Living in the Spirit

August 17, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 67
May God be gracious to us and bless us
   and make his face to shine upon us,

that your way may be known upon earth,
   your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
   let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
   for you judge the peoples with equity
   and guide the nations upon earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
   let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has yielded its increase;
   God, our God, has blessed us.
May God continue to bless us;
   let all the ends of the earth revere him.

What does it mean to bless someone? The Hebrew word barak* is translated as “bless,” in the above scripture. It also can be translated as “kneel.” Colin Kaepernick popped into my mind when I read that translation. His football career was ruined because he kneeled while the National Anthem was playing at the beginning of a football game. He was making a statement against discrimination. If I recall correctly, he had decided not to stand during the Anthem, and some well-meaning person told him that might be taken as an insult to the flag and suggested that kneeling might be more appropriate. The suggestion made sense. The American Flag symbolizes a democracy whose prime vision is that all people are created equal, which is a blessing to those of us who experience it. However, it is not a reality for many, and I believe that is the message he was trying to make. So what does the English word “bless” mean:

1.  to consecrate or hallow by religious rite or word: make or pronounce holy
2.  to invoke divine care for
3.  praise, glorify: to extol for excellences
4.  to make happy: give good fortune or satisfaction to : confer prosperity upon
5.  guard, protect, keep, preserve*

Prayer: Bless us, O, Lord, to love you more nearly as we strive to attain the equity we practice by which you judge us. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1288.htm

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

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 Spirit

August 16, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Thus says the Lord:
   Maintain justice, and do what is right,
for soon my salvation will come,
   and my deliverance be revealed.

And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
   to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
   and to be his servants,
all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it,
   and hold fast my covenant—
these I will bring to my holy mountain,
   and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices
   will be accepted on my altar;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer
   for all peoples.
Thus says the Lord God,
   who gathers the outcasts of Israel,
I will gather others to them
   besides those already gathered.

I just returned from an Interim study meeting at the State Capitol regarding the status of immigration in Oklahoma. It was one of the most wonderful representations of working together to solve complex issues I have seen recently. CAIR Oklahoma, the Islamic group whose mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims, requested it.  Oklahoma welcomed 1,800 Afghan asylees after the USA withdrew its forces from Afghanistan. I was at the meeting because my church sponsors one of those families.  Representatives from other churches were there. Catholic Charities were present as the immigration coordination agency in Oklahoma, and a contingency of people from the Jewish community were present as they also were helping resettle the immigrants.  There were also not-for-profits in attendance and just individuals who had been involved.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all meetings in our State and federal capitols could meet together to find common ground for the Common Good without turning everything into a political showdown?

Prayer: Lord, guide us in building the Beloved Community you envision 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.

Living in the Spirit

August 15, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 133
How very good and pleasant it is
   when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
   running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
   running down over the collar of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
   which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
   life for evermore.

This is such a beautiful poem, just reading it lifts our spirits. Working to make it a reality is even more rewarding.  I am so tired of the divide-and-conquer worldview in which we live. Finding common ground for the common good is not impossible. Divorcing ourselves from greed and lust for power is a good place to start.

Prayer:
Bind Us Together, Lord
Bind Us Together
With Cords That Cannot Be Broken
Bind Us Together, Lord
Bind Us Together
Bind Us Together In Love *Amen.

Chorus of Hym Bind Us Together Lord see at https://getchristianlyrics.com/2020/09/22/bind-us-together-lord/

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 Spirit

Living in the Spirit

August 14, 2023

Scripture Reading: Genesis 45:1-15
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Send everyone away from me.’ So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?’ But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come closer to me.’ And they came closer. He said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, “Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.” And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.’ Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

I walked into the library going to a meeting when I saw my neighbor from across the street seated in an area near the door. She was waiting on her son, who was shopping for books to check out. I spoke to her, and she looked at me like, Who are you?  She then put on her glasses and, embarrassed, jump up and said I did not know who you were. We both laugh. We see each other almost every day. I am usually backing my car out and waving at her, as she is watching her child play in the front yard, getting some sun while she read. We were out of place, out of context at the library. Joseph was certainly out of context when his brothers arrived in Egypt seeking help from the famine. It is estimated that Joseph was 17 when his brothers sold him, and he was thought to be in his 30s when the brothers encountered him in Egypt. Benjamin, the youngest brother, is estimated to have been five or six years younger than Joseph. I cannot imagine what went through all of their minds when they finally recognized each other. Joseph had been through a lot during those 15 or so years, while his brothers had probably lived out the routines of herding sheep. Joseph had been a slave, served time in prison, and eventually won his way into a position of importance he held by his wit. He recognized the brothers. They may have aged, but they remained shepherds who were probably announced to him before they entered his presence. He most likely looked and acted like an Egyptian. How do we make amends with the people from our past who have hurt us or whom we have hurt? Would we accept God’s grace that he had turned what was a horrible situation into something good for such a time as famine?

Prayer: Lord, grant us the gift of forgiveness and the grace to learn from our negative histories and turn them into something good. 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 Spirit

August 12, 2023

Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ –Matthew 14:22-27

I must say, I cannot envision the Jesus in my head making anybody do anything. Thus, the phrase Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side leaves me a little stumped. Perhaps his introverted side was saying I must have some time alone. However, He did command the woman caught in adultery to go and sin no more after saving her life. (John 8:1-11) So there is at least one other instance of Jesus ordering someone to do something. As I think about it, I have indeed moved forward doing something because I thought God wanted me to do it when I did not want to do it.

I also think Jesus had a purpose for everything he did. He was, after all, role modeling for all of us.  I was surprised by my reaction to all the hubbub about the Supreme Court judges being criticized for doing things that, for any other federal judge, would be against ethical rules. Supreme Court judges have no ethical rules and do not think they need them, which is ironic for judges to think they are above needing laws. That is probably the first sign that they do need them. What bothered me is that they did not think they needed to set an example for all people regarding ethical behavior.

Prayer: Lord, help us remember every child who watches how we treat others. Help us model your 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.

Living in the Spirit

August 11, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Romans 10:5-15
Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that ‘the person who does these things will live by them.’ But the righteousness that comes from faith says, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ down) ‘or “Who will descend into the abyss?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say?
‘The word is near you,
   on your lips and in your heart’
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’

My Bible titled this scripture, Salvation Is for All. What does it mean to be saved? When I was a child, being saved meant not going to hell.  My mother told us she was so afraid of the devil as a child that she ran as fast as she could to the outhouse at night so the devil could not grab her and pull her to hell.

The Greek word translated as saved in this scripture is 4982 sṓzō (from sōs, “safe, rescued”) – properly, deliver out of danger and into safety; used principally of God rescuing believers from the penalty and power of sin – and into His provisions (safety)*.

To me, the word saved speaks to the here and now. I love the phrase that God draws us within God’s provision. Sin is a moral evil, the intentional separation from the will of God. When one believes in God, one accepts that God’s purpose and plan for humanity is the right and just way to live. We have been gifted with the Ten Commandments, the words of the prophets, for example, Micah 6:8: He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Jesus taught us how to live through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. Jesus tells us how he judges us and our nation in Matthew 25:31-46. We know what is right and what is just. We sometimes choose not to practice what is right and what is just. In those times when we separate ourselves from God, we must time and again confess our sins and return to the safety of God’s plan for all life.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we get caught up in the ways of the world that pull us away from your loving Spirit. Save us. Amen.

* https://biblehub.com/greek/4982.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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Living in the Spirit

August 10, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 85:8-13
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
   for he will speak peace to his people,
   to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
   that his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
   righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
   and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good,
   and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him,
   and will make a path for his steps.

I am weary of all the divisiveness in our land. I realize it comes in waves, some making it much more disastrous than others. We seem to be at high tide now. Several years ago, I visited the ocean side along the coast of Maine.  If it had been a bit softer, I could have perched on the rock I sat for hours. I was in awe of the mighty ocean spilling in and around huge ancient stones with a light breeze caressing my face. The rock was craggy, and the water looked clean as it splashed higher and higher, heading my way. For some reason, it was peaceful, much like the poetry in the Psalm above. What is it that we fear?

To fear God is to have a reverential awe of God. Fear, in general, is to consider, expect, or anticipate with feelings of alarm, foreboding, or solicitude or to hesitate in concern of doing wrong or causing unhappiness*. The fear of God and regular fear are almost contradictory. The irony is that when we choose to be in awe of God putting our faith in God, all other fears are muted.

Prayer: Lord, help us get our priorities straight as we trust in you to guide us in whatever situation we may find ourselves. Amen.

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

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 Spirit

August 9, 2023

Scripture Reading:

1 Kings 19:9-18

At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’

He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.’

I do think there are better ways to deal with people than killing them. Apparently, we still have people who think that still works.  However, God makes a good point that working together toward a goal can and will make it happen. It is not just strength in numbers, it is that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. The challenge is that both sides benefit from knowing that. So, how do we ascertain what is right and just, and how do we make it a reality for all people? The Hebrew Bible is full of stories of justice addressed in ancient worldviews from which we can glean ideas, for there remains much we can learn from them. Jesus modeled living justice, described it in parables, and shared it in his teachings. Matthew 25 describes how Jesus intends to judge us. Some might be surprised by his list, which included how we fed the hungry, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, provided clean water for the thirsty, welcomed the stranger, and restored the prisoner.

Prayer: Lord, teach us your way, your truth, and your life, and help us to live like you. 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 Spirit

August 8, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b

When he summoned famine against the land,
   and broke every staff of bread,
he had sent a man ahead of them,
   Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
His feet were hurt with fetters,
   his neck was put in a collar of iron;
until what he had said came to pass,
   the word of the Lord kept testing him.
The king sent and released him;
   the ruler of the peoples set him free.
He made him lord of his house,
   and ruler of all his possessions,
to instruct his officials at his pleasure,
   and to teach his elders wisdom. –Psalm 105:16-22

I may have some problems with wrapping my head around God summoning a famine. Those things are often the result of human error like our climate change happening today. God allows us to suffer from our own behaviors.  I appreciate the idea that although Joseph was sold into slavery, God interceded and blessed Joseph’s talents to help his people survive the famine. I listened on the news this week to the discussions about teaching the history of slavery in the USA, with some indicating that the slaves benefited from being enslaved, like learning how to be a blacksmith. As I read the above scripture, I thought of the history of slavery in the USA, which we can never whitewash away any more than Joseph’s brothers could justify selling him into slavery so that he would be in the right place at the right time to rescue them from starvation.  

Prayer: Lord, help us be aware of the damage we do as we fall into the Worldview prevalent in our society at any given time when it may not be in sync with Your View. 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.