June 12, 2011

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?

Acts 2.4-8

Theologians and Biblical scholars enjoy discussing whether the miracle in this story is that those simple and modestly educated Disciples from Galilee suddenly became polyglot, able to speak in more than one language, or whether all the people around them from all walks of life suddenly became universal translators simultaneously hearing and understanding the words as they were spoken in whatever language.

My thought is that it was both and more. Our God is quite complex, and capable of working so much in such mysterious ways. I like to think the Disciples became aware and willing to communicate both with their words, their behaviors, and their whole manner of doing ministry. I like to think those witnessing the events of this day had their hearts and eyes open in addition to their ears, so that they could experience the astonishing and astounding love of God through the risen Christ. And I like to think that the combination of both has created an echo that resounds through all of creation from then, until now, and into eternity.

May our ears, eyes, heart, and lives be willing to “hear” so that our mouths and every part of our being may be willing and able to “speak”, and we may all be part of ringing out God’s divine exultation!

June 5, 2011

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me wih all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord…

Jeremiah 29.11-13

We have watched the children in our lives grow and mature. We have, intentionally or unintentionally, influenced their choices and directions by our words and our actions. Now it is time for another group of them to walk across the stage, toss their caps in the air, and venture out into the adult world in a way different from yesterday. For years we have told them that God is with them wherever they go.

That’s hard to believe when the challenges come, especially when one is trying to be independent for the first time. Yet God’s word to the prophet Jeremiah, so many ages ago, when Jeremiah was imprisoned, tortured by enemies, and imprisoned—still the word was a word of hope: I know the plans I have for you, and they are good!

Surely we know the plans God has for our graduates, and our prayer for them can be that they will search for God with all their hearts, and find God.

May 29, 2011

Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not spurn them, or abhor them so as to destroy them utterly and break my covenant with them; for I am the Lord their God; but I will remember in their favor the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, to be their God: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 26.44-45

The Civic holiday called Memorial Day was established as a way to remember, and an opportunity to give thanks, for those soldiers who gave their lives in the defense of the freedoms on which our country was founded. Without such reminders it becomes all too easy to forget the foundational moments of a community of people, those moments that shaped the people into who they are today.

Without reminders we expect others to forget their agreements and contracts with us, as well. God certainly expected that Israel would abandon its part of the covenant, and disregard God’s ordinances and God’s statues. But God will remember. God sends word in the Law (of Moses) that despite the forgetfulness of the people, God will not forget, and remember for the people’s benefit.

God also asked us to remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy. I suspect that the Sabbath becomes like a Memorial Day in the faith—a reminder of the great love our sovereign God has for all God’s people, confirmed the new and eternal covenant in Christ.

May 22, 2011

Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Matthew 24.34-36

I really wish people wouldn’t do that: they make predictions about the end of the world; they scare children, break hearts, and side-track productive lives. I suppose there might be some people who are glad for the distraction, but Jesus certainly is not one of those.

Jesus might accuse us of using the scenario that “the end is coming” as a way to get out of our responsibilities to address the injustices of poverty and violence and the inequities all around us. Why should we dig out the root causes of these worldly ills if the world is going to vanish before our next breakfast?

And what about repenting and getting right with the God of fire and judgment so that we can spend all of eternity with that God? No thanks. I think I will pass. What about you?

However, the God who soooo loved the world and sent Jesus so that we who believe shall not perish but have everlasting life—that one I want to know. And as often as I have cared for the least of God’s children, so I have entered into the presence of holy God. What about you?

May 15, 2011

Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

1 Timothy 4.11-12

Last night I heard the story of twelve-year-old Craig who was overwhelmed by the tragedies being reported in the daily newspaper. He asked his friends for help, and together with eleven other 12-year-olds they started building schools and digging wells around the world. Today their organization is called “Save the Children” and continues their work.

For every one of us there is another person out there who is older, wiser, more experienced, even more capable than we are. That should not be our excuse, however, for not endeavoring to accomplish a task to which God calls us. Our feelings of inadequacy are insufficient excuse. The Apostle Paul wrote letters of encouragement to his disciple Timothy, a young man who was working to continue Paul’s work in the churches. All of us can, like Timothy, set an example for others in living a Godly life so that Christ’s ministry continues to grow and thrive through us.

May 8, 201

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers and motherly-like persons.

May 1, 2011

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

John 20.21-23

This week, while I am battling a cold, I am very aware that if I breathe on someone I have the power to make that one sick. I cover my cough, wash my hands frequently, and generally try to stay away from people. No one wants me to make them sick. That is a power I want to keep to myself.

It’s quite a different story when Jesus breathes on the disciples. First of all, they are overjoyed to see him at all since they are still in shock and grief over his crucifixion just three days prior, and the disappearance of his body also. Then, after giving them peace, shalom, a holistic blessing of wellbeing, Jesus breathes on them. In that breath, Jesus gives them his power, specifically, his power to forgive sin. Based on what we know of Jesus’ ministry, we know that all the healings, and feedings, and teachings, and accepting that Jesus did could all be traced back to forgiving sin in one form or another and restoring persons to a state of shalom.

Jesus gave that power to his disciples. That means he gave power to us. To use.

April 24, 2011

Jesus said to Mary, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’

John 29.17

How like Mary we are. We would rather hang on to the good we know, even if it is very difficult, rather than trade it in for the better that is yet to come. Mary loved Jesus with an intensity that many of us envy. And she wanted to keep on being part of his work and ministry, part of the crowd of disciples that followed and supported everything he did—even if the authorities were making that work more and more difficult.

But Jesus was always looking to the future, both the future of his ministry, and the future of the lives of those who followed him. And while he knew the future held its own challenges, he also knew that the rewards of living fully in God’s realm would be more marvelous than anything we could hold on to today.

Thus, even as we greet the risen Christ it is time to let go, to let Christ ascend to our God and his, and for us to pick up the work Christ has given us to pursue toward the full realization of God’s reign. Go, and tell Christ’s brothers and sisters, that Christ is Eisen!

April 17, 2011

Then the high priest stood up before them [the Sanhedrin] and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I Am”, said Jesus, “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Mark 14.60-62

Has anyone ever flung words at you that you felt were so off base that they did not merit a response from you? Are you one of those people who throw out opinions and convictions without really knowing the ins and outs of which you speak? In our American, even global culture today we are able to speak to any subject or topic at any moment by way of texting, blogging, tweeting, facebooking, and the like. We like when people listen to us, or “like” what we say, and we do not have to actually defend our position.

Jesus knew when to be silent and when to speak. He did not reward the outrageous accusations with a response. He saved his “air time” for something that really mattered, and he testified to the activity of God doing through him. May our words be chosen with care, that in them God may be glorified always.

April 10, 2011

God planned for us to do good things and to live as God has always wanted us to live. That’s why God sent Christ to make us what we are.

Ephesians 2.10

When I was a child I would sit at the kitchen table with my grandmother. Sometimes she would reach out an place her hand on top of mine, resting on the table. I would place my other hand on top of hers, and then she would place her other hand on top of the pile. Soon we each would take our hands, one at a time, from the bottom of the pile to put it on top again. Quickly we would devolve into playfully slapping hands and giggling smiles laced through with silly joy.

God makes plans, and like us who are made in God’s image, God has dreams and hopes for us. However, our participation in God’s plans is entirely up to us. God does not coerce, force, require, or even guilt-trip. What God does is offer Christ as our support, guide, and inspiration. Christ helps us focus our purposes and energies. Together with Christ so much more can happen than on our own efforts—at minimum because with Christ comes the whole community of faith to strengthen our efforts and commitment, to add more hands to the labors of love.

April 3, 2011

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

John 2.12-17

Many people ignore this story because they are uncomfortable with Jesus getting angry, and essentially having a temper tantrum. Usually we portray Jesus as a meek and mild-mannered person. "Anemic" is a word I use--one without life or energy or passion. In fact, the opposite is true: Jesus was intensely passionate about the ministry to which he was called, and it is not accidental that we call the story of his last week "the passion story".

The fact that this story is recorded in all four gospels tells how important it is to the overall story of Jesus' work. In fact, we should wonder if Jesus' outburst was intended to instigate action, much like Jesus sending Judas out to "do what Judas had to do" (betray Jesus). It was time, in Jesus' opinion, for his crusade to ramp up a level, and he needed to do something dramatic to make the authorities take action. The nitpicking of the Scribes and Pharisees only mattered in the temple itself, but not to the general population that was in so much anguish. And in an era of limited life-expectancy and an occupation army, there were too many things that could go wrong and cause a senseless death, instead of a death that spoke volumes. Jesus wanted to speak volumes. So he acted. That is not to say that tossing the temple was a put on--he probably was truly angry about all this, but he wanted to say a whole bunch more, which he did with his actions as the week progressed.

March 27, 2011

Now you are coming to him as a living stone. Even though this stone was rejected by humans, from God’s perspective it is chosen, valuable. You yourselves are being built like living stones into a spiritual temple. You are being made into a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Thus it is written in scripture, “Look! I am laying a cornerstone in Zion, chosen, valuable.” The person who believes in him will never be shamed. So God honors you who believe.

1 Peter 2:4-70

I love this image* of rocks sprouting new growth. At this time of year, when we are ready for all that has been at winter rest to now burst into bloom, the sight of new sprouts reaching up from the rocky pile is a real sign of hope. Despite cold, and wet, and dark, something has been nourished beneath and is now ready to be brought forth.

I think, perhaps, God is also ready for that which has been at winter rest in us to now burst into bloom. It has been long enough, God says, for us to germinate and hide beneath the ground and stones waiting for the right time to grow. That time is now here, and God calls us to put forth sprouts, show signs of life, and capture the attention of passers by who say, “Look what is blooming!” May they see in us God’s reign sprouting fresh and alive!

March 20, 2011

Jesus took some bread in his hands and gave thanks for it. He broke the bread and handed it to his disciples. Then he said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Eat this as a way of remembering me.”

Luke 22.19 CEV

In Jesus world, sitting down at table, saying grace, and then breaking the bread into pieces for serving was an every-day event. The custom of bringing sliced bread to the dinner table came centuries later. But Jesus, with his usual skill and giftedness at seizing the teachable moment, tells his disciples, as often as you sit down together for a meal, remember me.

However, Jesus did not mean to be sentimental. Thus he said, “this is my body.” Some translations say “this is my body broken for you.” Jesus wanted his disciples to remember that sometimes what is whole must be broken to be shared, and that in the sharing it can again be made whole. When bread is shared at the dinner table, the community is formed. Jesus yearned for that community, later called the church, to be formed for God’s sake, and for the sake of the kingdom.

So, as often as we sit down with one another, or as often as we have opportunity to invite another to join us, or as often as we go looking for the opportunity to invite another to join us, we remember Jesus—not sentimentally, but vibrantly! For he is alive!

March 13, 2011

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near—a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come.

Joel 2:1-2

Certainly we have each known those storm clouds personally. They roll in, whether we are prepared or not, and when the rains come down we may feel that we are to be washed away. But our God calls to us even out of the storm clouds, calling us to look for God where God may be found, not only in the dancing sunbeams, but also in the midst of the storm clouds, on the mountain peaks and in the deepest and darkest valleys, even in the bottomless pits.

And God gives us promises beyond being able to find God. “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” (Isaiah 45.3) These promises do not exactly make us look for the dark times, but when they come, as they inevitably do, we know we can look for and find our God! Praises be!

March 6, 2011

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5.43-48

Jesus said some pretty amazing things, and some of them are just downright hard to hear or accept, never mind trying to comply. But when we can, oh boy! Can we count ourselves among these “peculiar Christians”? We Peculiar Christians: Christian stewards are known for all sorts of “odd” behavior. Christ calls us to be “a humanity that contradicts the conventional way of the world.” Where the world teaches people to “take care of number one,” we are guilty of giving selflessly while living abundantly, sharing lavishly in the midst of scarcity, lending with integrity when usury is the norm, forgiving debts in unforgiving circumstances, and so on. In a world of conformity we live with individuality and power. This profound statement was found in someone else’s newsletter, but no credit was given to the author. Thank you to that unknown author. Thank you to Tacoma First United Methodist Church for sharing this in your newsletter.

February 27, 2011

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139.14

Fearfully?! What does that mean? Our minds quickly go to fright night adventures, haunted houses at the fair and haunted woods at Halloween!

But scripturally the word fearfully meant with awe and divine inspiration. To be in fear of God was to have chin-dropping, eye-popping awe and amazement and respect for what God was doing, or who God is.

A great illustration I have heard involves electricity. We are taught from an early age that electricity is dangerous, even deadly, and definitely not to be fooled with. As children we don’t mind power outages and see adventure in them. As adults we come to see electricity as essential, something we’d rather not do without for long, and we develop a healthy respect for it’s power.

February 20, 2011

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

Leviticus 19.1-2

On most days, I am guessing, most people don’t feel very holy, and they would not describe themselves as a “Holy” person. When asked to name someone who they consider “holy” many people will name the greats, like Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., or Desmond Tutu, Pope John Paul, the apostle Paul, or Jesus himself.

But long before any of those people lived, Moses was asked by God’s very self to tell all the people that they “shall be holy”. Now, anyone who has done much reading in the Hebrew Testament of the Bible will know how much the Israelites struggled to be even a little faithful, and how much they actually failed. Was God being unrealistic? overly optimistic?

Probably, God knew what people were capable of accomplishing if they remembered to trust in, and depend on, and remain faithful to the one God of all Creation. Since their God was holy, if the people stayed linked to that holy God, they would also be holy—whatever else they may or may not have accomplished in their own eyes. All of them.

February 13, 2011

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

1 John 4.7-8

As United Methodists we declare that we are going on toward perfection. When we say that, what we mean is that we are going on toward Christian Perfection in Godly love—we are learning how to love as God loves. And yes, that does mean loving our enemies, and our neighbors, and our bratty kid siblings. It means loving the people with whom we agree and disagree. It means loving those who are in our group or not, legal residents or not, Christian or not. Wow! That is hard.

It is hard, but it is also possible, for through Christ all things are possible, including loving like God loves--not sweetheart love, but Christian love, Godly love. So, let us strive to be God’s valentine, by loving with Godly love.

February 6, 2011

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12.1-2

In an era when sporting activities conflict so frequently with the practice of faith activities it is easy to dismiss sports. However, the discipline of sports can be instructive to the practice of faith. No athlete jumps to the status of pro without some training, coaching, and practice. Sure, it comes easier for some, than for others, but all must work at it. And once that status is reached, the athlete must continue to train and practice the disciplines that made the athlete so successful; otherwise the athlete may slide into decline.

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews reminds us that faith is not so different from athletics. While we might have the goal post in mind, we will not reach it without the discipline of faith practices, the support of coaches and trainers, and the outright willingness to keep at it. The journey of faith is like a long-distance run, and while short sprints may bring us brief highs and moments of excitement, it is the measured and methodical (attention Methodists!) efforts of perseverance and pacing that will ultimately get us to the victorious finish line.

January 30, 2011

O LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?

Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the LORD; who stand by their oath even to their hurt;

Psalm 15.1-4

(In 2009, a race was held in Durban, South Africa, between a carrier pigeon and an ADSL line to see which would transmit 4GB of data faster. The pigeon won.)

Recently we’ve been wondering if some of the rhetoric we use in politics, on talk shows, and even in personal conversations has become too much. While we may feel the issues deeply, perhaps our expression of our thoughts and emotions fails to take into consideration the wide range of people being affected both by the issues and our responses to them. Certainly one over-the-top reaction can generate another, and that one another, until the consequences are too much for all.

That is not to say we need to ignore important issues lest we become emotionally involved. However, we can recall that each person attached to any side of any issue is a unique and precious creation of our God and deserving of our thoughtful treatment , gentle responses, and God’s grace—whether they behave like they deserve it or not! And you and I have been called by our God to be agents of that Grace, delivering grace daily to all whom we encounter. Perhaps we could also persuade others to be agents as well. Perhaps then reign of God will look more what it is: at hand!

January 23, 2011

You shall have no other gods before me.

Exodus 20.3

While the Israelites waited for Moses to come back from his conversation with God on the Mountain, they got nervous. When they lived in Egypt they knew which Egyptian gods would guide them, would fed for them, would provide for them. Now they were in the wilderness, far from the Egyptian gods, and under the auspices of a God whom they had forgotten. Hence, they did not know this God, did not trust this God, and were afraid.

And so they covered their bases by looking for security and provision and direction in other places. And they made for themselves a god made of gold, and in the shape of a baby cow, and they worshipped this God with great enthusiasm and much revelry. Much like we do with the gods of wealth, status, weapons, power.

Father, forgive us, for we know not what we do.

January 16, 2010

Andrew found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). Andrew brought Simon to Jesus who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas.” (which is translated Peter—which means Rock).

John 141

The words Messiah and Cephas and Peter are filled with meaning. They are everyday words, in a way, yet they invoke images greater than themselves. Messiah, means anointed, which means God chose and touched for special purpose. For first century peoples this purpose embodied hope, and release from the bondage of tyranny, and restoration to a golden way of life and faith the people had known before. Cephas, Peter, Rock—something solid and indestructible, a foundation upon which to build, a tool of security.

If Jesus were to speak to us and say, “You shall be called…,” how would he finish the sentence? What word would he choose that represented a key component of our character. More importantly, what word would he choose that named our participation in his work? Peter became the cornerstone of the church for all time. Would we be named as a building block in God’s kingdom?

January 9, 2010

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the peoples and nations.

Isaiah 42.1

Recently I read a sentence in a novel that has really captured my pondering thoughts: Law without compassion is a shortcut to injustice. We need laws to help us draw lines between right and wrong. We all have benefited from compassion. But where do we draw the line and say that the law needs to be bent so as to allow for compassion. And what is injustice, anyway?

The words in Isaiah were written many years before Jesus was born yet we read them as if they are speaking directly of Jesus. Jesus’ own preaching and teaching and living modeled delivering justice, often times through compassion, when the law strictly applied would have been harsh and not at all in God’s spirit. Consider how his disciples gleaned from the fields to eat, even on the Sabbath. Remember how Jesus healed, even on the Sabbath. Think on how often Jesus said, “you have heard it said…but I say to you…”

Where, today, are we called to draw the lines so that right is done, and wrong is not perpetuated? And where are we called to bend the line so that compassion might be brought forth by us, present day servants who long to delight our Lord?

December 19, 2010

“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 1.31, 34, 35, 38

Can you imagine an angel showing up where you live, to deliver an impossible message, and you listen calmly and respond agreeably to what was said? I can hear some of the people I know saying, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Mary said, “How can this be, I am a virgin.” We, with more knowledge than Mary about how biology works, might explain to the angel why it is not possible—or we might tell the angel, or whoever it is, to get out before we call the police.

Just a few moments earlier the angel had told Mary not to be afraid, but I wonder if she was, anyway? But then I wonder what it must be like to be so in tune with God that, when God delivers a message in such an astounding way, we trust God and what God will be doing with and through us, and know that it will be ok. It might even be better than ok. It might be glorious! Do I trust God enough that God will use me? You?

December 12, 2010

A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God… Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all the people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Isaiah 40:3, 5

We spend Advent preparing and suddenly Christmas is almost here. But for what has Advent truly helped us prepare? Writers Tanya Barnett & Tom Wilson suggest we are, hopefully, prepared for the sheer awe of glimpsing the birthing/rebirthing of Grace Incarnate in the world today. But, what of the ongoing realities of the world today? How prepared are we to help steward those vulnerable manifestations of hope and life - of God's Grace - in a world that's often violent and unpredictable? The Gospel reading about Herod’s massacre of male infants (Mt. 2:13- 23) compels us to ask this sort of question in light of the soul-wrenching story. This much is clear for both the "holy family" and for anyone who helps to steward life's most precious gifts in the midst of brokenness: it cannot be done alone. God give us the gifts of Wisdom and deep communion/solidarity with each other in these perilous, yet always holy, days.

May today, and every day, be holy days for you, days in which you know the presence of God working in and through you, as you become a vehicle of God’s grace.

December 5, 2010

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

We often read this scripture as pointing to Jesus. Even Jesus used it in proclaiming who he was and what he saw his ministry involve. But Jesus also would turn around and point this scripture toward us. We are those also anointed by God to proclaim good news and to carry on the ministry which Jesus took up! Another word for that good news is “gospel,” the story we know about God’s redeeming love as shown through Jesus and his ministry. Imagine what good news that truly is to those who are oppressed, brokenhearted, held captive, imprisoned. Now it is our turn to tell God’s story, to tell Jesus’ story, to let that story become our story.

November 21, 2010

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those the LORD redeemed from the hand of the foe, those the LORD gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and the LORD delivered them from their distress. The LORD led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for the LORD satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

When we give thanks to the LORD today, or on Thanksgiving Day, will we say thanks for turkey and family? Will we say thanks that our favorite team won the game? Will we say thanks that we got out of doing the dishes? Or will we remember to give thanks for some basics, like shelter from the snow, a meal to keep us going, clean clothes to wear? Will we give thanks for loved ones, and possibilities, and future? Will we give thanks that the LORD hears us in our distress, from all ends of the earth and in all situations. That the LORD leads us when we travel difficult roads. That the LORD loves us with unfailing love. Thanks be to the LORD.

November 14, 2010

Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a cared stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the Lord your God. Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the Lord. If you follow my decrees, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit.

Leviticus 26.1-3

A well tended orchard, one that is cared for, watched over, carefully pruned, protected against bad weather, thoughtfully fertilized and protected from blight—such an orchard will produce a tremendous harvest. The tree trunks will soak up the nutrients and from the ground, and the branches will deliver it to the trees. The leaves will transform sunlight and CO2 to food for the buds and the tree will produce buds, and then fruit. And after a season of working hard, the tree will shed its leaves and rest. The tree will stand in the orchard, with branches lifted to the sky, soaking up sun and rain as it comes, and simply being, being renewed for the next season.

When we work carefully with the resources God provides, whether financial or talent, thinking power or comforting presence, God will produce in us great fruit, beautiful and satisfying. When we take time out to observe Gods time of holy rest, a holy time out, God’s Sabbath, then we are refreshed, renewed, prepared for the next season and the bounty only God can produce through us.

November 7, 2010

He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” …Jesus told them, “Pray in this way.”

Luke 11.1-2

The Disciples noticed that Jesus spent time in prayer. They watched as he went off by himself, and they saw how renewed he was when he returned to them. They also were aware of how strong Jesus’ faith was and they wanted to have faith like Jesus had. So they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, perhaps believing they would be able to draw closer to God, as Jesus was so very close.

Jesus gave them instructions. He did not interrogate them about why they wanted to learn, but he advised them to be sincere, humble, and persistent in their attitude and their approach. He taught them to trust God with their daily needs, and with their faults. He taught them to request guidance and deliverance. He taught them to celebrate the greatness of God and God’s purposes, and to commit to being a part of it. He taught them how to draw close to their God. Let us, too, draw near.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

October 31, 2010

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Sometimes, when my son has had a difficult day, he crawls into the corner behind the couch. Presumably he needs the time, alone, to think. Sometimes, he curls up on the couch and buries himself in pillows. In those situations I will often sit down beside him and ask him about his day, and it doesn’t take too long before he tells me about something that is bothering him. After a little empathy, a bit a sympathy, and a lot of love, he is ready to face whatever is coming next.

Why is it that, when we are wrestling with something difficult, we feel as if we need to go off into a corner by ourselves and hide? Maybe we need to lick our wounded pride. Maybe we’re responsible for our situation and we don’t want to be. Or maybe the situation is plainly unfair and we cannot decide how to reconcile that with our sense that justice must prevail.

Regardless, even when we hide in the corner, we are not actually alone. Those faithful ones who have joined God in the heavenly realms watch over us and guide us, encouraging us and urging us on. They remind us of our goals, that our stumbling blocks are temporary, and that we are stronger than we feel at the moment. The help us push the sin of pride out of the way—the pride that tells us that somehow we can be in control of it all! They remind us to place our faith in the God of our ancestors, the God who created us, and the God who loves us beyond all imagining. When we remember that, we can actually crawl out from the hole in which we are hiding, and run for the joy of life.

October 24, 2010

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; Come into his presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.

Psalm 100.1-3

There is an old expression: The clothes make the man. The idea is that as you dress, so you will behave. If you dress sloppily or relaxed, then you will behave sloppily or relaxed. And if you dress professionally, you will behave professionally. I have noticed that people’s behavior does often coincide with their dress. When children and teens are dressed in tuxes and pretty bridesmaid or prom dresses, they do tend to behave more grown up. And when adults where sweat pants and t-shirts, they do tend to relax more.

While there are limits to any assertion, I wonder how we would respond if we were to recall that divine clothes make us human? Would we worry less whether our song is a joyful noise or singing? Would we stand taller and have a greater sense that the event is an important event? Would we be more able to gives thanks and praise to the one who made us as we are, and more expectant about what God might do with us.

October 17, 2010

Jesus said, “…And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Luke 18.6a, 7-8

The parable that precedes this snippet of scriptural wisdom is about a widow of Israel who has no resources of her own and who depends on the justice of the faith culture and community to be sure she gets what she needs for survival. Unfortunately for her, the judge who is responsible for her case does not care what either God expects or the people in need ask. What God and the faith community expect is that the judge will weigh all things without regard for status or influence of the one who asks, seeking justice in the answer. All that matters to this judge, however, is that the widow is annoying in her persistence at asking for assistance. And so he yields to her—not to deliver justice, but to be rid of her.

Jesus tells his listeners that God listens to us when we persist in prayer, but even more, God hears with ears of righteousness and justice, and will judge on the side of justice. Jesus asks his listeners, including us, do we have the faith to persist as the widow does, even when injustice persists against us. And when it is our turn to dispense justice, will we yield to the noise of persistent and loud voices demanding privilege or will we hear the cry for justice and seek it instead?

October 10, 2010

Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

Luke 21.1-4

With my birthday so near Christmas many of my childhood birthday gifts also doubled as Christmas gifts. It was not uncommon for me to hear, “this is also part of your Christmas present,” and then the giver would go on to say how expensive the present was and that I needed to split the value between the two events.

God does not need to be told how much it cost us to give a gift to God. God already knows whether the gift was significant for us. God also knows how we feel about giving what we do. And God’s joy in receiving those gifts is proportional to our giving. When we give cheerfully and generously, whether of our time, our heart, or our coin, God’s joy overflows as a blessing upon us. May God receive our joy.

October 3, 2010

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

John 16.31-33

How easy it is when we are together in worship, or a Bible Study or Sunday School class, to speak strongly of our faith, of our certainty in the risen Christ, of the power on which we draw in tough situations. But Jesus knows that when we are scattered from one another, as the disciples were when Jesus was arrested and crucified, that faith can become a little shaky, and our proclamation of it a little less bold.

I heard a story this morning about a little girl who has struggled against cancer. Her mother would encourage her daughter, every time they went to the doctor for test results, to be ready to show the presence of God’s love in their response to the news from the doctor, whatever the news may be. Fortunately for the little girl, at the moment she has gained success and wellness.

What the world throws at us, be it doctor diagnoses, failed relationships, unemployment, etc, can sometimes be tremendously challenging. But Jesus assures us that he has conquered the world. Now it is our task to live fully the life that Jesus has given us in abundance.

September 19, 2010

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior…

1 Timothy 2:1-3

When the apostle Paul wrote these words to his friend Timothy some criticized Paul as being pro-Roman and supporting that occupation army that was in power in the land of Israel at that time. Paul was a Roman citizen, so it is possible he had more favorable regards toward the Romans than others. However, Paul’s own writing suggest that he believes nothing in the current world was worth a whole lot of fuss since, he believed, the end was imminent.

It turns out the end wasn’t as imminent as he thought, and the issues that bring strife to our lives continue to unwind like an endless ball of string. And the answers for some issues bring more strife in other areas. Solutions are complex and hard to come by. As hard as it is to admit, I do not have the knowledge to provide all the answers even if I did have the time and energy. Besides, I am relieved that I am not responsible for coming up with all the answers. Some of that problem solving I can leave to the leaders among us, be they elected or appointed, representative or not. And then I can pray for them, because praying doesn’t require very much knowledge or energy, just a little time. I have a little time, and it’s not too much to give.

September 12, 2010

My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips.

Psalm 63.5

Walking into grocery stores in the United States can be an overwhelming experience. Shelves of food seem to reach to the sky with more choices than anyone can contemplate. The temptation to choose foods that are not wise choices is overwhelming. Still, those junk food choices have their place. Consider the appropriateness of cake at a birthday party, or cookies with milk after school, or popcorn while watching a movie. And doesn’t macaroni and cheese just taste wonderful on a cold winter’s day?

When God sets a feast for us, I wonder what foods God chooses to serve? Are the comfort foods or party foods? Soul foods or health foods? Perhaps when God sets a feast for us God chooses the food our spirits most need and that is why God-food is so extra satisfying! What a feast!