Tag Archives: Oneness

Redemption from Oppression

Living in the Spirit
July 12, 2018

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14

In [Christ] 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. –Ephesians 1:7-10

The Hebrews related blood to life from the beginning of their history. Genesis 4:9-10 relates the story of the death of Abel murdered by his brother Cain, Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ He said, ‘I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?’ And the Lord said, ‘What have you done? Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground! Today we do not relate to this imagery in the same way our ancestors in faith did. We might envision a flat line on a beeping heart monitor as indicating the finality of death.  As a longtime blood donor, I tend to think of blood as life-giving.

We may also have some discomfort with the word redemption. The word translated redemption here literally means, “buying back from, re-purchasing (winning back) what was previously forfeited (lost)*.” We who live in relative privilege are not as readily attuned to needing salvation as one living in oppression.

The point in our scripture today is we are redeemed through the life of Christ given before death in the life modeled by Jesus, in death, and ultimately in resurrection. Following Christ means following that same pattern. What we may need redemption from is allowing our brothers and sister in Christ, which are all God’s children, to live in oppression.  The answer to Cain’s questions is “Yes, you are your  brother and your sister’s keeper.”

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we become complacent in our way of life. Open our eyes and hearts to the needs of the oppressed and guide us in addressing that which holds them back from the life you envision for all your children. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/greek/629.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.

Celebrating Gifts Differing

Living in the Spirit
July 5, 2018

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. –2 Corinthians 12:2-5

Paul attests to the reality that we all experience and celebrate God in different ways. Richard J. Foster wrote about the six dimensions of faith in his book, Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith. It makes sense. In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul describes some of the varying skills described as spiritual gifts necessary to complete the work of God.

We, humans, tend to want to rank order the value of things including people and their talents. We often pay people according to the esteem we give to their value. I remember when I worked at a hospital many years ago, a lot of construction was going on around the building requiring most staff to walk a few blocks in a “bad” neighborhood in searing summer hit, rain, and winter cold from temporary parking while a few cherished spots were reserved for the doctors and residents right in front of the building. At that time, the doctors and residents were mostly male, and the residents were mostly under 30 years old. Many of them probably jogged before coming to work. The cleaning staff at the hospital were mostly women over the age of 50 also caring for a family at home. As important as physicians are their work could be rendered moot if the facility they worked in was not kept spotlessly clean. To its credit, the hospital very quickly added a transport system to and from the distant parking lot.

The key to equity and equality resides in respect and justice where everyone has enough and is appreciated for the unique offerings he or she makes to the fulfillment of a world ruled by love.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we value people based on the world’s definition of success. Guide us to see people through the content of their character* in whatever capacity they may serve and to support all in becoming the person you created us each to be. Amen.

*Borrowed from Martin Luther King’s speech, I have a Dream.

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.

Are We Healers Too?

Living in the Spirit
June 30, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 5:21-43

Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?” ’ He looked all round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’ –Mark 5:25-34

We argue about many things trying to prove points using the Bible to prove our stances. One thing about which there is no argument: Jesus was a healer and expects us to be healers too. As a nation of people, the USA is failing to follow our role model of healing and returning people to wholeness. Medical care in the USA cost substantially more than in any other industrialized nation. The cost of prescriptive medicine is set by what the market can bear. That may be an OK business practice for soft drinks and hot tubs, it is not appropriate for the provision of medicine that makes the difference between life and death. When Congress added medication coverage to Medicare (Part D) it specifically stipulated that Medicare could not negotiate drug prices like private sector insurance companies do. Such practices move health care out of the realm of being available to all making it a privilege for the wealthy few.  The middle class may suffer the most from our health care system. It is estimated that 62.1%* of bankruptcies are filed because of the inability to pay medical bills.

All God’s children and that is all people need accessible, affordable health care with an emphasis on prevention.

“As soon as healing takes place, go out and heal somebody else.” ― Maya Angelou

Prayer: Lord, heal our souls so that we can become healers of others.Amen.

*According to a Harvard University Study done in 2009 see at https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/643000-bankruptcies-in-the-u-s-every-year-due-to-medical-bills/

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.

 

Sharing in Enough

Living in the Spirit
June 29, 2018

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15

For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written,
‘The one who had much did not have too much,
   and the one who had little did not have too little.’ –2 Corinthians 8:12-15

Paul’s quote is from the story of Manna from Heaven provided for the Israelites in the desert:
But when they measured it with an omer, those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed. –Exodus 16:18

What is enough? Paul is suggesting that we have responsibility for assuring that all have enough to meet basic needs requiring some who have much to offset in some way the incomes of those who have too little. Today we do that in many ways. We make direct contributions of food, clothing, etc. Some of us own and operate businesses that choose to pay a living wage costing some of our profits while benefiting us by having a supply of competent, hardworking, dependable staff. Some of our governmental taxing systems support this idea by scaling taxation progressively based on income. Those who earn less pay a smaller percentage of their income in taxes.

MIT created and maintains a living wage calculator that attempts to define what is enough to provide for necessities*. It includes food, childcare, medical, housing, transportation, and other items which includes such things as clothing, housekeeping supplies, and personal care supplies. While the living wage minimum income needs far exceed the minimum wage and the poverty level in all family categories, it is very sparse. After calculating what various family categories require, it adds in the taxes they must pay. It does not include charitable contributions.

Why does it matter to Paul and to God in the Manna story that everyone has enough? God created the world as a whole system with each part interdependent with the other. For God’s world to function at its best all parts must function at their best. Such a system is built on the concept of love, wanting the very best for another. It supersedes any philosophy that structures the world toward personal gain at the expense of others. God’s system contributes to a steady state of shalom—wellbeing and peace for all. We pay a high price in lost shalom when we let greed undercut God’s design.

Prayer: God who provides enough, guide us in following your example in all aspects of our lives as we strive to assure that all your children have enough. Amen.

*http://livingwage.mit.edu/

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.

Seeking Oneness

Living in the Spirit
June 27, 2018

Scripture Reading: Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
   Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
   to the voice of my supplications! 

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
   Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
   so that you may be revered. 

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
   and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
   more than those who watch for the morning,
   more than those who watch for the morning. 

O Israel, hope in the Lord!
   For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
   and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
   from all its iniquities.

These words of the US Revolutionary War writer Thomas Paine popped into my head as I read the above scripture following listening to the morning news.

“THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated”—Thomas Paine, The Crisis

Citizens of the United States find themselves in the middle of a Constitutional crisis where the need for due process is being challenged as well as the need for the judicial branch of our three-prong checks and balances system of governance. To a degree, we brought it on ourselves because we can be and are mesmerized by the temptation of the world particularly greed. Amos wrote about such things as did Paul. In hindsight we easily see the missteps of the Israelites Amos addressed. We recognize the challenges faced by gentiles being invited into a new way of being to whom Paul ministered. It is much harder for us to see ourselves in that same mirror.

The sad thing is our form of governance when fully supported by its citizenry works. It includes some of the same ideals Jesus taught. All people benefit from the care and concern of each other. The divide and conquer form of politics driving our country today is a disgrace to the premise of both the teachings of Jesus and the premise of our government. In both instances, we are called to work toward oneness. Reaching oneness can be a messy process. We benefit from diligently engaging in that process as our diversity is one of our major strengths. When all sides of an issue of concern are considered more feasible rules/laws result. How dear are our Constitutional rights to us?

Prayer: Lord, it feels like we are treading water without making progress and perhaps losing ground. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us* moving us toward oneness. Amen.

*Derived from the title of the hymn, Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me by Daniel Iverson see at https://hymnary.org/text/spirit_of_the_living_god_fall_iverson

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.

Journeying to Oneness

Living in the Spirit
June 25, 2018

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27

After the death of Saul, when David had returned from defeating the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. 

David intoned this lamentation over Saul and his son Jonathan. 

Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!
   In life and in death they were not divided;
they were swifter than eagles,
   they were stronger than lions. –2 Samuel 1:1, 17, 23

We live in a divide and conquer world. Israel was in the midst of such a world as Saul and David battled for supremacy in leadership. It ended with the death of Saul and his son Jonathan, David’s best friend fighting an external foe, the Amalekites. That is what happens when great nations battle from without sapping their strength to the extent that when it faces an outside adversary the nation loses. In this instance, David went on to become a great king and Israel eventually knew peace during his rule and the rule of his son Solomon. Israel returned to divide and conquer following Solomon and eventually ended in exile.

There is wisdom in Christ call that we all become one. We will never attain that status until we give up divide and conquer fighting over who is right and who is wrong and thoughtfully work to find the ideas and issues on which we agree. If we place a moratorium on establishing who is right or who is wrong and work on Christ’s priorities of loving God and loving one another, we might surprise ourselves with what we can accomplish. If you read my devotions regularly, you may grow tired of me setting forth this same idea repeatedly. I promise I will stop when I begin to see the light of Christ shining through our feeble attempts at-oneness. For my experience with God is that when a few folks make a genuine attempt at loving all, the Spirit of God joins in the effort, and its impact expands greatly.

Pass It On
It only takes a spark
To get a fire going
And soon all those around
Can warm up in the glowing
That’s how it is with God’s love
Once you’ve experienced it
You’ll spread His love
To everyone
You’ll want to pass it on*

Prayer: God of Mercy and Justice, help me be a spark in your quest for the oneness of your followers. Amen.

*https://st-takla.org/Lyrics-Spiritual-Songs/English-Coptic-Hymns-Texts/7-Christian-n-Gospel-Lyrics-O-P-Q-R/Pass-It-On.html

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.

 

Empathy

Living in the Spirit
June 24, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 4:35-41
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’

Eighty Niner Day was a big deal in Oklahoma when I was a child. It celebrated allowing people to race into the unassigned lands in Oklahoma territory to claim a 160-acre homestead. It was designated as unassigned because it was the only land left in the territory that was not assigned to various Indian tribes. The run as it was called was celebrated in Guthrie the original capitol of Oklahoma with a big parade, carnival, and rodeo. One year our whole family, as well as one of my aunt’s family, attended the parade and rodeo but it was decided my parents would take the two boys who were older to the evening festivities and my aunt would take her two younger daughters and my sister and me to her home. Shortly after arriving at her house a huge storm struck the farm on which my aunt lived, and she hastens we four girls to the cellar where many Oklahomans take shelter from possible tornados.  We girls went to sleep but were awakened a few hours later by my father knocking on the cellar door. We climbed up and out to a beautiful night sky filled with stars. My father teased his sister, my aunt about being a scaredy cat, she said, “You were not here.” No storm had struck Guthrie some 30 miles away.

We never know what life realities others face or how their reactions might be driven by their histories. My father knew his younger sister was scared and his teasing was his way of changing her focus, lightening the situation. Jesus recognized the disciples were afraid and while he told them they did not need to be afraid he also calmed the sea of torment.  We too are called to reassure people that God is always with them and provide them with solutions to illustrate that reality.

Prayer: Lord, make us empathic about the realities of others so that we may help alleviate their troubles. 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.

Communications

Living in the Spirit
June 21, 2018

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:

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.
–2 Corinthians 6:1-4a, 11-13

I do not know what the original problem was but at the least, Paul had a communications problem with the church at Corinth and this letter labeled 2 was his attempt to correct the situation. We do not have anything labeled 3 so we do not know the success or failure of this correspondence. His denial of placing obstacles in anyone’s way leads me to think his previous instructions had seemed onerous to some.

Communication is hard. We come loaded with the baggage of our lives, culture, education, failures, and successes. The person or people we are trying to commune with each come with their own set of influences and then another layer is added if they come as a group. I spent several years writing policy or supervising the writing of policy for a government agency and know well the problems of guiding 8,000 or so employees to work within a common framework. Some truly understood differently than it was intended. In a few instances, I was pretty sure some disagreed with the policy and chose to interpret it differently as a result.

How important is it as Christians that we all are on the exact same page? Would we use some of our time and skills better if we tried to understand from what perspective others viewed the world? Even very homogenous people may be of differing ages and stages of life. My mother lived during the Great Depression and she never ever wasted anything as a result. We children did not adopt that level of conservation. We grew up during the time of the throwaway culture of paper cups and plates.  At my annual Christmas party, I would find her standing at the kitchen sink carefully washing the plastic plates and utensils. I finally gave up and switched to using pottery and stainless steel, at least I could run them through the dishwasher.

We do not have to be on the same page, but we need to know what page we are on and be willing to share that with others so that some mutual understanding arises. Who knows? We might learn a whole new way of being by learning from our combined experiences.

Prayer: Lord, grant us insights into ourselves and the others with whom we work toward 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.

Uncommon Oneness

Living in the Spirit
June 20, 2018

Scripture Reading: Psalm 9:9-20

The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;
   in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.
The Lord has made himself known, he has executed judgement;
   the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

The wicked shall depart to Sheol,
   all the nations that forget God.

 For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
   nor the hope of the poor perish forever.

Rise up, O Lord! Do not let mortals prevail;
   let the nations be judged before you.
Put them in fear, O Lord;
   let the nations know that they are only human. –Psalm 9:15-20

We pay the price for our own mistakes. The groups with which we are affiliated are not so different. They face the consequences of their actions. Families, social clubs, faith organizations, governments at all levels all are very much alike in that regard. Remember the song by Sandy Chapin and Harry F. Chapin

Cat’s in the Cradle?
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
“When you coming home, dad?” “I don’t know when”
But we’ll get together then
You know we’ll have a good time then

 And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
“When you coming home, son?” “I don’t know when”
But we’ll get together then, dad
We’re gonna have a good time then*

 Groups reflect individuals and groupthink provides self-validation for individuals. Thus, oneness is a common occurrence as we find ourselves building on the sameness we create. We let the world shape us for good or bad in whatever way is prevailing. That is how the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

Jesus calls us to an uncommon oneness. A oneness where we each and all take responsibility for our actions as we model them after the example set by Jesus.  Such choice is designed intentionally to seek the creation of a world ruled by love.

Prayer: Lord, bring us to your uncommon oneness until it is the oneness that prevails across the universe and is uncommon no more. Amen.

\*Selected from Cat’s in the Cradle lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, see at https://www.google.com/search?q=the+cats+in+the+cradle&oq=the+cats+in+t&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l4.6413j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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.

 

Killing Giants, Ending Violence

Living in the Spirit
June 18, 2018

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 17:1-23, 32-49

David said to Saul, ‘Let no one’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.’ Saul said to David, ‘You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.’ But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and whenever a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after it and struck it down, rescuing the lamb from its mouth; and if it turned against me, I would catch it by the jaw, strike it down, and kill it. Your servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.’ David said, ‘The Lord, who saved me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.’ So Saul said to David, ‘Go, and may the Lord be with you!’ –1 Samuel 32-37

I learned the Bible through stories as a preschooler. This story, I sang. Only a Boy Named David, Only a Little Sling. I do not remember every considering this to have anything to do with violence. It described a boy who was brave and smart and going to have a great future as a leader. A good role model for any child. I grew up on a farm had responsibilities from an early age for the care and feeding of animals. I could identify with David. I, however, was a failure at killing chickens much less a giant man.

Dealing with violence in the Bible in a society ripe with violence is a challenge. David is a key figure in the story of the Hebrews. We already must deal with his adultery readily recognizing it as sin and perhaps that is a clue to dealing with a boy killing a giant. Talking about a culture of war that has existed forever might be a possible subject. Wondering what about winning at any cost is so attractive to us is another approach. Discussing alternatives to violence in solving problems would be appropriate. Such discussions are needed among adults who have already learned another narrative. Once the adults transitioned to a new vision of dispute settlement, the children will pick up on it.ed

David is believed to have written many of the Psalms. Perhaps considering some of the Psalms against the backdrop of the giant-killing story.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long. –Psalm 23

Prayer: Lord, lead us to new insights as we study ancient scripture. 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.