Tag Archives: Oneness

Glorifying God

Lent
March 18, 2018

 Scripture Reading: John 12:20-33

‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. –John 12:27-33

It is hard to comprehend those last days when Jesus faced what he knew was certain death. I have always believed that even at the very last, if people had recognized what they were doing and turned around, Jesus’ death did not have to happen. Though I think he knew in his heart turning around was not going to happen. People neither like to admit that they are wrong nor face the reality of situations.

Jesus wanted his actions to uplift God before the people so that they could with hindsight say this was of God. Isn’t that the way all of us should live our lives? Do our decisions reflect our relationship with God? Can others readily see that the driving force in our lives is following in the footsteps of Jesus? It is a narrow path to walk and it is easy to slip or take a wrong road. God is always with us and stands ready to help us turn around from our errors, but we cannot turn around until we admit we are going the wrong way.

We do this as individuals and that is a challenge, but we are also called to follow right paths in oneness with all of God’s people which is even harder. How do we find common ground in being the Body of Christ in the world today? How do we work together in harmony rather than waste time and energy fighting with each other? A greater challenge still is learning to work together with all people for a world ruled by love.

Prayer: God who is Love, help us lift our drooping hands and strengthen our weak knees* to move forward in faith working together to bring about your Kingdom. Amen.

*Derived from Hebrews 12:12

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.

Seeking Oneness

Lent
March 7, 2018

 Scripture Reading: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
   for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
   those he redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
   from the east and from the west
   from the north and from the south. –Psalm 107:1-3

I just read a sobering editorial about how uncivilized our country is becoming. People are going out of their way to vent nonspecific anger at anyone, anytime. Evil functions best in turmoil, real or created.

Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. (Matthew 12:25b)

Christ calls his followers to oneness, calls us to find ways to love each other in spite of our differences. Why do we waste so much energy and time on hostility and gridlock? If we seek common ground in the name of Christ, we will find a place to start even if it is a tiny opening into oneness.

Here is a challenge. Every time we encounter divisiveness in a discussion during the remainder of Lent, let us commit to seeking first common ground. We might start by saying, “ I understand we are miles apart on this issue but let’s see if we can find one avenue of response on which we can agree?” Perhaps we can suggest something simple. If we are in a working group, listing suggestions on a flip chart or post-its stuck on a wall might help. While making a list, consider all ideas. Through a narrowing process, see how many the whole group can identify as valid approaches. Another process that I have found helpful for groups of 16 or more is the World Café*. It is a non-judgmental way of listening to each other without reaching discissions but gaining discernment on various perspectives.

A friend recently recommended a book for me to read that I accepted but when I got home and looked at some of the people who recommended it, I did not want to read it. I value the friend’s opinion, so I am reading the book. If my opinions cannot hold up to the test of the opposing opinions, I need to examine why I hold them.

In times like these, we need a close relationship with God and a deep understanding that God will guide us when we truly see the oneness Christ championed. God’s steadfast love does endure forever.

Prayer: Lord, make us whole enabling us to be at ease in your care as we walk the tightrope toward oneness. Amen.

*See at www.theworldcafe.com/

07

Let Clean Hearts and Minds Prevail

Lent
March 6, 2018

 Scripture Reading: Numbers 21:4-9

From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.’ Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, ‘We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.’ So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.’ So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.

 Having grown up on a farm, I learned to respect snakes from an early age. Rattlesnakes were the most common poisonous snakes in my area, but we also had water moccasins, copperheads, and cottonmouths. I also learned that all snakes were not poisonous and that snakes were an important part of our ecosystem. My guess is the Israelites were well acquainted with Egyptian snakes but had to learn about the snakes of the Arabian Desert as they escaped from slavery. Dealing with the unfamiliar is challenging. I am not sure what to make of Moses’ solution to the problem. I do know that when our world changes we often must find new solutions to old issues.

Jesus asks the following question to his listeners:

Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9-11)

I thought about what Jesus said when I heard the youth, who survived the Parkland, Florida School shooting, speak so eloquently about the need to find a new solution to gun violence. Perhaps the verse popped into my mind because the lectionary reading dealt with snakes. Though I never think such thoughts are mere coincidences. God is calling all of us to search deeply into our souls and do what is right, not politically correct, not what will get someone more financial support for the next election, and not because we think our personal rights are paramount to the detriment of others. I do not have the answer, and it is a complex issue, but before we take on the task of figuring it out we must get our hearts and minds aligned with God and then carve out a right and just solution.

Prayer:  Lord, create in us clean hearts and minds to see issues from your viewpoint and to reshape our society to follow your ways ruled first and foremost 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.

Together in Love

Lent
March 2, 2018

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. –I Corinthians 1:22-25

My childhood bedroom had a window on the east side of our home. When I learned my directions, I related east to the sun coming in my window early in the morning. I can still close my eyes and think of my sun-filled bedroom window and usually, correctly orient myself to the east. I cannot explain that. God is our spiritual built-in compass. When we are aligned with God, we can get our bearings no matter how chaotic the world is around us. The power of God lies in God’s steadfast love to always be present with us guiding us as we pursue our purposes in life, always wanting the best for each of us and for all of us in community.

Christ being crucified is the apex of God’s power in love. Nothing more is needed. We all look for signs of the times. Today’s media parses every word and deed of people in places of power trying to ascertain what it all means and how it might affect us. While I must confess to being a news junky, I know in my heart that none of the foolishness we observe matters, if we stay at one with our Creator. When and if we ever learn to do that in oneness with all our siblings as children of God, we will realize the fullness of God’s Kingdom.

For some reason, humans have a hard time accepting the rule of love. We seem to gravitate toward needing to have levels of worth, not being able to accept that God is powerful enough and wise enough to love each and all of us exactly, individually and collectively right. God can, and God does. God proved it in Christ crucified.

Prayer: Lord, make us whole, make us one. Be our guiding light bringing us together in 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.

Powered by Love

Lent
March 1, 2018

 Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
   and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.’
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. –1 Corinthians 1:18-21

I had a relative who seemed destined to get into one mess or another causing his family to bail him out one time after another. My mother worried about him greatly and I know she prayed for him fervently to see the errors of his ways and repent. She also shared that message with him whenever she got the chance. It did not seem to phase him. He would just grin at her and laugh as he changed the subject or wondered out of hearing distance. Being with her during many of these conversations, I kept thinking he was one she might consider shaking the dust off her feet* and letting go. (Matthew 10:14) She never did. The last time we both saw him alive, he walked us to my car and patiently listened to her appeal. Opening the door on the passenger side of the car, he helped her in, smiled and said you have a safe trip home, Sister. (My Mom’s family nickname)

Such scenes regarding behavior that is generally considered inappropriate in society cause anguish but perhaps an even more challenging situation exists when the differences that divide us are rampant in our faith communities. How is it that we can discern the truth of God so very differently? How many precious resources of talent and time do we waste trying to one-up each other on who has a better grasp on God? Having studied the book of Amos recently and now Hosea, I came to believe that we could update the culture to the 21st century and see ourselves in almost every line of those two prophet’s words. People going through the motions of being religious were totally missing the mark.

I conclude that we must try a different tact. First, we need to let go of the things that divide us on all sides, which will be hard to do. We must identify the things on which we agree and work toward their actualization. I believe we will be surprised at how much we share, and I believe that if we worked together as the Body of Christ many of the things that divide us will take care of themselves as we love our neighbors as we love ourselves. I also think there is enough shared interest to keep us busy forever.

Prayer: Lord, guide us in finding our commonalities in faith. Help us work together to build a world powered by love. Amen.

*Matthew 10:14

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.

History of God  

Lent
February 24, 2018

Scripture Reading: Romans 4:13-25

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.—Romans 4:13-17

My Sunday School Class studied Joan Chittister’s The Ten Commandments: Laws of the Heart in which she shines a light on the difference between following the laws of God and living the laws of God. We also have studied A. J. Jacob’s book The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. The book is a funny look at the whole question of what is a law and how do we incorporate God’s laws into our lives.

If we spend some time reading through the laws of our country or state, we will find some interesting history. Laws that wore out their usefulness remain on the books about horses in town or use of spittoons in bars. The second amendment to the US Constitution provides that the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Does that mean one has the right to own and carry arms but does not include the right to use them? It also does not define what arms are. Someone reading it today who does not know the history of weapons might wonder what arms they are talking about, the ones attached to our torsos? We have a whole judicial system charged with the responsibility to ferret these things out.

In writing our scripture today, Paul is helping us understand the heart of the laws as he works to meld together into one his fellow Jews and the Gentiles who do not share the same histories. The Abrahamic history is rich and meaningful to all students of the acts of God. I appreciate those who help us glean from that history the things of faith as set in antiquity.

Prayer: God of Abraham and Paul, show us your ways and truths that remain as relevant today as in ancient days. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the 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.

Finding Common Ground

Lent
February 22, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 8:31-36

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’

  He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?

I listened to the resolve in the voices of the students at Parkland High School essentially saying school shootings stop here no matter what it takes. I think that is the same type message Jesus was giving his disciples in the scripture above. He is saying what you do and decide is your decision, but I have come to initiate a new way and I will.

Our call from the start of Jesus’ ministry is to partner with him in actualizing God’s Kingdom of Love.  We must avoid anything that takes us off that track. As we interact with various segments of our communities, we must model Jesus’ respect for all people while finding the ways we can work with diverse groups identifying means of living and working together on which we find common ground and making them realities. We might be surprised to find how much we share in common. We also may need to set aside the most divisive issues that are designed to tear us apart. We might be stunned to learn that those divisive issues go away or diminish greatly by way of our common ground initiatives.

Prayer: Lord, guide us in the work we do in your service with all of your children. 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.

God Enables Love

Lent
February 19, 2018

Scripture Reading: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, ‘I am God make you exceedingly numerous.’ Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. –Genesis 17:1-7

I attended an Abrahamic Traditions dinner recently bringing together Jews, Christians, and Muslims for an evening to celebrate our common faith source within our diversities of expressions. In a world aflame with war and hate, it is refreshing to remember we were all created by the same God. I suppose there are as many ways of relating to God as there are people on this earth. The fact that we developed groupings that share common systems of worship is perhaps a miracle itself. Bringing those groups to the same table is even more extraordinary. In my tradition, we strive to be one in the Body of Christ, but even Jesus said I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. (John 10:16) He desired to bring us all together. Do we all assume that means make everybody else like us?

The common denominator of faith is love, loving God and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. Easy to say, it is much harder to do. I fear our hypocritical failure at meeting this most basic tenet of faith drives us further and further apart. Humans seem to need to apply conditions while living God’s unconditional love. Frankly, I do not think we are capable of loving God without living in close intimate communion with God. God enables our love.

Prayer: Lord, as we journey through these days of Lent remembering your ministry and your trials, embolden our ability to love you, ourselves, and one another so that we might give you the pleasure of our oneness in our diversity. 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.

Reflection, Refraction, and Dispersion

Ordinary Time
February 13, 2018

Scripture Reading: Genesis 9:8-17

God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.’ God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.’ –Genesis 9:12-17

A rainbow is a meteorological phenomenon that is caused by reflection, refraction and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. It takes the form of a multicolored circular arc. Rainbows caused by sunlight always appear in the section of sky directly opposite the sun. *

Most of us who can see know what happens when we look into a mirror. Our image appears. We get a glimpse of how others might see us for good or bad. We see our reflection. If we are indeed made in the image of God what does our reflection tell us about God?

I am particularly thankful for the power of refraction for at the age of 11 I was diagnosed as nearsighted with astigmatism. In later years I added farsightedness to my visual challenges. The art of bending light made seeing more clearly a reality for me. If we saw the world through God’s eyes what would we see?

Light dispersed in water opens new dimensions of understanding of the beauty of diversity forming a union. If we approach the world with wonder rather than fear would we better reflect God?

If rainbows always appear directly opposite the sun, are we rainbows in God’s eyes?

Prayer: Lord, let your light shine in and through us so that others may see glimpses of you in our love for them. Amen.

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow

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.D

Points of Light

Ordinary Time
February 10, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 9:2-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus. –Mark 9:2-8

Think back over your life and recall those Aha! Moments when truth became so clear your life changed forever. Most of us experience small points of such light from time to time. I remember reading my 4th generation grandfather’s will as he listed and named his house slaves, horses, and cows by name in that order an identified which child inherited each of them. I sat in that court clerks office with tears streaming down my cheeks. I had known forever that his son was a Captain in the Confederacy. I even knew the family owned slaves, but those were just empty facts until I saw that will. Some of us have Aha! Moments of the magnitude of the transfiguration or Paul’s encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, but God opens all our eyes every day in many small ways when we open our hearts to God’s guidance.

Jesus intermingled with all types of people in all kinds of situations. Rich and poor, people seeking help and people who present as helpless, at weddings, funerals, parties, and in worship. He experienced the breadth and depth of his society. How well do we intermingle with people who differ from us? Do we complete most of our activities of daily living without encountering the other side of life? Have we bought groceries recently in an inner-city market and viewed the quality, availability, and prices of the food? Have we ever shopped while using a walker or wheelchair?

I get frustrated in grocery stores just because I am short and cannot reach the items I want. I was very impressed  when a teenager recently saw my dilemma and easily reaching over my head, grabbed the can and said, “Is this what you want?” I said, “Yes, it is. Thank you so much.” He had had a small point of light experience and acted on what it meant.

Prayer: Lord, shine your light on those things in our world that need our attention. Grant us the willingness to step out in faith in response to your gift of insight. 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.