Tag Archives: Oneness

Siblings of Christ

brothers-and-sistersChristmas
December 29, 2016

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 2:10-18

It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, ‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’ And again, ‘I will put my trust in him.’ And again, ‘Here am I and the children whom God has given me.’ –Hebrews 2:10-13

Brothers and sisters are most likely our first best friends, our first reviles for attention, our first confidants, the first to tattle-tell on us, our first foe in a fight, the first to rescue us from a bad situation, and whether we like it or not remain our brothers and sisters forever. For those who had no brothers or sisters, cousins may have filled the bill to some degree. My sister taught me to read before I started to school. Most days when she arrived home from school, we played school. She was the teacher; I was the student. Once my brother carried me from the school bus over a very muddy driveway to the house to save my precious new shoes from getting soiled. Siblings, cousins, our brothers and sisters in Christ help us each develop wholeness in dealing with life situations as we grow and mature. They mold our identity in oneness as we face the world together and introduce us to the determination of justice whether it involves who gets the last cookie or how we otherwise problem solve.

The crux of the Christian faith is God’s relationship to Christ and through him the enfolding and emboldening of all people as children of God. The Body of Christ includes all who accept and recognize the relationship. In so doing we answer a call to spread the Good News of God’s love throughout the universe. While our task seems impossible, it is made possible through the power and love of God through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, each of your children, have a role to play in creating your world ruled by love. Write our part on our hearts and equip us to strive with our whole being to fulfill it. 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.

Prophetic Voices

overcome-evil-with-goodAdvent
December 11, 2016

Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:2-11

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look those who were soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A Prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom, it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptists; yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he. –Matthew 11:7-11

How do we decide whose messages have credence? The word, the role prophet is not someone with clairvoyance, the ability to foretell the future. A prophet is one who speaks forth by the inspiration of God*. Most often I see the prophets in the Bible accurately reading current ways of doing and being and predicting where our behaviors will lead if not corrected. Prophets also speak to the steps necessary to change our actions and attitudes to avoid chaos and calamity.

John in the role of prophet gives Jesus a strong recommendation as one to be seen and heard and followed. John is throwing the full weight of any influence he might have in support of Jesus.

The sad part about prophets is we never seem to listen to them. We read about their warnings years later and think, “How could the people not listen to the prophets?” And still today we hear and see what we want to hear and see just like our ancestors in faith much to our destruction.

We make it easy for the forces of evil to succeed for we do not learn from our mistakes or the mistakes of our ancestors. The cause of destruction has not changed over the millennia. They are lust for power and greed, and they are counter to everything Jesus and all the prophets who came before him taught. Are we a generation who can change this cycle of destruction?

Prayer: Lord, write your ways on the hearts of all who claim you as a Savior, bring us to the oneness we must have to be sources of justice. Amen.

*http.//biblehub.com/greek/4396.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.

Patience is a Virtue

patience-trust-faithAdvent
December 8, 2016

Scripture Reading: James 5:7-10

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Patience is one of the gifts of the Spirit. It does not come naturally to me. I think the King James version of the Bible uses a better word when applied to me: longsuffering. I have learned over time to level out my goal-oriented nature with a process orientation. What James describes in our scripture today is the process of growing crops: prepare the soil, plant the seeds, clear the weeds, water and feed the earth, and finally, harvest. I must confess I do processes with little goals. Preparing the earth is a little goal. We do need both kinds of people, the goal oriented and the process oriented. Nothing might every get done if all were process oriented, and major steps might be left out if the goal oriented dominated the world.

James perhaps is saying something else too. The plan is God’s. We take great comfort in knowing that we serve an omnipotent, omnipresent God who holds our best interest to heart. Patience involves resting in that knowing.

Prayer: Lord, you know all our natures and understand our frustrations. Forgive us when our expectations get ahead of your plan or when we drag our feet when called to take the next step in its implementation. 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.

Old as Time, New as Tomorrow

he-loves-usAdvent
December 7, 2016

Scripture Reading: Psalm 146:5-10
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea,
and all that is in them;
who keeps faith for ever;
who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.  

The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
   the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
   he upholds the orphan and the widow,
   but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.  

The Lord will reign for ever,
   your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord!

Ever wonder where Jesus turned in search of truth? Consider the Psalms. Read through our scripture today and then flip over and read Matthew 25:31-46. God’s purpose and desire for us were available from the beginning of time, is available to us today, and will ever be our guide. My sister and I sang a duet as children of a popular faith-based song of the day, It Is No Secret What God Can Do. God’s way has never been a secret; there is no password, no magic incantation, or proof of purity for his followers. God created us, knows what talents and skills we possess, knows exactly where our contribution fits in with each and all of God’s other children. God takes us just as we are when we finally recognize God’s presence in our lives and working within and through us makes us far more than we ever dreamed we could be.

The Robe was the first movie I ever remember seeing. It is a rather fanciful story of the centurion who won Jesus’ robe at the foot of his cross while he was dying. The centurion is rather haunted by the Robe and the whole business of the crucifixion as he sets out on a journey to make sense of it. In one scene, he encounters a beautiful young woman who is crippled and cannot walk. She is gloriously singing about Jesus’ healing her when the centurion confronts her asking why she is so happy the Jesus obviously did not cure her bent and useless legs. She response that Jesus cured her of the self-pity and resentfulness she carried for so long. Most of our contributions to the building of the Kingdom of God will not make a brief story on the 20th page of the paper. When we commit to living our lives in sync with Jesus Christ the small things, we do each day will make more difference than we may ever know.

Prayer: Lord, open my whole being to your purpose and weave it throughout my desires. 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.

Making the Diverse One

Advent
December 1, 2016

Scripture Reading: Romans 15:4-13

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that thbilingual_speaker_2_by_getty_imagese Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
‘Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,
and sing praises to your name’ –Romans 15:7-9

Making the diverse one is easier said than done. Paul felt called to take the message of Jesus to non-Jewish people. People unacquainted with the rich, ancient traditions of Judaism. He walked a fine line as he helped Jews, steeped in the faith from the womb, equally welcome the Gentiles who in Jewish perception were unclean. Do we get a sense of the massive communications problems with which Paul dealt? He could not say, “It is like the Exodus or the exiles” with the expectation that his Gentile audience had any idea about what he spoke. Paul apparently knew the works of the ancient Greek philosophers and could weave them into his discussions with Gentiles but most likely not with Jews.

We face the same challenge today with an even wider canvass of differences in a world with instant communications. Millions can read an off-handed tweet sent in a burst of anger in a few minutes. We are quickly becoming a populace not trusting much if anything we read at least on social media. We are also being distracted by what is probably less than relevant in the long run, while important issues land at the bottom of the rubble of postings and responses. I do not see this as either good or bad. It is change. We will adapt to it, hopefully for the good. I once advised state employees never to send anything via email that they would not mind their mother reading on the front page of the local paper. I think that is even better advice today.

During this Advent season let us examine all our communications considering whether they support oneness. If they do not, how can they be changed to help us become one?

Prayer: Lord, may the words of my mouth, and my tweets and my emails and all my posts and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you*. Amen.

*Derived from Psalm 19:14

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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

In Denial

denialAdvent
November 26, 2016

Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:36-44

‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. –Matthew 24:36-39

What is it about human nature that causes us to live in denial? While it may have been true thousands of years ago that people did not know when a flood was coming, Noah did. I cannot image our ancient ancestors were clueless of weather signs. I missed the evening weather several years ago and had no knowledge of a wicked thunderstorm headed my way. While watching TV, the hairs on my dog’s back suddenly stood straight up as he jumped from my lap to the floor barking at me. I did not think twice. I grasped him in my arms and headed for my designated safe place. I had barely made it there when golf ball-sized hail broke all the windows on the north side of my house. Today we have all kinds of sophisticated weather forecasting tools and trained meteorologist to interpret them. Some storms still occur without notice, and there are still those who think they can outrun tornados or ride out a flood at home.

We behave the same way regarding how we live our lives and how we live in relationship with God. How many people other than Noah did God alert to the coming disaster? How many of the people who made fun of him refused to hear or heed the message?

God is dead serious about his call for us to love God and love each other. So serious, Jesus came to share this message and was crucified for it. Today 2000 years later, we serve a risen Savior who brings everlasting hope, faith, and love. What is it about human nature that causes us to live in denial?

Prayer: Lord, as we await your arrival once again in the renewal of our relationship with you and with all your children, make us strong in hope, faith, and love.

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.

Hope through Faith and Love

words-of-comfort-heart-is-brokenLiving in the Spirit
November 18, 2016

Scripture Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word. –2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I do need my heart comforted right now as I am sure, do many of you. I find myself deeply concerned about many issues in our state and our country; filled with uncertainty about the future; bombarded with a sense of hopelessness, highly unusual for me; and as physically drained as I am emotionally spent. Today I read I am to comfort my heart and thus strengthen it with good work and good word. Guess what; it works.

We have some wonderful young leaders blossoming before our eyes in my church, and it was just fun to watch them report their good work of administration at a council meeting where we approved a well thought out budget for next year, made some serious personal decisions, and took steps toward updating our 65-year-old playground. Mundane stuff sure, but all these steps pave the way for doing the work of Kingdom building undergirded by faith, hope, and love. God sends hope in the most unusual ways.

It is time to shake off the chains of despair that inhibit our good work and good word and go about the business of bringing hope to others through our faith and our love.

Prayer: Lord help us see the good work and hear the good word you wish us to share and give us the heart and the strength to go forth toward making your vision reality. 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.

God’s Agenda

ephesians4-3-oneness-of-body2Living in the Spirit
November 17, 2016

Scripture Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 4For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter. –2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Trauma happened within the Oklahoma City Thunder with the exit of a couple of long-term quality players and the entrance of several new, very talented new players, and a coach in his second year. It is probably a good thing the coach was pulled from the college coaching ranks for they are well acquainted with such turnover. Seniors graduate, first-year students make rookie mistakes. The Coach’s mantra is the same win or lose; we must play our game. We cannot let the other team draw us into their game.

Excellent advice also for people of faith. Our life plan did not change with the recent election. Circumstances changed. We will need to make some adjustments to meet differing situations, but we are still called to love God, still called to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, still called to be the Body of Christ in the world today. With our nation as divided as it is right now our presence as disciples of Christ may be more important than ever.

We have not done a very good job among ourselves in the last several years as we have let the world pull us into their game of divide and conquer. We need to work from the center of the things we do agree on and grow them to the edges where division still exist. In so doing we may find the divisions gone or find answers from new insights gained. We need to work God’s plan of oneness with greater commitment. We also need to set the standard for making justice through peace a reality.

Prayer: Lord, we do need you every hour, but right now your constancy is our only solace as you are with us in the moments. Make us whole make us one. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: 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. United States

Starting Over

iraqLiving in the Spirit
November 14, 2016

Scripture Reading: Haggai 1:15b-2:9

Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts, to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. –Haggai 1:3-5

The paper this morning featured an Iraqi Christian woman holding a picture of the Virgin Mary as the woman stood in the rubble of her once loved church. Her faced told the story of her loss and grief. The article reported that a statue of Mary in the church was beheaded. There was no picture of that. Coming home to destruction to start over, the woman surely found hope in the tattered picture she had found.

The church universal has much work to do as we answer our call to bring wholeness to a fragmented world. As painful as the loss of a cherished structure may be, such buildings are never permanent. God is. Reestablishing a place to worship may serve symbolically as a measure of normalcy, and that is important. What is more important is sharing our love with our neighbors near and far in whatever struggle they may find themselves. What is even more important is recognizing that all of God’s children are our neighbors.

Prayer: Lord, we grieve with the people of Iraq who are in the middle of war. We pray for a quick resolution to a long-existent dispute. We ask for your guidance for ways we can help. While our differences pale in comparison to war, we pray for unity based on love and respect. 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.

The Pareto Principle

pareto-principleLiving in the Spirit
November 11, 2016

Scripture Reading: 2Thessalonians 3:6-13

For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. –2 Thessalonians 3:10-13

I do think the writer of 2 Thessalonians is most perturbed about people not doing their fair share of work needed to make a living. The scripture could also target people not doing their part in Kingdom building. Sociologist identified the Pareto principle to described how things get done. Also known as the 80/20 rule, the law of the vital few, or the principle of factor sparsity, it states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes*. Another sociologist, Margaret Mead, put it this way, Never, doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has**. I always think of the 12 disciples when I remember this quote. The problem is we must also remember the Hitlers of the world. We can tear down, or we can build up.

We are facing a drastic change in our governance in the USA as we end another election cycle. It is foundational in our democracy that our government is of the people, by the people, for the people. It is incumbent on us if our side did not win to explore the driving factors for the side that did and then build bridges of understanding across the divide. To attain the Common Good, we must know what is common among us.

Jesus modeled the image of the Kingdom of God for us to follow. In it, we are called to be one. Remember the 12 Disciples implementing Jesus’ vision and changed the world. The call is ours today.

Prayer: Lord, we need your presence in everything we do to make your Kingdom a reality. Walk with us, talk with us, grow us into your way and your life. Amen.

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle
**Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/margaretme100502.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.