Tag Archives: Oneness

Seeing through God’s Eyes

Living in the Spirit

July 15, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Ephesians 2:11-22

So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called ‘the uncircumcision’ by those who are called ‘the circumcision’—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.

I worked as a social worker for five years, including working with the poor and child welfare, serving as a child welfare supervisor and social work supervisor at a large teaching hospital. Encouraged to apply for an agency scholarship to get my master’s degree in social work, I had to return one year of work for each year of schooling. Thus, after my first year, I was assigned to work a year in our state office before completing my second year and receiving my MSW. During that first year of schooling, my field placement was with a wonderful organization working on behalf of the aging, and I learned a lot. Because of that experience, my primary assignment while working that interim year was to help develop our programs for the aging. I loved the work, but I got frustrated with others working on the project because they would not accept my contributions directly. Everything I did had to be approved by my supervisor. That was not the case with anyone else on that team.

I sat in frustration across the desk from my supervisor as I had to bother him one more time to sign off on what I had done before it could be presented to the decision-makers. I apologized to him for interrupting his work because he did know what I was doing and had helped me a couple of times when I got stuck. I said, “I do not know why they do not trust my work.” He laughed and said, “You do not know the magic handshake.” I look at him with a raised eyebrow as he said, “You do not have your MSW. All the other members of the team do. Having that degree is their measure of ability.” He signed it without reading it, handed it to me, and said, “Now get in there and do your thing.” When I returned to the same office after getting my MSW, I carried the secret handshake with me, and I hope I never applied it to any of my co-workers.

I learned a lot in graduate school and fully appreciated the opportunity that was afforded me. However, such outward measures of who we are or what we can do are shorthand for acceptance in most societies. That does not make them right or wrong, but they should never be the sole measure. I think that is what Paul was stressing in the above scripture.

The story of Samuel seeking a new leader for the Hebrews states it this way,  But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I the Lord looks on the heart.‘ –1 Samuel 16:7

Prayer: Lord, help us see others as you see them as we worked together in your service. 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.

What Constitutes Family?

Living in the Spirit

July 9, 2021

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

If my mother, the great egalitarian, made something for one in a group, she did the same for all. Thus, each of her grandchildren has one of her handmade Afghans and quilts. That is also true of her children. Since there are only three children and seven grandchildren, how does the next generation pass down what our ancestors gave us? My house is full. I am not a hoarder. I have no problem throwing stuff away, but I have lived in the same place for over 40 years, and all my closets and draws are full of things I no longer need or use. Thus, I deal with many things by donating them to charities or tossing them in the trash. What do you do with grandma’s quilts? How do you pick who gets them?

I was discussing this recently among the family as we talked about who might want something I had, would females desire some items more than males, and should age be a factor in determining who gets first pick? The question of adoption came up as criteria as I have both adopted children and stepchildren among my next-generation family members. I was considering taking it all to the charities because I did not want to cause a family feud or force something on someone who was not interested in it. These people are carefully arranged on my family tree even though they are not marked as sharing my DNA. My DNA profile has been upgraded twice as the science of studying it has expanded. However, the knowledge that we are all made in God’s image has never changed and answers what constitutes the family of God?

Paul, too, did not want to cause a family feud. The segment of Ephesians above is trying to answer the question. What constitutes a family? In the family of God, all people are members of God’s family, if they choose to be. Some in Ephesus had known God throughout their lives. Others had only recently been introduced to God. With a diversity of backgrounds, these people, us too, are called to be one. Only God’s abiding love can make that happen if we share God’s vision that our oneness is key to the successful functioning of God’s kingdom.

Prayer: Lord, cleanse us of the need to create hierarchies of sharing the blessings of knowing you and being loved by you. Make us lovers of souls just as you are. 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.

Loving Others is Loving God

Living in the Spirit

July 8, 2021

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

I write about free will a lot because It is fundamental to understanding our relationship with God. The gift of free will often gets us into trouble when we do not make good choices, but it also establishes God’s will in our relationship with the Lord, the best way out of trouble. God wants us to choose to love God. Thus, the Lord also wants us to choose to love one another. Think about it do we really love anything we are required to love? For self-preservation, protection, or to please the world, we might go through the motions of doing the things humans attribute to love, but selfishness is not a component of love.  Now might be a good time to read 1 Corinthians 13. Here is the part that describes love in verses 4-7, Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

The most significant expression of our love of God is how well we love one another. Unfortunately, while we claim to love God, our love of others seems sorely missing in our world today. The time is now for us to change that and live God’s love with God’s help.

Prayer: Lord, make us aware of the many ways we can love one another in everything we do. 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

Divided by Greed

Living in the Spirit

July 5, 2021

Scripture Reading:
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19

David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. David and all the people with him set out and went from Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who is enthroned on the cherubim. They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart with the ark of God; and Ahio went in front of the ark. David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the Lord with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. –2 Samuel 6:1-5.

I have no idea how Israelites danced, but I always envision Native American fancy dancers when I read that the Israelites danced with all their might. The indigenous dancers are mesmerizing to watch. Such artistic dancing grew out of the tribal preparation for, or celebrations of a good hunt or battles won. David and company were celebrating the attainment of enough peace to return the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem from being stored to preserve and protect it. Such events were community building, what people of faith recognize as oneness. Jesus called us to be one*. I fear our hold on oneness is very fragile. We have been invaded by the evil of divide and conquer. While we see actual divisions, I sense we are more caught in inertia, concerned that making any movement might start a chain reaction. I have heard we are close to civil war again being spoken.

I am reading Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book Team of Rivals that documents the events surrounding the Civil War of the19th century—a good book. What I notice most about the description of this time and its politics is that greed did not rule politics then as it does today. Slavery is essentially a sin of greed. The abolitionists were in general concerned about the immoral nature of slavery itself.  The pragmatic politicians were trying to hold the nation together. The slave states were trying to maintain their economy, of which slavery was already an accepted, engrained necessity.

Every day I delete a trove of emails and text messages asking me to send $3 or $5 or $25 or whatever I can afford because, if I do not contribute, some horrid bill will pass, or some desperately needed legislation is going to fail. Our democracy is being bought and sold, and we seem helpless to stop it. Of course, I only get the requests that relate to my political persuasions.  I am sure others are receiving the same type of propaganda aimed at the opposite viewpoint. On July 31, 2015, Jimmy Carter said that the U.S. Is an ‘Oligarchy With Unlimited Political Bribery’**. While at the time I thought he might have been overstating the situation, I no longer think he did.

How are people of faith to respond. Inertia is clearly not the answer. Answering God’s call to oneness is the vision for which we strive. The first step is recognizing we need to take it. We need to seek God’s guidance in finding common ground for the Common Good and not stop until it is realized, for it will never be bought.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for trying to go along to get along. Free us from any hold greed has on us. Give us the courage to work toward oneness. Amen.

*See  John 17:20-23
**https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/jimmy-carter-u-s-is-an-oligarchy-with-unlimited-political-bribery-63262/

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.

Hospitality

Living in the Spirit

July 4, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Mark 6:1-13

He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. –Mark 6:7-13

Wearing a second tunic might be necessary if sleeping outside on a cold day. This requirement for the trip was most likely to inspire the disciples to develop positive relationships with the people they encountered. Such an assumption sounds strange to us today. We would be more apt to purchase a motel room for an unexpected guest. Hospitality in the Middle East is far more like family. One of the things I enjoyed the most about my trip to Turkey a few years ago was the level of hospitality. Jesus was encouraging even more than the basic hospitality. He was asking the disciples to build relationships through the exchange of hospitality.

My rural background may be closer to that type of hospitality. My little church could not afford a full-time pastor. We routinely hired either a seminary student or one of the professors at the Christian Church Seminary located 50 or so miles from the church. Part of their contract was providing dinner at noon and a place to rest and perhaps study until the Sunday evening service. Everybody in the church was expected to sign up for their fair shares of the Sundays. Our days at my house for hosting the pastor were big deals. We got out the best China and sometimes literally killed the fatted café or at least a hen. It was an amazing time for the pastors to get to know their flock. I experienced times like that when I served at a church sitting in waiting rooms with family members while a loved one had surgery. One can learn a lot about love and loss and gratitude while waiting to hear good or bad news.

Hospitality is an art, not a science, and is conveyed through sharing learning more about others. We need that more than ever in our society. Because of the busyness of our lives, we must be very intentional in reaching out to others to provide hospitality. It is more than worth the effort.

Prayer: Lord, help seek out ways to provide hospitality in all aspects of our lives. 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.

Dealing with Our Foes

Living in the Spirit

June 23, 2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 30

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,
   and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
   and you have healed me.
 O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,
   restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
   and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment;
   his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
   but joy comes with the morning. –Psalm 30:1-6

I do not think about having foes. I certainly know people who disagree with me on many things. Foes, though, seem to suggest some enemy that wants to harm me. My primary foes are part of me. The simple ones are the voices that whisper just one cookie will not make any difference. Or they highlight my sins of omission. Maybe I do not need to write my representative this time. Many other people are doing that, and he or she never pays any attention to me anyway. Or sitting in a meeting thinking somebody should say something because what is suggested is wrong and I sit there in silence.

I have noted a trend in our society that what we classify as the worse sins in the world are the things most of us would never do or have any reason to do. Many are not mentioned in scripture. While we ignore or at least readily assume forgiveness for us and the others in our circle, sins that are clearly articulated in the Bible are accepted as the way things are now. Of course, judging others and forgiveness of sins is not our work anyway. That assignment went to Jesus. Our task was and is to love one another no matter what. If we think about it, the people we need to love the most are those who the world considers the least of these.

What is our responsibility toward attaining reconciliation among those with whom we have markedly different understandings of God’s purpose for us? Much of Paul’s ministry was dedicated to answering that question. He sought to find the things on which they could agree and move forward from there.

Prayer: Lord of Love, forgive us for creating our misery as we try to serve you in the most convenient ways for ourselves. Guide us in stepping forth in faith to perform the way you set forth. 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.

Spiritual Itinerary

Living in the Spirit

June 17, 2021

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,
‘At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
   and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.

Where does God fit into our life plan? Does God get two hours on Sunday morning? Perhaps we take some time each day to share our needs. How often do we recognize God in our interactions with others? Do we, indeed, acknowledge that our relationship with God involves our following God’s ways as we strive to build a better world? Are we conscience that we are considered a model of Christ in everything we do? No wonder the percentage of people who identify as Christian is shrinking when we act holier-than-though and even hatred.

A morning itinerary of how we intend to live our lives in the Spirit each day with an evening review of our accomplishments is a good place to start being intentional about our work in God’s Kingdom. I imagine most of us do something like that regarding routine tasks–laundry today, complete the Jones contract, doctor’s appointment. So, what would our faith itinerary look like?

 Would it include:

  • Bible study
  • Seeking God’s will for our day
  • Prayer for specific people or events
  • Sending cards to those who are sick or in grief
  • Volunteering at the food bank
  • Befriending a new person at work
  • Looking for the Christ in everyone we encounter
  • Emailing our government representative encouraging him or her to support a bill that addresses the needs of the poor. . . .

Prayer: God of Possibilities, help us open wide our hearts and let the world know your love through us. 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.

Parables

Living in the Spirit

June 13, 2021

Scripture Reading:

Mark 4:26-34
He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’

He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

We need not only to learn the wisdom shared in Jesus’s parables, but we also need to understand the power of a story taking us out of our comfort zone and enabling us to see the world around us in a clearer light. The prophet Nathan did this with King David when he challenged David about his relationship with Bathsheba. You might remember the story Nathan described a man with a pet sheep he dearly loved. His wealthy neighbor was planning a feast and ordered his servants to slaughter the pet sheep and roast it for the rich man’s guests. At hearing the story, David became outraged and demanded the rich man be punished. Nathan responded that the rich man was David and the sheep represented Bathsheba*.

We rarely know the inside story of people we judge to be out of sync with our values. Jesus saw people for who they could become. We are called to do the same. I love the report of Jesus healing the man described in the scriptures as demon-possessed. He was a nuisance to the neighborhood. After Jesus returned him to wholeness, the man begged to stay with Jesus. But Jesus said, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ This formerly demon-possessed man had a mighty witness to share among people who knew him well.

Prayer: God of Mercy, help to see and serve others as you do. Amen.

*See 2 Samuel 12

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.

Make Me a Blessing

Living in the Spirit

June 8, 2021

Scripture Reading:

1 Samuel 15:34 – 16:13

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.’ 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.’ Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, ‘Neither has the Lord chosen this one.’ Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, ‘Neither has the Lord chosen this one.’ Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen any of these.’ Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.’ He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.’ Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah. –1Samuel 15:6-13

For what have we each been chosen? Our names may never be read in a history book. Indeed, only God may know what special gift we provide in God’s service, but we all have been chosen to love God with all our hearts, minds, and souls. The natural response to that relationship is to recognize that God has the wellbeing of all God’s children in God’s plan, and we are part of the team created to protect and encourage others. It is in our own best interest. When people live in harmony with one another, we are blessed with the synergy of love that shields us from forces that thrive on dividing us. When we become a source of that division, we shatter the very core of God’s Kingdom building.

This week I encourage you to open your heart to God to plant the seeds of what God has available for you to do that will enhance your wellbeing also.

Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.


Tell the sweet story of Christ and his love,
Tell of his pow’r to forgive;
Others will trust him if only you prove

True, ev’ry moment you live.

Give as ’twas given to you in your need,
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed,

Unto your mission be true.*

Prayer:

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray.
Make me a blessing to someone today*. Amen

*Hymn Make Me a Blessing by Ira B. Wilson, see at https://hymnary.org/text/out_in_the_highways_and_byways_of_life

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.

Building the Kingdom of God

Living in the Spirit

June 7, 2021

Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24
Thus says the Lord God:
I myself will take a sprig
   from the lofty top of a cedar;
   I will set it out.
I will break off a tender one
   from the topmost of its young twigs;
I myself will plant it
   on a high and lofty mountain.
On the mountain height of Israel
   I will plant it,
in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit,
   and become a noble cedar.
Under it every kind of bird will live;
   in the shade of its branches will nest
   winged creatures of every kind.
All the trees of the field shall know
   that I am the Lord.
I bring low the high tree,
   I make high the low tree;
I dry up the green tree
   and make the dry tree flourish.
I the Lord have spoken;
   I will accomplish it.

After the ice storm struck Oklahoma in October, my immediate concern was the lack of electricity and internet. The city had major electrical stations down, and my connections to the city’s power were ripped from my house by felled trees in my backyard. I was responsible for restoring those connections, and that could not be done until the trees, twisted and broken, were removed. The man who takes care of my yard came within two days to clear out the trees. The electrician arrived the next day.  I was fortunate. I have a friend who had her yard work completed in May. Ezekiel uses trees and their care as a metaphor for God’s Kingdom. It takes continuous and careful effort to maintain society to attain God’s vision for all God’s people. It begins with that shared goal.

Prayer: Lord, bring us together to be your helpers in accomplishing building 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.