Tag Archives: Wholeness

Loving God

Living in the Spirit

August 29, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Jeremiah 2:4-13

Therefore once more I accuse you,
says the Lord,
   and I accuse your children’s children.
Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look,
   send to Kedar and examine with care;
   see if there has ever been such a thing.
Has a nation changed its gods,
   even though they are no gods?
But my people have changed their glory
   for something that does not profit.
Be appalled, O heavens, at this,
   be shocked, be utterly desolate,

says the Lord,
for my people have committed two evils:
   they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living water,
   and dug out cisterns for themselves,
cracked cisterns
   that can hold no water. –Jeremiah 2:9-13

The Creator God does not force God’s ways on us. We must choose to follow God. That decision is made most often because we seek the relationship of pure love that God gives freely. God always has our best interest at heart and following God opens more doors to more choices we can make as we strive to be the person God created us to be. God does expect us to love God and love one another. Most of the problems we encounter when we chose other gods, is that we turn our backs on God’s love resulting in failure to love others. Most of the problems in our world today are the result of actions that hurt other people, like greed and lust for power, the idols of our times. The Ukrainian War is an excellent example of greed and power running amok destroying innocent people like cracked cisterns that can hold no water. Life cannot survive without water or without love. As Christ-followers we are called to love until love rules the world.

Prayer: God, so fill us with your love that we learn to love one another. 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.

Looks May be Deceiving

Living in the Spirit

August 27, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 14:1, 7-14

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.

When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ –Luke 14:1, 7-11

I recently attended a meeting of a not-for-profit group planning a fundraising banquet. People contacted to support the organization had inquired about the appropriate dress for the occasion. For some reason, that seemed incongruent to me. I flashed back to a memory of my aunt, a librarian, and her husband, a farmer. Recall the American Gothic painting, and you will get an idea of this couple’s appearance. My aunt wore homemade house dresses, probably saving her newest one for church. Her husband did not wear overalls, but I do not remember ever seeing him in anything other than khakis and a plaid or other patterned shirt. He might have had a white shirt for Sundays. They determined it was time to buy a new car, and my uncle had seen and liked the latest Cadillac. At the Cadillac dealership, they were greeted politely, and the salesperson answered their questions, but there was no great sales pitch. Eventually, my uncle said he would take one, and the salesman invited the couple to his office to do the paperwork. When he asked where they were getting a loan, they replied they plan to pay cash for it. He quietly stared at them for a moment and told them the final price. My aunt got out the checkbook and wrote the check for the full amount. The salesman took the check to the next office. My aunt heard him call the bank to ask if the account held that much money. The banker assured them it did. He came back to his office a different person, all smiles and with a “what can we get for you now” attitude. My aunt loved telling that story.

But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’—1 Samuel 16:7

Something to keep in mind this election season.

Prayer: Lord, help us make good judgments as we exercise our civic responsibilities. 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.

Realignment

Living in the Spirit

August 26, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to, do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. –Hebrews 13:7-8, 15-16

I just caught the difference in the above scripture between considering the outcomes of our leaders’ ways of life and imitating their faith. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of the lord (See ROMANS 3:23), including our faith leaders. We hear clergy being castigated about everything from egregious sexual abuse clergy to failure to return a telephone call. Indeed, the clergy is always being viewed closely for their behavior. They are caught in a special web of being observed and judged. All Christ-followers need to live their lives as closely as we can in step with Christ’s ways. Even Jesus did not meet the test of the religious leaders at times. He healed on the sabbath, picked grain on the sabbath, and ate with sinners, among other actions. We are all called to examine ourselves regularly and consider the outcomes of our way of life so we can realign our ways with Jesus’s ways. Jesus’s beneficial characteristic is that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We just need to recalibrate to that source of unchanging eternal love.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we fall short of our commitment to your service. Please lead us to follow the better way. 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.

Actions Speak Loudly

Living in the Spirit

August 25, 2022

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can say with confidence,
‘The Lord is my helper;
   I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?’  –Hebrews 13:1-8

We could classify this as good advice to live by. We could also recognize the unknown author of Hebrews as a student of both Hebrew and New Testament scriptures. It contains a little Ten Commandments, some Sermon on the Mount, and parts of Matthew 25. It is good that we read through such scriptures routinely to reinforce their importance. It is just as important that we live what we believe. I like the quote, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” Usually attributed to St. Francis, which is now open to debate. These words speak a valuable lesson. How we treat others is often how we will be judged. When we act and speak in Christ’s name, we set the stage for how others understand him. In times like these, I shudder when I hear some of the things done in Christ’s name. Thus, besides being acquainted with the scriptures, we must maintain a close connection with God, who is indeed our helper.

There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God,
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God*.

Prayer:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us, who wait before thee,
near to the heart of God*. Amen.

First verse and refrain of the hymn Near to the Heart of God by Cleland Boyd McAfee, see at https://hymnary.org/text/there_is_a_place_of_quiet_rest

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.

Modeling our Lives After Christ’s

Living in the Spirit

August 24, 2022

Scripture Reading: Psalm 112

Praise the Lord!
   Happy are those who fear the Lord,
   who greatly delight in his commandments.
Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
   the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
   and their righteousness endures forever.
They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
   they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
   who conduct their affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved;
   they will be remembered forever.
They are not afraid of evil tidings;
   their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
   in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;
   their righteousness endures forever;
   their horn is exalted in honor.
The wicked see it and are angry;
   they gnash their teeth and melt away;
   the desire of the wicked comes to nothing.

I wonder how the actions of adults in our world today are going to impact our children. I see grown men and women in responsible positions acting like toddlers experiencing the terrible twos of having temper tantrums, not listening to anyone, and demanding their way as the only way.  I recently watched a US Senator harass and harangue a woman being considered for a judicial appointment asking her the same questions repeatedly which she answered the same way each time. What do the children think if they see that kind of behavior on TV? Do they emulate them? I generally think that people who act like that have no genuine ground on which to stand so they put on a show to distract from their lack of skill or ulterior motives. Yet others line up to support them.

How we behave matters. If we identify as a follower of Christ and do not treat others with respect, we reflect poorly not only on ourselves but also on the One we serve.

Prayer: Lord, guard our tongues and guide our actions as we interact with others so that our actions and behavior might glorify you. Amen.

Brittle Pride

Living in the Spirit

August 23, 2022

Scripture Reading: Sirach 10:12-18

The beginning of human pride is to forsake the Lord;
   the heart has withdrawn from its Maker.
For the beginning of pride is sin,
   and the one who clings to it pours out abominations.
Therefore the Lord brings upon them unheard-of calamities,
   and destroys them completely.
The Lord overthrows the thrones of rulers,
   and enthrones the lowly in their place.
The Lord plucks up the roots of the nations,
   and plants the humble in their place.
The Lord lays waste the lands of the nations,
   and destroys them to the foundations of the earth.
He removes some of them and destroys them,
   and erases the memory of them from the earth.
Pride was not created for human beings,
   or violent anger for those born of women.

Pride is defined as haughtiness*

Pride is inordinate self-esteem**

Pride is the first of the seven deadly sins. We today use the word more loosely. How many times have you heard someone say, I take pride in introducing our next speaker? I do not think they are being haughty. They are implying that they gain self-esteem by the mere opportunity to introduce someone whom they hold in high esteem.  In reading this scripture we must not substitute wholesome self-esteem for the pride used in the above scripture.

King Solomon is credited with saying Pride comes before the fall.  (See Book of Proverbs, 16:18) I think he is talking about pride that one has when one thinks both that they can never make a mistake or admit it or that they are better than everyone else because of their accomplishments. Brittle pride will get us into trouble every time.

One of my current pet peeves is getting an email taking a poll on whether I approve of a certain candidate. I have no right to approve or disapprove of any person God created and God created all people. What they could ask is whether I approve of the candidate’s position on certain issues. I think the subtle difference in the two questions is one of the major problems in our political systems today. We vote for people for the wrong reasons.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when our self-esteem rises to a state of brittle pride. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1346.htm

**https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/Pride

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.

Cracked Cisterns

Living in the Spirit

August 22, 2022

Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 2:4-13

Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says the Lord:
What wrong did your ancestors find in me
   that they went far from me,
and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves?
They did not say, ‘Where is the Lord
   who brought us up from the land of Egypt,
who led us in the wilderness,
   in a land of deserts and pits,
in a land of drought and deep darkness,
   in a land that no one passes through,
   where no one lives?’
I brought you into a plentiful land
   to eat its fruits and its good things.
But when you entered you defiled my land,
   and made my heritage an abomination. The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’
   Those who handle the law did not know me;
the rulers transgressed against me;
   the prophets prophesied by Baal,
   and went after things that do not profit.

Therefore once more I accuse you,
says the Lord,
   and I accuse your children’s children.
Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look,
   send to Kedar and examine with care;
   see if there has ever been such a thing.
Has a nation changed its gods,
   even though they are no gods?
But my people have changed their glory
   for something that does not profit.
Be appalled, O heavens, at this,
   be shocked, be utterly desolate,
says the Lord,
for my people have committed two evils:
   they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living water,
 and dug out cisterns for themselves,

cracked cisterns
   that can hold no water.

While this scripture was written sometime between 626 and 586 B.C, it could have been written yesterday as it describes well the turning away of God’s people today.

But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit.  . . . and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water.

I invite you to join me in reading it, and considering how the world’s ways distract us from what is really important. Some people are profiting from our getting caught in the chaos they create, not just to our detriment but to the realization of the Beloved Community we are called to be.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we get caught in the world’s distractions. Surround us with your love so we might be examples of your love for others. 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.

Initiating Love

Living in the Spirit

August 21, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Luke 13:10-17

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

When we get caught up in following rules as our primary purpose in life, we have lost the reason for the rule. Rules are established to smooth the way to an outcome. They should never be the outcome itself.  We are called to love one another and be of service to each other. I love the example Jesus sets for us of initiating contact with the woman bent over and unable to stand up straight without her having to ask for help. Making such an approach required tact and a genuine interest in the person needing help. It also means we do not push our values on another. When I supervised direct social work years ago, I received a call from an irate woman who had been among the members of a Sunday school class that had provided Christmas gifts for a needy family. The woman had driven by that family’s house and had seen the little girl who received a dress as her gift. She was playing in the dirt wearing the dress “just ruining it.”  The woman said she would never donate like that again. I told her we appreciated her gift and were sorry she felt that way. I did wonder if any of her children had ever had a dress they loved so much they never wanted to take it off.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for setting the example of giving of ourselves without expecting anything in return and perhaps like the bent-over woman changing a person’s life for the good by one simple act of 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.

Following the Rules

Living in the Spirit

August 20, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 13:10-17

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Rules were not necessarily made to be broken but learning how to make exceptions to rules is a key to faith maturity. Rules are guidelines to simplify life. I get frustrated by the number of drivers who do not use their turn signals. The use of a turn signal is a driving rule. I also get frustrated when people forget to turn them off after making a turn. And yes, I am guilty of having done both at one time or another. I must admit that driving is much safer and simpler when everyone plays by the rules. Of course, my best effort at correcting the situation is to be a good role model. I did not get the assignment to police anyone else’s behavior. We have a well-trained police force to do that.

The rules about working on the Sabbath exist for both the purpose of resting the human body from the hard work, mental or physical, people do the other six days of the week and for setting aside time to reconnect and focus on our relationship with God. The Bible accounts many times when Jesus withdrew from the crowds, even the Disciples, to connect more deeply with God.

The above scripture seems to describe a game of who is the holiest. I cannot imagine any greater feeling of connectedness to God than the ability to touch someone and heal their deformed body. Now that is a Sabbath for the ages.

Prayer: Lord, guide our dedications to following your rules designed to make our lives more manageable while continuing to serve you more nearly. 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.

Godlike

Living in the Spirit

August 17, 2022

Scripture Reading:
 Psalm 103:1-8
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
   and all that is within me,
   bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
   and do not forget all his benefits—
who forgives all your iniquity,
   who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
   who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works vindication
   and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
   his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
   slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

We serve a mighty God, a loving God. Like a parent, God watches us mature and struggle with good and bad choices. We need to learn from our mistakes and our successes. We need to recognize God in the work we do. I shared a story in my Sunday school class recently. How I withdrew from a club when I thought it had mistreated my sister. My sister continued in the club until she graduated from high school.  I then added something that even surprised me. I said I guess I am more like my mother than I thought. I often describe my mother as the great egalitarian. I pale in comparison. Loving everyone was buried deep in the marrow of her bones. My sister is actually more like my mother than me. They both loved to work in the garden and sew. As we are all somewhat like our human parents, we all have been gifted by God with Godly traits that God expects us to develop and use to God’s glory. This Psalm invites us to recognize that and also that God is always with us in all situations.

Prayer: Lord, help us to grow and develop the art of loving others you imprinted in each of us. 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.