Tag Archives: Oneness

God’s Blessings

Epiphany
January 28, 2017

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. –Matthew 5:1-7

What does it mean to be blessed? The word used here from the Greek is makários (from mak-, “become long, large”) – properly, when God extends His benefits (the advantages He confers); blessed*. My house has ten-foot ceilings, even taller in the living room. A step ladder is a necessity even to change a light bulb. God’s blessings are a necessity in trying times, any time we are doing our best but the goal, while, crucial, seems out of reach. Jesus promises such blessings in the words of what are called the Beatitudes, the quality or state of being blessed**.

I like basketball and find it interesting that some of the most challenging games involve times when the opposing team is playing mostly substitutes. When a team knows what to expect having watched or played the opponent many times, it develops a plan of counter plays. When several subs play, chaos ensues. While the quality of the players is far from equal, the subs can win. The challenge is not to become part of the chaos.

We deal with chaos in life all the time. We become low in spirit, suffer real grief, prefer to work in the background, long for justice, and try to be merciful even when it is the last thing we want to do at that moment. God extends the benefits we need to make it through the chaos.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the patience and persistence we need to rest in your promise of hanging with us as we stretch to be your Body in our world today. Amen.

* Strong’s Concordance see at http://biblehub.com/greek/3107.htm
**http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/beatitudes

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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Weakness as Strength

Epiphany
January 19, 2017

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you should be in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you should be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters…. 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. –1 Corinthians 1:10-11, 18

Called to be one, Christians are so divided it is hard to see how we could ever be one again if in fact we ever were. The force of good versus evil centers on the understanding that the weakest good is stronger than the strongest evil. The smallest child stepping forward to stand with another child being bullied on the playground represents the strength of good. Communities of faith coming together to share seeds of understanding represent the strength of good. Intercity churches struggling outside their comfort zone to find ways to address the needs of the mentally ill represents the strength of good. We are not required to agree on everything; we are required to love everyone. Loving everyone in community makes our weakest good stronger.

It is my understanding, I could be wrong, that the first use of the title Christian was a pejorative, meant to belittle those who followed Christ. Okie was originally a pejorative describing those who left their Dust-Bowl ruined existences seeking a better life elsewhere. Like Christians, we Okie’s choose to identify with the strength of our weakness, the will to survive insurmountable challenges and be better for it. Love in its application can seem weak. Violence and discord in our culture equate to strength. We might do well to remember violence and discord as strength describe every great nation whose fates were eventually all sealed in ruin. God’s love and peoples of God living into and through God’s love are eternal, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Prayer: God of Justice and Mercy, make us one in your love with as many diverse streams flowing from your love as there are people who love you. We open our hearts to your enabling our diverse streams of love to form oceans of peace and justice for everyone. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Winner Take All or Common Good

Epiphany
January 17, 2017

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4

They rejoice before you
   as with joy at the harvest,
   as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
   and the bar across their shoulders,
   the rod of their oppressor,
   you have broken as on the day of Midian. –Isaiah 9:3b-4

I believe the government of the United States accurately reflects the will of the people. We want to have our cake and eat it too, which is, of course, impossible. The type of governance is not important. The Israelites brought on their own destruction within monarchies; we can do it within a democracy as we destroy the fail-safes of our checks and balances system.

Also, as with the Israelites God offers the means to break the rod of our oppressors. The problem lies in our willingness to part ways with that which overshadows us. The Babylonians and Assyrians were just the benefactors of Israelites’ disintegration from within. The true oppressors were the greed and lust for power that moved the focus of the nation from the Common Good for all to winner takes all in which case everybody eventually loses.

Now during the transfer of power in the USA, perhaps rather than get caught up in winners and losers, self-examination should be our focus. What do we really want out of life? How would we define the Common Good? How did Jesus define the Common Good? A re-reading of the Sermon on the Mount might provide insight. Matthew 25 would provide insight also.

Prayer: Lord, help us understand what it is you want for all 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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Common Ground in Christ

Epiphany
January 15, 2017

Scripture Reading: John 1:29-42

One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter). –John 1:29-42

Do we routinely tell our friends about a wonderful restaurant we just discovered or a big sale at a local store or a new diet that works? Of course, we do. We want them to reap the same joy and benefits that we gained from experience. Do we share enthusiastically with our friends, the importance of the love of God in our lives and share God’s love with a community of faith? In our skeptical world going and telling about Jesus Christ is a tough sell.

History illustrates connections between the Christian faith and some very bad circumstances. Think Hitler. Today there are as many interpretations of scripture as there are people reading them, some opposed. We cluster with the people who think or believe like we do and try to dispute or avoid other viewpoints. Particularly, I think, in the USA, we are into establishing a difference between winners and losers.

What would happen if we took one year and dedicated it to only discussing and working on the things on which we can agree? We might not get everyone to agree, but if we could just find one thing on which most could agree that would be enough. Surely, feeding the hungry would qualify. Now we might disagree on the best way to do that but just getting a larger group to the table to discuss solutions might lead us toward the oneness we so desperately need.

Prayer: God, you called us to be one. Enable us to set aside that which divides us to work together on that which will make us one. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Anchored to God

Epiphany
January 13, 2017

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

[Our Lord Jesus Christ] will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. –1 Corinthians 1:8-9

We should take great comfort in Paul’s assurance that we are strengthened by our Lord Jesus Christ and that God is faithful. We need strength to be the Body of Christ in the world today. God’s faithfulness anchors us against the storm.

Oklahoma’s weather prepares us for changing winds. It was 70 degrees here yesterday. The night before winds howled rattling my carport as pieces of trash or trees beat on the brick. Meteorologist reported those winds gusted to 50 miles per hour. This morning’s temperature was 23 degrees, and we were alerted to prepare for a massive ice storm headed our way.

The morning news was just as full of chaos and change. A new federal administration will be taking power soon. People are posturing for power. Our international neighbors wonder what will result. The stock market jumps about like a nervous cat at every tidbit that might impact it.

One of my favorite old hymns, no longer in hymn books, is In Times Like These by Ruth Caye Jones. I am sure I have quoted it here before. The hymn starts: In times like these we need a Savior. The good news is we have one.

In times like these you need a Savior,
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! 

This Rock is Jesus, Yes He’s the One,
This Rock is Jesus, the only One;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!*

Prayer: Lord, anchor us with your love; be our strength and help us be your workforce. Amen.

*http://www.namethathymn.com/christian-hymns/in-times-like-these-lyrics.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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Multiplying Synergy

connectEpiphany
January 11, 2017

Scripture Reading: Psalm 40:1-11

Happy are those who make
   the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
   to those who go astray after false gods.
You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
   your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us;
   none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
   they would be more than can be counted. –Psalm 40:4-5

I often write about synergy, a habit derived from my study of social systems. The term stems from engineering. The formal definition is:

  1. combined action or operation (as of muscles or nerves); specifically: synergism
  2. a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements (such as resources or efforts) *

I prefer the informal definition; the total becomes more than the sum of its parts. Jesus describes this phenomenon in Matthew 18:20 when he says, ‘For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’ The Psalmist in our scripture today speaks of God multiplying our combined efforts to become more than what we could ever have done either alone or together. That is a powerful message.

Synergy exists when people work together for a common cause, good or bad. It multiplies when people work together in concert with God toward loving one another.

Prayer: Lord of the Power of Love, enable our love and multiply it beyond our wildest imaginations. Amen.

*http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/synergy

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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Christ Globalized

riostatue-e1358907936579Epiphany
January 9, 2017

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7

And now the Lord says,
   who formed me in the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him,
   and that Israel might be gathered to him,
for I am honored in the sight of the Lord,
   and my God has become my strength—
he says,
‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
   to raise up the tribes of Jacob
   and to restore the survivors of Israel;
I will give you as a light to the nations,
   that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’ –Isaiah 49:5-6

For some in our culture today the word “Globalization” is at least to be feared at worst a dirty word. Our call as God’s people serving the entire world is ancient. We were called to be trendsetters in sharing the love of God with all people from early times. Isaiah reminds us of that in our scripture today. It is too light a thing for our work to be limited to our tribe, our nation.

At least a small thread of the church universal has woven the call to reach the ends of the earth with Jesus’ message since its inception. The apostle Thomas took Jesus seriously when he said Go into all the world and carried Christ’s love to India. Jesuit priest carried the love of Christ to the Americas at times in defiance of the desires of their hierarchy. Methodist missionaries served the tribes removed by our government to what is now Oklahoma from their native spaces.

I doubt there are many places on this earth that do not know the name Jesus or the group Christian. Our purpose today is helping all understand our call is love, not power or greed or forcing our culture on others in the name of Christ. To be successful, we must take on the whole garment* of Christ and let his live shine through us.

Prayer: Lord, become our strength as we deal with our unfounded fears. Let your strength infuse our whole beings when we do face danger in your service. Help us lift our drooping hands and strengthen our weak knees**. Amen.

*Relates to Galatians 3:27
**Relates to 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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Witnessing and Judging

walk-in-the-way-of-loveEpiphany
January 6, 2017

Scripture Reading: Acts 10:34-43

We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’ –Acts 10:39-43

I recently served on jury duty. I was called on my first day to serve in a civil case; my service was short lived. I took it seriously as did the others. It was not a life or death case, involved discerning who should get paid for what. Based on the facts presented, it was a very easy decision. I am glad I live in a country that practices the rule of law.

I also praise God that Jesus Christ drew the assignment of judging people regarding God’s laws. We humans have a great need to take over that tasks from time to time. Life is about discerning what is right and what is wrong for ourselves with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We guide our children to help them grow into adults with the skills to make such decisions. When invited we might help a friend or relative work through the issues they face in discerning right from wrong, assuring that we have done our best to witness to God’s love through Jesus Christ. Life is rarely black or white. If there are any absolutes, they belong to God and Jesus’ discernment. While it is important that we model forgiveness in our lives, ultimate forgiveness lies in God’s domain.

It is probably easier to live in an ideology of absolutes rather than taking up our cross daily and walking the walk with our brothers and sisters in Christ with only the power of love to sustain us; it is what we are called to do. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Prayer: Lord, enable our love to spread your message through our actions as well as our words. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Peace through Justice

justicepeaceChristmas
January 2, 2017

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
   my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
   he will bring forth justice to the nations.
He will not cry or lift up his voice,
   or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
   and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
   he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be crushed
   until he has established justice in the earth;
   and the coastlands wait for his teaching. –Isaiah 42:1-4

Envisioning a person of peace bringing about justice seems an oxymoron. Years after Isaiah penned his works Rome pursued peace through power mostly held together by actual violence or the threat of violence. Violence was in vogue in Isaiah’s time as the world powers of the day procured land and other sources of wealth by force. Violence and force rarely, if ever, result in justice. Oppression may result in peace defined as lack of war. The Hebrew scriptures speak of shalom* defined as completeness, soundness, welfare, peace not only the absence of war.

Jesus heeded the call to this broader definition of peace which can never stem from violence. He changed hearts and minds and did not foment anger or hatred. He called people of faith to accept responsibility for living God’s way setting an example that has stood the test of time. Is it no wonder that Christians look back over the centuries and see Jesus in the writings of Isaiah? Perhaps Jesus understood his purpose partly from reading Isaiah.

Living for Jesus, living like Jesus, and striving to attain justice as he did require the synergy of oneness coupled with the wholeness that comes from our relationship with God and the support of our Advocate the Holy Spirit. Like Isaiah and Jesus, if we want peace through justice, we need to reconsider our priorities and refocus our oneness.

Prayer: Lord, guide us in finding Shalom and making it the standard for all nations. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/hebrew/7965.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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Relatives Through Christ

debtorsprisonChristmas
December 30, 2016

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 2:10-18

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
–Hebrews 2:14-18

I grow weary of competition among the nations. There are no borders in the Kingdom of God. We are called by God to want enough for every man, woman, and child in this world. I must desire a living wage not only for every citizen of the United States, but also very every citizen of Mexico, the Congo, and, yes, Russia and China. If I want peace and safety in my hometown, I want it for Chicago and Aleppo too.

Genealogy is a great equalizer. I have met a first cousin eight times removed through my research. I have not been able to verify it fully, but I believe one of my ancestors and his father came to the USA in 1759 on a prisoner ship from England. What behavior had resulted in their deportation, I wonder? Many came from debtor’s prisons, others as thieves and some for brawling. Or I could be mistaken and that family line, as other researchers believe, may be the offshoot of a nobleman whose son came to the USA on a lark in 1618. The son became landed gentry. I have a rather fanciful vision of DNA tracing us all back to the same starting point. Wouldn’t it be interesting if we all had to accept that we are all at least cousins? Isn’t that what the creation story is trying to tell us? Isn’t that the message Jesus taught?

Prayer: Lord, enable us to view your world through your eyes to see the solutions you intended since the beginning. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.