This one is from 08-07-11
1 Kings 19:7-13
The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched Elijah, and said, "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you." Elijah got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. 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." The angel 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?"
Have you ever heard the sound of sheer silence? It’s more than just the sound of a quiet room or a quiet field. There is no computer humming in the background or the quiet swish of butterfly wings outside. The closest that I have come to sheer silence was on a visit of the Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. There were only a few of us on the tour. The tour guide asked us if it would be alright if he turned off his flashlight and we all stayed quiet for 30 seconds. We agreed. The darkness and the silence was beyond anything that I’d ever experienced before. Had it gone on much longer it might have been maddening. I almost felt swallowed up.
The passage we read says Elijah heard the sound of sheer silence – the silence was so loud. He wrapped his face in his mantle because he knew God was in the silence. Paul Simon had nothing on Elijah. The mantle that Elijah wrapped his face in was a cloak-like garment. It was used as outerwear in the cold and as a blanket at night. A mantle also represents the symbol of preeminence or authority. Elijah was a prophet of prophets. He had authority. Yet, amidst the silence of God, Elijah covered his face with that symbol of authority, humbling himself.
You see, Elijah was having a rough time. A really rough time. His life was being threatened by King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians. She wanted to kill him because he had killed the prophets that she liked. Elijah ran away scared into the wilderness and sat under a tree. There he prayed, "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors." In other words, he said, “Take me now. I give up! I thought I was better than this but I’m just like everybody else. I can’t go on.”
God sent an angel to him to give him food and drink. Then Elijah went on a trek up the mountain of God called Horeb. The word of the Lord came to him with a question, “What are you doing here?” Twice God asks Elijah this question. The second time was after that silence. Elijah answered the same way each time. He tells God that even though he is doing everything right, they still want to kill him. God promises him safety and tells him what to do.
Here’s another story about a guy who climbs a mountain to visit with God. Well, not just any guy and not just any prophet. Here we pick up on last week’s story about Jesus feeding the thousands of people.
Matthew 14:20-27
And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Immediately Jesus 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 toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, 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."
It seems that prophets like to take treks up mountains to visit God … especially when they are upset. The truth is, Jesus was having a rough time too. There was reason that he wanted to get away in the first place, before the crowds followed him. He had just found out that his cousin, John the Baptizer, had been beheaded by King Herod. He just wanted some time alone to deal with his loss. But the crowds gathered around him and his heart went out to them. After healing all those who were sick Jesus fed the crowd. Remember that? Now, finally, he sends his disciples away in a boat and dismisses the crowd. Then he climbs the mountain to pray. He’s not as desperate as Elijah was, but he needs to get with God.
Jesus knows that his disciples in the boat are in rough waters, but he needs to have time with God. It isn’t until early in the morning that Jesus walks to them on the water, scaring them more than the rough seas did. The story picks up from here about Peter walking on the water and falling in. Then there’s the lesson about faith. After that they reach Gennesaret and once again the sick are brought to him and he heals them all.
The ministry of Jesus is action-packed. It’s easy to skip the part where he simply climbs a mountain so that he can stop and pray. There is nothing about a voice coming from the sky or Jesus crying out. We only know that he is alone and praying. He’s aware of his friends, but he seems to know that he’ll get there soon enough. They can take care of themselves. He needs this time with God. He takes the time.
How often do we take time to just be with God? Do we wait too long, like maybe Elijah did? Seriously, it seems to me that Elijah waited until it was almost too late. He wanted to die. It’s true that Jesus pushed himself when he saw the crowd and had compassion on them, but then he got away. He knew he needed to have some face-time with God. Elijah wasn’t looking for face-time. He just prayed that God would take him. Instead God had an angel play the part of a nurse for him, giving him food and drink.
Jesus knew why he was there. He needed to grieve. He needed to pray. He needed to be in the presence of Divine Love. Yes there was still a lot of work to be done. Yes, he could have taken care of his friends in the boat. But he knew he needed to get his perspective back.
There is a lot of work for us to do. We have friends and loved ones who could use our help. But we must take the time to be with our Divine Love. It’s too easy to get overwhelmed. Keeping our perspective is crucial. We can’t do our dreaming for the future that we need to do if we don’t have some face-time with God.
Stop. Pray. Listen. Climb your mountain and get away from the needs that press in upon you.
If you are overwhelmed with worry, find a way to rejoice in the presence of God. If you are overwhelmed with grief, share your heart’s sorrow with God. If you are in a cycle of go go go, relax with God. If you don’t know what to do or how to pray, come talk to me. We’ll figure it out together.
Today as we prepare ourselves for communion, think about the love of God reaching toward Elijah as the angel gives him a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. The angel said to him, "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you."
Think about Jesus taking the time to be in the presence of God, his heart in grief over his cousin’s death. When it was morning he got up and began again the work that was set out for him.
This week, as you go about life, take time to stop, pray, and listen. Reach out to the one called the Morningstar, the Rose of Sharon, the Presence, Provider, and Comforter. Reach out to the One Who Loves you far beyond what you can imagine. Listen for the silence of God’s presence and the love that it contains.
Friday, August 12, 2011
God Asks ...
I'm behind in my posting. This is from 07-24-11
1 Kings 3:5-12
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I should give you." And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?" It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.
In the section of Matthew that I’m about to read Jesus is angry. He is angry at the leaders of the people. Just prior to this section these leaders were plotting to entrap him with their questions. Jesus saw through it and with great wisdom turned the questions back on the heads of those who were seeking to entrap him. Now Jesus is giving them a piece of his mind.
Matthew 23:16 – 26
"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, "Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.' You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? And you say, "Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.' How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel! "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean.
We’ve been talking about dreams the last couple of weeks. Well here’s an interesting one. In a dream by night God said to Solomon, "Ask what I should give you." This wasn’t a regular dream by night. This was a God-touched dream. And later in the chapter it is said that the people “stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him, to execute justice.”
King Solomon was a beloved leader. His wisdom was known internationally. He dealt with his people fairly and he built the Temple of the Lord his God. He was humble before God in the dream, and God responded by giving him much more than he asked for.
Let’s contrast this with the leaders that Jesus is telling off. Jesus is accusing the leaders of his time with having poor judgment. He indicates that they are also selfish and power-hungry. They do not understand the bigger picture. They are like a cat in the way that when you point at something the cat looks at your finger rather than at the thing at which you are pointing. They are short sighted. They get distracted by shiny objects … like the gold on the sanctuary or the gift on the altar. Jesus says they should be focusing on the sanctuary and the altar.
These leaders obey the law by tithing their spices and herbs, but they neglect the weightier matters of the law such as justice, mercy, and faith. They make sure that they look good on the outside, but Jesus tells them that they are dirty on the inside, stained with greed and self-indulgence. Faith doesn’t lead them to tithe. Mercy doesn’t lead them to care. Justice has no bearing on how they make decisions.
Please note that guilt and shame are not to be our motivators. Faith in God, mercy for others, and a desire for true justice are to lead us and inform our actions.
The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes did not have the same mindset as Solomon. They were not in awe at the task given to them by God. Solomon didn’t ask for riches. Jesus accused the Pharisees and Scribes of being greedy. Solomon didn’t ask for the life of his enemies. Jesus accused the leaders of his day of not practicing mercy and justice. In humility Solomon told God that he was just a little child, but the Pharisees and Scribes were called self-indulgent. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes wanted only what was best for them. Solomon wanted an understanding mind to discern between good and evil.
If God had said to the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes "Ask what I should give you," what would they have answered? Long life? Riches? The life of their enemies? Probably all of these.
What if this question were posed to us? "Ask what I should give you." What would we answer? Depends on the day, right? Some days we might have the big picture in mind. We might not be as distracted by the shiny things. Other days … well, we might not ask for the lives of our enemies, but we might ask to outlive them. We might see riches as the way out of all the troubles in our lives. We might be thinking in a more self-indulgent and short-sighted way. It’s a good thing that God doesn’t ask this question anymore. Or … does God?
Mark 10:46 – 52 They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart, get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Matthew 20: 29 – 34 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Lord have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” Jesus stood still and called them, saying, “What would you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.
This story is also told in the Gospel of Luke with one blind man and Jesus healing him by saying, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.” In it also, Jesus asks the blind man, “What do you want me to do for you?” In three of the four gospels Jesus asks the blind man what he wants.
Here’s another story.
Mark 10:35 – 38a James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And Jesus said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking.”
Well this is interesting. John and James, the sons of Zebedee … Jesus nicknamed them the sons of thunder … acting more like the Pharisees than followers of Jesus. While these disciples went on to do great things as Christians, they had a rocky start. Their nickname might have come because of a little suggestion of theirs that is found only in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 9. Some folks in a village that Jesus and the disciples were going through did not receive Jesus. It says, “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 Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.”
I know this may seem like a tangent, but I think it shows us how easy it is, in the name of God, to end up short-sighted and self-indulgent. James and John asked for the life of their enemies. They wanted the riches of sitting next to Jesus on their own heavenly thrones. If they hadn’t taken seriously the rebukes of Jesus, they could have ended up as Pharisees. Contrarily, if the Pharisees had taken the rebukes of Jesus seriously, they could have ended up disciples. Instead Jesus called them blind guides and blind fools. They should have taken a lesson from Blind Bartimaeus!
This is the lesson I hear from Solomon: when you start thinking about what you want from God, pause for a moment. Reflect on who God is to you. Solomon said to God, "You have shown great and steadfast love.” Solomon based his request on who God was to him and to his father, David. He also took seriously the task that lay before him.
I hear a lesson from the blind man that Jesus healed. Call out with your whole heart and be honest. Jesus heard the faith in his cry. He heard others telling him to shut up. Bartimaeus son of Timaeus knew exactly what he wanted and knew why he wanted it from Jesus. Bartimaeus, and the other blind man, believed in Jesus. They didn’t go their own way after they were healed. They got up and followed Jesus. They already knew his teachings. They believed what he had to say. I believe that they wanted to see him and to follow him. The blind men could see better with their faith than the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes could see with their eyes.
It isn’t just us asking God for this and for that. God says, "Ask what I should give you." Jesus says, “What is it you want me to do for you?” We know this isn’t a Christmas list. This is a more basic, at the foundation of who you are, kind of question. This question asks about the more weighty matters of how we want to live our lives.
Solomon asked for an understanding mind and the ability to discern. Jesus emphasized the importance of living a life of faith, mercy, and justice. The blind men called out in faith and asked to see. What is it that you want God to do for you?
1 Kings 3:5-12
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I should give you." And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?" It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.
In the section of Matthew that I’m about to read Jesus is angry. He is angry at the leaders of the people. Just prior to this section these leaders were plotting to entrap him with their questions. Jesus saw through it and with great wisdom turned the questions back on the heads of those who were seeking to entrap him. Now Jesus is giving them a piece of his mind.
Matthew 23:16 – 26
"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, "Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.' You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? And you say, "Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.' How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel! "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean.
We’ve been talking about dreams the last couple of weeks. Well here’s an interesting one. In a dream by night God said to Solomon, "Ask what I should give you." This wasn’t a regular dream by night. This was a God-touched dream. And later in the chapter it is said that the people “stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him, to execute justice.”
King Solomon was a beloved leader. His wisdom was known internationally. He dealt with his people fairly and he built the Temple of the Lord his God. He was humble before God in the dream, and God responded by giving him much more than he asked for.
Let’s contrast this with the leaders that Jesus is telling off. Jesus is accusing the leaders of his time with having poor judgment. He indicates that they are also selfish and power-hungry. They do not understand the bigger picture. They are like a cat in the way that when you point at something the cat looks at your finger rather than at the thing at which you are pointing. They are short sighted. They get distracted by shiny objects … like the gold on the sanctuary or the gift on the altar. Jesus says they should be focusing on the sanctuary and the altar.
These leaders obey the law by tithing their spices and herbs, but they neglect the weightier matters of the law such as justice, mercy, and faith. They make sure that they look good on the outside, but Jesus tells them that they are dirty on the inside, stained with greed and self-indulgence. Faith doesn’t lead them to tithe. Mercy doesn’t lead them to care. Justice has no bearing on how they make decisions.
Please note that guilt and shame are not to be our motivators. Faith in God, mercy for others, and a desire for true justice are to lead us and inform our actions.
The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes did not have the same mindset as Solomon. They were not in awe at the task given to them by God. Solomon didn’t ask for riches. Jesus accused the Pharisees and Scribes of being greedy. Solomon didn’t ask for the life of his enemies. Jesus accused the leaders of his day of not practicing mercy and justice. In humility Solomon told God that he was just a little child, but the Pharisees and Scribes were called self-indulgent. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes wanted only what was best for them. Solomon wanted an understanding mind to discern between good and evil.
If God had said to the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes "Ask what I should give you," what would they have answered? Long life? Riches? The life of their enemies? Probably all of these.
What if this question were posed to us? "Ask what I should give you." What would we answer? Depends on the day, right? Some days we might have the big picture in mind. We might not be as distracted by the shiny things. Other days … well, we might not ask for the lives of our enemies, but we might ask to outlive them. We might see riches as the way out of all the troubles in our lives. We might be thinking in a more self-indulgent and short-sighted way. It’s a good thing that God doesn’t ask this question anymore. Or … does God?
Mark 10:46 – 52 They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart, get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Matthew 20: 29 – 34 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Lord have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” Jesus stood still and called them, saying, “What would you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.
This story is also told in the Gospel of Luke with one blind man and Jesus healing him by saying, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.” In it also, Jesus asks the blind man, “What do you want me to do for you?” In three of the four gospels Jesus asks the blind man what he wants.
Here’s another story.
Mark 10:35 – 38a James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And Jesus said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking.”
Well this is interesting. John and James, the sons of Zebedee … Jesus nicknamed them the sons of thunder … acting more like the Pharisees than followers of Jesus. While these disciples went on to do great things as Christians, they had a rocky start. Their nickname might have come because of a little suggestion of theirs that is found only in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 9. Some folks in a village that Jesus and the disciples were going through did not receive Jesus. It says, “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 Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.”
I know this may seem like a tangent, but I think it shows us how easy it is, in the name of God, to end up short-sighted and self-indulgent. James and John asked for the life of their enemies. They wanted the riches of sitting next to Jesus on their own heavenly thrones. If they hadn’t taken seriously the rebukes of Jesus, they could have ended up as Pharisees. Contrarily, if the Pharisees had taken the rebukes of Jesus seriously, they could have ended up disciples. Instead Jesus called them blind guides and blind fools. They should have taken a lesson from Blind Bartimaeus!
This is the lesson I hear from Solomon: when you start thinking about what you want from God, pause for a moment. Reflect on who God is to you. Solomon said to God, "You have shown great and steadfast love.” Solomon based his request on who God was to him and to his father, David. He also took seriously the task that lay before him.
I hear a lesson from the blind man that Jesus healed. Call out with your whole heart and be honest. Jesus heard the faith in his cry. He heard others telling him to shut up. Bartimaeus son of Timaeus knew exactly what he wanted and knew why he wanted it from Jesus. Bartimaeus, and the other blind man, believed in Jesus. They didn’t go their own way after they were healed. They got up and followed Jesus. They already knew his teachings. They believed what he had to say. I believe that they wanted to see him and to follow him. The blind men could see better with their faith than the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes could see with their eyes.
It isn’t just us asking God for this and for that. God says, "Ask what I should give you." Jesus says, “What is it you want me to do for you?” We know this isn’t a Christmas list. This is a more basic, at the foundation of who you are, kind of question. This question asks about the more weighty matters of how we want to live our lives.
Solomon asked for an understanding mind and the ability to discern. Jesus emphasized the importance of living a life of faith, mercy, and justice. The blind men called out in faith and asked to see. What is it that you want God to do for you?
Friday, July 29, 2011
Believing God
Exodus 33:12 – 17
Moses said to the Lord, "See, you have said to me, "Bring up this people'; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, "I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.' Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people." God said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." And Moses said to him, "If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth." The Lord said to Moses, "I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name."
Moses is frustrated. He is calling on God to make good on the promises made to him. He is also asking God to show a little cause and effect. In other words, I think Moses is saying, "So God, I have found favor in your sight? That's great. Can I get a little action over here? I'm feeling awfully alone and it looks to others like maybe we have been making you up all this time. Seriously, God, if we are your nation, then come with us. If you aren't planning on coming with us then I'd rather stay where we are. I can't do this without you. I won’t do this without you."
Isn’t it comforting to know that it isn’t just us? Do you find relief of mind and heart that, for Moses, believing God sometimes meant asking for a little evidence? That probably doesn’t sound very spiritual, does it? Asking God for evidence sounds like a lack of faith. But here was Moses, a great person of God, chosen by God to be a leader saying, “Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways.” Show me what you are going to do, God. And make your presence known so that we don’t look like fools.
After God agrees to all that Moses requests, Moses takes it a step farther. In verse 18 Moses asks to see God’s glory. Moses wants to see God. With his eyes. Not an angel. Not a miracle. Moses wants to see God up close and personal. God’s reply? “No one can see me and live. But I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.”
God didn’t get mad, which is known to happen throughout the Bible. God didn’t say forget about it, which is known to happen throughout the Bible. God says, okay, but we will do it my way.
Is it lack of faith that prompts such requests? Or is it abundant faith that believes God will respond to such requests? Maybe it depends on the motivation of the person and the specific circumstance. All I know is that God responded to Moses favorably. What then does it mean to believe God? Maybe Paul can help us.
Philippians 1:1 – 11
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
What catches my attention in this passage the most is when Paul says, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work amoung you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” God will finish what God began. Paul is confident!
How often have we started a project and then realized that it was bigger or harder than we thought? Paul wants the Philippians to know that even if what they are doing is bigger and harder than they thought it would be, that God knew how big and hard the project was when it was started. The Philippians are to trust God’s ability and loyalty so that they can finish what they began. They need to be confident with Paul. They need to remember with Paul who it was that began the good work amoung them. By remembering God’s good work amoung them at the beginning they can believe God for a successful completion.
Paul is also telling them that God is with them from beginning to end. God did not start the work just to watch them finish from a distance. God is as devoted to the work as they are. Just like God promised to be present to Moses, Paul is promising that God is present from beginning to end. But the Philippians still have to believe. They have to remember with Paul and believe that it was God who started with them. If they agree that it was God who began the good work, then they have to believe that God wants to finish the work with them.
It is easy to remember the good work of the past and to think … ah, the good old days. Do you remember when this was wonderful and that was wonderful? Wouldn’t it be great if it were like that again? Sometimes these memories are good and important just to have for their own sake. But to look on those memories only to be sad about the present diminishes the possibilities of the present.
I do believe that there are times to grieve what never will be again. We must acknowledge these losses and mourn. And then I think it’s important to lift our heads up and look at what we have now. Paul is helping the Philippians do just that.
The Philippians seem to be having a tough time. They started out strong but now hard things are happening. Not the least of these things is what is going on with Paul himself. He is in prison. Paul started the church in Philippi. They have remained quite close. When the church found out that Paul was in prison they sent Epaphroditus with a gift from them. As a response to that gift Paul sends this letter back with Epaphroditus. He knows that they love him. He loves them too and he knows how hard it is for them that he is in prison. He also knows that they are under pressure too. Being a follower of Jesus as the Christ was risky business for everyone. They had opponents just as Paul did.
“I am confident,” Paul says, “that the one who began the good work in you will bring it to completion.” Paul is in jail for preaching the gospel. While in jail he is encouraging his church because they are worried about him and they are experiencing persecution. In all of this, where does Paul get his confidence? Unlike Moses, he isn’t asking to see God. Well, that might be because he has seen God.
In the middle of Acts we read about Paul who was at that time called Saul. He was persecuting the church with much enthusiasm and with the backing of the chief priests. Acts 9 tells the story of his conversion. “Meanwhile, Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ Saul asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’”
Saul ended up temporarily blind because of this experience. While it doesn’t say explicitly that Saul saw God, it is inferred when the story talks about what happened with his traveling companions. “The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one.” This implies that Saul saw someone. The voice speaking to him said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
Another person who saw God, although in a different way, was Thomas. Do you remember that he doubted the resurrection? Who can blame him? He was in deep grief. He loved Jesus. How awful that he happened to be gone the first time that Jesus appeared to his friends in his resurrected form. Thomas said, “Unless I see for myself I will not believe.” That seems only fair to me.
The next week Jesus returned. Thomas was there. Jesus said to him, “Put your fingers in my wounds and believe. Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have come to believe.”
Believing although not seeing. This is the challenge of most people in the church. Moses saw the backside of God. Paul saw the ascended form of Jesus, although I’m guessing in a very small dose. God told Moses that no one can see God and live. Paul was only struck blind. These great people of God seem to have such an advantage over us. And yet, Jesus is talking right to us when he tells Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have come to believe.”
Last week we talked about visioning and dreaming. I encouraged us to pray and receive the visions and dreams that God gives us. I want us to not be afraid of change, to love people of all stripes, and to offer our ministry without restraint. To do that, we have to have some kind of anchor in our soul, even if it’s only a kernel of solid belief. Jesus told his disciples that if they had faith only the size of a mustard seed they could say to the mountain, “Be moved!” and it would be moved.
Just like Moses, we can feel frustrated, lonely and exhausted in our ministry. We may need to ask for evidence like Moses did. We may need encouragement like the Philippians. We may long to see Jesus like Thomas. Whatever place you are I can tell you this: I am confident like Paul that the work the Holy Spirit has begun in us will be brought to completion by this same Holy Spirit through us.
What is your anchor of belief? Where have you seen God? What can you return to at the times when your present situation feels frustrating or when you feel alone or overwhelmed? I think it’s important to be able to identify your anchor of belief, the kernel of faith that helps you stay centered and strong. I don’t like to leave inspiration and motivation to chance, hoping that I’ll remember in my time of need. That is like hoping you’ll find a good sturdy rope and something heavy enough to tie it to when your ship is drifting. It is good to know what your anchor is and where it can be found.
Your anchor might be a memory of seeing the evidence of God in your life or someone else’s life? It could be a deep knowing in your spirit. It could come from prayer, music, walking in the woods, going to church, or any number of other things. Knowing our anchor of belief is one way of opening up a space in our souls so that we have room for dreams and visions.
Believing God isn’t just some spiritual gift that some people have and others don’t. Just like any relationship, we need to cultivate our trust in God. We need to know in our souls that God is faithful and loyal. Our believing in God in response is a way to be faithful and loyal in return.
It is okay to call out to God like Moses did, asking for some kind of assurance. That is still an act of believing God. When we call out wanting a response we are doing so with some kind of faith that indicates a response is possible. It is important to remember the strength of the past sometimes so that we can be confident in the future.
Talk to God in real terms. Don’t worry about being religious or spiritual. Tell God what you need, what you long for, and how you are feeling. This is one way to open up your soul for the dreams and visions that we need as we move forward.
Believing God comes in many forms. What does it look like when you are believing God?
Moses said to the Lord, "See, you have said to me, "Bring up this people'; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, "I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.' Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people." God said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." And Moses said to him, "If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth." The Lord said to Moses, "I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name."
Moses is frustrated. He is calling on God to make good on the promises made to him. He is also asking God to show a little cause and effect. In other words, I think Moses is saying, "So God, I have found favor in your sight? That's great. Can I get a little action over here? I'm feeling awfully alone and it looks to others like maybe we have been making you up all this time. Seriously, God, if we are your nation, then come with us. If you aren't planning on coming with us then I'd rather stay where we are. I can't do this without you. I won’t do this without you."
Isn’t it comforting to know that it isn’t just us? Do you find relief of mind and heart that, for Moses, believing God sometimes meant asking for a little evidence? That probably doesn’t sound very spiritual, does it? Asking God for evidence sounds like a lack of faith. But here was Moses, a great person of God, chosen by God to be a leader saying, “Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways.” Show me what you are going to do, God. And make your presence known so that we don’t look like fools.
After God agrees to all that Moses requests, Moses takes it a step farther. In verse 18 Moses asks to see God’s glory. Moses wants to see God. With his eyes. Not an angel. Not a miracle. Moses wants to see God up close and personal. God’s reply? “No one can see me and live. But I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.”
God didn’t get mad, which is known to happen throughout the Bible. God didn’t say forget about it, which is known to happen throughout the Bible. God says, okay, but we will do it my way.
Is it lack of faith that prompts such requests? Or is it abundant faith that believes God will respond to such requests? Maybe it depends on the motivation of the person and the specific circumstance. All I know is that God responded to Moses favorably. What then does it mean to believe God? Maybe Paul can help us.
Philippians 1:1 – 11
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
What catches my attention in this passage the most is when Paul says, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work amoung you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” God will finish what God began. Paul is confident!
How often have we started a project and then realized that it was bigger or harder than we thought? Paul wants the Philippians to know that even if what they are doing is bigger and harder than they thought it would be, that God knew how big and hard the project was when it was started. The Philippians are to trust God’s ability and loyalty so that they can finish what they began. They need to be confident with Paul. They need to remember with Paul who it was that began the good work amoung them. By remembering God’s good work amoung them at the beginning they can believe God for a successful completion.
Paul is also telling them that God is with them from beginning to end. God did not start the work just to watch them finish from a distance. God is as devoted to the work as they are. Just like God promised to be present to Moses, Paul is promising that God is present from beginning to end. But the Philippians still have to believe. They have to remember with Paul and believe that it was God who started with them. If they agree that it was God who began the good work, then they have to believe that God wants to finish the work with them.
It is easy to remember the good work of the past and to think … ah, the good old days. Do you remember when this was wonderful and that was wonderful? Wouldn’t it be great if it were like that again? Sometimes these memories are good and important just to have for their own sake. But to look on those memories only to be sad about the present diminishes the possibilities of the present.
I do believe that there are times to grieve what never will be again. We must acknowledge these losses and mourn. And then I think it’s important to lift our heads up and look at what we have now. Paul is helping the Philippians do just that.
The Philippians seem to be having a tough time. They started out strong but now hard things are happening. Not the least of these things is what is going on with Paul himself. He is in prison. Paul started the church in Philippi. They have remained quite close. When the church found out that Paul was in prison they sent Epaphroditus with a gift from them. As a response to that gift Paul sends this letter back with Epaphroditus. He knows that they love him. He loves them too and he knows how hard it is for them that he is in prison. He also knows that they are under pressure too. Being a follower of Jesus as the Christ was risky business for everyone. They had opponents just as Paul did.
“I am confident,” Paul says, “that the one who began the good work in you will bring it to completion.” Paul is in jail for preaching the gospel. While in jail he is encouraging his church because they are worried about him and they are experiencing persecution. In all of this, where does Paul get his confidence? Unlike Moses, he isn’t asking to see God. Well, that might be because he has seen God.
In the middle of Acts we read about Paul who was at that time called Saul. He was persecuting the church with much enthusiasm and with the backing of the chief priests. Acts 9 tells the story of his conversion. “Meanwhile, Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ Saul asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’”
Saul ended up temporarily blind because of this experience. While it doesn’t say explicitly that Saul saw God, it is inferred when the story talks about what happened with his traveling companions. “The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one.” This implies that Saul saw someone. The voice speaking to him said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
Another person who saw God, although in a different way, was Thomas. Do you remember that he doubted the resurrection? Who can blame him? He was in deep grief. He loved Jesus. How awful that he happened to be gone the first time that Jesus appeared to his friends in his resurrected form. Thomas said, “Unless I see for myself I will not believe.” That seems only fair to me.
The next week Jesus returned. Thomas was there. Jesus said to him, “Put your fingers in my wounds and believe. Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have come to believe.”
Believing although not seeing. This is the challenge of most people in the church. Moses saw the backside of God. Paul saw the ascended form of Jesus, although I’m guessing in a very small dose. God told Moses that no one can see God and live. Paul was only struck blind. These great people of God seem to have such an advantage over us. And yet, Jesus is talking right to us when he tells Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have come to believe.”
Last week we talked about visioning and dreaming. I encouraged us to pray and receive the visions and dreams that God gives us. I want us to not be afraid of change, to love people of all stripes, and to offer our ministry without restraint. To do that, we have to have some kind of anchor in our soul, even if it’s only a kernel of solid belief. Jesus told his disciples that if they had faith only the size of a mustard seed they could say to the mountain, “Be moved!” and it would be moved.
Just like Moses, we can feel frustrated, lonely and exhausted in our ministry. We may need to ask for evidence like Moses did. We may need encouragement like the Philippians. We may long to see Jesus like Thomas. Whatever place you are I can tell you this: I am confident like Paul that the work the Holy Spirit has begun in us will be brought to completion by this same Holy Spirit through us.
What is your anchor of belief? Where have you seen God? What can you return to at the times when your present situation feels frustrating or when you feel alone or overwhelmed? I think it’s important to be able to identify your anchor of belief, the kernel of faith that helps you stay centered and strong. I don’t like to leave inspiration and motivation to chance, hoping that I’ll remember in my time of need. That is like hoping you’ll find a good sturdy rope and something heavy enough to tie it to when your ship is drifting. It is good to know what your anchor is and where it can be found.
Your anchor might be a memory of seeing the evidence of God in your life or someone else’s life? It could be a deep knowing in your spirit. It could come from prayer, music, walking in the woods, going to church, or any number of other things. Knowing our anchor of belief is one way of opening up a space in our souls so that we have room for dreams and visions.
Believing God isn’t just some spiritual gift that some people have and others don’t. Just like any relationship, we need to cultivate our trust in God. We need to know in our souls that God is faithful and loyal. Our believing in God in response is a way to be faithful and loyal in return.
It is okay to call out to God like Moses did, asking for some kind of assurance. That is still an act of believing God. When we call out wanting a response we are doing so with some kind of faith that indicates a response is possible. It is important to remember the strength of the past sometimes so that we can be confident in the future.
Talk to God in real terms. Don’t worry about being religious or spiritual. Tell God what you need, what you long for, and how you are feeling. This is one way to open up your soul for the dreams and visions that we need as we move forward.
Believing God comes in many forms. What does it look like when you are believing God?
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Standards of Evaluation
Text: Mattthew 11:1 – 15
Who are these men? People were asking these questions about John the Baptizer and Jesus. People still ask these questions. We still ask these questions. At least, I hope we do. While we Christians have ascribed roles and some character traits to these men, I believe it is a good practice to delve deeper into who they were then and who they are to us now. In this account John is in prison and he is hearing about the miracles Jesus is performing.
According to Luke's gospel, Jesus and John are cousins. In the King James Version the angel, talking to Mary in Luke 1, says this, "Behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible." Mary visited Elisabeth when they were both pregnant, Elisabeth being farther along. John and Jesus were about 6 months apart in age. They probably played together as children. They knew each other. And yet, John asks Jesus, "Are you the one or shall we wait for another?" John wanted to be sure. He was in jail and I imagine he wanted his spirit to be settled on the matter. Cousin to cousin and prophet to prophet, John asks Jesus who he is. And he trusts Jesus to tell him the truth. Jesus answers by sending information that superficially it seems John already knows. What does this message mean to John?
Jesus was a man who spoke in parables and riddles. According to Matthew "without a parable he told them nothing." Is it possible that Jesus was sending a message to John that would make sense to him in a way that it wouldn't to others? Don't we have people with whom we speak that a certain phrase holds a deeper meaning than it would with others? John knew that the lame were walking and the blind were able to see because of Jesus. What John didn't know was if Jesus was The One. Jesus doesn't tell him yes or no ... I think he tells him something more, something we will never really be able to understand. And what of the last phrase, "Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." In fact there were many people taking offense at what Jesus was doing. Sure the sick were healed, but he was doing it on the Sabbath. Okay so he was doing miracles, but he was letting unclean people touch him and letting his disciples eat with unceremonially washed hands.
Why were people offended at Jesus doing these amazingly good things? I think it's because they were letting their standards get in the way of their evaluation. They couldn't look past what they had known before, how things had been done before, even the rules that had been set out before. They couldn't appreciate the miracles because they were distracted by their bias and protocol. May God save us from our bias and our protocol.
This same bias and protocol was at play when people evaluated John's identity. After the disciples of John left, Jesus turned to the crowd to address John's identity. "What did you go out to see," he asked? Some people thought John to be crazy. Others thought he was the Messiah. Many followed him as a prophet and even more were influenced by his teachings and were baptized by him. Jesus challenges the crowd. He names their opinions. Is he a reed shaken by the wind? Is he royalty from heaven? Is he a prophet? Yes, Jesus tells them, he is a prophet and so much more. And then Jesus says a very curious thing. "Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
How can this be? What is he saying? If no one has arisen greater than John, where does that put Jesus? Yet the least is greater than John. What is the standard of this evaluation? Such a mysterious saying. But he goes on to say, "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen!"
Let anyone with ears listen. Let anyone who can drop their bias and reliance on protocol accept and understand. Jesus asks a lot of us in many ways. This is one of those ways. In his statement about John, that he is Elijah who is to come, Jesus not only tells us who John is but he tells us who he is. Mark 9 gives us insight into this. We are in the middle of the story of the transformation on the mountain where Peter, James and John saw Jesus transfigured along with Elijah and Moses. Afterward, as they were walking down the mountain together, "they asked him, 'Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?' He said to them, 'Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.'"
Malachi prophesied that Elijah, the first prophet of Israel, would precede the coming of the Messiah. The scribes handed down this prophesy as a teaching. Peter, James and John were confused. If Jesus was the Messiah, where was Elijah? Jesus explains to them in the story of the transfiguration that Elijah has come. He explains even more explicitly in our story today saying that John the Baptist is Elijah. John is the messenger preparing the way for the Messiah.
One might not see Elijah in John the Baptist at first blush. He was rough and crude. He isolated himself in the desert and only ate locusts and honey. We hear no stories about him attending weddings like Jesus did. The only relationships of his that we hear about are those he had with his followers and with King Herod. Elijah may not have had many friends, but we do read about him helping the widow and her son, being a sought after consultant to King Ahab, and having a confidant and trusted mentee in Elisha. He might not have been the most sophisticated chap, but he doesn’t seem to have been quite as hated in the same way that John was. Furthermore, there is a certain romanticism that happens when someone becomes an archetype. John the Baptist didn't really fit any romantic vision of Elijah. Yet Jesus tells them that if they will listen to him, if they will drop their romanticism and expectations, they will see that John is Elijah the messenger and that the way was prepared by him. Jesus proclaims himself Messiah without having to use those words. He answers John's question to him, are you The One, in one message to John's disciples and then in another message to the gathered crowd.
But how is it that John can be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven of those born of women and yet the least are greater than him? Is this a riddle to be analyzed? Is this a secret truth that, if we uncover it we will understand something of the essence of God? Maybe. But rather than figuring out how it is that this can be I want to figure out how it is that we can live this truth. The questions in the passage are all about identity. The premise that I see is that we need to drop our bias and let go of our protocols. If we concede that John the Baptist is the greatest and yet those who are least are greater than he, how must be live? Who are least in the kingdom of heaven? I mean, out of all the people that we meet, that we hear about, that we read about ... out of all these people, who are ascribed to be the least in the kingdom of heaven? If these people are least, and Jesus tells us that they are greater than John the Baptist, how must we live?
I believe too often our standards get in the way of being able to evaluate according to Christ's teaching. Sometimes these are standards that we know we have and sometimes they are internalized. This week let’s practice getting in touch with those ideas or frameworks that create standards that limit our evaluations. And let’s pray that we have ears to hear the teachings of Jesus. When we let go of our bias and our protocols, who knows who will be revealed to us as being greater than John the Baptist.
Who are these men? People were asking these questions about John the Baptizer and Jesus. People still ask these questions. We still ask these questions. At least, I hope we do. While we Christians have ascribed roles and some character traits to these men, I believe it is a good practice to delve deeper into who they were then and who they are to us now. In this account John is in prison and he is hearing about the miracles Jesus is performing.
According to Luke's gospel, Jesus and John are cousins. In the King James Version the angel, talking to Mary in Luke 1, says this, "Behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible." Mary visited Elisabeth when they were both pregnant, Elisabeth being farther along. John and Jesus were about 6 months apart in age. They probably played together as children. They knew each other. And yet, John asks Jesus, "Are you the one or shall we wait for another?" John wanted to be sure. He was in jail and I imagine he wanted his spirit to be settled on the matter. Cousin to cousin and prophet to prophet, John asks Jesus who he is. And he trusts Jesus to tell him the truth. Jesus answers by sending information that superficially it seems John already knows. What does this message mean to John?
Jesus was a man who spoke in parables and riddles. According to Matthew "without a parable he told them nothing." Is it possible that Jesus was sending a message to John that would make sense to him in a way that it wouldn't to others? Don't we have people with whom we speak that a certain phrase holds a deeper meaning than it would with others? John knew that the lame were walking and the blind were able to see because of Jesus. What John didn't know was if Jesus was The One. Jesus doesn't tell him yes or no ... I think he tells him something more, something we will never really be able to understand. And what of the last phrase, "Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." In fact there were many people taking offense at what Jesus was doing. Sure the sick were healed, but he was doing it on the Sabbath. Okay so he was doing miracles, but he was letting unclean people touch him and letting his disciples eat with unceremonially washed hands.
Why were people offended at Jesus doing these amazingly good things? I think it's because they were letting their standards get in the way of their evaluation. They couldn't look past what they had known before, how things had been done before, even the rules that had been set out before. They couldn't appreciate the miracles because they were distracted by their bias and protocol. May God save us from our bias and our protocol.
This same bias and protocol was at play when people evaluated John's identity. After the disciples of John left, Jesus turned to the crowd to address John's identity. "What did you go out to see," he asked? Some people thought John to be crazy. Others thought he was the Messiah. Many followed him as a prophet and even more were influenced by his teachings and were baptized by him. Jesus challenges the crowd. He names their opinions. Is he a reed shaken by the wind? Is he royalty from heaven? Is he a prophet? Yes, Jesus tells them, he is a prophet and so much more. And then Jesus says a very curious thing. "Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
How can this be? What is he saying? If no one has arisen greater than John, where does that put Jesus? Yet the least is greater than John. What is the standard of this evaluation? Such a mysterious saying. But he goes on to say, "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen!"
Let anyone with ears listen. Let anyone who can drop their bias and reliance on protocol accept and understand. Jesus asks a lot of us in many ways. This is one of those ways. In his statement about John, that he is Elijah who is to come, Jesus not only tells us who John is but he tells us who he is. Mark 9 gives us insight into this. We are in the middle of the story of the transformation on the mountain where Peter, James and John saw Jesus transfigured along with Elijah and Moses. Afterward, as they were walking down the mountain together, "they asked him, 'Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?' He said to them, 'Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.'"
Malachi prophesied that Elijah, the first prophet of Israel, would precede the coming of the Messiah. The scribes handed down this prophesy as a teaching. Peter, James and John were confused. If Jesus was the Messiah, where was Elijah? Jesus explains to them in the story of the transfiguration that Elijah has come. He explains even more explicitly in our story today saying that John the Baptist is Elijah. John is the messenger preparing the way for the Messiah.
One might not see Elijah in John the Baptist at first blush. He was rough and crude. He isolated himself in the desert and only ate locusts and honey. We hear no stories about him attending weddings like Jesus did. The only relationships of his that we hear about are those he had with his followers and with King Herod. Elijah may not have had many friends, but we do read about him helping the widow and her son, being a sought after consultant to King Ahab, and having a confidant and trusted mentee in Elisha. He might not have been the most sophisticated chap, but he doesn’t seem to have been quite as hated in the same way that John was. Furthermore, there is a certain romanticism that happens when someone becomes an archetype. John the Baptist didn't really fit any romantic vision of Elijah. Yet Jesus tells them that if they will listen to him, if they will drop their romanticism and expectations, they will see that John is Elijah the messenger and that the way was prepared by him. Jesus proclaims himself Messiah without having to use those words. He answers John's question to him, are you The One, in one message to John's disciples and then in another message to the gathered crowd.
But how is it that John can be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven of those born of women and yet the least are greater than him? Is this a riddle to be analyzed? Is this a secret truth that, if we uncover it we will understand something of the essence of God? Maybe. But rather than figuring out how it is that this can be I want to figure out how it is that we can live this truth. The questions in the passage are all about identity. The premise that I see is that we need to drop our bias and let go of our protocols. If we concede that John the Baptist is the greatest and yet those who are least are greater than he, how must be live? Who are least in the kingdom of heaven? I mean, out of all the people that we meet, that we hear about, that we read about ... out of all these people, who are ascribed to be the least in the kingdom of heaven? If these people are least, and Jesus tells us that they are greater than John the Baptist, how must we live?
I believe too often our standards get in the way of being able to evaluate according to Christ's teaching. Sometimes these are standards that we know we have and sometimes they are internalized. This week let’s practice getting in touch with those ideas or frameworks that create standards that limit our evaluations. And let’s pray that we have ears to hear the teachings of Jesus. When we let go of our bias and our protocols, who knows who will be revealed to us as being greater than John the Baptist.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Welcoming Christ In Our Midst
Acts 4:1-10 & Matthew 10:40-42
Earlier in the 10th chapter of Matthew, Jesus told his disciples to go into the nearby villages and towns. He gave them authority to cast out unclean spirits and to cure every disease and every sickness. He also warned them that they would not always be welcome. Jesus told them, "See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them…” He warned them that they would be “dragged before governors and kings” because of him. But they were not to worry what they were to say, because the Spirit would speak through them.
Peter and John found out that Jesus was not kidding. After Pentecost the disciples stepped up their game and began going out to heal and preach just as they had been doing when Jesus was still with them. Lo and behold, they were dragged into jail and questioned just as promised. “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit” gave their defense, again, just as promised.
As the story in Acts unfolds we find those who accused the disciples in a quandary. It says, “when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.” Later we find out that the disciples were warned to stop speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus. Peter and John’s reply? "Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Peter and John had good news in their souls and they were not about to hold that inside of them. If healing a person of a disease got them into trouble, it was worth it. Jesus said, “whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward." In the name of a disciple … or maybe better put, if you give even a cup of cold water because you name yourself as being a disciple. If because you follow Jesus you do even the smallest act of kindness to someone else, you will not lose your reward.
If because you follow Jesus you welcome and are welcomed, you will not lose your reward. We like to be rewarded, don’t we? We like to know that someone notices the good things that we do. Jesus is saying that these good things will be noticed – they will be noticed by everyone. Not everyone will respond the same way though. Some will look at our love and compassion on others as being offensive. Whether we receive love and compassion in time of need or give love and compassion, some people will be offended even to the point of being angry and wanting to make us stop. Isn’t that dumbfounding?
Jesus tells us to welcome people anyway. Jesus tells us to help people anyway. He isn’t real clear about what the reward will be, just that there will be a reward. If you receive a prophet you will receive the reward of the prophet. If someone welcomes you on account of you being a person of faith, they are welcoming Jesus. If you do a small act of kindness for someone, like giving a cup of cold water to someone who thirsts, you will not lose your reward.
This reward … I don’t think it’s the reason we are to welcome and to accept being welcomed. Instead I think we should tuck this promise inside our hearts for the day when people express their dissatisfaction because we are generous and welcoming, and in case we are ever brought into the courts because we heal and teach the hope of Christ. Remembering these words of Jesus will give us strength and courage. Even if those around you criticize your good deeds and think you should be more selfish, you will remember that you are generous because you are a disciple. You are welcoming because you have been welcomed.
When we are welcomed, Christ is welcomed. When we welcome others, Christ is welcomed. Jesus says, "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me.” Who is the “you” that Jesus is referring too? Specifically in that moment Jesus was talking to his 12 disciples. But in the larger teaching, Jesus is talking to everyone who loves him. Some of those people go to church and some don’t. Some of those people look like us and some don’t. When Jesus tells us to give even a cup of cold water to the little ones, I think he is saying, don’t try to figure out who is a prophet and who is righteous. Don’t decide who you should welcome … just welcome people. Love people. If someone is thirsty, give them something to drink. And if someone else doesn’t think that thirsty person deserves a drink, give them a drink too.
This week we held the funeral service for Casey Jones. I had already chosen the scriptures for this week before I found out that I was officiating at his funeral. When I began to talk to people about Casey, I heard many of the stories that he used to tell. But one story I heard twice. It was the story of when he was a little boy and he was playing with his friends. It was a hot summer day and the boys were playing hard. They were tired and got very thirsty. They went to the back door of the house of one of the boys where they were greeted by the child’s mother who said, “You can all come in and have drink of water … except for the Jones boy.” Casey’s family was poor. That was the only reason he could think of that this mom didn’t let him in the house or give him a drink of water. At that young age he decided that he would make something of himself. Which he did. However, once he began to make money he did not forget what it was like to be excluded. From the stories I hear he was a generous man and genuinely interested in how things were going in people’s lives.
Casey was not a church-going man. One might say that it wasn’t because of Jesus that he was generous and welcoming. I say that we do not know. I also wonder about the mother who refused him a drink of water. I wonder if she would have given him that drink if she had known who he was to become.
We don’t need to know who someone will become, where they have come from, or what they believe. Peter and John healed a lame man who was begging at the gate of the temple. They did not ask him what he believed. The story tells us that “Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.’ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, ‘I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.”
The leaders were offended that Peter and John healed this man. But Peter and John regarded him as if he were Jesus. Inspiration was tucked in their hearts. When they were arrested and then the next morning questioned, their answer was that they did it in the name of Jesus. They did it for the sake of Jesus, to welcome Christ and the one who sent Christ.
Tuck this in your hearts. When you welcome others you are welcoming Jesus. When you help others, you are helping Jesus. It is a simple principle, but difficult sometimes. We want our reward to be more immediate or more apparent. We want our good deeds to be noticed here and now. Sometimes that doesn’t happen. Sometimes our reward is deep inside our spirit. It might take prayer and faith to accept it. Truly, I tell you, keep doing good deeds for the sake of welcoming Jesus in our midst and you will not lose your reward.
Earlier in the 10th chapter of Matthew, Jesus told his disciples to go into the nearby villages and towns. He gave them authority to cast out unclean spirits and to cure every disease and every sickness. He also warned them that they would not always be welcome. Jesus told them, "See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them…” He warned them that they would be “dragged before governors and kings” because of him. But they were not to worry what they were to say, because the Spirit would speak through them.
Peter and John found out that Jesus was not kidding. After Pentecost the disciples stepped up their game and began going out to heal and preach just as they had been doing when Jesus was still with them. Lo and behold, they were dragged into jail and questioned just as promised. “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit” gave their defense, again, just as promised.
As the story in Acts unfolds we find those who accused the disciples in a quandary. It says, “when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.” Later we find out that the disciples were warned to stop speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus. Peter and John’s reply? "Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Peter and John had good news in their souls and they were not about to hold that inside of them. If healing a person of a disease got them into trouble, it was worth it. Jesus said, “whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward." In the name of a disciple … or maybe better put, if you give even a cup of cold water because you name yourself as being a disciple. If because you follow Jesus you do even the smallest act of kindness to someone else, you will not lose your reward.
If because you follow Jesus you welcome and are welcomed, you will not lose your reward. We like to be rewarded, don’t we? We like to know that someone notices the good things that we do. Jesus is saying that these good things will be noticed – they will be noticed by everyone. Not everyone will respond the same way though. Some will look at our love and compassion on others as being offensive. Whether we receive love and compassion in time of need or give love and compassion, some people will be offended even to the point of being angry and wanting to make us stop. Isn’t that dumbfounding?
Jesus tells us to welcome people anyway. Jesus tells us to help people anyway. He isn’t real clear about what the reward will be, just that there will be a reward. If you receive a prophet you will receive the reward of the prophet. If someone welcomes you on account of you being a person of faith, they are welcoming Jesus. If you do a small act of kindness for someone, like giving a cup of cold water to someone who thirsts, you will not lose your reward.
This reward … I don’t think it’s the reason we are to welcome and to accept being welcomed. Instead I think we should tuck this promise inside our hearts for the day when people express their dissatisfaction because we are generous and welcoming, and in case we are ever brought into the courts because we heal and teach the hope of Christ. Remembering these words of Jesus will give us strength and courage. Even if those around you criticize your good deeds and think you should be more selfish, you will remember that you are generous because you are a disciple. You are welcoming because you have been welcomed.
When we are welcomed, Christ is welcomed. When we welcome others, Christ is welcomed. Jesus says, "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me.” Who is the “you” that Jesus is referring too? Specifically in that moment Jesus was talking to his 12 disciples. But in the larger teaching, Jesus is talking to everyone who loves him. Some of those people go to church and some don’t. Some of those people look like us and some don’t. When Jesus tells us to give even a cup of cold water to the little ones, I think he is saying, don’t try to figure out who is a prophet and who is righteous. Don’t decide who you should welcome … just welcome people. Love people. If someone is thirsty, give them something to drink. And if someone else doesn’t think that thirsty person deserves a drink, give them a drink too.
This week we held the funeral service for Casey Jones. I had already chosen the scriptures for this week before I found out that I was officiating at his funeral. When I began to talk to people about Casey, I heard many of the stories that he used to tell. But one story I heard twice. It was the story of when he was a little boy and he was playing with his friends. It was a hot summer day and the boys were playing hard. They were tired and got very thirsty. They went to the back door of the house of one of the boys where they were greeted by the child’s mother who said, “You can all come in and have drink of water … except for the Jones boy.” Casey’s family was poor. That was the only reason he could think of that this mom didn’t let him in the house or give him a drink of water. At that young age he decided that he would make something of himself. Which he did. However, once he began to make money he did not forget what it was like to be excluded. From the stories I hear he was a generous man and genuinely interested in how things were going in people’s lives.
Casey was not a church-going man. One might say that it wasn’t because of Jesus that he was generous and welcoming. I say that we do not know. I also wonder about the mother who refused him a drink of water. I wonder if she would have given him that drink if she had known who he was to become.
We don’t need to know who someone will become, where they have come from, or what they believe. Peter and John healed a lame man who was begging at the gate of the temple. They did not ask him what he believed. The story tells us that “Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.’ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, ‘I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.”
The leaders were offended that Peter and John healed this man. But Peter and John regarded him as if he were Jesus. Inspiration was tucked in their hearts. When they were arrested and then the next morning questioned, their answer was that they did it in the name of Jesus. They did it for the sake of Jesus, to welcome Christ and the one who sent Christ.
Tuck this in your hearts. When you welcome others you are welcoming Jesus. When you help others, you are helping Jesus. It is a simple principle, but difficult sometimes. We want our reward to be more immediate or more apparent. We want our good deeds to be noticed here and now. Sometimes that doesn’t happen. Sometimes our reward is deep inside our spirit. It might take prayer and faith to accept it. Truly, I tell you, keep doing good deeds for the sake of welcoming Jesus in our midst and you will not lose your reward.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Beyond Our Imagination
Genesis 1:26-27; John 14:10-17
Happy Father's Day!! Blessings to all you dads! Being a good and loving father takes a lot of time, patience, and grace. I know that I am incredible blessed. I have a wonderful Father. I have never doubted the love and care of my Dad. I even took it for granted as a child ... many many times. And yet, his love was constant even when frustrated. I don't know how he did it.
There are many people in the world who have not had good fathers. This grieves my soul. Having kind, strong, and patient parents helps kids to grow up to be kind, strong, and patient. But this is only the beginning. I believe that a child's relationship with their parents also helps shape the child's relationship with God. I also think that our view of God shapes who we are as parents.
Not only is today Father's Day, but it is also Trinity Sunday. On this day we celebrate the complexity of our God. In our scriptures God is spoken of as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today as we consider the expression of God as trinity, let us also consider our own complexity, especially you Dads, since we understand ourselves to be created in the image of God.
Jesus speaks of his relationship with his Father. He distinguishes himself from the Father, and yet he goes on to explain that he and the Father are one. "I am in the Father and the Father is in me." Then Jesus makes us a promise that the Father will give us another Advocate, the Spirit of Truth. Jesus is the first Advocate but he knows he is going away. The promise of the other Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, is a promise that we will not be left alone. The Spirit of Truth abides with us, and will be in us. Our celebration of Pentecost fulfill this promise of the other Advocate.
It's hard to wrap our heads around all these relationships. And it gets even more mind blowing when Jesus says, "I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." This is not how we experience the world we live in. Even in our closest relationships we hold on to our individuality. While Jesus is teaching that we are interwoven with the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit, he also keeps the distinction that there is The Father, Jesus, the Spirit and us. This is mystery of the highest order. It is important to look at this complex mystery because it is connected to our calling by Christ to obey his commandments, the chief of which is to love God and to love our neighbor.
We can look at what we see in our lives to begin to explore this mystery. Consider a woven blanket. There are many threads that make up the one blanket. The black thread is distinct from the brown thread which is distinct from the red and yellow threads. Each of these threads are separate but because they are woven together, they become one. The Father, Jesus, and the Spirit are distinct, yet they are one. We are woven into the spiritual fabric of God and are invited to experience love at a level beyond our imagination.
Ephesians 3:16 - 21
I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Rooted and grounded in love. The power to comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses our knowledge. The Spirit desires to accomplish abundantly far more than we can ask or imagine. We are beckoned by God to search out the immensity of the mystery and complexity of God. Not that we apprehend the facts but that we comprehend the immensity and establish ourselves in love. This love surpasses what our brains alone can figure out. It isn't a calculation.
Imagine something amazing! Imagine the most marvelous think you can think of. Remember the most incredible experience that you've ever experienced. The love of Christ surpasses this. The power of the Spirit is able to accomplish more than this. Jesus and the Father with the Spirit are one. We are invited to be woven into this Holy Blanket.
It isn't just the Holy Spirit moving through us with Jesus as our Redeemer and the Father who sent the Son. Because of Christ we are reconciled to the Father and filled with the Holy Spirit. We are like a limb grafted on to a tree or like an organ transplanted into a body. Once we are reconciled we have access to all that the Father and Jesus shared. Through the Holy Spirit we are equipped to live a life of love beyond our imaginations.
This life of love is what we are called to live. Love is the foundational connection that we have with God. Just as God loves us we are to love God - with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Secondly, we are to love our neighbor as ourself. These are the commandments that we must obey in order for the weaving of ourselves with God to be secure and complete.
Fathers, I urge you to follow the lead of our heavenly Father. Weave yourself to your family. Call upon the Spirit of God to help you so that you and your family may be one. For all families of all kinds, I urge you to think about the mystery of love. How does it connect you to each other and to God? Think about the breadth and length and height and depth of this mystery. Imagine the love of Christ and then let yourself be wow'ed that Christ's love surpasses even the most magnificent dream you may have.
Happy Father's Day!! Blessings to all you dads! Being a good and loving father takes a lot of time, patience, and grace. I know that I am incredible blessed. I have a wonderful Father. I have never doubted the love and care of my Dad. I even took it for granted as a child ... many many times. And yet, his love was constant even when frustrated. I don't know how he did it.
There are many people in the world who have not had good fathers. This grieves my soul. Having kind, strong, and patient parents helps kids to grow up to be kind, strong, and patient. But this is only the beginning. I believe that a child's relationship with their parents also helps shape the child's relationship with God. I also think that our view of God shapes who we are as parents.
Not only is today Father's Day, but it is also Trinity Sunday. On this day we celebrate the complexity of our God. In our scriptures God is spoken of as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today as we consider the expression of God as trinity, let us also consider our own complexity, especially you Dads, since we understand ourselves to be created in the image of God.
Jesus speaks of his relationship with his Father. He distinguishes himself from the Father, and yet he goes on to explain that he and the Father are one. "I am in the Father and the Father is in me." Then Jesus makes us a promise that the Father will give us another Advocate, the Spirit of Truth. Jesus is the first Advocate but he knows he is going away. The promise of the other Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, is a promise that we will not be left alone. The Spirit of Truth abides with us, and will be in us. Our celebration of Pentecost fulfill this promise of the other Advocate.
It's hard to wrap our heads around all these relationships. And it gets even more mind blowing when Jesus says, "I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." This is not how we experience the world we live in. Even in our closest relationships we hold on to our individuality. While Jesus is teaching that we are interwoven with the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit, he also keeps the distinction that there is The Father, Jesus, the Spirit and us. This is mystery of the highest order. It is important to look at this complex mystery because it is connected to our calling by Christ to obey his commandments, the chief of which is to love God and to love our neighbor.
We can look at what we see in our lives to begin to explore this mystery. Consider a woven blanket. There are many threads that make up the one blanket. The black thread is distinct from the brown thread which is distinct from the red and yellow threads. Each of these threads are separate but because they are woven together, they become one. The Father, Jesus, and the Spirit are distinct, yet they are one. We are woven into the spiritual fabric of God and are invited to experience love at a level beyond our imagination.
Ephesians 3:16 - 21
I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Rooted and grounded in love. The power to comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses our knowledge. The Spirit desires to accomplish abundantly far more than we can ask or imagine. We are beckoned by God to search out the immensity of the mystery and complexity of God. Not that we apprehend the facts but that we comprehend the immensity and establish ourselves in love. This love surpasses what our brains alone can figure out. It isn't a calculation.
Imagine something amazing! Imagine the most marvelous think you can think of. Remember the most incredible experience that you've ever experienced. The love of Christ surpasses this. The power of the Spirit is able to accomplish more than this. Jesus and the Father with the Spirit are one. We are invited to be woven into this Holy Blanket.
It isn't just the Holy Spirit moving through us with Jesus as our Redeemer and the Father who sent the Son. Because of Christ we are reconciled to the Father and filled with the Holy Spirit. We are like a limb grafted on to a tree or like an organ transplanted into a body. Once we are reconciled we have access to all that the Father and Jesus shared. Through the Holy Spirit we are equipped to live a life of love beyond our imaginations.
This life of love is what we are called to live. Love is the foundational connection that we have with God. Just as God loves us we are to love God - with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Secondly, we are to love our neighbor as ourself. These are the commandments that we must obey in order for the weaving of ourselves with God to be secure and complete.
Fathers, I urge you to follow the lead of our heavenly Father. Weave yourself to your family. Call upon the Spirit of God to help you so that you and your family may be one. For all families of all kinds, I urge you to think about the mystery of love. How does it connect you to each other and to God? Think about the breadth and length and height and depth of this mystery. Imagine the love of Christ and then let yourself be wow'ed that Christ's love surpasses even the most magnificent dream you may have.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Drum Circle in Elkhart, IN!! Come join the Fun!!
We're having another drum circle!!
Drum Circle
Friday, May 20th, 7pm
First Congregational UCC
431 South 3rd Street (corner of 3rd and Marion in downtown Elkhart)
Elkhart, IN 46516
Drumming is a form of worship and prayer, a way to connect to each other, and a way to deepen our understanding of ourselves. Drumming helps to reduce stress and is FUN!
Everyone has rhythm in their bodies - our heartbeat and our breathing are prime examples. Come to the Drum Circle! From novice to expert we all have a rhythm to share! Bring your drum, rattle, or other percussive instrument if you have one. If you don't have one, loaners will be available.
Drum Circle
Friday, May 20th, 7pm
First Congregational UCC
431 South 3rd Street (corner of 3rd and Marion in downtown Elkhart)
Elkhart, IN 46516
Drumming is a form of worship and prayer, a way to connect to each other, and a way to deepen our understanding of ourselves. Drumming helps to reduce stress and is FUN!
Everyone has rhythm in their bodies - our heartbeat and our breathing are prime examples. Come to the Drum Circle! From novice to expert we all have a rhythm to share! Bring your drum, rattle, or other percussive instrument if you have one. If you don't have one, loaners will be available.
Friday, May 13, 2011
LGBT Asylum org needs help!!
Maybe you have been monitoring the process of the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill which calls for the execution of sexually active homosexuals who are HIV-positive or who are considered to be "serial offenders." The bill also calls for a sentence of life in prison upon conviction of a single "homosexual act," and a ban of the production or circulation of any information that "promotes" homosexuality – almost certainly including information on sexual health and HIV Prevention, any religious leader who speaks of welcome and affirmation for LGBT persons, or any justice work on behalf and/or with LGBT persons.
If so, I'm sure that you are as relieved as I am that Uganda's parliament adjourned today (Friday) without acting on the bill. This is wonderful but it doesn't mean that all is well. There is still much to do ... and many people to help. Sometimes it is difficult to find a practical thing to do. Today I have heard a plea that allows many of us the great satisfaction of putting our faith into works, much like James 2:18 suggests, "But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith."
Below is a forward of an email from Pastor Judy of the (LGBT) Asylum Support Task Force. But first, here is their Mission Statement
And now, the email excerpt from Pastor Judy:
If so, I'm sure that you are as relieved as I am that Uganda's parliament adjourned today (Friday) without acting on the bill. This is wonderful but it doesn't mean that all is well. There is still much to do ... and many people to help. Sometimes it is difficult to find a practical thing to do. Today I have heard a plea that allows many of us the great satisfaction of putting our faith into works, much like James 2:18 suggests, "But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith."
Below is a forward of an email from Pastor Judy of the (LGBT) Asylum Support Task Force. But first, here is their Mission Statement
The Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) Asylum Support Task Force is a community-based organization of volunteers dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBT individuals who are seeking asylum or refuge in the United States.
And now, the email excerpt from Pastor Judy:
We expect a grant in August, until then, we are hanging on by threads. Consider a check of any size, written to Hadwen Park, LGBT fund, 6 Clover St., Worcester, 01603
It has to go thru the church accounting system and the last Sunday before June 1st when rent for 9 asylees is due is May 29. It has to arrive by then to be counted, recorded and thru our tax exempt church system's books.
Please, Please help. WE are nearly $2000 short of food, rent, cells and transportation. HELP!
and..............gratitude for prayers,
Pastor Judy
www.hadwenparkchurch.org
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
LGBT Equality in the Presbyterian Church USA!!
How cool is this??? Very cool!!!!
"After 37 yrs, the PCUSA eliminates the final official barrier to full membership, leadership & service of LGBT people."
"After 37 yrs, the PCUSA eliminates the final official barrier to full membership, leadership & service of LGBT people."
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Heart of the Matter
Texts: John 10:7 – 18 and Tao te Ching #31
Last week my friend Tammerie declared it "Take Your Koran to Church Day". She wrote this in her blog post:
We didn't meet last Sunday and I don't have a Koran but I was offered one by two friends. It came as kind of a shock to me when I realized that I don't have a Koran. I have several Bibles, a translation of the Tao te Ching, Buddhist books, Goddess books, but no Koran.
And then I thought, but we are in the midst of Lent and moving toward Easter. Now isn't the time really to pull out non-Christian sacred writings, is it? This is one of the high Christian holidays where we celebrate Christ's last teachings, mourn his death, and celebrate his resurrection. Now is the time to pull out all the stops of Christianity.
My fervor for Christianity paused as I reflected on Jesus, a Jew. Jesus, a person not trying to start a new religion but instead so devoted to his religion, Judaism, that he stopped at nothing to go right to the heart of his devotion – relationship with God both for himself and for his people. Jesus, as I understand him, looked at the inside of the laws, the inside of the purpose for doing things, the inside of family, and the inside of politics and religion. The gifts he shared and his leadership were to bring wholeness to his people. He did not stop folks who wanted to follow him that were not Jews, but his message and his actions were meant to rebuild his community, starting from the inside… starting from the heart.
When rules and laws were flung at him like arrows to prove that he was a bad Jew, with wisdom he caught those arrows in the air and turned them back on his enemies. "You who are without sin cast the first stone." "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'" "I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?" Jesus taught the heart of the law not the letter of the law.
Today we follow the teachings of this Jew not as Jews, but as Christians. I wonder what he would feel about that. And I wonder if he would be as upset as I am when people like Terry Jones accost another religion in his name. I wonder if his heart would break reading bumper stickers like the one I read the other day – Work as hard as you can so the president can take your money and give it to people who don’t work. I wonder what Jesus' Facebook status would be after reading the flagrant political lies told for the purpose of the rich getting tax breaks and funding for education and health providers being cut.
This is Lent. We are celebrating what it is to be Christian – followers of Christ. At least part of that calling, if we take Jesus the Christ as our role model, is to challenge and criticize our own religion, Christianity. We are to take our own people to task for what they say and what they do. We are to take our own church to task for what we say and what we do. We need to get to the heart of our own message – the good news of abundant life.
The scarcity model that many Christian leaders teach is an abomination to the abundance model that Jesus taught and lived. Some want us to believe that resources are scarce and that we need to horde them for ourselves. Some want us to believe that there is only one way to worship and one expression of the Divine. This scarcity model serves only to create hostility against those who do not worship as we Christians do. Not that there is one Christian form of worship! We can't forget the battles done in the name of right worship. This too is a scarcity model, seeking to convince people that there are a limited number of ways to worship.
Jesus says he came so that we would have abundant life. The thief, he says, climbs over the fence in secret to kill, destroy, and steal. The wolf terrorizes the sheep and causes them to scatter while Jesus speaks to the sheep and they follow.
The scarcity model is a model of terror used to scatter the flock. It denies the abundance that Jesus proclaims. While Jesus says, "I have other sheep that belong to other flocks," the wolf cries out that the other flocks are evil and need to be punished. The wolf burns the sacred books of the other flocks, seeks to steal preventive healthcare, and creates an atmosphere of hysteria so that the sheep scatter.
But we, the sheep, need to hear our shepherd's voice. We need to not become wrapped up in the letter of the law but listen for the heart beating within. When the wolf tries to twist words of abundance to seem like words of scarcity we must listen for the beating of the shepherds heart. When the thief tries to climb over the fence to terrorize us we must keep our eyes on the gate.
In the midst of his own terror, before the soldiers came to arrest him, Jesus begged God to be spared his fate. His prayer, however, ended with, "Yet not what I want, but what you want." Did Jesus hear the voice of his shepherd? Did he remember his own words, "I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father."
What is the heart of Lent and Easter? I believe it is knowing that the shepherd leads us and loves us. I believe it is remembering that Jesus came offering us abundant life. Yes there are wolves. Yes there are thieves. Yes, they can make life difficult and dangerous.
Later in the Gospel of John, at the end of the 16th chapter Jesus says, "The hour is coming, indeed it has come, 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!"
In the name of the one who conquered the powers of the world I say to you, "Take courage!" Don't be thrown by the thieves and wolves. Remember that we are offered abundant life. That is the heart of the matter.
Last week my friend Tammerie declared it "Take Your Koran to Church Day". She wrote this in her blog post:
Terry Jones was apparently not satisfied with the firestorm of controversy he ignited last fall, when he threatened to hold an "International Burn a Quran Day" on the anniversary of 9/11. On April 1, 2011, with reportedly 30 congregants in attendance, Jones staged a mock trial of the Koran, found it guilty, doused it in kerosene and burned it.
Protests in Afghanistan have turned violent and are leading to a rising death toll. Rather than take responsibility for what his actions have triggered, Jones explicitly denied culpability and called for retribution.
We didn't meet last Sunday and I don't have a Koran but I was offered one by two friends. It came as kind of a shock to me when I realized that I don't have a Koran. I have several Bibles, a translation of the Tao te Ching, Buddhist books, Goddess books, but no Koran.
And then I thought, but we are in the midst of Lent and moving toward Easter. Now isn't the time really to pull out non-Christian sacred writings, is it? This is one of the high Christian holidays where we celebrate Christ's last teachings, mourn his death, and celebrate his resurrection. Now is the time to pull out all the stops of Christianity.
My fervor for Christianity paused as I reflected on Jesus, a Jew. Jesus, a person not trying to start a new religion but instead so devoted to his religion, Judaism, that he stopped at nothing to go right to the heart of his devotion – relationship with God both for himself and for his people. Jesus, as I understand him, looked at the inside of the laws, the inside of the purpose for doing things, the inside of family, and the inside of politics and religion. The gifts he shared and his leadership were to bring wholeness to his people. He did not stop folks who wanted to follow him that were not Jews, but his message and his actions were meant to rebuild his community, starting from the inside… starting from the heart.
When rules and laws were flung at him like arrows to prove that he was a bad Jew, with wisdom he caught those arrows in the air and turned them back on his enemies. "You who are without sin cast the first stone." "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'" "I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?" Jesus taught the heart of the law not the letter of the law.
Today we follow the teachings of this Jew not as Jews, but as Christians. I wonder what he would feel about that. And I wonder if he would be as upset as I am when people like Terry Jones accost another religion in his name. I wonder if his heart would break reading bumper stickers like the one I read the other day – Work as hard as you can so the president can take your money and give it to people who don’t work. I wonder what Jesus' Facebook status would be after reading the flagrant political lies told for the purpose of the rich getting tax breaks and funding for education and health providers being cut.
This is Lent. We are celebrating what it is to be Christian – followers of Christ. At least part of that calling, if we take Jesus the Christ as our role model, is to challenge and criticize our own religion, Christianity. We are to take our own people to task for what they say and what they do. We are to take our own church to task for what we say and what we do. We need to get to the heart of our own message – the good news of abundant life.
The scarcity model that many Christian leaders teach is an abomination to the abundance model that Jesus taught and lived. Some want us to believe that resources are scarce and that we need to horde them for ourselves. Some want us to believe that there is only one way to worship and one expression of the Divine. This scarcity model serves only to create hostility against those who do not worship as we Christians do. Not that there is one Christian form of worship! We can't forget the battles done in the name of right worship. This too is a scarcity model, seeking to convince people that there are a limited number of ways to worship.
Jesus says he came so that we would have abundant life. The thief, he says, climbs over the fence in secret to kill, destroy, and steal. The wolf terrorizes the sheep and causes them to scatter while Jesus speaks to the sheep and they follow.
The scarcity model is a model of terror used to scatter the flock. It denies the abundance that Jesus proclaims. While Jesus says, "I have other sheep that belong to other flocks," the wolf cries out that the other flocks are evil and need to be punished. The wolf burns the sacred books of the other flocks, seeks to steal preventive healthcare, and creates an atmosphere of hysteria so that the sheep scatter.
But we, the sheep, need to hear our shepherd's voice. We need to not become wrapped up in the letter of the law but listen for the heart beating within. When the wolf tries to twist words of abundance to seem like words of scarcity we must listen for the beating of the shepherds heart. When the thief tries to climb over the fence to terrorize us we must keep our eyes on the gate.
In the midst of his own terror, before the soldiers came to arrest him, Jesus begged God to be spared his fate. His prayer, however, ended with, "Yet not what I want, but what you want." Did Jesus hear the voice of his shepherd? Did he remember his own words, "I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father."
What is the heart of Lent and Easter? I believe it is knowing that the shepherd leads us and loves us. I believe it is remembering that Jesus came offering us abundant life. Yes there are wolves. Yes there are thieves. Yes, they can make life difficult and dangerous.
Later in the Gospel of John, at the end of the 16th chapter Jesus says, "The hour is coming, indeed it has come, 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!"
In the name of the one who conquered the powers of the world I say to you, "Take courage!" Don't be thrown by the thieves and wolves. Remember that we are offered abundant life. That is the heart of the matter.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Remembering Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr
Today is April 4th, the anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. During this time of Lenten reflection, as we prepare our hearts for the resurrection celebration of Jesus, please take a moment with me as you are able to remember the life and work of Dr. King. Although he did not rise from the dead after his assassination, he did live the life that Jesus calls all of us to live - one of speaking truth to power and living out sacrificial love.
Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, and Luke 9:23 all contain a version of Jesus' teaching "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Dr. King did just that. My prayer is that we will have the strength and the passion to follow in his footsteps.
http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/?page_id=122
Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, and Luke 9:23 all contain a version of Jesus' teaching "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Dr. King did just that. My prayer is that we will have the strength and the passion to follow in his footsteps.
http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/?page_id=122
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Grace in Time of Need
Texts: Hebrews 4: 12 – 16 & John 14:15 - 21
It has been a long hard winter. Even with spring here according to the calendar we are feeling more of winter's chill. At least the days are getting longer. But we began our Lenten time of reflection early in the year while there was more night than day. And with the cold dragging on we may find ourselves more challenged to complete the course of Lent than if we had begun it in warmer weather with longer daylight hours.
My relationship with Lent is not without tension regardless of what time of year it begins. I believe that an intentional time of reflection is good – it's healthy for our spirits. I also believe that remembering Jesus' suffering on our behalf is good. But then the conflict begins for me. I do not believe that we should remember Jesus' suffering so that we walk with our head hung down and our spirits in shame. Giving up something in our lives or adding something to our lives for 40 days can be a useful tool toward intentional reflection and gratitude. It is, I believe, a tool. We don't perform ritual because the ritual needs us to. We perform ritual for us. It may expand our understanding of a spiritual concept by using physical resources. It might help lead us in the direction toward God that we feel we need to go. Still other times ritual reflects back to us what it is we are doing in the spirit.
According to the scripture passage in the book of Hebrews, we don't have to give up or add anything to our lives for our vulnerabilities to be known by God in Christ. We are all "naked and laid bare" before the Spirit. Our vulnerabilities are already known. The essence of who we are is not hid from God – our strengths and our weaknesses alike. This is meant as an encouragement but so often it inspires fear in our hearts. The encouragement comes in understanding that we are not known to a hateful God but to a loving God. The passage continues in telling us that "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are." We are looked upon and known, and then compassion – no, not just compassion, but empathy flows from the heart of Christ. Our Lenten rituals can help to remind us that Christ, through his suffering, knows us and reaches out toward us.
The next line of that passage sometimes brings us back to feeling guilty and shamed. It goes on to say that Jesus endured his testing but without sinning. "Ahhh", you might say,"but I have sinned." How can Jesus sympathize with us? He overcame sin when he was tested and we still sin. Herein lies a mystery. Humans are apt to look down upon someone whose weakness shows when tested. Jesus, though fully human, is not like that. Instead of being wary of the wrath of Jesus because we are weak, we are told to "approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Jesus knows it's hard. Jesus knows that sometimes everything in life falls apart and it's scary, painful and infuriating. The turmoil, suffering, and testing that Jesus endured elicited compassion and sympathy toward us. Praise be to God! We have a high priest – a Messiah – who not only understands us but who offers us grace at the hardest and weakest times in our lives.
Here's the tricky part – we have to believe it, and believe it strong enough to make that approach to the throne of grace with boldness. Do we really believe that we will "receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need?" Do we? Do you? How can we find that strength when we are at our weakest to approach the throne of grace boldly? The only way I know to find this strength is through the one Jesus calls the Advocate, the abiding Holy Spirit. This "other Advocate," as Jesus calls the Spirit, was given to us so that we would not be left alone, fulfilling Jesus' promise that he would not leave us orphaned.
The Spirit doesn't just hang around us. The Spirit lives within us. The passage in The Gospel of John reads, "In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." The Spirit lives amoung us and lives within us. There is an integration between God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and us. We are like woven threads worked together to make a whole piece of cloth. Separate one and you unravel the many. We can come boldly to the throne of grace because we are strengthened by the bond between all the threads Spirit has woven within our soul.
There is another thing mentioned in the Gospel of John – the need to keep the commandments of Jesus. Once again we may feel discouraged. Keeping the commandments sounds very hard. I hope that I can encourage you by telling you that there are only two commandments. Very soon we will be addressing these in Sunday morning Bible Study. They are simple commandments, but intense and challenging. In the Gospel of Mark we read, "One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked Jesus, 'Which commandment is the first of all?' Jesus answered, "The first is, "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.’"
These are the commandments that Jesus wants us to obey. All other rules and rituals are to be in line with these two. Love God with everything that you are and love others as you love yourself. The question that needs to be asked, which we will be asking in Bible study, is how can we better love ourselves so that we can better love others?
Love God. Love yourself. Love others. The more you live into these commandments the more you will recognize the Advocate who lives in you as well as the strength of the woven threads of the Spirit, Jesus, and Divine Parent with your very soul.
As we move day by day and week by week through Lent, reflecting on the suffering of Christ and our own humanness, let us do so in the strength of Christ's compassion. When you feel weak, either due to the testing of this Lenten season or just because it’s been a hard day ... or a hard winter ... take a deep breath and remember the promised Holy Spirit. Lean back on the woven threads within your soul and approach the throne of grace with boldness. Life can be hard. We don't often have the answers that we want, but at the throne of grace we can breathe in mercy and grace.
It has been a long hard winter. Even with spring here according to the calendar we are feeling more of winter's chill. At least the days are getting longer. But we began our Lenten time of reflection early in the year while there was more night than day. And with the cold dragging on we may find ourselves more challenged to complete the course of Lent than if we had begun it in warmer weather with longer daylight hours.
My relationship with Lent is not without tension regardless of what time of year it begins. I believe that an intentional time of reflection is good – it's healthy for our spirits. I also believe that remembering Jesus' suffering on our behalf is good. But then the conflict begins for me. I do not believe that we should remember Jesus' suffering so that we walk with our head hung down and our spirits in shame. Giving up something in our lives or adding something to our lives for 40 days can be a useful tool toward intentional reflection and gratitude. It is, I believe, a tool. We don't perform ritual because the ritual needs us to. We perform ritual for us. It may expand our understanding of a spiritual concept by using physical resources. It might help lead us in the direction toward God that we feel we need to go. Still other times ritual reflects back to us what it is we are doing in the spirit.
According to the scripture passage in the book of Hebrews, we don't have to give up or add anything to our lives for our vulnerabilities to be known by God in Christ. We are all "naked and laid bare" before the Spirit. Our vulnerabilities are already known. The essence of who we are is not hid from God – our strengths and our weaknesses alike. This is meant as an encouragement but so often it inspires fear in our hearts. The encouragement comes in understanding that we are not known to a hateful God but to a loving God. The passage continues in telling us that "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are." We are looked upon and known, and then compassion – no, not just compassion, but empathy flows from the heart of Christ. Our Lenten rituals can help to remind us that Christ, through his suffering, knows us and reaches out toward us.
The next line of that passage sometimes brings us back to feeling guilty and shamed. It goes on to say that Jesus endured his testing but without sinning. "Ahhh", you might say,"but I have sinned." How can Jesus sympathize with us? He overcame sin when he was tested and we still sin. Herein lies a mystery. Humans are apt to look down upon someone whose weakness shows when tested. Jesus, though fully human, is not like that. Instead of being wary of the wrath of Jesus because we are weak, we are told to "approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Jesus knows it's hard. Jesus knows that sometimes everything in life falls apart and it's scary, painful and infuriating. The turmoil, suffering, and testing that Jesus endured elicited compassion and sympathy toward us. Praise be to God! We have a high priest – a Messiah – who not only understands us but who offers us grace at the hardest and weakest times in our lives.
Here's the tricky part – we have to believe it, and believe it strong enough to make that approach to the throne of grace with boldness. Do we really believe that we will "receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need?" Do we? Do you? How can we find that strength when we are at our weakest to approach the throne of grace boldly? The only way I know to find this strength is through the one Jesus calls the Advocate, the abiding Holy Spirit. This "other Advocate," as Jesus calls the Spirit, was given to us so that we would not be left alone, fulfilling Jesus' promise that he would not leave us orphaned.
The Spirit doesn't just hang around us. The Spirit lives within us. The passage in The Gospel of John reads, "In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." The Spirit lives amoung us and lives within us. There is an integration between God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and us. We are like woven threads worked together to make a whole piece of cloth. Separate one and you unravel the many. We can come boldly to the throne of grace because we are strengthened by the bond between all the threads Spirit has woven within our soul.
There is another thing mentioned in the Gospel of John – the need to keep the commandments of Jesus. Once again we may feel discouraged. Keeping the commandments sounds very hard. I hope that I can encourage you by telling you that there are only two commandments. Very soon we will be addressing these in Sunday morning Bible Study. They are simple commandments, but intense and challenging. In the Gospel of Mark we read, "One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked Jesus, 'Which commandment is the first of all?' Jesus answered, "The first is, "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.’"
These are the commandments that Jesus wants us to obey. All other rules and rituals are to be in line with these two. Love God with everything that you are and love others as you love yourself. The question that needs to be asked, which we will be asking in Bible study, is how can we better love ourselves so that we can better love others?
Love God. Love yourself. Love others. The more you live into these commandments the more you will recognize the Advocate who lives in you as well as the strength of the woven threads of the Spirit, Jesus, and Divine Parent with your very soul.
As we move day by day and week by week through Lent, reflecting on the suffering of Christ and our own humanness, let us do so in the strength of Christ's compassion. When you feel weak, either due to the testing of this Lenten season or just because it’s been a hard day ... or a hard winter ... take a deep breath and remember the promised Holy Spirit. Lean back on the woven threads within your soul and approach the throne of grace with boldness. Life can be hard. We don't often have the answers that we want, but at the throne of grace we can breathe in mercy and grace.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Jesus, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday
Texts: Mt 22:15 – 22; Mt 23:1 – 12
In a recent status on my Facebook page I wrote that I thought Jesus was a Fat Tuesday kind of guy rather than an Ash Wednesday kind of guy. Following that status were some thought-provoking comments out of which could have begun some very interesting conversations. The idea of the combination of holy feast and holy fast was mentioned. Having a reflective faith and the seriousness of Jesus' sacrifice were also part of the thread. Another comment had to do with Jesus' probable practiced ability to make it through the fasting and trials of his forty days in the desert.
My Facebook status was based on my understanding of Jesus as a man who turned water into wine for parties and who taught such things as we heard in the 23rd chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus was called a glutton and a drunkard because he didn't observe the law the way those in religious authority wished him to. He also spoke harshly against those in authority who "tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulder of others; but they are unwilling to lift a finger to move them."
Lent has often felt like that to me – a heavy burden of shame that we are supposed to carry for forty days so that we can better appreciate the suffering of Jesus on our behalf. In some theologies it is our fault that Jesus died on the cross – our sin put him there. I do not believe that any of us are without sin and I think it is an important practice of our faith to reflect continually upon our lives so that we have ample motivation and opportunity to repent when we operate out of selfishness, greed, and the like. However, I understand Jesus’ sacrifice as being accomplished out of an extreme kind of love, a love that we can't even begin to understand because it runs so deep, so long, so high, and so wide. Jesus was sent because "God so loved the world." Jesus died because he would not back down in defending the powerless, healing the sick, feeding the poor, and gathering instead of scattering. He threatened leaders of his time because he was not showy and pompous, thus putting the rest of the people in their place. Instead Jesus made people and communities whole as often as he could.
He called us to be humble – to not exalt ourselves. Jesus addressed the pride of the Pharisees and Scribes, and their lust for power, by teaching his disciples to not do what they did. In chapter 22 of Matthew we read of the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus with a question about taxes. Jesus asked them what image was on the coin and responded, "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." That shut them up for awhile. It seems that the act of paying tribute with money, performing deeds of great sacrifice, or of having the appearance of being righteous is not the point. Humility is the point of this teaching. Humility – that is the image of our Divine Beloved. No matter what we offer in tribute, the image it should bear is the image of our God.
Shame and humility are different. I see shame as a consequence of oppressive power dynamics. Humility shapes an environment of equality while maintaining a person's wholeness. I believe Jesus is teaching that we are not to exalt ourselves – to give ourselves over to ranking and climbing up some imaginary ladder of religious success, but rather we are to be humble – to live a life where we value everyone, especially those who serve.
Lent is a time of intentional reflection. These next few weeks are a created opportunity to examine how we move through this world. Are we humble? Do we honor everyone, especially those who serve? Do we try to posture so that we appear respectable, spiritual, or obedient? Do our actions come from a place of humility; a place where we can stand solid in what we believe and how we behave without it becoming an oppressive power or a false standard of how others should believe or behave?
If you are giving something up or adding something like prayer to your life for lent, will whatever you are doing help guide you toward the kind of reflection that leads toward humility and an increased marveling at the resurrection when at last we celebrate Easter? Might what you do with this time change your life a little? What are you giving to God? Whose image is on the tribute you offer?
Give to God what is God's. Giving up something may be a wonderful way for you to remember that this is a time of active reflection. Adding more Bible reading or prayer to your week may be a good way for others. Whatever you do, give to God what is God's.
Ash Wednesday is a solemn ceremony where people are marked on the forehead with the ashes from the burned palm leaves of the ecstatic celebration from the year before. Just like the marking of lamb's blood on the lintels of the doors of the Hebrews in Egypt or the phylacteries on the foreheads of Jewish men, the mark of the ashes reminds us and tells others who we are and whose we are.
Fat Tuesday, known in French as Mardi Gras, is the last day of the festival called Carnival which means, "farewell to the flesh." It is the last big party before the fast and is the holy feast my Facebook friend mentioned. During this celebration they killed the fattened calf and used up the last of their eggs and dairy making all kinds of wonderful pastries.
Would Jesus have gotten more into Fat Tuesday or Ash Wednesday? No one really knows. I still have a hunch that he would dig the abundance and revelry of Fat Tuesday. I also think it would be important to him that everyone got to go to the party; to dance, laugh, and eat their fill. Still, he did steal away whenever he could to pray. He taught that some things could only be accomplished through fasting and praying. He also taught his disciples that sometimes they needed time to get away from everyone and rest. So, just as Jesus would want everyone to come to the party, my guess is that he would want everyone to share in a time of reflection.
Even more than that, I am confident Jesus would want the revelers to revel to the glory of God and the reflectors to reflect to the glory of God.
In a recent status on my Facebook page I wrote that I thought Jesus was a Fat Tuesday kind of guy rather than an Ash Wednesday kind of guy. Following that status were some thought-provoking comments out of which could have begun some very interesting conversations. The idea of the combination of holy feast and holy fast was mentioned. Having a reflective faith and the seriousness of Jesus' sacrifice were also part of the thread. Another comment had to do with Jesus' probable practiced ability to make it through the fasting and trials of his forty days in the desert.
My Facebook status was based on my understanding of Jesus as a man who turned water into wine for parties and who taught such things as we heard in the 23rd chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus was called a glutton and a drunkard because he didn't observe the law the way those in religious authority wished him to. He also spoke harshly against those in authority who "tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulder of others; but they are unwilling to lift a finger to move them."
Lent has often felt like that to me – a heavy burden of shame that we are supposed to carry for forty days so that we can better appreciate the suffering of Jesus on our behalf. In some theologies it is our fault that Jesus died on the cross – our sin put him there. I do not believe that any of us are without sin and I think it is an important practice of our faith to reflect continually upon our lives so that we have ample motivation and opportunity to repent when we operate out of selfishness, greed, and the like. However, I understand Jesus’ sacrifice as being accomplished out of an extreme kind of love, a love that we can't even begin to understand because it runs so deep, so long, so high, and so wide. Jesus was sent because "God so loved the world." Jesus died because he would not back down in defending the powerless, healing the sick, feeding the poor, and gathering instead of scattering. He threatened leaders of his time because he was not showy and pompous, thus putting the rest of the people in their place. Instead Jesus made people and communities whole as often as he could.
He called us to be humble – to not exalt ourselves. Jesus addressed the pride of the Pharisees and Scribes, and their lust for power, by teaching his disciples to not do what they did. In chapter 22 of Matthew we read of the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus with a question about taxes. Jesus asked them what image was on the coin and responded, "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." That shut them up for awhile. It seems that the act of paying tribute with money, performing deeds of great sacrifice, or of having the appearance of being righteous is not the point. Humility is the point of this teaching. Humility – that is the image of our Divine Beloved. No matter what we offer in tribute, the image it should bear is the image of our God.
Shame and humility are different. I see shame as a consequence of oppressive power dynamics. Humility shapes an environment of equality while maintaining a person's wholeness. I believe Jesus is teaching that we are not to exalt ourselves – to give ourselves over to ranking and climbing up some imaginary ladder of religious success, but rather we are to be humble – to live a life where we value everyone, especially those who serve.
Lent is a time of intentional reflection. These next few weeks are a created opportunity to examine how we move through this world. Are we humble? Do we honor everyone, especially those who serve? Do we try to posture so that we appear respectable, spiritual, or obedient? Do our actions come from a place of humility; a place where we can stand solid in what we believe and how we behave without it becoming an oppressive power or a false standard of how others should believe or behave?
If you are giving something up or adding something like prayer to your life for lent, will whatever you are doing help guide you toward the kind of reflection that leads toward humility and an increased marveling at the resurrection when at last we celebrate Easter? Might what you do with this time change your life a little? What are you giving to God? Whose image is on the tribute you offer?
Give to God what is God's. Giving up something may be a wonderful way for you to remember that this is a time of active reflection. Adding more Bible reading or prayer to your week may be a good way for others. Whatever you do, give to God what is God's.
Ash Wednesday is a solemn ceremony where people are marked on the forehead with the ashes from the burned palm leaves of the ecstatic celebration from the year before. Just like the marking of lamb's blood on the lintels of the doors of the Hebrews in Egypt or the phylacteries on the foreheads of Jewish men, the mark of the ashes reminds us and tells others who we are and whose we are.
Fat Tuesday, known in French as Mardi Gras, is the last day of the festival called Carnival which means, "farewell to the flesh." It is the last big party before the fast and is the holy feast my Facebook friend mentioned. During this celebration they killed the fattened calf and used up the last of their eggs and dairy making all kinds of wonderful pastries.
Would Jesus have gotten more into Fat Tuesday or Ash Wednesday? No one really knows. I still have a hunch that he would dig the abundance and revelry of Fat Tuesday. I also think it would be important to him that everyone got to go to the party; to dance, laugh, and eat their fill. Still, he did steal away whenever he could to pray. He taught that some things could only be accomplished through fasting and praying. He also taught his disciples that sometimes they needed time to get away from everyone and rest. So, just as Jesus would want everyone to come to the party, my guess is that he would want everyone to share in a time of reflection.
Even more than that, I am confident Jesus would want the revelers to revel to the glory of God and the reflectors to reflect to the glory of God.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sticks And Stones May Break My Bones But Words Can Break My Spirit
Texts: Psalms 147:1-9, Proverbs 18:14-21, and Mark 5:21 - 42
Stick and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. These are the words heard on playgrounds usually in response to some insult thrown from one child to another. Parents teach children these words as a way to deflect hurtful insults and malicious language. As adults we know that being picked on is no fun so we offer this retort to our children in an attempt to give them a shield.
Sometimes what happens though is that this line of thinking goes to the extreme and is carried into adulthood. We assume that if we are hurt by something someone says that we are weak. We also may believe that if someone is hurt by something that we say that they are overly sensitive. The terms "thick-skinned" and "toughen up" come to mind. But how thick is it safe for our emotional and spiritual skin to be? How tough do we really want our soul?
Think about your hands and feet. How much feeling do you get when your heels or fingers are calloused? Not much. When I was a line cook in a restaurant it was a good thing that my hands and fingers toughened up so that I could tolerate hot plates, grills, and pan handles. It was also good that my feet became calloused so that I could stand all day long. The benefit ended there. Once at home I missed being able to feel the soft carpet on my feet and I had a difficult time picking up small things like a sewing needle because I could not feel it between my fingertips. Also the soft baby-skin of my niece was lost to my touch. This is not how I want my soul to become – tough and unable to feel the gentleness of God's leading. It is not how I want to be emotionally, calloused to another's feelings because I cannot get in touch with my own.
I'm not saying that I want us to crumble at constructive criticism, at challenges to the way we think, or even to the slightest insults. What I am saying is that sometimes people are mean and they throw words around as if they are stones and sticks. Sometimes people want to harm others with their words and then when the other person is harmed they scorn the injury and continue their abuse by declaring the injured person as being weak.
Other times a well-meaning friend, colleague, or acquaintance will try to help the injured person by using the adult version of the playground saying about sticks and stone. They say, "A person can only hurt you if you let them." I don't know about you, but I don't find these words comforting or empowering. These words indicate that if you are hurt then it is your fault – you are to blame. This takes the responsibility off of the person who said the hurtful things and puts the blame squarely on the victim.
My guess is that we have all been on all sides of this situation. We have been the person who said something that was hurtful and then blamed the person we hurt for not taking what we said "with a grain of salt." We have been the well-meaning person who counseled the injured person that they shouldn't take things so personally and that others can only hurt them if they let them. And we have been the person who was hurt and told to toughen up.
Lately I have been in groups of people where there has been heartfelt sharing. Invariably one person tells another "A person can only hurt you if you let them." I see the injured person sustain a further injury of shame that they would let this happen to them. They retreat inside of themselves and either put on bravado or they stop sharing. This makes me angry because, even if I don't understand what hurt the person, they felt safe enough to be vulnerable. How often do we get to feel safe enough to vulnerably share our feelings? Sometimes I get a chance to respond to the situation and say that no, actually others can hurt our emotions and spirits with their words and actions without our consent just like they can hurt our bodies without our consent.
This is true for us as well. In our Proverbs scripture we heard that "The human spirit will endure sickness; but a broken spirit—who can bear?" and "From the fruit of the mouth one's stomach is satisfied; the yield of the lips brings satisfaction. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
Words are important. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. When you are hurt because of someone's words, it is a valid pain. Yes, stick and stones can break your bones. While it's no fun to heal from a physical injury or from sickness, the proverb tells us that the human spirit can endure this type of pain. But ... a broken spirit? Who can bear that? I will tell you who can bear it. God's Holy Spirit can bear it. When we deny the power of words and shove down the pain we feel because of them, then we do not present ourselves for healing. This pain that resides within us can break our spirit.
Friends, let us not go through that. Let us instead acknowledge our pains and present them to our God for healing. I know this is not as simple as it sounds, but I also know that not doing this, in the long run, is far more difficult and has far dire consequences.
When we are sick or injured in our bodies, if we are at all able, we go to the doctor for help or to the store to get some medicine. Likewise when our souls are injured we need to present ourselves for healing. Our psalm today says that God "heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." The wounds of the brokenhearted are attended to by God's self. It isn't an instant healing, to be sure. It depends on the magnitude of injury, just as it depends in our body. It takes longer to heal a broken back than it does a scratch to our skin. It also takes longer to heal something that we have been ignoring than it does something that we take care of right away. The point here isn’t simply to cry about being hurt. The point is to cry out for healing.
In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 5, we are told a couple of familiar stories of people crying out to Jesus for healing. In this collection of stories, one sandwiched between another, we see the father of the dying 12 year old girl cry out with his voice to Jesus and the woman with the hemorrhage cry out to Jesus with her actions. In both of these stories those crying out became vulnerable. The father was vulnerable because he was the leader of the synagogue and most of those folks were eyeing Jesus with suspicion. His need to have his daughter healed outweighed any suspicion he had and he reached out. The woman who touched Jesus’ garment took a huge risk. Because of her condition she was considered unclean and was not allowed to come into physical contact with anyone for fear of defiling them with her uncleanness. She fought through the crowds, touching many as she went, and finally reached Jesus and grabbed his clothes. Jesus felt power leave him and he wanted to know who had been healed.
We need to risk being vulnerable, bring our souls to Jesus and cry out for help. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'"
Let us take of the Living Water of Christ that is offered to us. Let us drink deeply, refreshing our souls and healing our spirits. Remember the words of the psalmist, "God heals the brokenhearted, and binds our wounds."
Stick and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. These are the words heard on playgrounds usually in response to some insult thrown from one child to another. Parents teach children these words as a way to deflect hurtful insults and malicious language. As adults we know that being picked on is no fun so we offer this retort to our children in an attempt to give them a shield.
Sometimes what happens though is that this line of thinking goes to the extreme and is carried into adulthood. We assume that if we are hurt by something someone says that we are weak. We also may believe that if someone is hurt by something that we say that they are overly sensitive. The terms "thick-skinned" and "toughen up" come to mind. But how thick is it safe for our emotional and spiritual skin to be? How tough do we really want our soul?
Think about your hands and feet. How much feeling do you get when your heels or fingers are calloused? Not much. When I was a line cook in a restaurant it was a good thing that my hands and fingers toughened up so that I could tolerate hot plates, grills, and pan handles. It was also good that my feet became calloused so that I could stand all day long. The benefit ended there. Once at home I missed being able to feel the soft carpet on my feet and I had a difficult time picking up small things like a sewing needle because I could not feel it between my fingertips. Also the soft baby-skin of my niece was lost to my touch. This is not how I want my soul to become – tough and unable to feel the gentleness of God's leading. It is not how I want to be emotionally, calloused to another's feelings because I cannot get in touch with my own.
I'm not saying that I want us to crumble at constructive criticism, at challenges to the way we think, or even to the slightest insults. What I am saying is that sometimes people are mean and they throw words around as if they are stones and sticks. Sometimes people want to harm others with their words and then when the other person is harmed they scorn the injury and continue their abuse by declaring the injured person as being weak.
Other times a well-meaning friend, colleague, or acquaintance will try to help the injured person by using the adult version of the playground saying about sticks and stone. They say, "A person can only hurt you if you let them." I don't know about you, but I don't find these words comforting or empowering. These words indicate that if you are hurt then it is your fault – you are to blame. This takes the responsibility off of the person who said the hurtful things and puts the blame squarely on the victim.
My guess is that we have all been on all sides of this situation. We have been the person who said something that was hurtful and then blamed the person we hurt for not taking what we said "with a grain of salt." We have been the well-meaning person who counseled the injured person that they shouldn't take things so personally and that others can only hurt them if they let them. And we have been the person who was hurt and told to toughen up.
Lately I have been in groups of people where there has been heartfelt sharing. Invariably one person tells another "A person can only hurt you if you let them." I see the injured person sustain a further injury of shame that they would let this happen to them. They retreat inside of themselves and either put on bravado or they stop sharing. This makes me angry because, even if I don't understand what hurt the person, they felt safe enough to be vulnerable. How often do we get to feel safe enough to vulnerably share our feelings? Sometimes I get a chance to respond to the situation and say that no, actually others can hurt our emotions and spirits with their words and actions without our consent just like they can hurt our bodies without our consent.
This is true for us as well. In our Proverbs scripture we heard that "The human spirit will endure sickness; but a broken spirit—who can bear?" and "From the fruit of the mouth one's stomach is satisfied; the yield of the lips brings satisfaction. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
Words are important. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. When you are hurt because of someone's words, it is a valid pain. Yes, stick and stones can break your bones. While it's no fun to heal from a physical injury or from sickness, the proverb tells us that the human spirit can endure this type of pain. But ... a broken spirit? Who can bear that? I will tell you who can bear it. God's Holy Spirit can bear it. When we deny the power of words and shove down the pain we feel because of them, then we do not present ourselves for healing. This pain that resides within us can break our spirit.
Friends, let us not go through that. Let us instead acknowledge our pains and present them to our God for healing. I know this is not as simple as it sounds, but I also know that not doing this, in the long run, is far more difficult and has far dire consequences.
When we are sick or injured in our bodies, if we are at all able, we go to the doctor for help or to the store to get some medicine. Likewise when our souls are injured we need to present ourselves for healing. Our psalm today says that God "heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." The wounds of the brokenhearted are attended to by God's self. It isn't an instant healing, to be sure. It depends on the magnitude of injury, just as it depends in our body. It takes longer to heal a broken back than it does a scratch to our skin. It also takes longer to heal something that we have been ignoring than it does something that we take care of right away. The point here isn’t simply to cry about being hurt. The point is to cry out for healing.
In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 5, we are told a couple of familiar stories of people crying out to Jesus for healing. In this collection of stories, one sandwiched between another, we see the father of the dying 12 year old girl cry out with his voice to Jesus and the woman with the hemorrhage cry out to Jesus with her actions. In both of these stories those crying out became vulnerable. The father was vulnerable because he was the leader of the synagogue and most of those folks were eyeing Jesus with suspicion. His need to have his daughter healed outweighed any suspicion he had and he reached out. The woman who touched Jesus’ garment took a huge risk. Because of her condition she was considered unclean and was not allowed to come into physical contact with anyone for fear of defiling them with her uncleanness. She fought through the crowds, touching many as she went, and finally reached Jesus and grabbed his clothes. Jesus felt power leave him and he wanted to know who had been healed.
We need to risk being vulnerable, bring our souls to Jesus and cry out for help. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'"
Let us take of the Living Water of Christ that is offered to us. Let us drink deeply, refreshing our souls and healing our spirits. Remember the words of the psalmist, "God heals the brokenhearted, and binds our wounds."
Monday, February 07, 2011
"Deepening the Welcome" Saturday, February 19 in Chicagoland
I was sent this email via the CCWC elist. If I was in Chicago I would certainly consider going!
http://www.mcselca.org/what/ministry/justice/welcome.php
"Deepening the Welcome" workshop to be held in Chicago, Saturday, February 19
The Chicago Chapter of Lutherans Concerned and the Metropolitan Chicago Synod Justice Team are offering a day of workshops called:
“Deepening the Welcome: Living out Jesus’ Welcome for GLBTQ People in Our Congregations.”
The event will explore the theme: All are welcome: What does this mean in your congregation? What does it mean to be explicitly welcoming to GLBTQ members already in congregations and those looking for a place to worship?
People at every stage of the conversation about GLBTQ inclusion, including those who have never addressed such topics in their congregations, are invited.
The folks in Chicago have put together a whiz-bang line-up of speakers and workshop leaders. (See the workshop descriptions below.)
Please go here for more info and to register. Cost is $10 per person (includes a lovely lunch) or $30 for a group of 4 or more from the same congregation/organization that register together. Pre-registration helps the planners be sure there is lunch for everyone! If cost is an issue or you have other questions, contact the Rev. Carla Thompson Powell.
Also, please see the Facebook page.
Workshop Descriptions
Rev. Dr. Richard Perry. KEYNOTE: Dimensions of a Whosoever Church John 3:16-17. Opening keynote address by Dr. Perry, LSTC Professor of Church and Society and Urban Ministry. When Jesus says, “whosoever believes in me”, what does he really mean?
Bishop Wayne Miller: Coming out in Mission as a Welcoming Congregation. The bishop of the Metro Chicago Synod hosts a conversation about how a congregation can step out in mission as a welcoming church and what missional opportunities might be now open to us.
Emily Eastwood: Beginning the Conversation in Congregations. The Executive Director of Lutherans Concerned/North America leads an engaging workshop on how to begin, renew and sustain the conversation about welcome and full participation. Bring your questions.
Dr. Klaus Peter Adam: A Biblical Basis for Welcome: Neither Man nor Woman in Christ. Information, motivation, and application from Galatians 3:28. Dr. Adam engages the biblical text, and gives some practical strategies.
Pocha Carter, Group Health Educator (HIV Prevention Program) at PCC Community Wellness Center in Oak Park : Supporting our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Youth. In this anti-bullying workshop, you will get tools to be an ally to these young people and provide support, curb harassment in your environment, and how we can best support their needs.
Pastor Keith Fry and others: Welcoming All Leaders. This panel discussion with Pastor Keith Fry (Christ the Lord, Elgin ) and others shares discoveries, hopes and hesitations in calling a partnered pastor or welcoming a seminarian to a field education site.
Caroline Staerk, field director at Equality Illinois: Marriage Equality. Come explore how pro-LGBTQ communities of faith and LGBTQ political advocates at Equality Illinois have been laying the groundwork for social and policy change (including passage of the civil union bill).
Pastor Melody Beckman Eastman: Reducing Conflict and Guiding Discernment: A Suburban Congregation's Journey to the Blessing of Unions. Pastor Eastman talks about the process and influences that brought St. Paul , Wheaton to hold same-gender blessing ceremonies in their church.
Noel Spain & Stephanie Dykes: Beyond Gay & Lesbian - Welcoming Bisexual and Transgender as Equal Identities within the GLBT Community. This workshop will focus on getting to know the Bisexual and Transgender community. This workshop will introduce you to members of the B&T communities, help inform you about what specific issues they face, and finally show you how to create a more welcoming space both in the church and society.
Pastor Carla Thompson Powell: Talking With Our Kids About Homosexuality. This very practical workshop will help parents and youth leaders learn and share how they address LGBTQ concerns with their youth.
http://www.mcselca.org/what/ministry/justice/welcome.php
"Deepening the Welcome" workshop to be held in Chicago, Saturday, February 19
The Chicago Chapter of Lutherans Concerned and the Metropolitan Chicago Synod Justice Team are offering a day of workshops called:
“Deepening the Welcome: Living out Jesus’ Welcome for GLBTQ People in Our Congregations.”
The event will explore the theme: All are welcome: What does this mean in your congregation? What does it mean to be explicitly welcoming to GLBTQ members already in congregations and those looking for a place to worship?
People at every stage of the conversation about GLBTQ inclusion, including those who have never addressed such topics in their congregations, are invited.
The folks in Chicago have put together a whiz-bang line-up of speakers and workshop leaders. (See the workshop descriptions below.)
Please go here for more info and to register. Cost is $10 per person (includes a lovely lunch) or $30 for a group of 4 or more from the same congregation/organization that register together. Pre-registration helps the planners be sure there is lunch for everyone! If cost is an issue or you have other questions, contact the Rev. Carla Thompson Powell.
Also, please see the Facebook page.
Workshop Descriptions
Rev. Dr. Richard Perry. KEYNOTE: Dimensions of a Whosoever Church John 3:16-17. Opening keynote address by Dr. Perry, LSTC Professor of Church and Society and Urban Ministry. When Jesus says, “whosoever believes in me”, what does he really mean?
Bishop Wayne Miller: Coming out in Mission as a Welcoming Congregation. The bishop of the Metro Chicago Synod hosts a conversation about how a congregation can step out in mission as a welcoming church and what missional opportunities might be now open to us.
Emily Eastwood: Beginning the Conversation in Congregations. The Executive Director of Lutherans Concerned/North America leads an engaging workshop on how to begin, renew and sustain the conversation about welcome and full participation. Bring your questions.
Dr. Klaus Peter Adam: A Biblical Basis for Welcome: Neither Man nor Woman in Christ. Information, motivation, and application from Galatians 3:28. Dr. Adam engages the biblical text, and gives some practical strategies.
Pocha Carter, Group Health Educator (HIV Prevention Program) at PCC Community Wellness Center in Oak Park : Supporting our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Youth. In this anti-bullying workshop, you will get tools to be an ally to these young people and provide support, curb harassment in your environment, and how we can best support their needs.
Pastor Keith Fry and others: Welcoming All Leaders. This panel discussion with Pastor Keith Fry (Christ the Lord, Elgin ) and others shares discoveries, hopes and hesitations in calling a partnered pastor or welcoming a seminarian to a field education site.
Caroline Staerk, field director at Equality Illinois: Marriage Equality. Come explore how pro-LGBTQ communities of faith and LGBTQ political advocates at Equality Illinois have been laying the groundwork for social and policy change (including passage of the civil union bill).
Pastor Melody Beckman Eastman: Reducing Conflict and Guiding Discernment: A Suburban Congregation's Journey to the Blessing of Unions. Pastor Eastman talks about the process and influences that brought St. Paul , Wheaton to hold same-gender blessing ceremonies in their church.
Noel Spain & Stephanie Dykes: Beyond Gay & Lesbian - Welcoming Bisexual and Transgender as Equal Identities within the GLBT Community. This workshop will focus on getting to know the Bisexual and Transgender community. This workshop will introduce you to members of the B&T communities, help inform you about what specific issues they face, and finally show you how to create a more welcoming space both in the church and society.
Pastor Carla Thompson Powell: Talking With Our Kids About Homosexuality. This very practical workshop will help parents and youth leaders learn and share how they address LGBTQ concerns with their youth.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tell Ohio Gov. John Kasich: Pardon Kelley Williams-Bolar
During his campaign, Ohio Governor John Kasich pledged to bring jobs into the state and help heal Ohio's distressed economy.
How will he handle the situation of Kelley Williams-Bolar, an Akron woman who wanted the best for her children but is now in jail and may be prevented from having a job? More than 11,000 Change.org members hope he'll do the right thing.
Thousands of people across the country have asked Gov. Kasich to pardon Kelley Williams-Bolar, an Akron, Ohio woman sentenced for sending her daughters to school in a district where they did not have residency.
Williams-Bolar was jailed, given 80 hours of community service and slammed with three years of probation after she was convicted of falsifying residency records so that her two daughters could go to school in nearby Copley, Ohio, where her father lived. Williams-Bolar, an African-American single mother, lived in public housing in Akron.
Williams-Bolar maintains that she was worried about her children's safety and never meant to deceive school officials. Even if she did do something illegal, forcing jail time on a mom trying to give her children a better life is a senseless punishment. Even worse, her felony conviction could cripple her career as an educator. Currently just classes away from a teaching degree, she works as a special education assistant. As a convicted felon, she'd be barred from teaching in Ohio.
This wrongheaded decision has led to fiery debate about education, race and upward mobility in America today. For many, it's also become a call to action. Spreading the word on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and the blogosphere, more than 11,000 have signed a Change.org petition created by member Caitlin Lord (read Lord's insights here) in support of Williams-Bolar. That petition, which was updated and focused today, asks Ohio's new governor, John Kasich, to pardon Williams-Bolar for this victimless crime.
Sign the petition and tell Gov. Kasich to pardon Kelley Williams-Bolar. After you sign, tweet the link to your friends using http://bit.ly/williamsbolar and #savekellywilliamsbolar (sic).
Photo credit: Miss Jia
Monday, January 17, 2011
A Letter to Rev King
Dr Rev King,
Today in the United States we are celebrating you. It is a national holiday. I am grateful that as a country we recognize the contributions you made toward equality for African Americans. I also appreciate that you are quoted widely as having said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” For many of us, you are our champion, our teacher, and our inspiration.
Don’t get me wrong, you are still hated by many. People of colour are deemed less than white people by too many white people. Well, even if it was only by one white person that would be too many. I wish I could report to you that bigotry, prejudice, and hate was a thing of the past. I can’t. There is still hate and oppression and violence. Systemic oppression – invisible to or ignored by most of the perpetrators – wields a heavy hand in every city, office, church, and family no matter how intentional we are to create a free and equal environment. I’m sure there are lots of folks who will get angry that I wrote that to you, but from my experience it is true.
Yesterday I went to the movies. I don’t go very often and I don’t keep up with what is playing at the cinema. One of the previews was for an upcoming show call “Cowboys and Aliens.” It disturbed me. The preview wasn’t very long, but the show seems to be about Cowboys being the normal people and Aliens being the non-normal people. The Aliens are a threat to the Cowboys. The storyline says, “these monsters challenge everything the residents have ever known.” Why is it, Rev King, that those in power relegate some people to the category of monster when what they know is being challenged? Why is it that movies are so often made to depict those who challenge the status quo as being vicious, manipulative, and scary? Is power that fragile?
There is still so much work to be done. Your leadership was crucial and I thank you for being so courageous. I have to admit that I’m not sure I have the same courage or tenacity that you possessed. There are times when I wonder if I can continue to go forward in my work. As a Christian typically I look to Jesus for my inspiration, but I want you to know that often I look to you as well. Just like Jesus, you did not cower when you were told to sit down and be quiet. Just like Jesus, you did not retreat when the opposing side advanced. Just like Jesus, you did not hide when you were threatened. As I live and work and love, I look to you as an example of how to follow Jesus, the one that I call Christ.
Thank you … for everything.
Today in the United States we are celebrating you. It is a national holiday. I am grateful that as a country we recognize the contributions you made toward equality for African Americans. I also appreciate that you are quoted widely as having said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” For many of us, you are our champion, our teacher, and our inspiration.
Don’t get me wrong, you are still hated by many. People of colour are deemed less than white people by too many white people. Well, even if it was only by one white person that would be too many. I wish I could report to you that bigotry, prejudice, and hate was a thing of the past. I can’t. There is still hate and oppression and violence. Systemic oppression – invisible to or ignored by most of the perpetrators – wields a heavy hand in every city, office, church, and family no matter how intentional we are to create a free and equal environment. I’m sure there are lots of folks who will get angry that I wrote that to you, but from my experience it is true.
Yesterday I went to the movies. I don’t go very often and I don’t keep up with what is playing at the cinema. One of the previews was for an upcoming show call “Cowboys and Aliens.” It disturbed me. The preview wasn’t very long, but the show seems to be about Cowboys being the normal people and Aliens being the non-normal people. The Aliens are a threat to the Cowboys. The storyline says, “these monsters challenge everything the residents have ever known.” Why is it, Rev King, that those in power relegate some people to the category of monster when what they know is being challenged? Why is it that movies are so often made to depict those who challenge the status quo as being vicious, manipulative, and scary? Is power that fragile?
There is still so much work to be done. Your leadership was crucial and I thank you for being so courageous. I have to admit that I’m not sure I have the same courage or tenacity that you possessed. There are times when I wonder if I can continue to go forward in my work. As a Christian typically I look to Jesus for my inspiration, but I want you to know that often I look to you as well. Just like Jesus, you did not cower when you were told to sit down and be quiet. Just like Jesus, you did not retreat when the opposing side advanced. Just like Jesus, you did not hide when you were threatened. As I live and work and love, I look to you as an example of how to follow Jesus, the one that I call Christ.
Thank you … for everything.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Baptized For A Purpose
Texts:Isaiah 42:1 – 9 & Matthew 3:11 – 4:1
This is the First Sunday after Epiphany, which was celebrated January 6th. According to the church calendar, today we celebrate the baptism of Christ. In western Christianity, Epiphany is predominately the celebration of the visitation of the Magi while in eastern Christianity the focus of Epiphany is on the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan.
The visitation of the Magi to Jesus and the baptism of Jesus are events that speak to the divine nature of Jesus as Christ. The birth of Christ – the incarnation – we celebrate at Christmas. The miracle of the divinity of the physical Jesus we celebrate at Epiphany.
The Magi, following astronomical signs and bearing gifts, declared Jesus to be the infant king. According to the Gospel of Matthew "they were overwhelmed with joy," “knelt down and paid him homage,” and “offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
The baptism of Jesus declares him to be the Christ in different ways. First, John the Baptist in a private conversation with Jesus says, “I need to be baptized by you.” Then, after John consents to baptize Jesus, the heavens were opened, the Spirit of God descended like a dove, and a voice from heaven declared, “This is my Son, the Beloved.”
Jesus – infant king, adult messiah. Jesus – hope for a nation whose people are held captive by tyranny. Jesus – bringer of wholeness and health. Jesus – the messiah foretold according to the apostles of the new covenant. Jesus – outspoken, dedicated, and a little bit crazy. He did, after all, push those in power until they killed him.
Friends, we need Jesus today as much as they needed him a couple of thousand years ago. We need a Messiah today. Our world is in tatters. The more I read history and the more I read current events, the more everything sounds the same to me. That's not to say that good things haven't been accomplished or that bad things haven't been addressed and overcome, but it seems that evil has so many venues and so much energy. And all too often evil, in its psychosis, actually believes it is good. And too often good is apologetic or weakened by evil’s manipulative rhetoric.
We need a Messiah who will not break a bruised reed. We need a Messiah who will faithfully bring forth justice. We need a Messiah who will not grow faint or be crushed. It breaks my heart that Jesus, the Messiah that we celebrate as Christians, is co-opted by the very systems and people that lead this nation deeper into violence against the helpless, the redistribution of wealth to the wealthy, and the removal of basic human rights to the other.
It also breaks my heart that yesterday, Saturday, January 8, 2011, Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head at one of her 'Congress on Your Corner' events. At the time of this writing, she is in critical condition. So far, six have died in this shooting spree and at least a dozen were injured.
In our Isaiah reading the prophet declares that there is a servant who is chosen and who will faithfully bring forth justice. Then the prophetic word turns toward those who were gathered saying, “I have called you in righteousness. I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations.”
In trying to make sense of the tragedies going on in our world, and in particular thinking about this shooting in Arizona, I cry out to God and say, “Where is our Messiah?” The answer I get is, “Look in the mirror.”
The mantle has been passed. The Holy Spirit has been given. According to our faith tradition, long ago the power of God was passed down to us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It seems to me that we humans are easily corrupted by power, even or maybe especially holy power. Rev. Anne Howard, an Episcopal priest and colleague reminded me through Facebook that, “In the first and second centuries, history records, Christians were known for their love.” How quickly Christianity became Christendom and the power of love was exchanged for the power of control.
As we celebrate the divine nature of Jesus and consider the role that baptism played in revealing Jesus as Christ, I think we have to consider our own baptism and our own calling. We must continue the ministry of Jesus in this world, offering hope and love through our actions of faith. We grieve when madmen open fire on gathered communities, we call for justice and participate in actions toward making that justice vision a reality, and we look for ways to love and participate in healing and wholeness.
Our baptism, although a one-time event, is like a river flowing within us. The current of this river always flows toward Christ. Jesus – bringer of wholeness and health. Jesus – outspoken, dedicated, and a little bit crazy. This river is not always tame and safe. Sometimes it is wild with white water rapids and hairpin turns. But this is the river that flows toward the reign of heaven on earth.
As hard as it is to love – or to even think of love – at a time like this when anger and grief are appropriate emotions, love is what will make the difference. Where do we direct this love? What shape will this love take? Does it matter? So long as we dedicate ourselves to outspoken love – the kind of love that promotes healing and wholeness – it doesn't really matter. Love is needed everywhere, especially during times of crisis.
The world needs us to function in the ministry of the Messiah. There is no gift to small to make a difference. Every act of compassion, every time we speak out on behalf of someone who is silenced, and every tear and laugh that we share, especially during the white water rapids and hairpin turns, is an act of faith following the call of our baptism. Too long has the power of the Holy Spirit been co-opted for controlling others rather than for loving others. When we call forth from within us the power of our baptism and remember it is to Jesus that we have been set apart, then we can stand up to violence and its consequences. We can name the hate and manipulation without getting caught up in it ourselves. Once again we Christians can be known for our love.
This is the First Sunday after Epiphany, which was celebrated January 6th. According to the church calendar, today we celebrate the baptism of Christ. In western Christianity, Epiphany is predominately the celebration of the visitation of the Magi while in eastern Christianity the focus of Epiphany is on the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan.
The visitation of the Magi to Jesus and the baptism of Jesus are events that speak to the divine nature of Jesus as Christ. The birth of Christ – the incarnation – we celebrate at Christmas. The miracle of the divinity of the physical Jesus we celebrate at Epiphany.
The Magi, following astronomical signs and bearing gifts, declared Jesus to be the infant king. According to the Gospel of Matthew "they were overwhelmed with joy," “knelt down and paid him homage,” and “offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
The baptism of Jesus declares him to be the Christ in different ways. First, John the Baptist in a private conversation with Jesus says, “I need to be baptized by you.” Then, after John consents to baptize Jesus, the heavens were opened, the Spirit of God descended like a dove, and a voice from heaven declared, “This is my Son, the Beloved.”
Jesus – infant king, adult messiah. Jesus – hope for a nation whose people are held captive by tyranny. Jesus – bringer of wholeness and health. Jesus – the messiah foretold according to the apostles of the new covenant. Jesus – outspoken, dedicated, and a little bit crazy. He did, after all, push those in power until they killed him.
Friends, we need Jesus today as much as they needed him a couple of thousand years ago. We need a Messiah today. Our world is in tatters. The more I read history and the more I read current events, the more everything sounds the same to me. That's not to say that good things haven't been accomplished or that bad things haven't been addressed and overcome, but it seems that evil has so many venues and so much energy. And all too often evil, in its psychosis, actually believes it is good. And too often good is apologetic or weakened by evil’s manipulative rhetoric.
We need a Messiah who will not break a bruised reed. We need a Messiah who will faithfully bring forth justice. We need a Messiah who will not grow faint or be crushed. It breaks my heart that Jesus, the Messiah that we celebrate as Christians, is co-opted by the very systems and people that lead this nation deeper into violence against the helpless, the redistribution of wealth to the wealthy, and the removal of basic human rights to the other.
It also breaks my heart that yesterday, Saturday, January 8, 2011, Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head at one of her 'Congress on Your Corner' events. At the time of this writing, she is in critical condition. So far, six have died in this shooting spree and at least a dozen were injured.
In our Isaiah reading the prophet declares that there is a servant who is chosen and who will faithfully bring forth justice. Then the prophetic word turns toward those who were gathered saying, “I have called you in righteousness. I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations.”
In trying to make sense of the tragedies going on in our world, and in particular thinking about this shooting in Arizona, I cry out to God and say, “Where is our Messiah?” The answer I get is, “Look in the mirror.”
The mantle has been passed. The Holy Spirit has been given. According to our faith tradition, long ago the power of God was passed down to us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It seems to me that we humans are easily corrupted by power, even or maybe especially holy power. Rev. Anne Howard, an Episcopal priest and colleague reminded me through Facebook that, “In the first and second centuries, history records, Christians were known for their love.” How quickly Christianity became Christendom and the power of love was exchanged for the power of control.
As we celebrate the divine nature of Jesus and consider the role that baptism played in revealing Jesus as Christ, I think we have to consider our own baptism and our own calling. We must continue the ministry of Jesus in this world, offering hope and love through our actions of faith. We grieve when madmen open fire on gathered communities, we call for justice and participate in actions toward making that justice vision a reality, and we look for ways to love and participate in healing and wholeness.
Our baptism, although a one-time event, is like a river flowing within us. The current of this river always flows toward Christ. Jesus – bringer of wholeness and health. Jesus – outspoken, dedicated, and a little bit crazy. This river is not always tame and safe. Sometimes it is wild with white water rapids and hairpin turns. But this is the river that flows toward the reign of heaven on earth.
As hard as it is to love – or to even think of love – at a time like this when anger and grief are appropriate emotions, love is what will make the difference. Where do we direct this love? What shape will this love take? Does it matter? So long as we dedicate ourselves to outspoken love – the kind of love that promotes healing and wholeness – it doesn't really matter. Love is needed everywhere, especially during times of crisis.
The world needs us to function in the ministry of the Messiah. There is no gift to small to make a difference. Every act of compassion, every time we speak out on behalf of someone who is silenced, and every tear and laugh that we share, especially during the white water rapids and hairpin turns, is an act of faith following the call of our baptism. Too long has the power of the Holy Spirit been co-opted for controlling others rather than for loving others. When we call forth from within us the power of our baptism and remember it is to Jesus that we have been set apart, then we can stand up to violence and its consequences. We can name the hate and manipulation without getting caught up in it ourselves. Once again we Christians can be known for our love.
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