Tag Archives: Wholeness

Relating to God

Living in the Spirit

July 6, 2022

Scripture Reading: Psalm 25:1-10

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
   do not let me be put to shame;
   do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
   let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
   teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
   for you are the God of my salvation;
   for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
   for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
   according to your steadfast love remember me,
   for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord;
   therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
   and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
   for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

This scripture describes a very personal, close relationship with God, a relationship available to all of us. It is based on trust that the ways of the Lord are the best for us. Let us use this scripture to guide our meditation today as we work to embrace our relationship with God. Guide us to be the best people we can be.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we get so caught up with the distractions of our world and fail to let our relationship with you be our guide. 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.

More than Enough

Living in the Spirit

July 5, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Deuteronomy 30:9-14

and the Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.

The Hebrew word, yathar, translated above as abundantly prosperous literally means to remain over*–having more than enough. I regret the translator’s choice of the word abundantly prosperous, while technically it is correct, these words in our culture are most often related to financial riches.  I do not think that is what is being described.  Reading further in the scripture, we see that such abundance comes when we obey the Lord our God by observing God’s commandment, turning to the Lord our God with all our hearts and with all our souls.

I saw on the news descriptions of Pride Week where a woman whose son shared with her that he was gay at first reacted very negatively based on her religious upbringing. It was not until she was able to love her son for who he was that she overcame her reaction to him. She went even further and started the group Free Mom Hugs – embracing. loving. empowering. She travels the country as do others giving out Mom hugs to persons in the LGBTQ community. That is an illustration of abundant love. Today, the news introduced a man who is now sharing Dad hugs since he lost his gay son in a car wreck in 2020.

We are commanded to love God and love one another. Are we sharing our abundance of love with others?

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;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life*. Amen

*Prayer of St. 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Inline with God

Living in the Spirit

July 4, 2022

Scripture Reading: Amos 7:7-17

This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, ‘Amos, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘A plumb-line.’ Then the Lord said,
‘See, I am setting a plumb-line
   in the midst of my people Israel;
   I will never again pass them by;
the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate,
   and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste,
   and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.’ –Amos 7:7-9

This is one of the most influential scriptures in the Bible for me. The idea that God sets a marker to help us be as sturdy and steadfast in our faith and relationship with God as we can possibly be is life-changing. My home was damaged in 2011 by an earthquake that separated my cement porch from my crawl space house. I had to have two piers installed to address that issue. What I did not realize was that the window frames and the doors were all thrown out of place. In the beginning, the problem was not noticeable, but time has taken its toll. I am now having to repair the breach that was created. Life can be like that. We get caught in habits and situations that make us not realize when we are out of alignment with God.

Two other scriptures come to mind. In Isaiah 58:12 we are called to be repairers of the breach in our world.
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
   you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
   the restorer of streets to live in.

And Matthew 11:28-30

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

Staying in line with God’s plan and modeling our lives after Jesus takes all the burden off us of chasing after fulfillment in all the wrong places.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the guidance we need to thrive in the world you created for 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.

All are Made in the Image of God

Living in the Spirit

July 1, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16

See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.—Galatians 6:11-16

Why do people seem to think their way of worshipping God is the only way or the right way? If God created each of us as individuals, doesn’t it just make sense that there would be as many ways of celebrating God in our lives, demonstrating God in our lives as there are people? Indeed, we cluster with people like us, but we can and must be open to the unique nature of others who love God and more importantly are loved by God just as much as each of us is.

Why do we feel called to police the lives of others, to even impose our belief systems on them within our civil governance in a land that prides itself on the separation of church and state?  We are called to share the love of God with others. I have been helped by others who suggested ways of being a better me and hope that I have helped others in the same way. In the final analysis, however, we are responsible for establishing and building our relationship with God, examining ourselves to better sync with God. We never know when a person with whom we are interacting will give us the very thing that helps us take a closer walk with God and hopefully we serve that role for others.

Prayer: Lord, help us realize our relationship with you opens the doors to loving others without judging them. 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.

Living in the Compassionate Community

Living in the Spirit

June 30, 2022

Scripture Reading: Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.

Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. –Galatians 6:1-10

Paul starts this scripture with the admonition that if we detect a transgression in others who have received the Spirit, we should gently address it with them. The remainder of the scripture basically tells us that we are responsible for our actions and that we are responsible for examining ourselves and staying in sync with God. We do indeed reap what we sow. Since Paul addresses these teachings to people who have received the Spirit, I think the unspoken precursor to this is that we are called to introduce others to the love of God. We are not called to condemn anyone.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I stray from following your way. Help me turn around and regain being in sync with you in all that I do or say. 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.

Rediscovering God

Living in the Spirit

June 29, 2022

Scripture Reading: Psalm 66:1-9

Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
   sing the glory of his name;
   give to him glorious praise.
Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds!
   Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth worships you;
   they sing praises to you,
   sing praises to your name.’

Come and see what God has done:
   he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.
He turned the sea into dry land;
   they passed through the river on foot.
There we rejoiced in him,
   who rules by his might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations—
   let the rebellious not exalt themselves.

Bless our God, O peoples,
   let the sound of his praise be heard,
who has kept us among the living,
   and has not let our feet slip.

God is with us yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I am enraged by political ads that seem to indicate that God has withdrawn and unless they win God won’t be back. We are the ones who have turned our faces to other gods. We are the ones who worship money and power. We are the ones who judge God’s created beings by our created sense of worth rather than God’s.

This is a great time for all of us to take stock of ourselves and determine if we are being led astray by the idols of our day. It is time to let them go and turn around and see that God still reigns and can make all things right if we are willing to become a part of God’s Beloved Community.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for getting caught up in the temptations of our world. Show us the better way and guide us in becoming a part of 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Intentional Love

Living in the Spirit

June 25, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:51-62

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village. –Luke 9:51-56

While Jesus seemed to be very spontaneous, he was always intentional, or perhaps his autobiographers only recorded his intentional acts. Jews and Samaritans did not like each other. In fact, most Jews when they traveled north took the route around Samaria to avoid Samaritans. The fact that he traveled through Samara at all was unusual. It probably was not unusual that they did not welcome him. I think Luke is telling us that Jesus knew he had a purpose to complete that was not going to be pleasant but was necessary for you and me and all God’s children everywhere even if it required facing, not just rejection, but ultimately death on a cross.

Our world is in crisis from a pandemic with a mind of its own to a war of pure greed. I just heard on the news that Putin’s not allowing Ukraine’s grain to be shipped out of port will probably cause a deadly famine in Africa and food shortages across the world. Our nation is being attacked by divide and conquer tactics resulting in stagnation in our government.

We, too, must become intentional in our work to create a compassionate community, where we work at loving our neighbor and loving ourselves intentionally until we get it right in the eyes of God.

Prayer: Lord, open our lives to be intentional as we work for a compassionate world. 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.

Fruit of the Spirit

Living in the Spirit

June 24, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Galatians 5:1, 13-25

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. –Galatians 5:16-25

What struck me as I read through the above scripture was that at times, I spend more time in the works of the flesh mode than in the fruit of the Spirit. Probably, like most of you who read this, I do not dwell on the first six which are the most common sins of the flesh nor on envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like that. I am stuck in the middle trying to interact with people with whom I totally disagree and who totally disagree with me. Dissensions and factions exist in my life. I invest a lot in wrestling with God to straighten out my attitude so I can approach people without anger or quarrels. Such negative responses rarely help.

The King James Version of the Bible translates the word Greek word makrothumia as longsuffering.  NRSV quoted above uses the word patience. While the word patience is much nicer to hear, I think longsuffering describes my attitude better. However, the scripture describes the gift of the Spirit, as all those attributes rolled into one big gift. So, if I have love, I must also have the capacity for patience—longsuffering. We must welcome all the gifts as they become necessary in our lives. A train is not a train with just one car. It must be linked together to fulfill its purpose. Any empty cars between the engine and the caboose, are present and prepared for use when needed as are all the components of the gift of the Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, help me improve my skills using all of your gifts. 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.

What are our Idols?

Living in the Spirit

June 22, 2022

Scripture Reading: Psalm 16

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
   I have no good apart from you.’

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
   in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
   their drink-offerings of blood I will not pour out
   or take their names upon my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
   you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
   I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
   in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
   because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices
   my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
   or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.
   In your presence there is fullness of joy;
   in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

I fear our world thinks we are too sophisticated for idol worship. Our idols are not statues. We worship things like greed and power. We measure our worth by comparing ourselves to others and labeling them as lower than us because of the color of their skin or who they love discounting the fact that all were created by God which supersedes any measure of worth we might follow. There is no way to be better than anyone else no matter how hard we try. Let us turn away from the bigotry we practice and intentionally work to truly love ourselves so we can love our neighbors.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving us as our creator and helping us love all others as you love 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.

Passing the Mantle

Living in the Spirit

June 20, 2022

Scripture Reading:

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

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.

Then Elijah said to him, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.’ Elisha said, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.’ He responded, ‘You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.’ As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, ‘Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!’ But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, ‘Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?’ When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.

My mother fell and broke her arm when she was 95. At the emergency room, we were told she had had a small stroke that impacted her sense of balance. She would need 24/7 alert care. My siblings and I had never imagined that she would need nursing care, but there it was. We should have known she would make the best of it. She enjoyed her fellow patients and particularly liked the weekly visits of elementary students who came and did craft projects with her and the others who wished to participate. This move forced us to decide about her home and we eventually realized we would need to sell it. She had prepared the house for just such an event. Everything in her file cabinets was labeled. The bookcases were well organized. It was not hard to discern what she had planned to be donated to the local mission. I thought of that when I read the above scripture. Elijah had groomed Elisha well to take his mantle and continue the work of a prophet in service to the Lord.

That is a part of all our jobs. I watched our youngest children on Father’s Day come to the front of the church for the children’s moment and afterward scattered about the church making sure that every man present got a small gift in recognition of their day. We are all called to pass the legacy of love.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for those who went before us to pave the way for our continuing God’s ministry. 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.