Tag Archives: Oneness

The Impossible Dream

Living in the Spirit
August 9, 2018

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:25-5:2

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. –Ephesians 4:25-32

We seem to be living in a world practicing the philosophy of “all’s fair in love and war”*. Illustrated the best today in politics. One of the facets of first-century Christianity that was so very important was staying true to the ways of Christ. Ephesians emphasizes that in the above scripture. Our behavior is the world’s most prominent example of Christ. When we lie, we intimate that Christ also cannot be believed. When we spew hatred, we do it in the name of Christ who is love incarnate.

When I read today’s scripture that phrase all’s fair in love and war flashed in my mind. As I researched its source I found its first use in the novel* cited below. The article noted that the idea was much older. Miguel de Cervantes made the comparison in 1604 in Don Quixote when he wrote, “Love and war are all one . . . It is lawful to use sleights and stratagems to . . . attain the wished end.”** I am a devoted fan of the musical Man of La Mancha and The Impossible Dream is one of my all-time favorite songs. I was an idealistic college student when I first heard it in the 60’s and while I have become more pragmatic in my aging, it still remains true to me today. I prefer the privilege of being on Christ’s quest than anything else in this world.

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go 

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star 

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far***

Prayer: Love Incarnate, draw all forever into the rightness of your quest. Amen.

*From the novel Frank Fairlegh: Scenes from the Life of a Private Pupil by Frank Smedley.
**https://www.cliffsnotes.com/cliffsnotes/subjects/literature/who-said-alls-fair-in-love-and-war-and-where
From “The Impossible Dream” from MAN OF LA MANCHA (1972)music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion see at http://www.reelclassics.com/Actors/O’Toole/impossibledream-lyrics.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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Civil War

Living in the Spirit
August 6, 2018

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-32

The king gave orders to Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.’ And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders concerning Absalom.

 So the army went out into the field against Israel; and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim. The men of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the slaughter there was great on that day, twenty thousand men. The battle spread over the face of all the country; and the forest claimed more victims that day than the sword.  –2 Samuel 18:5-8

As I dig through my family history, I am surprised at times about those who chose to support the Union and those who served in the Confederacy during the Civil War. Much of my family migrated west in the early 1800’s primarily through those states that were split in their allegiances: Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri.  I would love to have eavesdropped on their decision making. Many, at the time of their service, did not know they would eventually be entwined with relatives of the other side. Those would have been interesting conversations also.

David and his son Absalom were engaged in a civil war and David’s discomfort is palpable as we read the scripture above where David orders his troops to deal gently with Absalom.

If we subscribe to Jesus’ worldview all wars are civil wars for we are fighting against our brothers and sisters in Christ even if some do not recognize the relationship. There are no borders in the Kingdom of God. We must deal with all people with the love of a father. I am not saying it is easy. It certainly was not for David. I am saying we must consider how to deal gently with all peoples of the world as we attempt to protect ourselves and others from those who are hostile for whatever reason toward us and others. And we must certainly guard ourselves from being hostile against other for our own greedy gain.

Prevention is in the long run the best and most productive policy. Working toward assuring the well-being of all is a task people of faith must share with governments. Creating a continuum of caring that stresses equality and equity is fundamental.

Prayer: Lord help us be your conduits of peace and understanding throughout the world. 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.

Abundant Life

Living in the Spirit
August 4, 2018

Scripture Reading: John 6:24-35

When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ –John 6:25-28

What are our priorities? Going through the motions of life is not necessarily living life, certainly not the abundant life* Jesus references. What is our vision of an abundant life? Do we seek a bigger better car or house or income or winning a lottery? Is abundance being loved by God and by others; living in peace, safety, and security; being healthy with adequate food, clothing, shelter? Am I responsible for helping to assure that all God’s children can live an abundant life? What are my priorities?

The Jewish tradition looks for signs of the chosen one, the Messiah, the one who will set all things right. Jesus had performed signs in healing the sick and multiplying food. In the scripture above Jesus challenges the people who are following him to recognize that their interest is more in their signs of comfort food than in the ways of living love that Jesus primarily taught. It is like going to church only for the donuts and coffee and not the worship or the hard work of building a world ruled by love. Hospitality is a part of such a world and is not to be overlooked but there is so much more to God’s abundant life.

Prayer: Loving Creator, as we seek your abundant life for ourselves use us to assure all your children live in your abundance. Amen.

*John 10:10b,

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.

 

Servant-Leader

Living in the Spirit
August 3, 2018

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:1-16

The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.                                                                                                                                                             –Ephesians 4:11-16

The business model with a power Chief Executive Officer who selects his or her staff is often presented as being the answer to all our government woes. There are some excellent CEOs who might make good government officials but that for-profit business experience is not a formula that guarantees government operation success. The CEO is not the employee of his or her staff. Government officials are. Democracy is messy as it strives to bring together divergent people to define and support the Common Good. Most for-profit businesses have one prime directive to make a profit making it easy to cut and burn anything that gets in the way of that goal. Government is often actually the counterbalance to for-profit businesses as it cleans up the messes left by workplace injury, unemployment from sudden and unexpected layoffs or closures, and inadequate salaries.  Government also provides necessary upfront supports for businesses such as education.

What is described in our scripture from Ephesians today seems to be a combination of a servant-leader CEO pulling together the masses to work toward a world whose prime directive is loving God and loving one another where everyone has enough of the necessities and all possess talents and skills to contribute.

During this election season, we must consider all the skills and talents candidates bring to the table and prayerfully consider how they complement our prime directive of love while we consider what role we are called to play in making our form of government work.

Prayer: Servant- Leader Christ be a beacon of light to us as we work together toward the full realization of 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Keeping a Preschool Perspective

Living in the Spirit
July 31, 2018

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a

Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; I gave you your master’s house, and your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. Thus says the Lord: I will raise up trouble against you from within your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this very sun. For you did it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.’ David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan said to David, ‘Now the Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die. –2 Samuel 12:7-13

We must face the consequences of our actions. While that may mean making amends for what we do that is harmful to others, it is also important that we learn from our mistakes and change our actions accordingly. Rectifying misdeeds does not require getting caught. While repeated offenses over time my numb our consciences, the Spirit’s still small voice continues to whisper what is right to our souls. I have found practicing repentance for the small things in life provides a foundation for practicing repentance for the tougher issues.

Life is not a game. There is no magic tote board tallying up how many wins one has over others often translated as establishing some are better than others. While we all have gifts differing, we each have important and necessary gifts. The housekeeping staff enables the surgeon’s work.

I play Rummy-Cue with a group of senior citizens most Fridays after lunch together. We do not keep score. It is not unusual for one player to advise another player that they did not see an obvious move.  It is a good exercise for our minds and keeps us socially engaged. Everyone does his or her part in setting up and cleaning up. While all participants in the group are over 70 years old, we learned how to interact with one another in early childhood.

We do need to assure that every preschooler has the opportunity to learn in a safe and nurturing environment and as importantly, we need to work for a world where what they learned in preschool carries forward in all aspects of their lives.

The wolf shall live with the lamb,
   the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
   and a little child shall lead them. — Isaiah 11:6

Prayer: Lord, help us create a world where every child is enabled to become the person you created them to be. 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.

 

Times That Try our Souls

Living in the Spirit
July 27, 2018

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. –Ephesians 3:20-21

While my life is nothing compared to what Paul and his fellow workers in the faith faced, I have experienced times that try souls as Thomas Paine described the folly of getting enough citizens to back the cause of the American Revolution.

I was a grade schooler when the cold war was raging overhearing the news on our first television while practicing drills in school to protect ourselves from the threat of atomic bombs. Little did we know that sitting under our desks covering the backs of our heads with our hands would have had no effect. I had nightmares of huge “Russians” whatever they were that looked amazingly like the Star Wars metal soldiers marching to get me. I wonder what nightmares we are inflicting on our children today?

By the last half of the 60’s, I was in college caught in cultural change as the Watts Riots tore at the heart of my concept of my homeland as did the war in Vietnam.

Working in public welfare after college gave me hope that we could open doors for the impoverished. That hope was drastically damaged by the passage of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 that curtailed services. One of the byproducts of this philosophical change was skyrocketing child abuse and neglect that have not been adequately addressed to this day.

What challenges me, all of us for that matter, today is that others see these same events in a totally different way than I perceive them. This has led to our living in a divide-and-conquer world.

Jesus’ followers were called to oneness. While it is easy at times to get discouraged in our quest for that oneness, we must not give up because it is the only way to the shalom, the wholeness, the peace that is the Kingdom of God, a world ruled by love. The writer of Ephesians reminds us of the source where our power for unleashing shalom derives.

Prayer: Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. 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 Differences

Living in the Spirit
July 20, 2018

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22

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. –Ephesians 2:13-22

This scripture from Ephesians is clearly targeted at the differences between Jews and Gentiles who proclaimed to be Christ followers in the first century. As I read it though I could not help thinking of the divisions between right and left within the churches that claim to follow Jesus Christ today. Being divided and claiming to be followers of Jesus is an oxymoron, contradictory.

We no longer fight so much about following laws as we do about what are the right things to believe. Such debate spills over into our system of the rule of law in the USA as we try to enforce what we believe on all citizens thus trying to make what we believe laws of the land. The thing we don’t seem to understand is that laws in an of themselves are meaningless unless they are, in general, desired by the people who are required to follow them. Prohibition is an excellent example of that. The passage of legislation outlawing the production and sale of alcohol based on the belief that restricting the use of alcohol is a good thing resulted in widespread crime. The repeal of prohibition brought laws that controlled its production and sale curtailing the widespread crime.

Jesus modeled a way of loving others that targeted changing hearts and changing mindsets. While he recognized the worth of rules to help society run smoother, he did not see them as ends unto themselves. The movement toward the separation of church and state had its beginning in the prophets who said things like rend your hearts and not your garments (Joel 2:13) and with Jesus who said ‘The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath. (Mark 2:27)

Continuing dialogue on what we believe is a fruitful activity as we grow and learn from one another. Legislative bodies are not the most beneficial place for this discourse. Such discussions are not productive in solving complex problems among people of diverse backgrounds.  Seeking to identify the things on which we can agree and developing rules from such agreement is more productive.

Prayer: Lord, as people of faith, guide us in discerning your will and incorporating it into our lives. As citizens of our countries, enable us to find the things on which we can agree and apply them to solving problems. 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.

The Shepherd’s Helpers

Living in the Spirit
July 19, 2018

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.

 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

A political disease of divide and conquer is epidemic in the USA. Rather than doing the hard work of identifying problem solutions by finding common ground for the Common Good, our leaders invest most of their time bickering over who is righter and getting nothing done. Nothing in most cases is exactly what those politicians’ financial supporters want because it allows them more and more room to practice their greed without restraint. The result is a highly unbalanced economic system where the rich get richer and the middle-class shrinks, while those in poverty increase. Our elected shepherds have indeed scattered their sheep leaving them vulnerable and unprotected.

Those of us who identify Jesus Christ as that righteous Branch Jeremiah describes are specifically called to oneness; called to work together in God’s development of a world ruled by love; called to be a branch off the vine of Christ. We are God’s tools each with our set of purposes and skills to attain God’s vision.

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

Jesus never said it would be easy, but he did say:

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matthew 11:28-30)

Prayer: Lord, I do grow weary because of our inability to make our systems work to the advantage of all people. Forgive me when I give into inaction. Make me a doer of your word, and not merely a hearer who deceives myself. Amen.

*Derived from James 1:22

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 Change

Living in the Spirit
July 16, 2018

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-14a

Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’ Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.
–2 Samuel 7:5-9

Children’s hospital was in the midst of major construction when I first went to work there. The social work section was moved from place to place because moving us only disrupted staff. Patient care always came first.  We understood this and became rather skilled at making do in crowded small places. The building plans made provisions for a nice space eventually where every social worker had a small but private office. We delighted in the day we were moved from one of those tiny spaces to our new offices. As the supervisor of this staff, I got a slightly larger office and soon discovered that all my staff was often in my office when they were not working with patients. We were all having difficulty accepting our newly found privacy. We had a good laugh about the challenges of change, even good change, and gradually staff grew to love their own offices finding ways to use them to provide better services while maintaining esprit de corps.

Our whole beings must adapt to change. That is also true when our calling as God’s servant shifts to new avenues of service. David’s call to shepherd the people of Israel had not changed. He was very successful in leading them from wars to “green pastures.” What do servants of God do in green pastures? The focus changes. Rather than resting on their laurels so to speak David and the Israelites needed to take the time to discern their new purpose within God’s plan.  Nathan sagely carried this message to David.

Jesus told a parable about a very successful farmer whose crops exceeded his storage. He thus set out to build bigger and grander barns. But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’ (Luke 12:16-21) The story of Joseph, son of Jacob, looking forward to a likely famine in Egypt stored grain for later use. Motives matter. Being righteous and just in our behavior matters. Maintaining a constant connectedness with God through regular practices of spiritual disciplines are essential.

God’s work will never be done until a world ruled by love exists in full fruition for all God’s people.

Prayer: God, as we attain one goal, help us to see our next steps in developing a world ruled by 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.

Saving Lost Sheep

Living in the Spirit
July 13, 2018

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14

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. –Ephesians 1:11-14

Somehow over the years, Christianity has morphed into an individual-oriented faith. We are all about being saved ourselves and leading other individuals to be saved, becoming a rather elite self-identified group of individuals. The Hebrew prophets spoke first of the salvation of the Hebrew people and eventually migrated to the recognition of the universal salvation of all of God’s children. Jesus picked up this theme and Ephesians continues it as it talks about the redemption of God’s own people.

One could argue that if all individuals are saved all of God’s people are redeemed and that is true, but it misses the point. Individual salvation is a means to the end of the creation of a world ruled by love. Individual salvation is not an end unto itself. It is the means to an end.

I was reminded of the parable of the lost sheep* as I followed the rescue of the Thai soccer team from a flooded cave. The rescue took hundreds of people from many nations with special skills to save twelve boys and their coach. One man gave his life in the rescue. Uncountable people from various faith groups around the world were praying for all involved. I can imagine Jesus smiling down on that whole process.

Prayer: God who is Love and the Source of all Love, thank you for your presence with the Thai soccer team and with all those who as one entity worked to save them.  Let that be a reminder of the power of oneness and love. Amen.

*See Luke 15

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.