take the love of God throughout our world and use it as the springboard for the wellbeing of the world God created and all that is within it.

That said, I have no clue what happens after our death. Of this I am sure, I will spend eternity with God and that is all I need to know. Thus, scriptures like the one above perplex me, and, yet, I know others for whom such scriptures speak much comfort. I do not love God in real time only for the promise of something better to come. I hope I share God’s love for the sake of its value for myself and others rather than building my faith resume’. I do believe that to whom much is given much will be required (Luke 12:48). God wants all of us to be fully what God created us to be and God never measures our outcomes against others.

Prayer: Lord, we are in chaos as we stumble through the world’s temptations and try to make sense out of what is of you and what is not. We thank you for your abiding presence and asked that you restore and help us retain our recognition of it and not be mislead by false prophets. Amen.

Who Do You Trust?

Ordinary Time

February 8, 2022

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
   whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
   and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
   and it does not cease to bear fruit. –Jeremiah 17:7-8

In the 1950s there was a game show on TV. Who do you trust? It required a couple to decide which one would answer the next question, the man or the woman, based on the question’s subject. Indeed, we each must make the decision whether we trust in the Lord, but we also gain trust in the Lord by sharing our personal experiences with others.

I love my Sunday School class for that reason, it includes business owners, schoolteachers, government workers, lawyers, engineers, nurses, each with a slightly different take on life. As I wrote this, I was reminded that that group of people are mostly well-educated middle class or above people. Reminding me I also value highly my experience in high school and college working as a waitress and nurses’ aide. Working with women in minimum wage jobs who were the sole support of their families was eye-opening. Some were young mother’s others were older women who were working outside the home for the first time in their lives because their spouse had died or become disabled. It certainly is not the same as living in their shoes but at least I knew they existed. When I worked in those jobs the minimum wage was about the same as the poverty level. Today the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour and $2.13 an hour for persons receiving tips. The poverty wage for 1 person in Oklahoma is $6.13 and a living wage is $13.53. In all families with more than one person, the minimum wage is below the federal poverty level*.

During Jesus’s ministry, he went out of his way to open his disciples’ eyes to the needs of all people. Rich or poor and called us to love them all. I am sure you can trust that remains his goal for all his disciples today in a world where trust is in short supply.

Prayer: Lord, renew and restore our trust in following your example as we work to renew and restore the love we need for one another and all others. Amen.

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

Gather Us In

Christmastide

Christmastide

January 4, 2022

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth-everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

We who identify as the Body of Christ at work in the world today should identify with Isaiah’s message from God. We see a divided country, a divided world. Even the Body of Christ is splintered and broken. That is not new. Paul was negotiating the various beliefs about Christ within 20 years of his resurrection. Of one thing, I am sure God will prevail. Jesus called us to oneness, just as Isaiah was seeing the return of the Israelites to be one again. As we begin a new year, let each of us set goals to work toward Christ’s oneness among all people. An excellent place to start is with the hymn Gather Us In by Marty Haugen.

Here in this place new light is streaming
Now is the darkness vanished away
See in this space our fears and our dreamings
Brought here to you in the light of this day
Gather us in, the lost and forsaken
Gather us in, the blind and the lame
Call to us now and we shall awaken
We shall arise at the sound of our name
We are the young, our lives are a mystery
We are the old who yearn for your face
We have been sung throughout all of history
Called to be light to the whole human race
Gather us in, the rich and the haughty
Gather us in, the proud and the strong
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly
Give us the courage to enter the song
Here we will take the wine and the water
Here we will take the bread of new birth
Here you shall call your sons and your daughters
Call us anew to be salt for the earth
Give us to drink the wine of compassion
Give us to eat the bread that is you
Nourish us well and teach us to fashion
Lives that are holy and hearts that are true
Not in the dark of buildings confining
Not in some heaven light years away
But here in this place the new light is shining
Now is the kingdom, now is the day
Gather us in and hold us forever
Gather us in and make us your own
Gather us in, all peoples together
Fire of love in our flesh and our bones
Fire of love in our flesh and our bones

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!– Luke 13:34

Prayer: Gather us in, Lord, before it is too late. Amen.

Wholeness/Oneness/Justice

A Covenantal Conversation on Church and State

Tag Archives: Loving One Another

Where is Hope?

Acceptance

Ordinary Time

God Will Do a New Thing In Us

Advent

Modeling our Lives After Christ’s

Living in the Spirit

The Climate is Changing

Living in the Spirit

Expect Nothing

Ordinary Time

Death Has No Sting

Ordinary Time

Who Do You Trust?

Ordinary Time

Gather Us In

Christmastide