Reflecting on the every day, practical dimensions of faith. Practices to shape our lives each day as followers of Christ. Stories to share our practical experiences of wisdom, faith, hope, and love.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Distinctively Advent
Late last week, I was in an airport terminal. Not very remarkable overall but this particular airport was open air, no walls or doors between the curb and the ticket counter. Walls and doors are not needed in this airport because in the surrounding country side the tempeture is usually 80 degrees. And, in this open air terminal, the entire place was decorated with evergreen garlands, wreaths with big red bows, glistening poinsettia, and reindeer. I was in my shorts, T shirt and flip flops surrounded by reindeer. The decorations were not local, but they were seasonal, seasonal for Christmas.
We are surrounded by Christmas in the midst of Advent. And, for this I am grateful. There is more than one way to get to Christmas. One way, in which we are all engaged is to put up the seasonal decorations now, buy gifts, make cookies, go to parties, dream about snow, sing those great songs like Jiggle Bell Rock and Here comes Santa Clause. This is all fun, and festive, and keeps our hearts lights as nights are longer and days shorter. These seasonal signs of the coming Christmas are all around us.
For the church, there is a distinctive way to get to Christmas. Our decorations may be winter wonderland like but our season is Advent, a time of preparation. To be part of this season, we need to be in church or bring it into our homes. Macy’s will never have an Advent Season that asks people to reflect on the meaning of the gifts they will purchase and the appropriate amounts. The advertising managers of all those catalogues we receive at home will never let us know that they want us to wait for the shipping deals and to expect a break on certain items in the coming weeks. To be part of Advent we celebrate the season in church and bring Advent preparation into our homes. It’s a distinctive season that unless place ourselves in flow of its power we will miss it. It’s a distinctive season that we find in the Christian faith as part of preparing ourselves, not our homes, tree, or freezer, but ourselves for the coming of Christ.
John the Baptist appears every Advent to focus our inner preparation. John is one in the great line of prophets. Like Malachi, Isaiah, Jeremiah and others, John speaks of the promised coming of the Lord. He has the most the most immediate message. Unlike the others he has the most immediate message, prepare NOW! We are no longer looking for a promise or relying on God’s promise John’s message is urgent and therefore razor sharp, get ready now or you will miss it! Preparation is examining one’s life for your values and your priorities. Preparation is focusing on what is important to a life with God before you focus on the to do list. Preparation is not an activity that you can put off to later or cut corners to get done. Preparation is, as Gregg said last week, what you would do if today were your last day?
It may sound odd in the church to say but Advent is a deeply individualist season. While the people of God in worship hear the challenge of the Advent prophet, each person embraces the challenge in her or his own way. In contrast to Lent that embraces our sin as people, communities, nations and the world leading up to Christ’s redeeming death, Advent is distinctively about preparing our lives for the coming of God among us, within us. Within me. Within you. Individual preparation is deconstruction of what is to high or too low and reassembling of that which will make a life with God.
And, if the demolition required and construction needed to build an entirely new road in your life with God seems overwhelming in Advent, then consider these three building blocks:
• First, What needs to be cleaned out in your heart?
o Perhaps it is an unrealistic expectation of your self, or your spouse, or your boss, or your church
• Second, What bumps smoothed over? What holes you have left gapping open that now can be filled by love?
o Do you need to reconnect with your family, yourself?
o Do you need, as one healer calls it, that “essential vitamin C”, the vitamin of Connection?
• Third, What roadblocks do you constantly put up? And, what do you need to take them down?
o Do you find yourself frustrated by the same thing over and over?
What does that say about your trust to let God change you from within?
o What does that say about your relationship with those in your life who could be, are trying to be, there on that life- changing journey with you?
These distinctive Advent invitations begin in worship each week.
However, the invitations continue into our homes. I hope your Advent wreath is more than a decoration. The tradition of lighting a candle each night for that week and moving toward a fullness of light is intended to be a symbol of our changing interior lives. It is intended to be a symbol of the ways in the intimate and most powerful community of our household we are ever moving, tearing down and rebuilding, towards one another and toward God.
Advent is a distinctive season of our worship and in our homes. If we don’t place ourselves in its power, we will miss it.
We will miss it because there are so many other seasonal distractions that command our attention. Embracing these Advent invitations to rebuild our life with God is a gift of the church. Accept this gift. I promise it is wonderful when it is opened.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
More Experience
We all reach age when learning what others seek to teach us is not as powerful as learning what we want, or need to know. It's called adult learning, and, I don't know if there is a magic age threshold we cross. I do know that adult learning builds upon those years of accumulated knowledge and means that we become interested in those lessons that help us gain confidence and competence. Adult learning means that we need to always we aware of what we need to learn next and shape our lives toward that goal.
Adult learning also means that while new information will come to us, we are also learning by reflecting on our lives. This is the action-reflection- action model. To retain new information, we must practice it.
The keen interest to gain competence and confident is at its height when we begin a new role. Elected to the governing board, what do I need to learn to contribute at meetings. Teaching Sunday Schol for the first time, what do I need to do to prepare? How will I be in front of the class?
New clergy have a particularly steep learning curve because role and integration of academic learning take place similtaneously. A safe place to learn becomes particularly important.
Adult learning also means that while new information will come to us, we are also learning by reflecting on our lives. This is the action-reflection- action model. To retain new information, we must practice it.
The keen interest to gain competence and confident is at its height when we begin a new role. Elected to the governing board, what do I need to learn to contribute at meetings. Teaching Sunday Schol for the first time, what do I need to do to prepare? How will I be in front of the class?
New clergy have a particularly steep learning curve because role and integration of academic learning take place similtaneously. A safe place to learn becomes particularly important.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Experience
Many ways are offered to help us learn from experience. Journaling, spiritual direction, assessing for change, assessing for stability, informal conversations with friends, programs that help us behavior differently. There are so many ways experience is folded into our everyday live, that we may miss how God communes with us through experience.
God shares with us through experience when we are in a safe place to learn. We need to feel beneath us that support of God's presence before we are ready to take in our experience as holy. That safe place may not be in the moment when we are challenged and perhaps even feeling incompetent. (Adults hate feeling incompetent. In fact they will reject learning in order not to feel incompetent.) That safe place may be later when our breathing returns to normal, we can find a quiet place in our selves where we have access to God's support, and, when we can assess what has happened.
God shares with us through experience when that safe place, and the challenge, support, assessment come together. Challenge, support, and assessment are key concepts in leading programs of leadership development to refine skill and build on personal strength. However, challenge, support, and assessment are also the key concepts of discerning the personal awareness, the personal acceptance, and the inner spaciousness to learn what God shares with you.
These concepts will be expanded in future blog entries. For today as a summary, an experience challenges your emotions, beliefs, or, capacity. The support of God's presence opens new pathways to understanding that challenge. And, as you reflect you assess the why, when, and hows of your connection, or not connection, with God in that experience.
Find your safe place today, and, reflect on moments when God shared with you through your experience.
God shares with us through experience when we are in a safe place to learn. We need to feel beneath us that support of God's presence before we are ready to take in our experience as holy. That safe place may not be in the moment when we are challenged and perhaps even feeling incompetent. (Adults hate feeling incompetent. In fact they will reject learning in order not to feel incompetent.) That safe place may be later when our breathing returns to normal, we can find a quiet place in our selves where we have access to God's support, and, when we can assess what has happened.
God shares with us through experience when that safe place, and the challenge, support, assessment come together. Challenge, support, and assessment are key concepts in leading programs of leadership development to refine skill and build on personal strength. However, challenge, support, and assessment are also the key concepts of discerning the personal awareness, the personal acceptance, and the inner spaciousness to learn what God shares with you.
These concepts will be expanded in future blog entries. For today as a summary, an experience challenges your emotions, beliefs, or, capacity. The support of God's presence opens new pathways to understanding that challenge. And, as you reflect you assess the why, when, and hows of your connection, or not connection, with God in that experience.
Find your safe place today, and, reflect on moments when God shared with you through your experience.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Be Yourself III
As one who constantly asks the question, "What might I do differently?" I often wonder if this blog needs a different title. The title, "Practically Christian" was not meant to convey almost being Christian but practical, day to day reflections, observations, questions, and, inspiration for our day to day Christian life. The practice of Christianity is an experiential process because we believe in an incarnate God, a God who lived among us and who now lives with us. Theory, scripture, theology, are all important foundations and our beginning point to know about the life of Christ. But to know the life of Christ, we must live in His Way.
That is why I am so intrigued by Mark 10:35-45. It speaks of Christ's sacrifice, our life, remembrance and baptism all in one passage. With these four points of reference, we are in a good place to live the Christian life.
The invitation to James and John through cup and baptism, which I believe is addressed to every disciple of every generation, "simultaneously looks backward and forward." (Feast on the Word, Year B, Vol. 4, P. 193). God has prepared the way that Jesus and the disciples have walked together - symbolized in the cup of sacrifice and the remembrance of Jesus, and God prepared the way they will walk together in the future, symbolized by baptism as the new covenant of forgiveness sealed in Christ's sacrifice.
For the way God prepared, based on this passage, baptism is not possible before the gift of new life through Christ and Christ's teaching to his disciples about the meaning of his gift of life comes from that remembrance meal of bread and cup.
That could lead to the conclusion that sacrifice, remembrance, and cup precede forgiveness so that our practice could proceed from cup to baptism.
Yet the church celebrates these sacraments in the order they happened to Jesus. Jesus began his public ministry in baptism so we begin our ministry, our life in Christ, through baptism. Jesus ended his life with his sacrifice for forgiveness and we conclude, some say culminate, the weekly observance of our Christian life by receiving the bread and wine. We are accustomed to this pattern so it feels right.
Today there is much discussion about "Open Table" or "Open Communion." The canons of the Episcopal Church state that all baptized Christians may receive communion, meaning anyone baptized in the name of the Trinity, can receive. That means from infant baptism onward throughout one's life. Many churches, St. John's included, adopted the practice of inviting everyone to the table as a seeker of Christ, "Open Communion." This meaning that Christ's presence is known to us in the bread and cup in the same way his presence healed the woman who touched the hem of his garment. Seeking is receiving.
From this passage from Mark, we could also say that through the cup we are part of Christ's sacrifice and through baptism be are part of the new covenant created in his death and resurrection. Jesus didn't designate a pattern for us based on the time line of his life but instead offered a way into his life by remembrance and baptism.
For me, I am asking what does the church need to do differently regarding our formation through cup and baptism. I believe we need to teach about the Baptismal Covenant as a foundational guide to being "practically christian." The covenant guides parents when an infant is baptized for being Christian parents and it guides everyone on living in Christ's Way of Life. Baptism is a celebration of continuity of faith, uniting families across the generations in their shared ways of faith, love, and togetherness. But as a church community, when we leave most of the meaning at infant baptism, we are leaving out most of the meaning for the rest of us.
I am reflecting on, "What do I need to do to teach differently?"
That is why I am so intrigued by Mark 10:35-45. It speaks of Christ's sacrifice, our life, remembrance and baptism all in one passage. With these four points of reference, we are in a good place to live the Christian life.
The invitation to James and John through cup and baptism, which I believe is addressed to every disciple of every generation, "simultaneously looks backward and forward." (Feast on the Word, Year B, Vol. 4, P. 193). God has prepared the way that Jesus and the disciples have walked together - symbolized in the cup of sacrifice and the remembrance of Jesus, and God prepared the way they will walk together in the future, symbolized by baptism as the new covenant of forgiveness sealed in Christ's sacrifice.
For the way God prepared, based on this passage, baptism is not possible before the gift of new life through Christ and Christ's teaching to his disciples about the meaning of his gift of life comes from that remembrance meal of bread and cup.
That could lead to the conclusion that sacrifice, remembrance, and cup precede forgiveness so that our practice could proceed from cup to baptism.
Yet the church celebrates these sacraments in the order they happened to Jesus. Jesus began his public ministry in baptism so we begin our ministry, our life in Christ, through baptism. Jesus ended his life with his sacrifice for forgiveness and we conclude, some say culminate, the weekly observance of our Christian life by receiving the bread and wine. We are accustomed to this pattern so it feels right.
Today there is much discussion about "Open Table" or "Open Communion." The canons of the Episcopal Church state that all baptized Christians may receive communion, meaning anyone baptized in the name of the Trinity, can receive. That means from infant baptism onward throughout one's life. Many churches, St. John's included, adopted the practice of inviting everyone to the table as a seeker of Christ, "Open Communion." This meaning that Christ's presence is known to us in the bread and cup in the same way his presence healed the woman who touched the hem of his garment. Seeking is receiving.
From this passage from Mark, we could also say that through the cup we are part of Christ's sacrifice and through baptism be are part of the new covenant created in his death and resurrection. Jesus didn't designate a pattern for us based on the time line of his life but instead offered a way into his life by remembrance and baptism.
For me, I am asking what does the church need to do differently regarding our formation through cup and baptism. I believe we need to teach about the Baptismal Covenant as a foundational guide to being "practically christian." The covenant guides parents when an infant is baptized for being Christian parents and it guides everyone on living in Christ's Way of Life. Baptism is a celebration of continuity of faith, uniting families across the generations in their shared ways of faith, love, and togetherness. But as a church community, when we leave most of the meaning at infant baptism, we are leaving out most of the meaning for the rest of us.
I am reflecting on, "What do I need to do to teach differently?"
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Be Yourself! II
As the reflection concluded yesterday, be yourself has both a individual aspect and a community aspect. As a Christian person, be yourself means living in the Way of Christ each and every day. But as Jim Wallis of Sojourners has said, "religion is personal but never private." As a Christian person, be yourself is the connection to your faith community. Picture a circle as our faith lives flow from personal to community from community to personal. Is a both/and process.
This year at St. John's we are being community as Good Stewards of God's creation. Our accountability to one another is to care for what we love. We care for our community not only through the ministries that claim our passions, our hearts, but also through the ministries that others offer. We are accountable to one another for the spaces in which we worship and serve. We are accountable to one another for those who support our ministries, teach the faith, and, feed us through the sacraments. We are accountable to one another for our diversity in worship, growing economic and cultural diversity, and, education for all ages.
"Where your heart is there will your treasure be also." Reflect today on the question, what is one ministry at St. John's, our your own parish, that you treasure. Then, think of five other people you know in the congregation who would choose a different ministry as their treasure.
This year at St. John's we are being community as Good Stewards of God's creation. Our accountability to one another is to care for what we love. We care for our community not only through the ministries that claim our passions, our hearts, but also through the ministries that others offer. We are accountable to one another for the spaces in which we worship and serve. We are accountable to one another for those who support our ministries, teach the faith, and, feed us through the sacraments. We are accountable to one another for our diversity in worship, growing economic and cultural diversity, and, education for all ages.
"Where your heart is there will your treasure be also." Reflect today on the question, what is one ministry at St. John's, our your own parish, that you treasure. Then, think of five other people you know in the congregation who would choose a different ministry as their treasure.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Be Yourself!
Be Yourself reflections will continue to look as different aspects of Mark 10:35-45.
The writer and flamboyant personality, Oscar Wilde is quoted as saying, "Be yourself, even one else is taken!"
Be yourself, well who else would you be? Who else are you trying to be? We can diminish the God called self we were created to be and try to be someone else.
James and John in the Gospel passage from Mark 10-35-45 are trying to be something that they are not. Their misunderstanding seems almost tragically comical that Jesus' life is about power and recognition. They ask that one of them may sit at Jesus' right hand and the other on his left when he comes into his glory. Their request follows Jesus' third teaching that his servant life will end by death on a cross. And, as any reader/listener of Mark would know, the ones on Jesus' left and right at the crucifixion were criminals.
Jesus gives them another way into his teaching. Clearly they are not fully understanding the life that will come through Jesus death or that they as disciples will share that life with others. So, he asks them, can you drink the cup that I drink and be baptized with the baptism with which is I baptized? The cup is the covenant of forgiveness created Jesus's death and resurrection. The baptism is the covenant sealed when a disciple promises to follow Jesus in The Way of life he taught.
Jesus challenges them to be themselves in both the God called life that they experience in Jesus and in the community they will help teach and nurture. For in the Christian life, Be yourself has both dimensions: individual and community. The Cup, the covenant of forgiveness is for all; The Baptism, shaping ones life in the covenant of Jesus' new life is for all. Neither can be fully lived alone nor without a community.
Reflect day on the two covenants you live within: forgiveness and new life. What dimensions are individual and what dimensions are found in your life with your faith community.
The writer and flamboyant personality, Oscar Wilde is quoted as saying, "Be yourself, even one else is taken!"
Be yourself, well who else would you be? Who else are you trying to be? We can diminish the God called self we were created to be and try to be someone else.
James and John in the Gospel passage from Mark 10-35-45 are trying to be something that they are not. Their misunderstanding seems almost tragically comical that Jesus' life is about power and recognition. They ask that one of them may sit at Jesus' right hand and the other on his left when he comes into his glory. Their request follows Jesus' third teaching that his servant life will end by death on a cross. And, as any reader/listener of Mark would know, the ones on Jesus' left and right at the crucifixion were criminals.
Jesus gives them another way into his teaching. Clearly they are not fully understanding the life that will come through Jesus death or that they as disciples will share that life with others. So, he asks them, can you drink the cup that I drink and be baptized with the baptism with which is I baptized? The cup is the covenant of forgiveness created Jesus's death and resurrection. The baptism is the covenant sealed when a disciple promises to follow Jesus in The Way of life he taught.
Jesus challenges them to be themselves in both the God called life that they experience in Jesus and in the community they will help teach and nurture. For in the Christian life, Be yourself has both dimensions: individual and community. The Cup, the covenant of forgiveness is for all; The Baptism, shaping ones life in the covenant of Jesus' new life is for all. Neither can be fully lived alone nor without a community.
Reflect day on the two covenants you live within: forgiveness and new life. What dimensions are individual and what dimensions are found in your life with your faith community.
Monday, September 17, 2012
A new way to do Monday morning
Today I started a new practice, again. I've tried this several times before only to be pulled away by some competing detail. Now I've incorporate the support of the parish office staff and my calendar to get me where I want to be. Today, I started Monday by a meditative walk to contemplate the scripture for the coming week.
Maybe this sounds simple. Maybe it is why not! Makes perfect sense! And yes, all those things are true until you put my devotional and sermon preparation time up against the urgency someones else has for what that person believes I should be doing at the moment.
The meditative walk began by reading the scripture passage for this coming Sunday, reading reflective comments by other writers and reading Daily Feast. I've mentioned this book before in my blog and continue to recommend it. (Its in electronic version from Amazon as well as hard cover.)
Then, I started out down the sun dappled road by my house. The beginning 10 minutes, about, settles my mind into my body. Then, as I walk I reflect on only one part of the passage. So the next 30 minutes, about, I explore the words that come to mind, what I think they mean, how do I communicate that meaning to others, and well as a series of other questions. Today, by the end of the walk I had a framework to begin reflecting on next Sunday's sermon.
In my reading from Daily Feast, I am passing on today's reflection on Proverbs. While I won't be preaching on that lesson this Sunday, the passage and reflection are offered here:
From Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word, Year B
Proverbs 31:10-31
This passage portrays a marriage that is neither egalitarian nor inegalitarian. This is because it is to interested in comparing husband and wife to one another. Comparison, whether of equals or of unequals, implies a kind of opposition; but what characterizes the relationship here is mutual support. Generous and empowering, it flows from each to the other and overflows the blessings on the family, the marketplace, and the whole city.
Telford Work
Maybe this sounds simple. Maybe it is why not! Makes perfect sense! And yes, all those things are true until you put my devotional and sermon preparation time up against the urgency someones else has for what that person believes I should be doing at the moment.
The meditative walk began by reading the scripture passage for this coming Sunday, reading reflective comments by other writers and reading Daily Feast. I've mentioned this book before in my blog and continue to recommend it. (Its in electronic version from Amazon as well as hard cover.)
Then, I started out down the sun dappled road by my house. The beginning 10 minutes, about, settles my mind into my body. Then, as I walk I reflect on only one part of the passage. So the next 30 minutes, about, I explore the words that come to mind, what I think they mean, how do I communicate that meaning to others, and well as a series of other questions. Today, by the end of the walk I had a framework to begin reflecting on next Sunday's sermon.
In my reading from Daily Feast, I am passing on today's reflection on Proverbs. While I won't be preaching on that lesson this Sunday, the passage and reflection are offered here:
From Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word, Year B
Proverbs 31:10-31
This passage portrays a marriage that is neither egalitarian nor inegalitarian. This is because it is to interested in comparing husband and wife to one another. Comparison, whether of equals or of unequals, implies a kind of opposition; but what characterizes the relationship here is mutual support. Generous and empowering, it flows from each to the other and overflows the blessings on the family, the marketplace, and the whole city.
Telford Work
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Prayer for this day
Walk to pray today. Walk anywhere, around your living room, around your car, in a park, or, along your street. As your foot touches the ground, give thanks for the earth, for your body that is connected to the earth, for the goodness of God breathing life into you and into the ground beneath your feet. Pray on your steps for those who are grieving, especially today. Pray for the all those who have lost their lives on this anniversary, in the wars that followed, in the illness and disabilities that resulted.
Pray for God's goodness in the new ways each one of us is now challenged to live with others we would call strangers, even enemies. Pray for the living word of Christ's life to open our lives to the new chapter before us.
Today, beginning at 9 am, I will be walking the labyrinth at St. John's with these prayers. You are invited to join me. Arrive before 9, after 9, whenever your can today to walk. About 9:20 I will offer prayers with all those who have gathered. Be there with us if you can. Pray with us wherever you find yourself today.
Pray for God's goodness in the new ways each one of us is now challenged to live with others we would call strangers, even enemies. Pray for the living word of Christ's life to open our lives to the new chapter before us.
Today, beginning at 9 am, I will be walking the labyrinth at St. John's with these prayers. You are invited to join me. Arrive before 9, after 9, whenever your can today to walk. About 9:20 I will offer prayers with all those who have gathered. Be there with us if you can. Pray with us wherever you find yourself today.
Monday, September 10, 2012
September 10
The mood is entirely different this year compared to one year ago. Then, we perched on the edge of a historic remembrance, can it really have been ten years? The mental images and remembrances as well as the repeated television images were so vivid of September 11.
Now, the mood is of fortified calm. Calm because the heightened expectation to commemorate 10 years is not present. Fortified because the events have folded into our national consciousness as well as our personal consciousness as a permanent part of our identity.
This year, September 10 is a Monday. Just like it was 11 years ago. This year, the weather feels like autumn and the sky looks like summer. This year, the pace of common life seems 'normal' with another national election. This year, people have a familiar ways of remembering. This year, we have matured with this annual event so that we can look back to see how our lives have changed and look ahead to anticipate what the impact continues to be. This year, September 10 means the next chapter of the next ten years.
Now, the mood is of fortified calm. Calm because the heightened expectation to commemorate 10 years is not present. Fortified because the events have folded into our national consciousness as well as our personal consciousness as a permanent part of our identity.
This year, September 10 is a Monday. Just like it was 11 years ago. This year, the weather feels like autumn and the sky looks like summer. This year, the pace of common life seems 'normal' with another national election. This year, people have a familiar ways of remembering. This year, we have matured with this annual event so that we can look back to see how our lives have changed and look ahead to anticipate what the impact continues to be. This year, September 10 means the next chapter of the next ten years.
Monday, August 27, 2012
What can we bless together?
The following reflection is too good not to share. It comes from Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word, Year B. While is applies to the lessons a few weeks ago, I continue to reflect on the first sentence. The conversations all around us, public and personal, predominately focus on what is wrong. As Christians can we be something else and realistic at the same time? I believe we can!
Psalm 34:1-8
Reflection
There are many communities of faith today held together more by what they condemn together than by what they bless together. Is your community one that condemns together or one that blesses together? "Let us exalt his name together," is the hope of Psalm 34. When the psalmist declares, "the images hearken back to the radiance of Moses." It was Moses whose face shone with the glory after he had been in the presence of God. Can the preacher describe a radiant face she has seen lately? In particular, however, the hearer is urged to '"look to him" in order to be radiant. The Lord might be rather like the sun, our star, after all. It shines forth light that is then reflected. Those who look to God actually reflect God. The one who sees God is rather like the moon, then, or a planet, reflecting the light of the sun. Even if each of us reflects that light at a different angle, or with perhaps a slightly different hue, the light itself is the light of deliverance (vv. 4 and 6.)
Sam Chandler
Response
Read this psalm. What goodness of God have you seen reflected this day?
Psalm 34:1-8
Reflection
There are many communities of faith today held together more by what they condemn together than by what they bless together. Is your community one that condemns together or one that blesses together? "Let us exalt his name together," is the hope of Psalm 34. When the psalmist declares, "the images hearken back to the radiance of Moses." It was Moses whose face shone with the glory after he had been in the presence of God. Can the preacher describe a radiant face she has seen lately? In particular, however, the hearer is urged to '"look to him" in order to be radiant. The Lord might be rather like the sun, our star, after all. It shines forth light that is then reflected. Those who look to God actually reflect God. The one who sees God is rather like the moon, then, or a planet, reflecting the light of the sun. Even if each of us reflects that light at a different angle, or with perhaps a slightly different hue, the light itself is the light of deliverance (vv. 4 and 6.)
Sam Chandler
Response
Read this psalm. What goodness of God have you seen reflected this day?
Monday, August 6, 2012
Community
In the summer, we attend an Episcopal Church on the North Fork of Long Island. Yesterday the attendance was 30, usual and expected for this chapel sized church building. The feeling of community in this congregation was much bigger. Perhaps its because I have spent years listening for the heart beat of congregations that I hear the emotional tone when I worship. However, I think I hear what everyone hears and the difference the years make is the practice to describing the sounds.
What did I 'hear' that spoke of community? First, the teenager and the 50 something who greeted us at the door. Once inside the door, the worshipper is inside the church so the usher's readiness to smile, to welcome, and to hand us a bulletin made all the difference. Second, the congregation was settled, quiet, ready to pray and ready to worship. The beginning of worship was not social time among friends, which clearly those outside the community would not have a part. Instead, the preparation for worship created the time and space to place oneself in this community to share an experience of God. Third, the congregation was smiling. They liked being part of this community. Fourth, everyone sang the hymns, and not all of them were old favorites. Fifth, the sermon was well prepared, biblically focused, and practical. The priest clearly spent time to prepare. While some would say, 'its OK to slide in a few thrown together thoughts in the summer' this clergy person spoke to the most important 30 people in his week. Sixth, the congregation prayed for people other than themselves. Seventh, people greeted us at the sharing of the peace and after worship. Eighth, when the need for volunteers at the food pantry was announced I thought, "I could do that" because I knew I would be welcomed. I could go on.
The sounds of community came from those gathered to worship. The size of the congregation did not make it less friendly or more friendly. It was inviting, intentional, and joyous all at the same time. The community felt 'bigger' because the community was open, open to God and open to everyone present.
Those who care about congregations spend a lot of time managing the impact of congregational size. Yes, each congregation will fall within a range that creates networks of relationships and certain dynamics. But community does not flow from congregational size. A small congregation can be cold and a large congregation can be warm. A large community can focus only on itself and a small community can serve God in the world. A small community or a large community can be sloppy or intentional, welcoming or diffident, nervous or joyful, closed or open. Community flows from the open hearts of those gathered to worship God. We all hear community when we listen.
What did I 'hear' that spoke of community? First, the teenager and the 50 something who greeted us at the door. Once inside the door, the worshipper is inside the church so the usher's readiness to smile, to welcome, and to hand us a bulletin made all the difference. Second, the congregation was settled, quiet, ready to pray and ready to worship. The beginning of worship was not social time among friends, which clearly those outside the community would not have a part. Instead, the preparation for worship created the time and space to place oneself in this community to share an experience of God. Third, the congregation was smiling. They liked being part of this community. Fourth, everyone sang the hymns, and not all of them were old favorites. Fifth, the sermon was well prepared, biblically focused, and practical. The priest clearly spent time to prepare. While some would say, 'its OK to slide in a few thrown together thoughts in the summer' this clergy person spoke to the most important 30 people in his week. Sixth, the congregation prayed for people other than themselves. Seventh, people greeted us at the sharing of the peace and after worship. Eighth, when the need for volunteers at the food pantry was announced I thought, "I could do that" because I knew I would be welcomed. I could go on.
The sounds of community came from those gathered to worship. The size of the congregation did not make it less friendly or more friendly. It was inviting, intentional, and joyous all at the same time. The community felt 'bigger' because the community was open, open to God and open to everyone present.
Those who care about congregations spend a lot of time managing the impact of congregational size. Yes, each congregation will fall within a range that creates networks of relationships and certain dynamics. But community does not flow from congregational size. A small congregation can be cold and a large congregation can be warm. A large community can focus only on itself and a small community can serve God in the world. A small community or a large community can be sloppy or intentional, welcoming or diffident, nervous or joyful, closed or open. Community flows from the open hearts of those gathered to worship God. We all hear community when we listen.
Friday, August 3, 2012
August 3
Significant life events are always followed by the day after the significant life event. Yesterday, after months of careful preparation and planning, my daughter left for her junior semester abroad in China. She'll be gone five months. As I stood with her at the entrance of the airport security line, she thanked me for my support. I told her parenting was equal parts supporting and worrying. I am excited for her and supporting her adventure as well as always concerned about her.
So, today is the day after the significant start of this life adventure. There is an emptying feeling, no more planning, check lists, tasks and counting down the days. There is a void of her busy and steady presence of preparation. There is a question of "now what?" After looking forward to the start of this trip for so long, it remains for her to take it and for me to wait.
The day after, August 3, is not just another day in the calendar. Life for daughter and mother is changed. It is ours to live into as a
So, today is the day after the significant start of this life adventure. There is an emptying feeling, no more planning, check lists, tasks and counting down the days. There is a void of her busy and steady presence of preparation. There is a question of "now what?" After looking forward to the start of this trip for so long, it remains for her to take it and for me to wait.
The day after, August 3, is not just another day in the calendar. Life for daughter and mother is changed. It is ours to live into as a
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Walk up the Beach
The crunch of the stones on St. Columba's beach is a sound that will stay with me forever. Under foot the rubbing together of the stones sounds like the crunch of icy snow, only louder and more connected to the earth. The sound of each foot step radiates from one ocean rounded stone to the next as they clack together to settle under the pressure of the pilgrim's step. The crunch sound walking down to the ocean sounds different than the crunch sound walking back up the beach. Perhaps that is because the Iona Pilgrims walking back up the beach are different as well.
One day within the ten days of our pilgrimage to Iona, that small island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland and home of spiritual heart of the Iona community, one day is a pilgrimage around the island. The middle of seven mile hike is on St. Columba's beach, the place he is reported to have landed on his missionary journey to carry Christianity from Ireland to Scotland. To land in a new place, one must first leave an old place behind. So pilgrims on the day of hiking, in the middle of their journey around the island are invited to pick up a stone from the beach that represents something we want to leave behind. Then, each pilgrim holding her or his chosen stone ranging anywhere from the size of a walnut to the size of a football, hurdle the stone away into the sea. Like Columba, on that beach we cast away from an old place in order to land in a different place. We are different when we walk up the beach to resume our pilgrimage.
We are different because we already believe we can be different through a life in Christ. As the letter to the Ephesians tells us this morning, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love." (1:3). Our transformation begins for us, from the beginning of the world. Our lives are not a sum of what is past but a promise to always move forward. Our relationship with God is not one full of holes but full of love that God from the beginning intends for us. The rock into the ocean is swallowed up into the infinite expanse of God's love for us.
This letter to the Ephesian through the centuries has been used to justify Christian triumphalism. That believers in Christ are literally chosen in the sense of being singled out by God, picked as the favorite ones to live the holy and blameless life. In this interpretation, even believers cannot help themselves to either be good or bad because God has already made the distinction. The meaning of chosen is weighted with fate, inevitability, and destiny.
However, God choses not to single out and set apart. God choses to form a new adoptive family, a new way that everyone is encompassed in the life of a loving God. God's choosing is into spiritual blessing. God's choosing is before the foundation of the world to include the whole of humanity.
What shape would your life take if you began from the place of being affirmed, chosen, loved by God? There is a well known quote from Desmond Tutu when a man challenges the Archbishop by saying, "I don't believe in God." "That's OK," the Tutu responds, "because God believes in you."
Sometimes I wonder if we spend too much time trying to figure out what is wrong in our lives rather than celebrate what is right. We spend time trying to accomplish love rather than let love accomplish and complete us. We spend time looking for the one rock on the beach that needs to be cast away rather than listening to the crunch of the rocks under foot as we walk back up the beach to a new place.
One day within the ten days of our pilgrimage to Iona, that small island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland and home of spiritual heart of the Iona community, one day is a pilgrimage around the island. The middle of seven mile hike is on St. Columba's beach, the place he is reported to have landed on his missionary journey to carry Christianity from Ireland to Scotland. To land in a new place, one must first leave an old place behind. So pilgrims on the day of hiking, in the middle of their journey around the island are invited to pick up a stone from the beach that represents something we want to leave behind. Then, each pilgrim holding her or his chosen stone ranging anywhere from the size of a walnut to the size of a football, hurdle the stone away into the sea. Like Columba, on that beach we cast away from an old place in order to land in a different place. We are different when we walk up the beach to resume our pilgrimage.
We are different because we already believe we can be different through a life in Christ. As the letter to the Ephesians tells us this morning, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love." (1:3). Our transformation begins for us, from the beginning of the world. Our lives are not a sum of what is past but a promise to always move forward. Our relationship with God is not one full of holes but full of love that God from the beginning intends for us. The rock into the ocean is swallowed up into the infinite expanse of God's love for us.
This letter to the Ephesian through the centuries has been used to justify Christian triumphalism. That believers in Christ are literally chosen in the sense of being singled out by God, picked as the favorite ones to live the holy and blameless life. In this interpretation, even believers cannot help themselves to either be good or bad because God has already made the distinction. The meaning of chosen is weighted with fate, inevitability, and destiny.
However, God choses not to single out and set apart. God choses to form a new adoptive family, a new way that everyone is encompassed in the life of a loving God. God's choosing is into spiritual blessing. God's choosing is before the foundation of the world to include the whole of humanity.
What shape would your life take if you began from the place of being affirmed, chosen, loved by God? There is a well known quote from Desmond Tutu when a man challenges the Archbishop by saying, "I don't believe in God." "That's OK," the Tutu responds, "because God believes in you."
Sometimes I wonder if we spend too much time trying to figure out what is wrong in our lives rather than celebrate what is right. We spend time trying to accomplish love rather than let love accomplish and complete us. We spend time looking for the one rock on the beach that needs to be cast away rather than listening to the crunch of the rocks under foot as we walk back up the beach to a new place.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Faith Affirming
If anyone wondered if living in the life of Christ ever made any difference, the answer was plain to see in this past week. Any range of reactions can be expected from a horrible murder/suicide of our colleague and friend. A mentally troubled homeless man, every parish knows at least one of these wandering people. A parish secretary and a co rector could be any of us. A homeless man known to the parish with a gun kills the parish secretary, the co rector, and then himself forces us beyond the bounds of our ability of comprehend and cope. Any range of reactions can be expected as people feel the safety crumble beneath them.
For the people of St. Peter's, our neighboring congregation, St. John's and the people of the Diocese of Maryland, a range of reactions did not occur. What occurred was an outpouring of love, anticipatory concern for anyone who might be effected, compassion even in the midst of anger, and an outpouring of offers to help. We didn't get to that place of facing life by accident. We got there through a life of Christ lived imperfectly yet faithfully every day.
For the people of St. Peter's, our neighboring congregation, St. John's and the people of the Diocese of Maryland, a range of reactions did not occur. What occurred was an outpouring of love, anticipatory concern for anyone who might be effected, compassion even in the midst of anger, and an outpouring of offers to help. We didn't get to that place of facing life by accident. We got there through a life of Christ lived imperfectly yet faithfully every day.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Week of Reflection
After a week of reflection, why do you attend St. John's and why Jesus Christ? Could you answer these questions if asked? A Living Lord shapes our lives so that we can live as people fully alive in God. A Living Lord shapes our lives so that we serve one another. Its a both/and. Jesus Christ about more than our personal spiritual growth and more than helping others. Why Jesus? Because when we are changed from the inside and serve the needs of the world through a life in Christ, then the Living Lord is alive for all.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
As the week unfolds, more reflections on our question
Now we are at the fourth day of praying and reflection on our questions, "Why do you go to St. John's, and, Why do you believe in Jesus Christ/" Is it time to put pen to paper, voice to voice, comment to comment? I hope so. Here is the continuation of my answer (first part was yesterday's post).
A Living Lord attends to each generation of the church. He is made new for each person is a risen life, a life of fully living the joys and the pains of our humanity. The community of disciples, to make the way of life known through his crucified and resurrected life known to others by many forms of witness.
A Living Lord attends to each generation of the church. He is made new for each person is a risen life, a life of fully living the joys and the pains of our humanity. The community of disciples, to make the way of life known through his crucified and resurrected life known to others by many forms of witness.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Responses to our questions...
As promised in my sermon last Sunday, here is the beginning of my answer to the question, "why I believe in Jesus Christ." I have decided to give the answer in stages as a way to encourage the conversation. So far a few members of St. John's have emailed me with their answers. Here is the beginning of mine.
I believe in a Living Lord whose presence is available to us at all times and in all places. The Living Christ is revealed to all in through the account in scripture, the sacraments of the church, prayer, and, the worshipping community of his followers. These are the places, times, and people through which I most powerfuly know and feel his presence.
I believe in a Living Lord whose presence is available to us at all times and in all places. The Living Christ is revealed to all in through the account in scripture, the sacraments of the church, prayer, and, the worshipping community of his followers. These are the places, times, and people through which I most powerfuly know and feel his presence.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Three minute elevator speech
On the Third Sunday of Easter the congregation was asked to respond to the following,
"If someone asked you this week, "Why do you go to church?" what would you say?
And
If someone asked you this week, "Why do you believe in Jesus Christ?" what would you say?
Pray, reflect and then write your answer. We are encouraged to share our response with one another through this blog page, our parishes facebook page, email or written notes.
"If someone asked you this week, "Why do you go to church?" what would you say?
And
If someone asked you this week, "Why do you believe in Jesus Christ?" what would you say?
Pray, reflect and then write your answer. We are encouraged to share our response with one another through this blog page, our parishes facebook page, email or written notes.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Healthy Congregations, Healthy Practices
As the season of Lent moves through its fifth week, preparation for the Holy Week and the three day Great Paschal Festival, also known as the Triduum, reflection moves into sermon preparations and spiritual preparation. The blogs, as you might have learned last week, will be less than daily. After the Easter celebration I anticipate returning to daily posts.
For daily reflections I suggest the on line Lenten Devotions found at www.stjohnsec.org.
For today, Healthy Congregations Keep Promises.
The theological bedrock of keeping promises is God's Covenant with us to be steadfast in love, justice, and compassion. The Episcopal Church celebrates, affirms, and continually guides our lives in God through our Baptismal Covenant.
In congregations the implicit promise of congregational life is that we are all God's people together. Infidelity to promises unravels the trust that builds community. Small ways that relationships are viewed as preferential speak that not everyone is equal. Questions about how money is used, or about how it is reported, say that what is proposed and what is implemented are different. A tight leadership circle that controls erodes the congregation's commitment to the community.
Christine Pohl says, "When we are on the receiving end of failed promises but do not see the justification or excuse for them, we feel betrayed. Betrayal is devastating to our trust and sense of justice-and sometimes to our faith."
Keeping the promise of congregational life means that we continually inspire and offer ways for all of God's people to participate in God's purposes. This may come about through personal vocation, using one's gifts and talents, on behalf of the mission of the congregation, or, being part of any number of activities that make alive that congregation's call from God.
Reflect today how you are part of your congregation's keeping promises. Where do you need to grow? Where does your congregation need to grow?
For daily reflections I suggest the on line Lenten Devotions found at www.stjohnsec.org.
For today, Healthy Congregations Keep Promises.
The theological bedrock of keeping promises is God's Covenant with us to be steadfast in love, justice, and compassion. The Episcopal Church celebrates, affirms, and continually guides our lives in God through our Baptismal Covenant.
In congregations the implicit promise of congregational life is that we are all God's people together. Infidelity to promises unravels the trust that builds community. Small ways that relationships are viewed as preferential speak that not everyone is equal. Questions about how money is used, or about how it is reported, say that what is proposed and what is implemented are different. A tight leadership circle that controls erodes the congregation's commitment to the community.
Christine Pohl says, "When we are on the receiving end of failed promises but do not see the justification or excuse for them, we feel betrayed. Betrayal is devastating to our trust and sense of justice-and sometimes to our faith."
Keeping the promise of congregational life means that we continually inspire and offer ways for all of God's people to participate in God's purposes. This may come about through personal vocation, using one's gifts and talents, on behalf of the mission of the congregation, or, being part of any number of activities that make alive that congregation's call from God.
Reflect today how you are part of your congregation's keeping promises. Where do you need to grow? Where does your congregation need to grow?
Monday, March 19, 2012
Healthy congregations - Healthy Practices
Gifts to us are the authors who over the last ten years have named and nurtured the aspects of our common life and lifted again and again why so many of us love the church. Among them are Dorothy Bass, Craig Dykstra, David Wood, Nancy Ammerman, Eugene Peterson, and Christine Pohl.
Christine names four practices of healthy congregations that while they are important as individual spiritual disciplines they are magnifiers for the support healthy congregations.
To begin, a story. Recently my husband and I traveled a long distance to see our college daughter compete in a sports event. After the day we took her out to dinner. As we waited for the table she said, "I am grateful that you and dad came today and are staying so long." A simple thank you that amazed and comforted me. She was also letting us know that her parents fill an important place in her life.
"Gratitude, Christine Pohl writes, "begins with paying attention, with noticing goodness, beauty and grace around us."
God's goodness, beauty and grace surrounds us all the time, but, do we notice? Are we comforted by the goodness through which we make our way each day? Do we let God know that God fills an important place in our lives? Do we let the people around know us they are important to us? For our communities of faith, do we name and notice the goodness that flows from the members each day?
Christine names four practices of healthy congregations that while they are important as individual spiritual disciplines they are magnifiers for the support healthy congregations.
To begin, a story. Recently my husband and I traveled a long distance to see our college daughter compete in a sports event. After the day we took her out to dinner. As we waited for the table she said, "I am grateful that you and dad came today and are staying so long." A simple thank you that amazed and comforted me. She was also letting us know that her parents fill an important place in her life.
"Gratitude, Christine Pohl writes, "begins with paying attention, with noticing goodness, beauty and grace around us."
God's goodness, beauty and grace surrounds us all the time, but, do we notice? Are we comforted by the goodness through which we make our way each day? Do we let God know that God fills an important place in our lives? Do we let the people around know us they are important to us? For our communities of faith, do we name and notice the goodness that flows from the members each day?
Friday, March 16, 2012
Theology of Food III - Daily Devotion
What makes eating a spiritual practice? Eating is sustenance, that which we need to sustain our bodies, a vehicle for incarnate love, for a handful of hours. While sustenance may contain things we don't need, such as trans fat, salt, artificial additives, sustenance more importantly includes what we do need. We can choose to take in both the food to sustain us and the food we don't need, or, we can choose to focus only on what sustains us. Eating reflects our relationship with God. Do we rely on God for the things we do need: compassion, patience, excellence, sharing, or, do we mix those good things together with the things we don't need. Reflect on a day when you ate only what you needed to sustain your body. How might that enrich your relationship with God?
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Theology of Food - Daily Devotion
"Let us give thanks to the Lord for his mercy and the wonders he does for his children
For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Psalm 107 vs 8-9.
Food and Water often bridge the gap between God and human beings. Food is a metaphor for the goodness and abundance God gives. God, the creator and source, and humankind created in the Creator's image and continually hungry for the source. Food and Water bridge the gap so that we can experience all that we seek comes from God.
Yet we look often to other places other than our source to fill the gap. Consider this quote:
"In this condition, we have many commodities but little satisfaction, little sense of the sufficiency of anything. The scarcity of satisfaction makes of our many commodities an infinite series of commodities, the new commodities invariably promising greater satisfaction than the older ones. In fact, the industrial economy's most marketed commodity is satisfaction, and this commodity, which is repeatedly promised, bough, and paid for, is never delivered." Wendell Berry
Consider today what in your life might be substituting for that which you can receive from God. Consider if there is a commodity, something that you can purchase, that you experience as able to fulfill your desire for God.
For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Psalm 107 vs 8-9.
Food and Water often bridge the gap between God and human beings. Food is a metaphor for the goodness and abundance God gives. God, the creator and source, and humankind created in the Creator's image and continually hungry for the source. Food and Water bridge the gap so that we can experience all that we seek comes from God.
Yet we look often to other places other than our source to fill the gap. Consider this quote:
"In this condition, we have many commodities but little satisfaction, little sense of the sufficiency of anything. The scarcity of satisfaction makes of our many commodities an infinite series of commodities, the new commodities invariably promising greater satisfaction than the older ones. In fact, the industrial economy's most marketed commodity is satisfaction, and this commodity, which is repeatedly promised, bough, and paid for, is never delivered." Wendell Berry
Consider today what in your life might be substituting for that which you can receive from God. Consider if there is a commodity, something that you can purchase, that you experience as able to fulfill your desire for God.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Daily Devotion - Theology of Food
Last week I spent most of the week at an annual conference for church leaders, clergy and lay.
We listened to inspiring and knowledge biblical scholars, we worship and prayed with our hearts, our heads, and our voices raised in song, we heard from people serving in parishes who through their expertise provide support as we steward the resources God has abundantly provided.
One comment stands out for me above all the wonderful inspiration that surrounded us.
A biblical scholar commented that offering thanksgiving before meals is the most radical act we can offer because our thanksgiving says that all we have truly come from God.
So many of us quickly say a 'grace' because we know that is the thing to do. Contemplate that you are affirming God's abundance, God's gift of life, God's desire of goodness for us and all creation. How is that radical and counter to the other messages that surround us.
This week, our reflections will be on the theology of food.
We listened to inspiring and knowledge biblical scholars, we worship and prayed with our hearts, our heads, and our voices raised in song, we heard from people serving in parishes who through their expertise provide support as we steward the resources God has abundantly provided.
One comment stands out for me above all the wonderful inspiration that surrounded us.
A biblical scholar commented that offering thanksgiving before meals is the most radical act we can offer because our thanksgiving says that all we have truly come from God.
So many of us quickly say a 'grace' because we know that is the thing to do. Contemplate that you are affirming God's abundance, God's gift of life, God's desire of goodness for us and all creation. How is that radical and counter to the other messages that surround us.
This week, our reflections will be on the theology of food.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Daily Devotion - Daily Feast
The devotions this week are from Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word, Year B.
Mark 8:31-38
As long as self reigns, we will forever be seeking painless shortcuts to the kingdom. We will try and try again to substitute another way for the way of the cross. But only when we deny self and take up the cross can we follow Jesus. All of our attempts to save our lives are futile (vv. 35-38). All our efforts to make another way are a denial of the one who showed us the way, the way of the cross. This is true discipleship. In the end, true messiahship and true discipleship are inextricably connected. When we are finally willing to accept Jesus for who he is, the suffering one who lays down his life for others, then we can understand who we are to be, and denying self, we can take up the cross and follow him.
W. Hulitt Gloer
Mark 8:31-38
As long as self reigns, we will forever be seeking painless shortcuts to the kingdom. We will try and try again to substitute another way for the way of the cross. But only when we deny self and take up the cross can we follow Jesus. All of our attempts to save our lives are futile (vv. 35-38). All our efforts to make another way are a denial of the one who showed us the way, the way of the cross. This is true discipleship. In the end, true messiahship and true discipleship are inextricably connected. When we are finally willing to accept Jesus for who he is, the suffering one who lays down his life for others, then we can understand who we are to be, and denying self, we can take up the cross and follow him.
W. Hulitt Gloer
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Daily Devotion - Daily Feast
From Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word, Year B.
Romans 4:13-25
'On the other hand, we Christian folks may believe our sinfulness is somehow beyond forgiveness. We despair that our sin has cut us off from God, and there is no healing that relationship. Again, Paul would beg to differ. He might say something along the lines of, "Don't be silly. Remember how God has chosen to break into history in Jesus Christ. Your right relationship with God cannot be earned through obedience to the law, or faith would be useless and Christ would have died in vain. No. A right relationship with God is built on trust in Jesus Christ who died 'for our trespass and was raised for our justification' (v. 25). So quit rehearsing your failures and whining about your sins. Live in confident trust that you are forgiven and you are given yet another chance to try to be obedient."'
Jeff Paschal
Romans 4:13-25
'On the other hand, we Christian folks may believe our sinfulness is somehow beyond forgiveness. We despair that our sin has cut us off from God, and there is no healing that relationship. Again, Paul would beg to differ. He might say something along the lines of, "Don't be silly. Remember how God has chosen to break into history in Jesus Christ. Your right relationship with God cannot be earned through obedience to the law, or faith would be useless and Christ would have died in vain. No. A right relationship with God is built on trust in Jesus Christ who died 'for our trespass and was raised for our justification' (v. 25). So quit rehearsing your failures and whining about your sins. Live in confident trust that you are forgiven and you are given yet another chance to try to be obedient."'
Jeff Paschal
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Daily Devotion - Daily Feast
The Daily Devotions this week are from Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word, Year B.
Psalm 22:27-29
All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord;
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.
For dominion belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.
To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth
bow down;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
and I shall live for him.
'God's providential care is put into the context of the expansion of the rule of God. The psalmist enlarges the rule of God geographically from the people of Israel to the whole earth, and temporally from those who are now living to future generations.'
Charles A. Wiley
We are that future generation. We are the people of God. How will you worship today?
Psalm 22:27-29
All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord;
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.
For dominion belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.
To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth
bow down;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
and I shall live for him.
'God's providential care is put into the context of the expansion of the rule of God. The psalmist enlarges the rule of God geographically from the people of Israel to the whole earth, and temporally from those who are now living to future generations.'
Charles A. Wiley
We are that future generation. We are the people of God. How will you worship today?
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Daily Devotion - Daily Feast
This week the daily reflections are taken from Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word, Year B. Daily Feast looks ahead to the scripture texts for the coming Sunday and offers a meditation, response and prayer for each day. (It is available in both print and ebook editions). I have the ebook edition through the Kindle App on my iPad.
Reflection on Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 - God's covenant with Abraham
'On the Second Sunday in Lent, this point merits attention. We do not head straight to Easter from the spa or the shopping mall. Instead, we are invited to spend forty days examining the nature of our own covenant with God. Upon what does that relationship depend? What do we trust to give us life? What concrete practices allow us to become bodily involved with God? If we were to ask God for a new name, what might that name be? What new purpose might that name signify? While Lent focuses naturally on the example of Jesus, Jesus focused just as naturally on the example of Abraham (Matt 8:11). Like his forebear in faith, Jesus walked toward God's promise in steady trust, leading God to give him a new name too: "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." '
Barbara Brown Taylor
Reflection on Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 - God's covenant with Abraham
'On the Second Sunday in Lent, this point merits attention. We do not head straight to Easter from the spa or the shopping mall. Instead, we are invited to spend forty days examining the nature of our own covenant with God. Upon what does that relationship depend? What do we trust to give us life? What concrete practices allow us to become bodily involved with God? If we were to ask God for a new name, what might that name be? What new purpose might that name signify? While Lent focuses naturally on the example of Jesus, Jesus focused just as naturally on the example of Abraham (Matt 8:11). Like his forebear in faith, Jesus walked toward God's promise in steady trust, leading God to give him a new name too: "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." '
Barbara Brown Taylor
Friday, February 24, 2012
Daily Devotion - Psalm 25
Poetry holds the abstract for a moment so that we can see it, taste it, greet where the fleeting touches our lives. Describing God, theology - also known as the science of God, is more than an art than it is a science. Ultimately it comes down to where we discover God's life touching ours. These final verses of Psalm 25 holds of goodness of God close to our dusty path.
Verses 8 - 10
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
Verses 8 - 10
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Daily Devotion - Psalm 25
Especially on Ash Wednesday we can search our sins because we know God is merciful. Would a joyful life that shares God's love be possible if the only path to spiritual growth was to name our sins and change them ourselves? A loving and merciful God pulls us forward, pulls us closer.
Psalm 25 verses 6 - 7
Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness sake, O Lord!
Beginning today On Line Lenten Devotions are also available at www.stjohnsec.org. Written by members of the parish, we share our Lenten journey through love, grief, loss, and restoration as we prepare for the Paschal Feast.
Psalm 25 verses 6 - 7
Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness sake, O Lord!
Beginning today On Line Lenten Devotions are also available at www.stjohnsec.org. Written by members of the parish, we share our Lenten journey through love, grief, loss, and restoration as we prepare for the Paschal Feast.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Daily Devotion - Psalm 25
The poetry and prayer in this psalm lead us to place our human lives in intimate relationship with God. On a day what the revelry of Mardi Gras is in full swing, these verse offer another way to look at, and within, ourselves.
Verses 3-5
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.
Verses 3-5
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Daily Devotion - Psalm 25
The season of Light (Epiphany) concludes and the Season of Prayer (Lent) begins. Psalm 25 is both a poem and a prayer. In many congregations, it will be read this coming Sunday, the first Sunday of Lent.
Each day this week, a few verses of the Psalm will be offered for your prayer, your reflection, your wonderings. You might keep it with you throughout the day. Is there a different prayer that comes forth for you from these words in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening?
Psalm 25 verses 1 and 2
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
Each day this week, a few verses of the Psalm will be offered for your prayer, your reflection, your wonderings. You might keep it with you throughout the day. Is there a different prayer that comes forth for you from these words in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening?
Psalm 25 verses 1 and 2
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Daily Devotion - Epiphany Hymns
Light illuminates the path. Light is essential for growth. A bright sunny day brings out the playfulness and joy within us. The growing light of Epiphany brings forth the joy of the Christian life.
Reflect today on the words of this joyful hymn. The words have energy and bounce.
"Awake, my soul stretch every nerve, and press with vigor on; a heavenly race demands they zeal, and an immortal crown, and an immortal crown.
A cloud of witnesses around hold thee in full survey; forget the steps already trod, and onward urge they way, and onward urge thy way.
'Tis God's all animating voice that calls thee from on high; 'its his own hand presents the prize to thine aspiring eye, to thine aspiring eye.
Then wake, my soul, stretch every nerve, and press with vigor on; a heavenly race demands thy zeal and an immortal crown, and an immortal crown."
Philip Doddridge (1702-1751)
Reflect today on the words of this joyful hymn. The words have energy and bounce.
"Awake, my soul stretch every nerve, and press with vigor on; a heavenly race demands they zeal, and an immortal crown, and an immortal crown.
A cloud of witnesses around hold thee in full survey; forget the steps already trod, and onward urge they way, and onward urge thy way.
'Tis God's all animating voice that calls thee from on high; 'its his own hand presents the prize to thine aspiring eye, to thine aspiring eye.
Then wake, my soul, stretch every nerve, and press with vigor on; a heavenly race demands thy zeal and an immortal crown, and an immortal crown."
Philip Doddridge (1702-1751)
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Daily Devotion - Epiphany Hymns
A season of light opens places previously hidden from us. Perhaps those sacred places of our being are hidden by illness, or a vision of the world constricted by hurt, fear, or, worry. Perhaps those sacred places where God lives are squeezed off inside us by tightness of our spirit through our need to control. Epiphany light infiltrates those places so that we are continually opening to God.
Reflect on these selected verses of a hymn about God's light spreading through out and wonder about the openings in you.
"Thou, whose almighty word chaos and darkness heard, and took their flight; hear us, we humbly pray, and where the Gospel day sheds not its glorious ray, let there be light!
Spirit of truth and love, life-giving, holy Dove, speed forth they flight! Move on the waters face bearing the gifts of grace, through the world far and wide, let there be light!"
Words: John Marriott (1780-1825), alt.
Reflect on these selected verses of a hymn about God's light spreading through out and wonder about the openings in you.
"Thou, whose almighty word chaos and darkness heard, and took their flight; hear us, we humbly pray, and where the Gospel day sheds not its glorious ray, let there be light!
Spirit of truth and love, life-giving, holy Dove, speed forth they flight! Move on the waters face bearing the gifts of grace, through the world far and wide, let there be light!"
Words: John Marriott (1780-1825), alt.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Daily Devotion - Epiphany Hymns
The season of Epiphany celebrates the light of God spreading across the world bringing hope, healing, and reconciliation. A master of Christian theology in verse is Charles Wesley. Reflect today on these selected verses of this hymn that shares the exuberance of the world shining with Christ's light.
"O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!
Jesus! the Name that charms our fears and bids our sorrows cease; 'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life and health and peace.
Glory to God and praise and love be now and ever given by saints below and saints above the Church in earth and heaven."
Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
"O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!
Jesus! the Name that charms our fears and bids our sorrows cease; 'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life and health and peace.
Glory to God and praise and love be now and ever given by saints below and saints above the Church in earth and heaven."
Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Monday, February 13, 2012
Daily Devotion - Epiphany Hymns
This week we move toward the Last Sunday after the Epiphany. This season of growing light brings the light of Christ more fully into our lives. The hymns of this season celebrate this revelation. Each day this week, a hymn text will be offered for your reflection.
"Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus Lord to thee we raise, manifested by the star to the sages from afar; branch of royal David's stem in thy birth at Bethlehem; anthems be to the addressed, God in man made manifest.
Manifest at Jordan's stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme; and at Cana, wedding guest, in thy Godhead manifest; manifest in power divine, changing water into wine; anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made manifest.
Manifest in making whole, palsied limbs and fainting soul; manifest in valiant fight, quelling all the devil's might; manifest in gracious will, ever bringing good from ill; anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made manifest."
Verse 1-3
Words: Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885)
Music: Salzburg, melody Jakob Hintze (1622-1702); harm. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
"Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus Lord to thee we raise, manifested by the star to the sages from afar; branch of royal David's stem in thy birth at Bethlehem; anthems be to the addressed, God in man made manifest.
Manifest at Jordan's stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme; and at Cana, wedding guest, in thy Godhead manifest; manifest in power divine, changing water into wine; anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made manifest.
Manifest in making whole, palsied limbs and fainting soul; manifest in valiant fight, quelling all the devil's might; manifest in gracious will, ever bringing good from ill; anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made manifest."
Verse 1-3
Words: Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885)
Music: Salzburg, melody Jakob Hintze (1622-1702); harm. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Friday, February 10, 2012
Daily Devotion - Healing and Disciples
"...immediately the leprosy left him, and, he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him way at once, saying to him, 'See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleaning what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them" Mark 1:42-43 NRSV.
In the healing stories that we hear in the season of Epiphany, those how are healed are left to return to the every day life in family, community, and a new lift with God. Jesus does not send them forth to be disciples or give them a charge to spread the Gospel. Even though those who are healed do not always follow Jesus' admonitions to be quiet, they also are not called to be disciples.
Reflect today what is the different between healing and discipleship. When have you been healed and how does that describe your relationship with Christ? When have you been a disciple sharing your story in Christ's life? How are these two parts of the Christian life different? How are they the same?
In the healing stories that we hear in the season of Epiphany, those how are healed are left to return to the every day life in family, community, and a new lift with God. Jesus does not send them forth to be disciples or give them a charge to spread the Gospel. Even though those who are healed do not always follow Jesus' admonitions to be quiet, they also are not called to be disciples.
Reflect today what is the different between healing and discipleship. When have you been healed and how does that describe your relationship with Christ? When have you been a disciple sharing your story in Christ's life? How are these two parts of the Christian life different? How are they the same?
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Daily Devotion - Living Christians
"Christianity is not a series of ideas to be held in the mind, analyzed in the classroom, or defended in the marketplace. Christianity is, above all else, a life to be lived."
V. Bruce Rigdon from Daily Feast, Year B.
1 Corinthians 9: 24-27
Paul uses the metaphor of a race for the Christian life. An athlete runs the race, but, cannot be part of the main event without training, preparation, and a disciplined direction for each day. Paul heightens the awareness of the intensity and the significance of the Christian life in this passage.
Reflect today how this scripture passage nourishes you in your Christian life. What vitamins are in these words for you that are essential. Do you believe your day to day life as a Christian is significant? If not, why not?
V. Bruce Rigdon from Daily Feast, Year B.
1 Corinthians 9: 24-27
Paul uses the metaphor of a race for the Christian life. An athlete runs the race, but, cannot be part of the main event without training, preparation, and a disciplined direction for each day. Paul heightens the awareness of the intensity and the significance of the Christian life in this passage.
Reflect today how this scripture passage nourishes you in your Christian life. What vitamins are in these words for you that are essential. Do you believe your day to day life as a Christian is significant? If not, why not?
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Daily Devotion - God's goodwill
"The secret of faith is placing the negations of life within the bigger picture of God's creative goodwill."
Thomas D. Parker in Daily Feast, Year B."
Read Psalm 30 aloud today. Let the words nourish you.
"I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,
and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,
restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
Sing praises of the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment;
his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
but joy comes in the morning.
As for me, I said in my prosperity,
'I shall never be moved.'
By your favor, O Lord,
you had established me as a strong mountain;
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.
To you, O Lord, I cried,
and to the Lord I made supplication:
What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
'Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me!
O Lord, be my helper!'
You have turned my mourning to dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever."
Thomas D. Parker in Daily Feast, Year B."
Read Psalm 30 aloud today. Let the words nourish you.
"I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,
and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,
restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
Sing praises of the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment;
his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
but joy comes in the morning.
As for me, I said in my prosperity,
'I shall never be moved.'
By your favor, O Lord,
you had established me as a strong mountain;
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.
To you, O Lord, I cried,
and to the Lord I made supplication:
What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
'Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me!
O Lord, be my helper!'
You have turned my mourning to dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever."
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Daily Devotion - Simple Things
Reflection on 2 Kings 5:1-14
The army general in this passage, Naaman, is all about power and control. Yet, he suffers from a disease that he cannot control. The disfiguring disease of leprosy does not deter Naaman from his command, his troops, his duty, his loyalty to his king, his self mastery. Truly the character Naaman presents to the world comes from within.
Yet, he is not whole.
When the prophet Elisha sends word for Naaman to wash in the Jordan, the task is not challenging enough for Naaman. He rejects the words God has sent him preferring his view that anything worthwhile is hard.
His own servants convince him to give it a try, and, Naaman is healed.
Reflect today about what simple things do you reject just because they seem to easy? What are the gentle ways that is God calling you closer to healing that you put aside? Who helps you put aside your control and turn to God?
The army general in this passage, Naaman, is all about power and control. Yet, he suffers from a disease that he cannot control. The disfiguring disease of leprosy does not deter Naaman from his command, his troops, his duty, his loyalty to his king, his self mastery. Truly the character Naaman presents to the world comes from within.
Yet, he is not whole.
When the prophet Elisha sends word for Naaman to wash in the Jordan, the task is not challenging enough for Naaman. He rejects the words God has sent him preferring his view that anything worthwhile is hard.
His own servants convince him to give it a try, and, Naaman is healed.
Reflect today about what simple things do you reject just because they seem to easy? What are the gentle ways that is God calling you closer to healing that you put aside? Who helps you put aside your control and turn to God?
Monday, February 6, 2012
Daily Devotion - Nourishment of Scripture
Each day this week The Daily Devotions will reflect on one of the passages of scripture for this coming Sunday, February 12, The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany. To begin our week of nourishment from scripture, reflect on this quote from Eugene Peterson author of Eat this Book.
"Christians feed on Scripture. Holy Scripture nurtures the holy community as food nurtures the human body. Christians don't simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus' name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in the company with the Son."
"Christians feed on Scripture. Holy Scripture nurtures the holy community as food nurtures the human body. Christians don't simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus' name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in the company with the Son."
Friday, February 3, 2012
Daily Devotion - Silence Balance
Its going to be a weekend of reveling in our national sport. Everything about the weekend is big, the media coverage, the contest, the cheers, the parties. Who can be the loudest and most noticed. Even Madonna says she is nervous.
In the practice of Yoga one set of muscles opposes the other. One part of the body pushing down and the other pushing up and out. Pushing in opposing directions not only brings balance to the body, but also to your inner being.
Silence is the opposing Yoga stretch for this weekend of big noise. Create three minutes of silence today, tomorrow, and Sunday to draw upon as a reservoir. Place yourself in a place of silence, even if it seems like a small morsel of time. Set yourself into the inner life of God and rest in the silence. It will bring balance.
In the practice of Yoga one set of muscles opposes the other. One part of the body pushing down and the other pushing up and out. Pushing in opposing directions not only brings balance to the body, but also to your inner being.
Silence is the opposing Yoga stretch for this weekend of big noise. Create three minutes of silence today, tomorrow, and Sunday to draw upon as a reservoir. Place yourself in a place of silence, even if it seems like a small morsel of time. Set yourself into the inner life of God and rest in the silence. It will bring balance.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Daily Devotion - Sail On!
"The safest place for ships is in the harbor, but that's not why ships were built." Anonymous
Where did you sail this week? Did you embark on an adventure, explore a new shore line, discover a new landmass in yourself or in your relationship with God? Did that adventure excite you, overwhelm you, or, cause you to wish you had stayed in the harbor?
Sail on! You were not intended to bob in the water with your sails down but to let the winds of life fill those sails as you navigate the dynamic forces all around you. You were intended to break open new discoveries and venture out into uncharted waters for Christ.
If these past few days were quiet, then perhaps your adventure is waiting with the next breeze.
Where did you sail this week? Did you embark on an adventure, explore a new shore line, discover a new landmass in yourself or in your relationship with God? Did that adventure excite you, overwhelm you, or, cause you to wish you had stayed in the harbor?
Sail on! You were not intended to bob in the water with your sails down but to let the winds of life fill those sails as you navigate the dynamic forces all around you. You were intended to break open new discoveries and venture out into uncharted waters for Christ.
If these past few days were quiet, then perhaps your adventure is waiting with the next breeze.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Daily Devotion - God's intense interest in us
Ars Poetica #100: I Believe by Elizabeth Alexander
Poetry, I tell my students,
is idiosyncratic. Poetry
is where we address ourselves,
(though Sterling Brown said
"Every 'I' is a dramatic 'I'")
digging in the clam flats
for the shell that snaps,
emptying proverbial pocketbooks.
Poetry is what you find
in the dirt in the corner,
overhear on the bus, God
in the details, the only way
to get from here to there.
Poetry (and now my voice is rising)
is not all love, love, love,
and I'm sorry the dog died.
Poetry (here I hear myself loudest)
is the human voice,
and are we not of interest to each other?
Most of our days are spent wondering about ourselves, wondering and talking about others, loving judging, sharing, withholding, compromising, insisting, breathing deeply, and, exploding. We are of intense interest to ourselves and to one another.
How much more are we of intense interest to God. Reflect today on God's interest in you.
Poetry, I tell my students,
is idiosyncratic. Poetry
is where we address ourselves,
(though Sterling Brown said
"Every 'I' is a dramatic 'I'")
digging in the clam flats
for the shell that snaps,
emptying proverbial pocketbooks.
Poetry is what you find
in the dirt in the corner,
overhear on the bus, God
in the details, the only way
to get from here to there.
Poetry (and now my voice is rising)
is not all love, love, love,
and I'm sorry the dog died.
Poetry (here I hear myself loudest)
is the human voice,
and are we not of interest to each other?
Most of our days are spent wondering about ourselves, wondering and talking about others, loving judging, sharing, withholding, compromising, insisting, breathing deeply, and, exploding. We are of intense interest to ourselves and to one another.
How much more are we of intense interest to God. Reflect today on God's interest in you.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Daily Devotion - Words that Shimmer
In an interview with Krista Tippet entitled "Words that Shimmer" poet Elizabeth Alexander says that poetry has always existed in a communal context...poetry tells the story of who I am and who we are.
Listen to the interview at the On Being website or on Elizabeth Alexander's website.
If poetry tells our story in community and as individuals and if poetry is "Word that Shimmer," then our stories and our lives shimmer as well.
Scripture also always exists in a communal context. Our sacred texts tells the story of who I am and who we are. Reflect today that you were created to Shimmer.
Listen to the interview at the On Being website or on Elizabeth Alexander's website.
If poetry tells our story in community and as individuals and if poetry is "Word that Shimmer," then our stories and our lives shimmer as well.
Scripture also always exists in a communal context. Our sacred texts tells the story of who I am and who we are. Reflect today that you were created to Shimmer.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Daily Devotion
Knowledge by Elizabeth Alexander
It wasn't as if we knew nothing before.
After all, colored girls must know many
things in order to survive. Not only
could I sew buttons and hems, but I could
make a dress and pantaloons from scratch.
I could milk cows, churn butter, feed chickens,
clean their coops, wring their necks, pluck and cook them.
I cut wood, set fires, and boiled water
to wash the clothes and sheets, then wrung them dry.
And I could read the Bible. Evenings
before the fire, my family tired
from unending work and New England cold,
they'd close their eyes. My favorite was Song of Songs.
They most liked when I read, "In the beginning."
Our relationship to God is not the types, or amounts, of knowledge we accumulate. Worship, as well, as prayer and discipleship, is not how much we know about God, but how much we are alive to God. How will you be alive to God today?
It wasn't as if we knew nothing before.
After all, colored girls must know many
things in order to survive. Not only
could I sew buttons and hems, but I could
make a dress and pantaloons from scratch.
I could milk cows, churn butter, feed chickens,
clean their coops, wring their necks, pluck and cook them.
I cut wood, set fires, and boiled water
to wash the clothes and sheets, then wrung them dry.
And I could read the Bible. Evenings
before the fire, my family tired
from unending work and New England cold,
they'd close their eyes. My favorite was Song of Songs.
They most liked when I read, "In the beginning."
Our relationship to God is not the types, or amounts, of knowledge we accumulate. Worship, as well, as prayer and discipleship, is not how much we know about God, but how much we are alive to God. How will you be alive to God today?
Friday, January 27, 2012
Daily Devotion - Stress
"Stress is a perverted relationship with time." John O'Donohue
We attribute stress to all sorts of sources outside ourselves. Reflect on stress as your relationship with time. As we enter Saturday and Sunday the ways we use time and how we perceive time shifts. It is time off from work but perhaps not time off from stress. The movement from sunrise to sunset, from nightfall to early dawn is part of creation. If we have a distorted relationship with time, then we have a distorted relationship with God our creator. How does the sabbath time reshape your relationship with time and with God?
We attribute stress to all sorts of sources outside ourselves. Reflect on stress as your relationship with time. As we enter Saturday and Sunday the ways we use time and how we perceive time shifts. It is time off from work but perhaps not time off from stress. The movement from sunrise to sunset, from nightfall to early dawn is part of creation. If we have a distorted relationship with time, then we have a distorted relationship with God our creator. How does the sabbath time reshape your relationship with time and with God?
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Daily Devotion
"Love is the only light that can truly reach the secret signature of the other person's individuality and soul." John O'Donohue
Words that describe love: bright, shimmering, expansive, all encompassing, warm, welcoming, comforting, are also words that describe light and describe Christ. Where is your light shining from today? Where is your love beginning today?
Words that describe love: bright, shimmering, expansive, all encompassing, warm, welcoming, comforting, are also words that describe light and describe Christ. Where is your light shining from today? Where is your love beginning today?
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Daily Devotion - Poem for the Day
On Waking
by John O'Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us
I give thanks for arriving
Safely in a new dawn,
For the gift of eyes
To see the world,
The gift of mind
To feel at home
In my life.
The waves of possibility
Breaking upon the shore of dawn,
The harvest of the past
That awaits my hunger,
And all the furtherings
This new day will bring.
by John O'Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us
I give thanks for arriving
Safely in a new dawn,
For the gift of eyes
To see the world,
The gift of mind
To feel at home
In my life.
The waves of possibility
Breaking upon the shore of dawn,
The harvest of the past
That awaits my hunger,
And all the furtherings
This new day will bring.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Spiritually growing
"Though the human body is born complete in one moment, the birth of the human heart is an ongoing process." John O'Donohue.
This morning, I took care of my body. I exercised my heart with cardio, stretched my muscles, and pushing those weakest connectors in my upper body so that the fibers would get stronger. Now the food I have eaten and the rest from this exercise will also work to care for my body.
Daily life does the same for our spirit, our human heart. Without the ways we are stretched, strengthened, and pushed, our hearts, our inner being will not grow. Without the resting in God through prayer as well as the nourishment of scripture, community, and reflection, our spirits will accumulate spiritual fat.
Reflect on the growing times of your heart. What did you need to grow?
This morning, I took care of my body. I exercised my heart with cardio, stretched my muscles, and pushing those weakest connectors in my upper body so that the fibers would get stronger. Now the food I have eaten and the rest from this exercise will also work to care for my body.
Daily life does the same for our spirit, our human heart. Without the ways we are stretched, strengthened, and pushed, our hearts, our inner being will not grow. Without the resting in God through prayer as well as the nourishment of scripture, community, and reflection, our spirits will accumulate spiritual fat.
Reflect on the growing times of your heart. What did you need to grow?
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