Tag: gift

Why So Serious?

Luke 18:15–17

Faith is a serious business. It’s true. From an orthodox Christian perspective, it has an eternal impact. So, it is serious.

Serious, though, doesn’t mean solemn.

A few years ago, I experienced a life-changing question: what is your first experience of God? I was flummoxed. I had no idea. I knew my (relatively) more recent experiences, but my first?

I was grateful that I would be answering the question last. I sat and prayed. “God, when was it the first time I encountered you?”

God responded (to my heart/mind), “remember the scar?”

The scar is right below my right eyebrow. After so many years, it wasn’t important.

God reintroduced me to the memory of a hike with my father and some of his acquaintances. I was 4 or 5, I think, and the only kid. We were walking up a hill on a trail/road. I had looked out to the valley below and “it” hit me. I then tripped and fell. I now had a bleeding gash. My dad cleaned me up, put a butterfly bandage on it, and off we went.

The people in my group were a little puzzled. How could that possibly be a God encounter? Part of my spiritual wiring is trees and mountains. For me that’s almost an automatic response…God is here.

That feeling of awe and wonder isn’t so solemn. Thanks be to God!

Awe and wonder are indeed a gift from God. The blessing of children is that they can still have simple awe and wonder.

If we cannot wonder, then what kind of relationship do we have with God? If we have no awe, we are often only filled with fear. That isn’t a good relationship either.

This passage is often brought up as an encouragement to raise children in the faith. I wonder (I had to), though, if this was the first or only time this happened.

Children often know a person who authentically loves them. They like hanging around such a person. Often, they are louder, more joy-filled, and just want to have fun!

What if the adults were so solemn, they saw a prophet and were afraid? What if the children saw a friend, and were full of joy?

※Reflection※

When was the last time you just wondered at, with, and about God?

※Prayer※

God, may we wonder in your presence and see all of Creation through your eyes. Amen.

2021-01-19
Not Yours, But God’s
Psalm 69:1–5, 30–36; Genesis 17:1–13; Romans 4:1–12

“Abram” translates to “exalted ancestor”. “Abraham” translates to “ancestor of a multitude”. While Ismael was Abraham’s son (the son he had with Sarah’s servant), it didn’t quite connect with Abraham as Ishmael wasn’t a result of him and Sarah (his wife and love).Both names had their own sting. “Exalted ancestor” requires more than just the son of a servant, but grandchildren. “Ancestor of a multitude” probably stung worse, for that would seem to imply even more. He had only one.

Yet, as Scriptures attest to (and Paul recapitulates) Abraham trusted God, and Paul notes that God “attributed” to Abraham righteousness. The strong implication for many commentators was that God “considered” Abraham righteous because of his faith/trust, not because of his actions. In addition, many infer that it also means that God viewed Abraham as righteous in spite of any possible failings or sins that Abraham had.

Circumcision was the act that in some respects “remembered” the covenant that God made with Abraham. One could view it as God choosing Abraham’s descendants, setting them aside, and treating them as righteous, even when they weren’t. The Israelites were set aside for God. The males bore the mark.

The similarity between circumcision and baptism are often drawn. Especially in the Christian traditions that baptize infants, it is quite simple. Even in the traditions that perform believer’s baptism, the imputation of righteousness is still there.

When we are baptized (as infant or believer), the righteousness we receive is that of Jesus. It isn’t ours. Just as in circumcision, or even infant baptism, the promise is performed before the child has a choice.

The reality is that almost the entirety of our relationship with God…the entirety of our becoming more like God…is because of God.

Paul draws baptism and circumcision together. Paul needed his Jewish brethren to understand that baptism was a valid entrance into the family of God. He also needed the Gentiles to understand that baptism was part of tradition that went back in time, tying them to a tradition and people and God they were only beginning to understand.

※Reflection※
- What traditions family, cultural, and/or religious tie you to the past? Why is being rooted in the past helpful when going forward?
- The majority of church traditions/theology (there are outliers) believe in only one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Why do you think that is?
※Prayer※

God, your word goes to a past we do not fully know. Your word also goes forward to a time we cannot see. Thank you for the guidance that your word provides us, and may we share the gift of your word to others. Amen.
2021-01-10
In Peace We Trust

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
—John 14:27 (NRSV)

Okay. I am just going to say it. This has been a very hard year. A year filled with heartache, uncertainty, fear, and more. All the emotions have hit and have hit very hard. There have been moments where I didn’t know what to think and had no words. There have been moments where I have been frustrated and unsettled. Maybe you feel the same?

The world has given us, this year, a lot of crud. The world has not been kind to us this year. This has not been our year.

But. Thankfully Jesus does not give to us as the world gives. Jesus gives us so much more. We don’t have to be afraid or troubled because God sent Jesus to make it so we can have right relationship with Him. God sent Jesus to give us peace. I have not felt much peace this last year. Reading the news every day was hard and did not give me peace. Being a parent and making very hard decisions about my kids did not give me peace. Being a pastor—I have not felt peace.

But lately. I have been praying for peace. I know that because of Jesus I can have peace. And you know what? I have been starting to feel it! Slowly. But it’s there. The more I let Jesus in and pray for peace the more I am able to be at peace. And you know what else? I have been praying for peace for you too! Because peace was our gift from Jesus. He desires for us to have peace especially in the moments where it seems impossible to have it.

Do not let your heart be troubled, dear friend. Don’t be fearful of the things to come. Put your trust in Jesus knowing that He gives you the peace that you need.

2020-12-09
Yieldingly Strong

Malachi 1:6–14; 1 Peter 2:1–10

Many years ago, there was a Star Trek show called Voyager. Overall, I don’t remember much about it, but I do recall this scene between Neelix (guest alien onboard) and Tuvok (i.e., Vulcan, humorless, emotionless, kind of like a robot):

NEELIX: These are Keela flowers. Beautiful, and remarkably strong. The stem is flexible, impossible to break. But occasionally on the same plant there’s a bloom whose stem is not so flexible. Ah, here’s one. And when the stem is brittle, it breaks.

TUVOK: You’re saying that the Maquis crew is rigid and inflexible. That they will never adjust to Starfleet rules.

NEELIX: No, Mister Vulcan, I’m saying that you are rigid and inflexible, but maybe if you’d learn to bend a little, you might have better luck with your class. Those Maquis aren’t Starfleet cadets. You can’t treat them the same way. Get to know them, try to find out what they’re like inside. You might discover a better teaching method.
“Learning Curve”, Original Airdate: May 22, 1995 (Stardate -327613). Thanks to www.chakoteya.net for the transcript.

The Maquis were an insurrection/guerilla group. Their methods of instruction and obedience were not the military-style of Starfleet. Tuvok learned one way. He taught one way. Rigidly.

However, the Maquis were just as rigid. It was just that they rigidly didn’t want to be like Starfleet

What on earth (or in space) does this have to do with these passages?

According to Peter, we are the priesthood of all believers. I may have a certain role within that priesthood (as an ordained person). You have one too.

The ultimate purpose of the priests is the be the intercessors between “the people” and God. For Christians, “the people” are the world that does not yet believe in Jesus Christ.

The priests, however, have their own relationship with God. In our case (the collective Christian case), we are called to give of ourselves: money, time, talent, and so on. It’s too rigid to say it is “required”. On the other hand, it is a spiritual discipline.

When we do not give of ourselves, or we do it grudgingly, we are the ones called out by Malachi giving deformed useless sacrifice for the sake of a check box.

In regard to our Christian life, there is a rigidity in sacrifice. That is one of the aspects of a mature Christian, self-sacrifice. It’s odd to say it is not required; on the other hand, it is essential.

The flexibility, however, is in how it works out. You could be gifted with teaching, encouragement, prayer, or something else. Freedom from the Law is how we are free to respond to God and to others through love.

※Reflection※

The question for you isn’t, are you gifted? The question is, what are you gifted in? The next question is like it; how will you use that gift for the community of believers around you?

※Prayer※

Creator, you have made each of us different so that only together can reflect your infinite love. Amen.

2020-11-10
Neglection

Proverbs 1:20–29; Hebrews 2:2–11; Hebrews 10:23–25

It’s been pretty normal that there will be some dramatic (and probably horrific) story of neglect that will be in the news. Children and animals recovered from bad situations; situations where the health and well-being (including mental and spiritual) of children is neglected.

Most of us usually respond with a feeling of horror and disappointment in our fellow humans. It can be quite easy to look at the ways others act with neglect, for it can be easy to see.

It could be that neighbor who doesn’t mow their lawn. It could be that neighbor whose car is a rusting rotting wreck in the driveway. It could be the neighbor whose house needs a serious paint job. That kind of neglect is visible.

Then there is the neglect of a harried worker who spilled water on the floor, didn’t clean it up, and someone slipped and fell. It could be the chef who forgot a key ingredient in their signature dish.

It could be you, who forgot to bring your facemask. Perhaps you forgot your wallet. Maybe you left your keys in the car. Maybe you didn’t polish your shoes before that critical meeting or job interview.

Neglect takes many forms and guises. The reality is that many Christians have indeed neglected the wisdom of God and the truth of their salvation. Neglect could mean attending church (online or in-person), but only so that you can check it off the to-do list.

Neglect is easy. That is part of the great problem with it. Once one begins the walk down the road of neglect, it is often very hard to return even to the starting point.

※Questions※

1) In this time of COVID, what things are you finding easy to neglect regarding your faith life?

2) How can you help others to not neglect their faith?

※Prayer※

Jesus, help to not neglect the gift that you have given us. Amen.

2020-11-07
Peace-Filled Traditions

Matthew 15:1–9; Luke 11:42–46

Yesterday (or the weeks prior to it), all Americans had the opportunity to participate in a great tradition…voting. Regardless of whether your candidates won or lost, there is something great in this tradition. People choosing their leaders is a great gift, and should not be squandered.

As Halloween and All Saints’ Day have passed, so to have the traditions that go with them. Next in our list of traditions are Thanksgiving (for Americans; for Canadians, it has passed), Advent, Christmas, and New Year.

Many of the rules and traditions of the Jews were based upon the lunar calendar, or as observations of past significant events. Their traditions were formational. In other words, part of what made a person grow into being a Jew were the traditions. In many respects, despite the diaspora of the Jews, that is still the case around the world.

The US acted, for a time, as if if were of a tradition. However, in the last few decades, the US has discovered that its identity and traditions are no longer what they were. Many are upset about this, and are grieving and angry.

On the other hand, this is also the opportunity to develop new traditions and a new identity forged through the mutual pain of discontent, isolation, anger, and even despair. It doesn’t sound particularly pleasant. It hasn’t been, and probably won’t be for a while.

For many, some “great” US traditions felt more like oppression and suppression. The traditions also felt disparaging. To others they were/are part of a past that they couldn’t support.

At the time of Jesus, many Jews felt that they could not live under the traditions imposed by their leaders. Jesus indeed called the leaders out on this. The leaders had had a tradition passed down by Moses. In an attempt to “perfect” it, they made it worse. They made it unlivable.

As we move forward (for that is the only direction we can go), the church has a huge opportunity to help shape the new traditions that are to be formed. Of course, many of our own traditions will have to be challenged, and that will be painful and hard.

※Prayer※

Lord, help us to be healers and peacemakers. Help us to be bearers of peace that passes all understanding. Amen.

2020-11-03
Say Grace

Matthew 5:20; Matthew 19:23–26; Romans 5:20–21

As schools have begun, for high school junior and seniors this is when many start thinking about the next step…college, and if that is even for them. Colleges begin their paper and email storm of recruitment. Excitement builds as it seems everyone wants them.

There are colleges that don’t recruit. They expect interested students to pursue them (the college). This is where dreams may be shattered.

Students begin to learn that perfect GPAs are not everything. They learn that money is hugely important, but still not everything. They learn that extracurricular activities only go so far.

For many who want to go to the “best” schools, they learn that they (as near as they could tell) had done everything to get in to the college of their dreams, and it still wasn’t enough.

Jesus’ words have pretty much the same impact. There is nothing you can do to earn you way into the Kingdom of God.

Jesus’ quip about exceeding the righteousness of the Pharisees and the scribes would have been depressing (if not horrifying) to his hearers. To their understanding the Pharisees and the scribes were the most righteous of all. “If they can’t do it, how could I?”

Jesus’ statement about the rich not making it in was incomprehensible, too! The rich were those blessed by God, it was thought (a false theology still alive today). If those who were so blessed by God couldn’t make it in, how could they?

The larger understanding, which Jesus was undermining, was that entrance into the Kingdom of God was transactional. You paid enough and/or you followed the rules enough, that you made it in. Many Christians today still struggle with this thinking.

Granted, in a very limited way, there is a transaction: accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. It is that simple. Yes, it is profoundly deeper. It’s still simple.

Paul emphasis on grace is an attempt to wipe away the human tendency to strive for goals of completion. By focusing on grace, Paul was trying to condition people to accept the freeing gift of God.

It’s also this answer of grace that explains Jesus’ challenges. No one can earn their way into Heaven—into the Kingdom of God—it is an act of God’s grace.

※Questions※

1) What is grace? Why does grace matter to you and your salvation?

2) How do you explain grace to someone who thinks they have to earn their way into Heaven?

3) Do you struggle or know someone else who struggles with thinking they have to “earn” their way into Heaven? How did that thinking develop, do you think?

※Prayer※

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the grace that you have shown to us. May we also show grace to others, especially your grace. Amen.

2020-09-20
Solitudinal Gift

Mark 6:30–46

The story of feeding 5000 people (or more, as many question if this 5000 was only counting the men, or everyone) is very impressive. Feeding the hungry is a good thing and should be celebrated. This story, though, is bookended by something that we often skip over so we can get to “the good stuff”.

The disciples had come back. They had been sent. They preached. They healed. They shared the good news about Jesus and the Kingdom. They were probably really excited to share.

Jesus, however, knew they needed something they didn’t recognize they needed…solitude.

In our day and age, solitude is a struggle. Theoretically, the quietest spot in the continental US is in Olympic National Park in Washington. There is a place in the Hoh Min rain forest that one is unable to hear the sounds of humanity. To protect this space there have had to be discussions with the FAA, airlines, and even the Federal Government about keeping it that way. It has been a struggle.

As humanity’s technology has evolved, it’s effect upon solitude has been significant. Many people will suffer measurable hearing loss earlier than in previous generations due to noise. As hearing is one of our senses, and often the one that senses danger first, our hearing is active. Any noise, therefore, may disrupt our quiet.

Now, people buy technological devices to quiet the sound around them, so that they can simulate quiet.

The disciples were probably feeling a “high” of experience. Many of us have had those spiritual highs. We want them. We pursue them. We miss the next step.

Jesus wanted his disciples to be removed from the excitement. They needed time to (as we say) decompress. It may have been a good time to process with Jesus what they did in his name.

Instead, people clamored and disturbed them. Out of compassion, Jesus fed them.

Jesus sent off the disciples. Not quite the same as being alone with them, but through that act, a separation was made, and the disciples could be “off”. No one knows what they talked about (if anything) on the trip. It was away. Which is what mattered.

There are ebbs and flow in life. Jesus had his own ebbs and flows and wanted the same for his disciples. That applies to us, too.

In an “age of distraction”, where even church can be more full of noise that time with God, we need to each take deliberate actions to seek God and to find our own solitude. Even the extroverts need solitude (maybe less than introverts, granted). You may not be able to go to the Hoh Min rain forest, but you can and should find a place, a way, and a time, to be alone with yourself (no matter how much that might disquiet you), and also find time to be alone with God.

2020-09-18
Prayer Filled

Psalm 19; Matthew 6:7–15; Romans 8:18–27

We decided to get “weight management” dog food for our dog. She is a little overweight. Strangely (and this should have been a big clue), she got a greater volume of food with the “diet” food than with her normal food. Instead of a cup-and-a-half per meal, she got 2 cups per meal.

Anyone who understands basic physiology would understand that the more food one eats, the stomach “learns” and expands. Our dog has become accustomed to the larger amount of food and had made it quite clear that she is hungrier than she used to be. Not a real help for losing weight.

It is, however, why the “diet” food requires more volume than the regular food that is of importance…filler. The manufacturer puts more “filler” into the food, so that the dog is “deceived” into thinking they’re getting enough food. At least in our dog’s case, that trick doesn’t seem to work.

Often, we fill our prayers to God with filler. We deceive ourselves that the amount of words mean that we are praying better. Sometimes, it’s with the standard speaking filler words such as: uh, um, like, okay, and. Other times it’s filled with: Father, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Father God.

It seems strange to consider God’s names as filler. If we were to speak to people in front of us using their name in every sentence, it would get awkward quickly. When it comes to prayer, specifically public prayer, filler has become the norm.

The prayer filler, in this case, isn’t automatically bad. It does indicate, however, that we may need to re-learn lessons from the Scriptures.

The Psalms are short and long. The longest, Psalm 119, is a poem using the letters of the Hebrew alphabet as a starting point. Don’t use that as your determiner of prayer length. Psalm 19 isn’t really a prayer yet verses 12–14 summarize what a prayer could contain. It has breadth. It also has limits.

The words, in many respects, are less important than “the meditation of the heart.” The groanings of our innermost being (Romans 8:26) gets to God. We don’t need to use lots of words, for the Holy Spirit is with us.

However, often this becomes, spew it out, let God sort it out. When it comes to the “groanings”, we seem to operate this way, but Paul’s groanings were wordless (or there are no words to say it), not lots of words.

Perhaps the greatest gift of the Lord’s Prayer is organization. We have a pattern. As we publicly or privately pray, let’s look to the Lord’s Prayer as our map. The Lord’s Prayer is simple. It is deep and profound. Yet, it is simple. Jesus’ preamble about the many words Gentiles use gives us some boundaries for our prayers. We get what to pray for and how not to pray.

※Questions※

1) In keeping with “the meditation of the heart”, what is the state of your heart when you pray?

2) Do you organize your prayers and petitions, or do you just speak? What is the difference between rote and organized prayer?

3) Is silent prayer ineffective? Why do we seem to judge the worth of our prayers by the number of the words we speak, rather than by the heart with which we speak?

※Prayer※

Holy Spirit, guide the meditations of hearts and the words from our mouths to be holy and sanctified prayers that bring you, the Holy Trinity, glory and honor. Amen.

2020-09-12
Sorté

“And you continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit, you’re just like your ancestors. Was there ever a prophet who didn’t get the same treatment? Your ancestors killed anyone who dared talk about the coming of the Just One. And you’ve kept up the family tradition—traitors and murderers, all of you. You had God’s Law handed to you by angels—gift-wrapped!—and you squandered it!”

At that point they went wild, a rioting mob of catcalls and whistles and invective. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed—he only had eyes for God, whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side. He said, “Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God’s side!”

Yelling and hissing, the mob drowned him out. Now in full stampede, they dragged him out of town and pelted him with rocks. The ringleaders took off their coats and asked a young man named Saul to watch them.

As the rocks rained down, Stephen prayed, “Master Jesus, take my life.” Then he knelt down, praying loud enough for everyone to hear, “Master, don’t blame them for this sin”—his last words. Then he died.

Saul was right there, congratulating the killers.

That set off a terrific persecution of the church in Jerusalem. The believers were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. All, that is, but the apostles. Good and brave men buried Stephen, giving him a solemn funeral—not many dry eyes that day!

And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus. Going down to a Samaritan city, Philip proclaimed the Message of the Messiah. When the people heard what he had to say and saw the miracles, the clear signs of God’s action, they hung on his every word. Many who could neither stand nor walk were healed that day. The evil spirits protested loudly as they were sent on their way. And what joy in the city!” —Acts 7:54–8:8 (The Message)

Normally, I would quote a longer piece of the Scriptures, but the way The Message conveys this is too important to leave it to our preferred translations, for it speaks in our everyday language. Two sentences in particular:

“Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus.”

This whole COVID/Corona season we’ve had “home base” completely disrupted. Whether it’s working from home, not working, or other “homes”, such as the church building, and the friends’ living rooms being prohibited, it has been quite a time.

As things have progressed, working from home for many became a prison rather than an escape. Not being able to go places became its own struggle. Even those who consider themselves homebodies want to get out.

The reality is that we all seek a “base”. We want a place to feel safe. We want a place to be “home”. We want a place to be “normal”.

In this case, however, perhaps “base” is actually what we don’t want. A better way to say it might be that for us to grow in gifts and graces we need to step off (or out of) the “base”.

Notice that it was after being cast out from Jerusalem (home base), Jesus was being preached. After leaving the safe confines of “home” they began to preach. Something about being out of their comfort zone caused them to share about Jesus.

※Questions※

1) What might the lesson be for us regarding “home base” and the world in this time we find ourselves in?

2) Why did losing “home” seem to loosen tongues and hearts for Jesus?

3) How does comfort or normal inhibit sharing the Gospel?

※Prayer※

Lord Jesus, we offer our comfort to you that we might use it, or lose it, to fulfill your will. Amen.

2020-09-10