Tag Archives: Peace

Becoming One

God's childrenAdvent
December 14, 2015

Scripture Reading: Micah 5:2-5a

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
   who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
   one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
   from ancient days.

Therefore he shall give them up until the time
   when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
   to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
   in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
   to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.

 If I counted right, I have 42 first cousins on my father’s side of the family some of them around my father’s age. I have two first cousins on my mother’s side. Therein, lies the difference in a larger clan and a smaller clan. Funny, because I was raised nearer to my father’s family, I know that massive flock of 42 better than the two from another state. They lived about three times the same distance from where my family lived as Nazareth is from Bethlehem. We, of course drove, rather than walked or road on a donkey, to visit. We made the trip a couple of times each year, often at Christmas. My Dad’s clan rented one of the buildings at the fair ground for its family reunion. My Mom’s family fit nicely in my grandmother’s house. Bethlehem was the ancestral home of King David and it is surprising that it was a small clan. How many wives did Solomon have?

Micah is taking us back to the roots of Israel scattered throughout the known world described as lost tribes. Micah foresees the children of God reunited as one again and led by one coming from a very small clan, one without a natural force of relatives from which to form a mighty army. Micah understands the breadth of God’s peace and nurture as the strength of God’s people. We should also.

Prayer: Lord, help us invest our lives in being a part of your peace and your nurture as we welcome all of your children to your reunion. 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 Peace of God

peace through loveLiving in the Spirit
November 22, 2015

Scripture Reading: John 18:33-37

Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’—John 18:37

Biblical historian, John Dominic Crossan in his work The Challenge of Jesus* describes the siege of Israel the Romans accomplished when a Jewish uprising occurred at the death of Herod shortly before Jesus was born. The Romans quickly used overkill, literally to remind the Israelites who was in control. The town of Sepphoris, located a short distance from Nazareth, was destroyed and many of its inhabitants killed. Jesus grew up in the shadow of this devastation, which no doubt left a lasting impression on him and his parents.

We experienced the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing and its impact, still are probably. Add 9/11 to that and we have the makings of dis-ease among the people. Crossan strongly suggests that the young Jesus took all this in and understood the Roman idea of peace via violence, known as the Pax or Peace of Roman, was a false façade. The only way to peace was through love. He lived it up to and through the cross and displayed its truth through his resurrection.

We are seeing, maybe even experiencing, some of the dis-ease that results for senseless violence in our world today. It seems its purveyors, like the Romans, take some satisfaction from it. They most likely have suffered some loss, humiliation, shame themselves and are targeting others in an impossible attempt to rectify through violence whatever they have experienced. It will eventually work no better for them than it did for the Romans. It will not work for us either.

Prayer: Lord, in these difficult times teach us how to love our way toward peace. Guide our leaders as they must make the difficult choices regarding how to protect the populace while bringing the terror to an end. Amen.

*http://faithandreason.org/index.php/store/product/the-challenge-of-jesus

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.

Sing!

Just singLiving in the Spirit
September 26, 2015

Scripture Reading: James 5:13-20

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. –James 5:13-16

I think this entire scripture is good advice but when I read it today, I wanted to add a sentence encouraging those who suffer and are sick to also sing. Of course, that makes sense because I love music.

Saul was soothed by David’s playing of the harp,

And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him. (I Samuel 16:23)

Congreve said it well, Music has charms to sooth a savage breast.   

 We make choices every day that impact the quality of our lives. We can wallow in self-pity or we can look for the good in a bad situation. Can’t you just picture Paul and Silas singing in prison? What gave them the peace to sing in such a place as that? The answer is threefold: The presence of the Holy Spirit, the surety of Gods abundant love in all situations, and the knowledge of the Suffering Servant, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We each have these same resources available to us.

O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. (Psalm 96:1)

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for your gift of music. Let ours songs of praise to you be a wonderful gift in return. 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.

Walking in God’s Way

twoways-600x369Living in the Spirit
August 11, 2015

Scripture Reading: I Kings 3:3-14 

O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?’  

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.’ –1 Kings 3:7a-14

Solomon’s prayer is one we all could pray as we wrestle with discerning between good and evil for the difference is often a fine grey line. The United States is in the midst of such discernment regarding the Iranian nuclear agreement. Can a negotiated peace ever work between peoples that share no trust? My first thought was that we have short memories, because I can remember when we were in accord with the Shah of Iran, never mind we may have been the reason for his being in power. If we look back to our faith history we might also remember that Cyrus, the King of Persia, was led by God to return the people of Judah to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s house. (2 Chronicles 36.17-23) Do we not believe that God can still work with leaders of other countries and even other faiths toward God’s purpose of peace?

We, like Solomon, are called to walk in God’s way. The way of shalom weaves throughout the history of the peoples of God. Yes, we will change Presidents in 2016 and, yes, the Iranians will change leadership at some point down the line. The history of God’s people clearly illustrates the ebb and flow of our trusting God. Routinely though we have the stories in that history where the people did choose to walk in God’s way and God blessed them for it.

Prayer: Lord, help us to walk in your way today and trust that you will take care of our tomorrows. 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.

Spreading Shalom

swords into plowsLiving in the Spirit
August 4, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33

And ten young men, Joab’s armor-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him, and killed him.

 Then the Cushite came; and the Cushite said, ‘Good tidings for my lord the king! For the Lord has vindicated you this day, delivering you from the power of all who rose up against you.’ The king said to the Cushite, ‘Is it well with the young man Absalom?’ The Cushite answered, ‘May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up to do you harm, be like that young man.’

 The king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, he said, ‘O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would that I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!’ –2 Samuel 15, 31-33

What about human nature allows us to get to these points in life when we cannot seem to come back from the tragic consequences of our own making? Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, political parties against political parties, nations against nations strive for success at the price of their very souls.

There is a great debate in our world today, a continuation of one that has been fought for eons, whether it is better to negotiate peace or obtain it by force. It seems to me an oxymoron to go to war to obtain peace. It also seems, by responding violence for violence, we are allowing our enemies to define us, sap our resources, and perpetuate the cycle of society’s destruction.

Our individual relationship with God is the starting point for world peace. The oneness we share with others who are also honing their relationship with God is the starting point for sharpening our abilities to create a foundation of shalom designed to undergird all relationships throughout the world opening the door for negotiation. It all starts with trusting God more than we trust violence.

Prayer: Lord make us instruments of your peace. 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.

Truth in Justice

Death_Penalty_hi_res_Living in the Spirit
June 15, 2015

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 17:32-49

Saul clothed David with his armor; he put a bronze helmet on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail. David strapped Saul’s sword over the armor, and he tried in vain to walk, for he was not used to them. Then David said to Saul, ‘I cannot walk with these; for I am not used to them.’ So David removed them. Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd’s bag, in the pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine. –1 Samuel 17:38-40

I believe in taking prudent precautions. I take shelter when a tornado siren is sounded. Lock my doors on my house and car. But I also know that all the precautions in the world will not save me from all that can harm me. In the story of David and Goliath, David knows where his strength lies and it is not in the heavy armor of a warrior. He was a shepherd who had honed his skills at protecting his sheep with the tools available to him.

David also knew as a teenager what Paul instructed us over a thousand years later:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:10-11, 14-15)

Paul speaks of truth, righteousness, and peace as the armor that will protect us from harm. On April 3, 2015, Anthony Ray Hinton was released from death row after serving 30 years for a crime he did not commit. The truth had finally set him free. He was quoted as saying, “All they had to do was to test the gun, but when you think you’re high and mighty and you’re above the law, you don’t have to answer to nobody,” Hinton told reporters. “But I’ve got news for you — everybody that played a part in sending me to death row, you will answer to God.”* I wonder how many men like Anthony Ray Hinton we have executed.

As followers of Christ, we are called to speak the truth, live righteously, and be at peace. Just as importantly we are compelled by the love of God to demand the truth for others, hold our public officials accountable for righteous action, and in all things seek peace.

Prayer: We pray for the future of Anthony Ray Hinton as he returns to a society that failed him. We also pray for your guidance and strength to do everything we possibly can to assure truth in justice throughout our land. Amen.

*http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/03/us/alabama-death-row-inmate/

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.

Passing the Mantle

The MountaintopEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
February 9, 2015

 Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-12

Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I know; keep silent.’  — 2 Kings 2:1-3

 I attended a performance of a play today that reminded me of the story of Elijah, whose shoes, or perhaps sandals, were indeed very hard to fill. In reality they never could be filled. The Mountaintop by Katori Hall is imagining at its best as Ms. Hall creates a scene with Martin Luther King Jr. in the hotel room in Memphis the night before he is killed. He calls for room service and has his coffee delivered by a street-smart maid who gave back equal to whatever Dr. King could deliver. He has a great sense that he is going to die and he must deal with what he fears will happen to his quest, when he is gone. Can’t you just image a similar scene with Elijah as the bigger than life man of tremendous, extraordinary accomplishment fearing that all he has given his life for will die with him? I can image Jesus, too, looking down form the cross with only one disciple present thinking, “Did I do enough, are they ready to take the reins?”

We are each called to a mission that is unique to our skills and strengths, but we are all called to make disciples for Christ. As great as Elijah was, as successful as Martin Luther King Jr. was, and with all the saving power of Jesus, their true legacies rest in the work that they inspired in those who took up their mantles, including Katori Hall. I recommend, if you get the chance, that you see this play. Beyond that let us all be guided by the Spirit of God to take up the mantle of Jesus Christ, as Martin Luther King Jr. did, toward a world ruled by peace and justice.

Prayer: Make each of us peacemakers, seekers of justice, and disciple-makers, too. 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

PeaceAdvent
December 7, 2014

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:1-8

[John the Baptist] proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ — Mark 1:7-8

It always seems ironic to me when the Sunday identified as Peace Sunday in some traditions occurs on the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Jesus has been identified as the Prince of Peace and yet war has been a constant in our lives that has ebbed and flowed ever since he was born.

What is this power that John the Baptist identified as a primary trait of Jesus and what does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? What is the power of peace?

My regular Tuesday yoga teacher was out of town recently and a substitute who was new to me subbed. We normally start the class when some general stretching and close with a time of quite meditation. The sub said she would like to start with a meditative period, if we didn’t mind. She instructed us how to sit for this part and exactly at the moment our quiet time began, the song, What Wondrous Love is This (Author Unknown) was played. It was a very simple arrangement sung by a beautiful voice. It was a surprise and it was peace.

The ultimate love of God is the power to which John the Baptist is referring and to be baptized by the Holy Spirit means to enter into a partnership with God through Jesus Christ to be a conduit for God’s love even through our fragile and sometimes broken bodies made of clay. It is a trust beyond our ability to trust and a strength beyond our own power. While it is shared with us as individuals, it is provided in such a manner that it creates the synergy of Christ when two or more of us gather together in Christ name. When that all comes together for all of God’s children we will know the peace of God.

Prayer: Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

  O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.* Amen.

*By Saint Francis of Assissi, See at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_of_Saint_Francis
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.