These were the primary verses at our wedding. They have long been my favorites (as almost 15 years of marriage will imply) - and I found out after our wedding ceremony that they are my dad's, too. Although I really prefer vv 8-9 and dad likes 4-5.
I feel grounded by the lines "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable." I tend to focus on the "right" and "noble" in my life. I need to pay more attention to the "lovely" and the ways that beauty of all sorts reflects God's self.
And the challenge of rejoicing in the Lord ALWAYS is good to keep before me. It highlights the difference between deep abiding Joy and the fleeting days of happiness. It is a developed skill to rejoice in the Lord when I am in pain or have the flu. It is a developed skill to rejoice in the Lord when my children suffer. It is a skill I continue to work on, with God's help.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Jordan - Philippians 3
The U.S. was eliminated from the World Cup on Saturday, but the rest of the world is still captivated by football. This sport evokes every emotion. From boredom in a nil/nil pass fest to sheer exhiliration in a 91st minute goal to defeaning silence after a game winner in overtime. But woven into this competition is national pride. One so intense that a even president's and other leaders will investigate team dynamics if the players and coaches do not live up to lofty expectations. While nations live vicariously through football stars, Paul reminds us that we are citizens of heaven in verse 20. Our pledge of allegiance even reminds us that we are a nation under God.
What does it mean to be a citizen of heaven, now?
What does it mean to be a citizen of heaven, now?
Kelly - Philippians 3
Aaah, such a Methodist chapter! There were several key "Lutheran" verses found in Ephesians, in this chapter we find some that are central to Methodist theology.
vv. 13-14 "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
I grew up on a faith of "going on towards perfection." God's grace is at work in us to make us perfectly what God created us to be. Which makes this Lutheran "resting in God's grace" a little bit of a foreign territory. The end effects are the same if you delve deep enough into the theology of each...but the vocabulary is so very different.
I must admit, I work better with a goal. I'm not as motivated to become all that God wants me to be by the act of being grateful for what God has done for me (which is how I see the Lutheran theology most of the time). I prefer this chapter of Paul's...going on, always pressing forward, "be all that you can be."
There are times in life, of course, when I need to rest in Grace. But for most of my daily life, my faith is fuller by pressing on.
vv. 13-14 "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
I grew up on a faith of "going on towards perfection." God's grace is at work in us to make us perfectly what God created us to be. Which makes this Lutheran "resting in God's grace" a little bit of a foreign territory. The end effects are the same if you delve deep enough into the theology of each...but the vocabulary is so very different.
I must admit, I work better with a goal. I'm not as motivated to become all that God wants me to be by the act of being grateful for what God has done for me (which is how I see the Lutheran theology most of the time). I prefer this chapter of Paul's...going on, always pressing forward, "be all that you can be."
There are times in life, of course, when I need to rest in Grace. But for most of my daily life, my faith is fuller by pressing on.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Jordan - Philippians 2
When I read Paul's gushing praise for the Philippians, I think of how I should do a better job praising other peoples good works. "I am glad and rejoice with all of you-- and in the same way you also must be glad and rejoice with me." (v. 17-18).
At work, we are starting the mid-year review process. I give reviews as much attention as any other part of my job. Most people crave feedback (especially the positive kind!), but only if it is accurate and well thought through. Nothing is worse than having you manager give you a review only to realize that they have no idea what you are actually working on! But I digress...
Constant feedback and praise is what really counts! But sometimes we are so caught up in ourselves or the task at hand that we forget to thank those around us. At a recent meeting, we spoke about making a bigger deal of anniversaries of our church staff. Rock, will be celebrating his 15th year with us this fall as our organist extraordinaire. He is such an amazing part of what makes our service "inspirational" that we should thank him appropriately!
I'm going to try and make an intentional effort to thank people more often. Thank you for reading! :)
At work, we are starting the mid-year review process. I give reviews as much attention as any other part of my job. Most people crave feedback (especially the positive kind!), but only if it is accurate and well thought through. Nothing is worse than having you manager give you a review only to realize that they have no idea what you are actually working on! But I digress...
Constant feedback and praise is what really counts! But sometimes we are so caught up in ourselves or the task at hand that we forget to thank those around us. At a recent meeting, we spoke about making a bigger deal of anniversaries of our church staff. Rock, will be celebrating his 15th year with us this fall as our organist extraordinaire. He is such an amazing part of what makes our service "inspirational" that we should thank him appropriately!
I'm going to try and make an intentional effort to thank people more often. Thank you for reading! :)
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Jordan - Philippians 1
"...my imprisonment is for Christ..."
Paul is nuts, like crazy nuts. For some reason, he is in prison. Prisons, from all I have read and seen, don't seem to be the most joyful of places. And yet, not only does Paul find joy, he also uses the the experience to share the gospel to those killing time with him. What an amazing guy.
Paul is nuts, like crazy nuts. For some reason, he is in prison. Prisons, from all I have read and seen, don't seem to be the most joyful of places. And yet, not only does Paul find joy, he also uses the the experience to share the gospel to those killing time with him. What an amazing guy.
Life in excess
Paul is so full of joy here, his life of faith is just spilling out on us. Today in worship, we are asked to have such fruit come out in our lives.
I am thankful for you each time I think of you and it causes me to pray that "you will not only love much but well".
We have work to do. Let's "stand united, singular in vision". Christ is proclaimed, God is glorified.
Paul is so determined to continue doing the good work God has for him to do that he would almost rather stay in prison than go to be with Jesus. Situations we find ourselves in are rarely that bad. Christ is always with us in our suffering. We can trust that he is working things together for our good.
I am thankful for you each time I think of you and it causes me to pray that "you will not only love much but well".
We have work to do. Let's "stand united, singular in vision". Christ is proclaimed, God is glorified.
Paul is so determined to continue doing the good work God has for him to do that he would almost rather stay in prison than go to be with Jesus. Situations we find ourselves in are rarely that bad. Christ is always with us in our suffering. We can trust that he is working things together for our good.
Kelly - Philippians 1
I see a challenge to myself in this chapter. When my life stinks...as it does from time to time....I don't think I ever stop to look at how that situation is helpful to others.
Paul is in prison, possibly facing death, and he stops to look around at how that is benefiting others and the church.
I have spent many months job-hunting...to no use up til now. And there are days when that really really stinks. Stay-at-home-mom world is its own sort of prison. I entered it voluntarily, but I have long been ready to leave it. I get wrapped up in my own frustration and anger over the issue - and don't have Paul's ability to look around me at what good can come of a situation that is not beneficial to me personally.
Time to step back a bit and look for what God can do in spite of rocky times - or even because of them.
Paul is in prison, possibly facing death, and he stops to look around at how that is benefiting others and the church.
I have spent many months job-hunting...to no use up til now. And there are days when that really really stinks. Stay-at-home-mom world is its own sort of prison. I entered it voluntarily, but I have long been ready to leave it. I get wrapped up in my own frustration and anger over the issue - and don't have Paul's ability to look around me at what good can come of a situation that is not beneficial to me personally.
Time to step back a bit and look for what God can do in spite of rocky times - or even because of them.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Kelly - Ephesians 6
Really?
I had such high hopes for Ephesians...and it started out so well with so much meat.
Today, I'm almost wishing we could go back to the minor prophets.
Bring on Philippians...Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!
I had such high hopes for Ephesians...and it started out so well with so much meat.
Today, I'm almost wishing we could go back to the minor prophets.
Bring on Philippians...Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Jordan - Ephesians 5
Ok, the submit language is a little harsh and I don't think Paul could run for any political office in this day in age. But, there is a lot of language for the husbands here too. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..." and "He who loves his wife loves himself..." There is need for that language even today.
I love the first half of this chapter, the language is beautiful. "For once you were darkness but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light."
I love the first half of this chapter, the language is beautiful. "For once you were darkness but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light."
Kelly - Ephesians 5
Okay - I was chugging along through this chapter with some pretty interesting thoughts on what I was reading...when I hit the end and realized that this is probably my ABSOLUTE LEAST FAVORITE CHAPTER in the ENTIRE Bible.
I'm with him up through purity, and children of Light, and wisdom...but then we hit that nasty little "submit" verse. Have you met me? It's not bloody likely to happen...nor is Marcus likely to play that role. (And I don't know all there is to know about your marriages...but I wouldn't hold out high expectations for Heidi or Erin to submit, either.)
To me this is just one of those places where the social context of the author supersedes the Word of God in the Bible. What may have made sense 2000 years ago just doesn't work anymore...and isn't central to the Gospel or God's work in this world.
So what do we claim is important that is more about our social context than about God's will? What things are ingrained in our own faith lives that are about our expectations, not God's? It's easy to look at "others" and see some ideas, even easy to look at the congregation as a whole and see some ideas...but rather hard to look at myself and see these blind spots (which is a big part of why we are called to live our faith out in community).
I think I see my own blind spots best when I look at how I raise my children, and increasingly how my children mimic my own values and attitudes. My biggest non-Gospel truth is probably about the mind. If I were to write an Epistle to the XXXians, it would probably include at least a chapter on developing your God-given intellect and using that to approach God. It is my truth...but not a universal truth. It is about our culture to some extent - and my viewpoints to some extent. But not the Gospel...not the core.
I'm with him up through purity, and children of Light, and wisdom...but then we hit that nasty little "submit" verse. Have you met me? It's not bloody likely to happen...nor is Marcus likely to play that role. (And I don't know all there is to know about your marriages...but I wouldn't hold out high expectations for Heidi or Erin to submit, either.)
To me this is just one of those places where the social context of the author supersedes the Word of God in the Bible. What may have made sense 2000 years ago just doesn't work anymore...and isn't central to the Gospel or God's work in this world.
So what do we claim is important that is more about our social context than about God's will? What things are ingrained in our own faith lives that are about our expectations, not God's? It's easy to look at "others" and see some ideas, even easy to look at the congregation as a whole and see some ideas...but rather hard to look at myself and see these blind spots (which is a big part of why we are called to live our faith out in community).
I think I see my own blind spots best when I look at how I raise my children, and increasingly how my children mimic my own values and attitudes. My biggest non-Gospel truth is probably about the mind. If I were to write an Epistle to the XXXians, it would probably include at least a chapter on developing your God-given intellect and using that to approach God. It is my truth...but not a universal truth. It is about our culture to some extent - and my viewpoints to some extent. But not the Gospel...not the core.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Jordan - Ephesians 4
"Be angry but do not sin; do not let your sun go down on your anger" (verse 26). I struggled with this verse today. Work is making me angry. My team has been working really hard to deliver a new product and today one of the users (making a mountain out of a mole hill) described it as "unuseable." I've been through this stuff before and in the end, most of the time the users can see where we were going and how the product does fulfill most of the needs and we compromise too so that in the end people are happy. Still, it is infuriating to work so hard and have things dismissed casually.
Anger is dangerous, but also a driving force. When blinded by anger, nothing is accomplished and sin lurks around the corner. But when you use your anger and turn it to ambition, not many people can stand in your way. The writer here knows that and knows that people are angry and that dismissing the anger as futile only makes people depressed or more frustrated. Embracing anger and channeling it through the Holy Spirit will generate passion. And with the anger properly vented, compassion and love follow.
Ok, so can I really practice what I preach?
Anger is dangerous, but also a driving force. When blinded by anger, nothing is accomplished and sin lurks around the corner. But when you use your anger and turn it to ambition, not many people can stand in your way. The writer here knows that and knows that people are angry and that dismissing the anger as futile only makes people depressed or more frustrated. Embracing anger and channeling it through the Holy Spirit will generate passion. And with the anger properly vented, compassion and love follow.
Ok, so can I really practice what I preach?
Without vision, the people perish
I spent Tuesday morning with a couple pastor friends of mine: Nathan from Good Shepherd and Mark from Sanctuary. After a year of working to plant a new ELCA church in Marshfield, Mark has been worshiping in one of his member's homes now for just over two months. I mentioned our blog and that we had read Ephesians 2 that day. Mark has been preaching on Ephesians 4 since his first worship service.
He made a confession that grabbed me. Based on this verse, "Christ gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
Paul seems to have two objectives for us:
1. Be unified
2. Grow up
Like myself, Mark said that he did not have the gift of pastoring. He is much more of a visionary prophet. The problem is that shepherds make people feel comfortable, while visionary prophets make people uncomfortable. I have a friend Dave, a rapper also known as Agape, who says that his ministry is to "afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted and teach about God's grace".
We all have our gifts. They are all important to kingdom building. Even those of visionary prophets. What would the church be without us? =)
He made a confession that grabbed me. Based on this verse, "Christ gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
Paul seems to have two objectives for us:
1. Be unified
2. Grow up
Like myself, Mark said that he did not have the gift of pastoring. He is much more of a visionary prophet. The problem is that shepherds make people feel comfortable, while visionary prophets make people uncomfortable. I have a friend Dave, a rapper also known as Agape, who says that his ministry is to "afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted and teach about God's grace".
We all have our gifts. They are all important to kingdom building. Even those of visionary prophets. What would the church be without us? =)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Jordan - Ephesians 3
What a blessing it is to read this blog from across the country! Great job with all of the posts!
There is a striking difference between the writings of Galatians and Ephesians and I know the commentary in my Bible says that it might not have been Paul that wrote Ephesians. Still, while Galatians seemed more catchy/modern, there are some beautiful verses here in a Ephesians and the one that got my attention was the same one that Kelly pointed out, verse 18 (a week and a half gone, and I still don't have an original thought!). I don't know if I will will ever comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love. Thinking of God's love within the context of these chapters filled with grace and mercy is overwhelming.
So, from my trip and compliments of Yosemite, here is a picture that helps me picture how big Christ's love is:
There is a striking difference between the writings of Galatians and Ephesians and I know the commentary in my Bible says that it might not have been Paul that wrote Ephesians. Still, while Galatians seemed more catchy/modern, there are some beautiful verses here in a Ephesians and the one that got my attention was the same one that Kelly pointed out, verse 18 (a week and a half gone, and I still don't have an original thought!). I don't know if I will will ever comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love. Thinking of God's love within the context of these chapters filled with grace and mercy is overwhelming.
So, from my trip and compliments of Yosemite, here is a picture that helps me picture how big Christ's love is:
Quincians
I seems like Paul is writing to us, the church on the rock in Quincy.
"Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about."
God is on the move, in our midst.
Paul ends this chapter with a crescendo, beginning with, "Glory to God in the church!"--even before "Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!" That's humbling. Jesus is the light of the world. We are called to be salt and light too. Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
The light is shining brightly in Marshfield at a new church called Sanctuary. I hope the Quincy churches can support Pastor Mark in such a way that his fledgling congregation there can thrive. He is gathering a group of outsiders.
So are we.
Please welcome Judith, Brian, Alexis, and Stella (who is getting baptized on Sunday). They were plugged into the church years ago when Alexis was baptized. They are re-engaging.
Cathy (her husband Eric is Catholic) and Mackenzie are also joining our fellowship on July 18th (membership) and Aug 29th (garden baptism).
Jack and Sharon should be having their baby girl soon and then they are joining together as a family.
Faith is changing, person by person.
"Outsiders and insiders stand on the same ground before God. They get the same offer, same help, same promises in Christ Jesus. The Message is accessible and welcoming to everyone, across the board."
"This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. Live full lives, full in the fullness of God."
"Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about."
God is on the move, in our midst.
Paul ends this chapter with a crescendo, beginning with, "Glory to God in the church!"--even before "Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!" That's humbling. Jesus is the light of the world. We are called to be salt and light too. Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
The light is shining brightly in Marshfield at a new church called Sanctuary. I hope the Quincy churches can support Pastor Mark in such a way that his fledgling congregation there can thrive. He is gathering a group of outsiders.
So are we.
Please welcome Judith, Brian, Alexis, and Stella (who is getting baptized on Sunday). They were plugged into the church years ago when Alexis was baptized. They are re-engaging.
Cathy (her husband Eric is Catholic) and Mackenzie are also joining our fellowship on July 18th (membership) and Aug 29th (garden baptism).
Jack and Sharon should be having their baby girl soon and then they are joining together as a family.
Faith is changing, person by person.
"Outsiders and insiders stand on the same ground before God. They get the same offer, same help, same promises in Christ Jesus. The Message is accessible and welcoming to everyone, across the board."
"This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. Live full lives, full in the fullness of God."
Kelly - Ephesians 3
v. 17b-19
"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how long and wide and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
One loooong sentence with many Paul-like clauses. But each piece makes me gasp.
...rooted and established in love
....together with all the saints
....how long and wide and high and deep
....surpasses knowledge
...filled with all the fullness of God
If I could really begin to grasp this, I would never forget it. This is the promise of the church. This is what we have to offer.
"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how long and wide and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
One loooong sentence with many Paul-like clauses. But each piece makes me gasp.
...rooted and established in love
....together with all the saints
....how long and wide and high and deep
....surpasses knowledge
...filled with all the fullness of God
If I could really begin to grasp this, I would never forget it. This is the promise of the church. This is what we have to offer.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Faith is a gift
We've hit the Lutheranism in a nutshell verse(s) today: Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through (Christ's) faith and this is not your own doing, but a gift from God."
And it's lesser knows counterpart: Ephesians 2:10, "For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life." Everyone is loved and has a sense of calling.
I like the way The Message puts it, "Saving is all God's idea, all his work. All we do is trust him. It's God's gift from start to finish! We neither make nor save ourselves. God creates each of us to join him in the work he does, work we had better be doing."
At the end of each worship service, we should send people by saying, "You've been graced. Now grace others."
Our personal faith is a gift. When we're talking about Faith, the church, Paul seems to fill in the blank of our mission statement this way, "Faith is a home."
"This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You belong here. God is building a home. He's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a temple in which God is quite at home."
I love that imagery. Being so far from home, my family needs a home in which we belong.
And it's lesser knows counterpart: Ephesians 2:10, "For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life." Everyone is loved and has a sense of calling.
I like the way The Message puts it, "Saving is all God's idea, all his work. All we do is trust him. It's God's gift from start to finish! We neither make nor save ourselves. God creates each of us to join him in the work he does, work we had better be doing."
At the end of each worship service, we should send people by saying, "You've been graced. Now grace others."
Our personal faith is a gift. When we're talking about Faith, the church, Paul seems to fill in the blank of our mission statement this way, "Faith is a home."
"This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You belong here. God is building a home. He's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a temple in which God is quite at home."
I love that imagery. Being so far from home, my family needs a home in which we belong.
Kelly - Ephesians 2
I've always struggled a bit with passages like this one....passages that talk about the difference between how the people were and how they are now in Christ.
The problem is that I am a "cradle Christian" - and on top of that, one who really hasn't had a big time away from the church. As a teenager I was active not only in my local youth group, but on the planning committee for youth events in our tri-state region. At 18 I was the co-chair of an event that hosted 1150 youth in Estes Park, CO. When I was in college, I attended the Adult Bible studies. When I was 20, I began working as a youth minister. My 21st birthday celebration was tempered by the fact that I was in charge of the Easter Sunrise service the next morning. By 24 I had finished my 3rd year of seminary....you get the idea.
So what am I to do with verses like these that remind me to be thankful for God's grace by comparing it to what my life was like beforehand? It is like being thankful for air or water - which I am...but which I have never been without.
Yesterday was the summer solstice - and I've got to admit that since moving to New England, that means more to me than it ever has before. I understand why so many cultures celebrate the solstice----the dark is hard. I struggle big-time through the winter darkness, making very deliberate efforts to keep depression at bay. I am truly thankful for the sunshine! But it is so much easier to understand that because I have come to know what it is to live without it.
I'm not suggesting that I need to intentionally move away from God in order to truly understand how good I have it in God's grace. But the truth is my faith journey is very different from the one in these scriptures. And when people talk about their "I once was lost but now am found" moments, I can think of times in my life when I wandered a bit...but I must admit to having always known of God's grace and presence in my life. And I have come to breath God's grace like air, but the truth is I don't really know how good I have it.
The problem is that I am a "cradle Christian" - and on top of that, one who really hasn't had a big time away from the church. As a teenager I was active not only in my local youth group, but on the planning committee for youth events in our tri-state region. At 18 I was the co-chair of an event that hosted 1150 youth in Estes Park, CO. When I was in college, I attended the Adult Bible studies. When I was 20, I began working as a youth minister. My 21st birthday celebration was tempered by the fact that I was in charge of the Easter Sunrise service the next morning. By 24 I had finished my 3rd year of seminary....you get the idea.
So what am I to do with verses like these that remind me to be thankful for God's grace by comparing it to what my life was like beforehand? It is like being thankful for air or water - which I am...but which I have never been without.
Yesterday was the summer solstice - and I've got to admit that since moving to New England, that means more to me than it ever has before. I understand why so many cultures celebrate the solstice----the dark is hard. I struggle big-time through the winter darkness, making very deliberate efforts to keep depression at bay. I am truly thankful for the sunshine! But it is so much easier to understand that because I have come to know what it is to live without it.
I'm not suggesting that I need to intentionally move away from God in order to truly understand how good I have it in God's grace. But the truth is my faith journey is very different from the one in these scriptures. And when people talk about their "I once was lost but now am found" moments, I can think of times in my life when I wandered a bit...but I must admit to having always known of God's grace and presence in my life. And I have come to breath God's grace like air, but the truth is I don't really know how good I have it.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Future Planning
At the end of this week, all of our teams at Faith are supposed to have their mission statements done. Then the future planning team is going to meet again and come up with a strategy for the next three and a half years. I'm also meeting with my mutual ministry team for this first time this week.
When this work is done, we'll have a better sense of where we're headed and how to get there together.
"How blessed is God! He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth."
This certainly has to be the basis for our plans or we're missing the boat.
"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for."
Everything we do personally and as a church ought to be modeled after what Jesus would have for us.
"Every time I pray, I ask God to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do."
Identity first (children of God), purpose second (kingdom builders). We're talking about this at our NCD team tomorrow night. We need to live our our spirituality first and then learn from others, drawing closer to the heart of God in the process.
Paul ends with something that I wish were true in our society, "The church is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church."
This is true: "The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence."
With Jesus at the center of our worlds, we are to be salt and light to those in need, filling the world with God's presence. How blessed are we to be in on this work God is doing in and through us!
When this work is done, we'll have a better sense of where we're headed and how to get there together.
"How blessed is God! He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth."
This certainly has to be the basis for our plans or we're missing the boat.
"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for."
Everything we do personally and as a church ought to be modeled after what Jesus would have for us.
"Every time I pray, I ask God to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do."
Identity first (children of God), purpose second (kingdom builders). We're talking about this at our NCD team tomorrow night. We need to live our our spirituality first and then learn from others, drawing closer to the heart of God in the process.
Paul ends with something that I wish were true in our society, "The church is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church."
This is true: "The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence."
With Jesus at the center of our worlds, we are to be salt and light to those in need, filling the world with God's presence. How blessed are we to be in on this work God is doing in and through us!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Kelly - Galatians 6
Paul confuses me a bit in this chapter...but I think it also may lie at the root of some of my own behavior.
v.2 "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
v. 5 "for each one should carry his own load."
Huh?
But when I think about it, I realize that this type of double standard has been part and parcel of my own faith for many years. I will help you carry your burden, but I will also be responsible for my own. I have a double standard - what I expect of my own behaviors is far greater than what I expect of anyone around me (at least those I don't know well, things get a little stickier when we talk about my husband or children). I've been aware of this double standard in my life at least since high school. I have very high expectations for myself.
Which means I've always struggled with accepting grace. I may be able to accept the nebulous grace of God - but concrete forms of grace that come to me from those in my life are difficult for me to accept. On top of which, we live in a culture of remuneration....if you scratch my back, I'll offer to scratch yours.
A constant growing edge...and I susupect from these verses that it was a struggle of Paul's as well.
v.2 "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
v. 5 "for each one should carry his own load."
Huh?
But when I think about it, I realize that this type of double standard has been part and parcel of my own faith for many years. I will help you carry your burden, but I will also be responsible for my own. I have a double standard - what I expect of my own behaviors is far greater than what I expect of anyone around me (at least those I don't know well, things get a little stickier when we talk about my husband or children). I've been aware of this double standard in my life at least since high school. I have very high expectations for myself.
Which means I've always struggled with accepting grace. I may be able to accept the nebulous grace of God - but concrete forms of grace that come to me from those in my life are difficult for me to accept. On top of which, we live in a culture of remuneration....if you scratch my back, I'll offer to scratch yours.
A constant growing edge...and I susupect from these verses that it was a struggle of Paul's as well.
Freedom
We've been reading all week about living a free life, not chained down by the law, but cut loose by God's grace. I'm interested to see what connection you all make between this discussion and our Gospel reading for today.
For Paul, this new life consists of at least four things:
1. Forgiveness.
2. Exploring your gifts and calling and then being who YOU are. Sharing who you are with others.
3. Reaping what you (and the Holy Spirit) sow.
4. Not being fatigued doing good.
As you can see, God is intimately involved every step of the way. Paul wraps it up nicely: "For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do. It is what God is doing." Amen.
"May what our Master Jesus Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends."
For Paul, this new life consists of at least four things:
1. Forgiveness.
2. Exploring your gifts and calling and then being who YOU are. Sharing who you are with others.
3. Reaping what you (and the Holy Spirit) sow.
4. Not being fatigued doing good.
As you can see, God is intimately involved every step of the way. Paul wraps it up nicely: "For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do. It is what God is doing." Amen.
"May what our Master Jesus Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends."
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Kelly - Galatians 5
Okay - I haven't really read the first part of this chapter very closely before - because I find v. 12 quite hilarious....I have no memory of Paul ever being so, well, human, before. I know he killed and hunted and persecuted -- but calling for self-castration is a new revelation for me.
Besides that, all I can find in this chapter is the re-running of the entire musical "The Music Machine" in my head...the 8-track tape my sister and I used to play over and over and over with songs for each of the fruits of the spirit.
"Once I tied a knot in my shoe, and it would not come loose. I tried and tried and pried and pried, but it would not come loose. I got so mad I kicked the door and stubbed my little toe - OH! - if only I had learned a little bit of self-control."
I really need to get a copy of that song for my own kids. Or just rejoice that we've hit velcro sandal season.
Besides that, all I can find in this chapter is the re-running of the entire musical "The Music Machine" in my head...the 8-track tape my sister and I used to play over and over and over with songs for each of the fruits of the spirit.
"Once I tied a knot in my shoe, and it would not come loose. I tried and tried and pried and pried, but it would not come loose. I got so mad I kicked the door and stubbed my little toe - OH! - if only I had learned a little bit of self-control."
I really need to get a copy of that song for my own kids. Or just rejoice that we've hit velcro sandal season.
Live motivated by God's Spirit
I had to blog today. Galatians 5:22-23a is one of my favorite Scriptures. I memorized it as "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
The Message fleshes it out a little bit: "What happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."
Paul ends this chapter with this statement, "Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us work out its implications in every detail of our lives."
That's what we're doing with this blog. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and my passion for reading the Bible and applying it to our lives.
The Message fleshes it out a little bit: "What happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."
Paul ends this chapter with this statement, "Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us work out its implications in every detail of our lives."
That's what we're doing with this blog. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and my passion for reading the Bible and applying it to our lives.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Intimate Conversation
"You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, 'Papa! Father!' Doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child?"
I think the reason Paul uses the imagery of mother and not father is I'm not sure that I've ever had this type of intimate conversation with my dad, or with my children for that matter.
I was raised by a single mom. Although she worked all the time as a waitress at a country club, she still made time to care for our home AND for us. Intimately. My dad just worked.
This father's day, I'm turning over a new leaf. Most non-Lutheran people who find out that I'm a pastor call me Father. I need to find balance between being a father and a Father.
If I'm not blogging, it's because I'm off enjoying my kids, camping or hiking or reading. Whatever will connect me intimately to them (and to their mother).
Intimate conversation. Makes you think differently about prayer.
I think the reason Paul uses the imagery of mother and not father is I'm not sure that I've ever had this type of intimate conversation with my dad, or with my children for that matter.
I was raised by a single mom. Although she worked all the time as a waitress at a country club, she still made time to care for our home AND for us. Intimately. My dad just worked.
This father's day, I'm turning over a new leaf. Most non-Lutheran people who find out that I'm a pastor call me Father. I need to find balance between being a father and a Father.
If I'm not blogging, it's because I'm off enjoying my kids, camping or hiking or reading. Whatever will connect me intimately to them (and to their mother).
Intimate conversation. Makes you think differently about prayer.
Kelly - Galatians 4
I'm so absolutely amazed by Paul's knowledge of scripture. To know the story of Sarah and Hagar isn't so much - but the know the prophecies of Isaiah so thoroughly, and to be able to reinterpret their original meaning for the allegory he sets up is stunning.
I'm sure most women in the age knew that verse from Isaiah. There is some time in almost every woman's life (short time in my own, much much longer for others I know) when the sight of a stroller at the mall can cause pain. And the issues we struggle with today are dealt with in an age of modern medicine and frequent adoption - and when a woman's total worth isn't tied up with childbearing. These issues must have been overwhelmingly painful for women then.
But Paul is a man. So his ability to grab this imagery and build on it amazes me. He must breathe the scriptures to be able to call upon them so easily. I'm also rather shocked that he goes from talking about being "heirs" to talking about mothers -- a discussion of "Father" would seem to flow more easily. And Paul usually ticks me off a bit for being so male-focused. Not here.....hmm.
I'm sure most women in the age knew that verse from Isaiah. There is some time in almost every woman's life (short time in my own, much much longer for others I know) when the sight of a stroller at the mall can cause pain. And the issues we struggle with today are dealt with in an age of modern medicine and frequent adoption - and when a woman's total worth isn't tied up with childbearing. These issues must have been overwhelmingly painful for women then.
But Paul is a man. So his ability to grab this imagery and build on it amazes me. He must breathe the scriptures to be able to call upon them so easily. I'm also rather shocked that he goes from talking about being "heirs" to talking about mothers -- a discussion of "Father" would seem to flow more easily. And Paul usually ticks me off a bit for being so male-focused. Not here.....hmm.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Trust
"Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you?"
The words faith and belief in Scripture are both more appropriately translated trust. This is not an active word, but very passive. God saves us. We do not save ourselves. We're the ones drowning.
Once we have been pulled to shore and comprehend how dangerous the water is, we are free to take swim lessons, maybe even become a life guard, but most certainly learn how to enjoy the beach and help others do the same.
It was cool to see a reference to one of the minor prophets we slogged through: "Habakkuk had it right: 'The person who believes God (read trusts), is set right by God—and that's the real life (read abundant).'"
Toward the end of our reading, Paul covers what Luther called the 1st and 2nd uses of the law:
#1. To keep us safe from ourselves and others in an ordered society.
#2. To drive us convicted sinners into the arms of Christ.
Moses was our go-between for purpose #1, but when Jesus comes, it's personal between each of us and God. "Until the time when we were mature enough to respond freely in faith to the living God, we were carefully surrounded and protected by the Mosaic law. The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for. But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe."
Paul ends by lifting up the truth that in Christ's family, all are equal. The ground at the foot of the cross is level.
The words faith and belief in Scripture are both more appropriately translated trust. This is not an active word, but very passive. God saves us. We do not save ourselves. We're the ones drowning.
Once we have been pulled to shore and comprehend how dangerous the water is, we are free to take swim lessons, maybe even become a life guard, but most certainly learn how to enjoy the beach and help others do the same.
It was cool to see a reference to one of the minor prophets we slogged through: "Habakkuk had it right: 'The person who believes God (read trusts), is set right by God—and that's the real life (read abundant).'"
Toward the end of our reading, Paul covers what Luther called the 1st and 2nd uses of the law:
#1. To keep us safe from ourselves and others in an ordered society.
#2. To drive us convicted sinners into the arms of Christ.
Moses was our go-between for purpose #1, but when Jesus comes, it's personal between each of us and God. "Until the time when we were mature enough to respond freely in faith to the living God, we were carefully surrounded and protected by the Mosaic law. The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for. But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe."
Paul ends by lifting up the truth that in Christ's family, all are equal. The ground at the foot of the cross is level.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Galatians 1
Driving to work this morning, in traffic again!, I was pondering verse 10 from our reading. For do I now persuade men or God? Or do I seek to please me? For if I pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
My question is; how do we know we are serving God and not the will of men, (or ourselves). I often wonder if what I am doing is God's will or am I just following the path I want to believe is Gods. How do we know we are working to please God and not Men?
Sometimes I think that we can say that we are following God's will but do we truly believe it? Or are we really? I want to believe I am following God's plan for me but am not always so sure especially when that road is difficult. Some wise person told me recently that when the going is tough you know you are living your faith. I guess I must really be living it because nothing seems easy right now.
Heavy questions for this early in the AM.
My question is; how do we know we are serving God and not the will of men, (or ourselves). I often wonder if what I am doing is God's will or am I just following the path I want to believe is Gods. How do we know we are working to please God and not Men?
Sometimes I think that we can say that we are following God's will but do we truly believe it? Or are we really? I want to believe I am following God's plan for me but am not always so sure especially when that road is difficult. Some wise person told me recently that when the going is tough you know you are living your faith. I guess I must really be living it because nothing seems easy right now.
Heavy questions for this early in the AM.
Relational Ministry
On January 14th, 1995, my life changed forever. That was really the beginning of both my relationship with Heidi and my youth ministry. Now I have a wonderful family and a church family beyond compare! As I learn more and more about how to successfully do youth ministry, I'm realizing that it applies to all ministry. Loving relationships are really all that matter.
Circumcision and other traditions don't matter if they get in the way of our relationships with God and his children.
Paul and Barnabas are asked by Peter, James, and John to remember the poor. Loving relationships.
We are taught that we are "not set right with God by rule-keeping but only through personal faith in Jesus Christ." Loving relationships. "No human being can please God by self-improvement, by trying to be good, but only by trusting in the Messiah."
The line that made me laugh out loud, because of the truth found in it is "Have some of you noticed that we are not yet perfect?" That doesn't mean we can't be loving.
Too often we are faced with being right or being loving. Paul quit being a "law man" so that he could be God's man. Here's how, in the words of a former Christian killer: "I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not 'mine,' but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. If a living (read loving) relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily."
There are great power in those words. We would be wise to live by them.
Circumcision and other traditions don't matter if they get in the way of our relationships with God and his children.
Paul and Barnabas are asked by Peter, James, and John to remember the poor. Loving relationships.
We are taught that we are "not set right with God by rule-keeping but only through personal faith in Jesus Christ." Loving relationships. "No human being can please God by self-improvement, by trying to be good, but only by trusting in the Messiah."
The line that made me laugh out loud, because of the truth found in it is "Have some of you noticed that we are not yet perfect?" That doesn't mean we can't be loving.
Too often we are faced with being right or being loving. Paul quit being a "law man" so that he could be God's man. Here's how, in the words of a former Christian killer: "I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not 'mine,' but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. If a living (read loving) relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily."
There are great power in those words. We would be wise to live by them.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Kelly - Galatians 1
I love the way Paul starts his letters - - a common salutation that is so much more meaningful than "Dear John" or an informal "Hey friends!"
What is it to begin a conversation with someone by wishing them grace and peace? The past 24 hours have been a bit of a "time of reckoning" for me. Twice I have gotten in arguments with people I do not know well (once on Saturday, once today) and twice I have had my poor behavior put before me.
On Saturday I had a phone conversation with the childcare center at the gym - which is not opening up during the day until the week after my kids are out of school (Braintree gets out a little earlier than others). I asked about several options - since my oldest was the child who would have no place to go and she can more or less entertain herself for an hour. All were shot down as "against the rules" and I ended the conversation in a quite exasperated huff. Today while talking to a mom in the karate lobby, we stumbled across the fact that she was the woman I had been talking (rather rudely) to. Ooops. It took some smoothing and apologizing, but she was more forgiving than I deserved.
At the mall today I was treated rudely by a salesperson - and I called her on it and the manager got involved (not by my initiation). In this case my actions were in proportion to what had happened, but the woman ended up in tears. A reminder that we all carry baggage and issues with us and we need to treat each other carefully.
Grace and peace to you...what a way to start talking to each other.
What is it to begin a conversation with someone by wishing them grace and peace? The past 24 hours have been a bit of a "time of reckoning" for me. Twice I have gotten in arguments with people I do not know well (once on Saturday, once today) and twice I have had my poor behavior put before me.
On Saturday I had a phone conversation with the childcare center at the gym - which is not opening up during the day until the week after my kids are out of school (Braintree gets out a little earlier than others). I asked about several options - since my oldest was the child who would have no place to go and she can more or less entertain herself for an hour. All were shot down as "against the rules" and I ended the conversation in a quite exasperated huff. Today while talking to a mom in the karate lobby, we stumbled across the fact that she was the woman I had been talking (rather rudely) to. Ooops. It took some smoothing and apologizing, but she was more forgiving than I deserved.
At the mall today I was treated rudely by a salesperson - and I called her on it and the manager got involved (not by my initiation). In this case my actions were in proportion to what had happened, but the woman ended up in tears. A reminder that we all carry baggage and issues with us and we need to treat each other carefully.
Grace and peace to you...what a way to start talking to each other.
The 3 Ps of Youth Ministry
I'll never forget the day when one of the senior high leaders on my Youth Team told me about the 3 Ps of Youth Ministry: Popular People and Pizza. That's how the Young Life group in our area attracted a following. Our youth group was always smaller, but much more deep.
"If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave." Ouch! But it's true. We can either live with purpose or for pleasure.
Ultimately, I think we're going for what Paul sums up in the last line of today's reading, "Their response was to recognize and worship God because of me!"
Oh to live that kind of life. I'm being very reflective this week before Father's Day, since I buried one grandpa yesterday and I'll be burying another one tomorrow. These men made a lasting impact on their families and all those their lives touched.
"If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave." Ouch! But it's true. We can either live with purpose or for pleasure.
Ultimately, I think we're going for what Paul sums up in the last line of today's reading, "Their response was to recognize and worship God because of me!"
Oh to live that kind of life. I'm being very reflective this week before Father's Day, since I buried one grandpa yesterday and I'll be burying another one tomorrow. These men made a lasting impact on their families and all those their lives touched.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Mid-course Correction
What I love about faith and life is that we are always allowed to turn around if we find ourselves heading in the wrong direction. So here's what I propose: let's start reading Galatians tomorrow. We are in the middle of 5 lectionary readings from Galatians, so it will be nice to read the through the whole book.
We can pick Zechariah up with the other minor prophets when we head that way again.
The more fluidly we can admit to needing to make a mid-course correction and then doing it immediately, the better off we will be.
A story to illustrate the point: I love hiking, but my kids are starting to hate it, because I never know when to stop. Heidi and I took them to Pearl Hill State Park for Malachi's birthday (thanks for reading his book BTW). They should have called it Straight Up and Down Winding Path of Death State Park. On a scale of 1 to 10 for rigorous trails, this was a 13.
We came to a sign nailed to a tree that said, "This is the halfway point. Consider how long it took you to get here." On the map it said that the trail would take 2 or 2 1/2 hours. We thought they meant round-trip. We were over an hour into it. Heidi suggested that we turn back, but I (of not the least bit of directional ability) had a better plan. We would hike on until we hit the road and then take this smooth path back to our camper.
When we finally got to the point at which Heidi put her foot down (Malachi was nearly asleep on my shoulders from exhaustion), I came up with a compromise: I would run ahead to see if the road was actually on this path or if we were on a wild goose chase, then come back and report my findings. The road was indeed just a few hundred yards ahead and it was smooth sailing (read a long walk) from there.
We got safely back to camp, but would have probably (read definitely) been better off going with my wife's plan.
Having said that, let's not be afraid of mid-course corrections at Faith. I love the message, "keep moving forward," from Disney's Meet the Robinsons, but we don't want any casualties along the way, as we (read I) drag people along.
Happy reading!
We can pick Zechariah up with the other minor prophets when we head that way again.
The more fluidly we can admit to needing to make a mid-course correction and then doing it immediately, the better off we will be.
A story to illustrate the point: I love hiking, but my kids are starting to hate it, because I never know when to stop. Heidi and I took them to Pearl Hill State Park for Malachi's birthday (thanks for reading his book BTW). They should have called it Straight Up and Down Winding Path of Death State Park. On a scale of 1 to 10 for rigorous trails, this was a 13.
We came to a sign nailed to a tree that said, "This is the halfway point. Consider how long it took you to get here." On the map it said that the trail would take 2 or 2 1/2 hours. We thought they meant round-trip. We were over an hour into it. Heidi suggested that we turn back, but I (of not the least bit of directional ability) had a better plan. We would hike on until we hit the road and then take this smooth path back to our camper.
When we finally got to the point at which Heidi put her foot down (Malachi was nearly asleep on my shoulders from exhaustion), I came up with a compromise: I would run ahead to see if the road was actually on this path or if we were on a wild goose chase, then come back and report my findings. The road was indeed just a few hundred yards ahead and it was smooth sailing (read a long walk) from there.
We got safely back to camp, but would have probably (read definitely) been better off going with my wife's plan.
Having said that, let's not be afraid of mid-course corrections at Faith. I love the message, "keep moving forward," from Disney's Meet the Robinsons, but we don't want any casualties along the way, as we (read I) drag people along.
Happy reading!
Kelly - Malachi 4
Well, this is a short and sudden ending. My Bible notes tell me that English Bibles have this as chapter 4, while the Hebrew scriptures list this as 3:19-24. I have no idea about the Latin or the Septuagint Greek (or Spanish or Chinese for that matter).
Also, here the "messenger that comes before me" is Elijah - while Luke and Matthew decided it was John the Baptist. The Gospel writers certainly helped to reinterpret the Hebrew Scriptures to explain why the Messiah was so different from what was expected...but I'm left with the feeling that they went too far...that they took these prophets' works completely out of context and used them for their own purposes.
There are cetainly those in our culture who do the same thing - and I bristle at their words -using the words of Leviticus selectively to preach against homosexuality, for example. Why is it okay for the Matthew and Luke to use the words of Micah and twist them to turn Micah's righteous and feared Messiah into a Christ who seems a little too soft?
Also, here the "messenger that comes before me" is Elijah - while Luke and Matthew decided it was John the Baptist. The Gospel writers certainly helped to reinterpret the Hebrew Scriptures to explain why the Messiah was so different from what was expected...but I'm left with the feeling that they went too far...that they took these prophets' works completely out of context and used them for their own purposes.
There are cetainly those in our culture who do the same thing - and I bristle at their words -using the words of Leviticus selectively to preach against homosexuality, for example. Why is it okay for the Matthew and Luke to use the words of Micah and twist them to turn Micah's righteous and feared Messiah into a Christ who seems a little too soft?
Next reading
I have to admit I have fallen off reading the minor prophets. I have not found much to relate to and with the end of the school year and all the activities that go with it I have left the reading aside. I had been given the task of choosing the next reading. I would like to go back to the New Testament so after we read Zechariah I would like to start with Galatians and read through to James, that comes to 52 chapters in total, which will take us about 7 weeks. We can skip some of the smaller books in the middle if we like.
On another subject, I went to Maine this weekend and spent some quality time in the peace and quiet of our house on the lake. On Sunday we saw the most amazing sight, 3 bald eagles! We have a family of eagles that lives on the island located in the lake. Check out the pictures on my facebook page they are awesome!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Malachi
I love Malachi. Obviously, I named my son after this minor prophet. His insistence on God's love for us, the centrality of worship, and our bringing our best to the plate.
Today's text is where I find the basis for sacrificial giving to the church first and then our favorite charities, "'Return to me so I can return to you,' says God-of-the-Angel-Armies."
How?
"The tithe and the offering—that's how! Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams."
I'm willing to test God on this to see if he's serious.
Today's text is where I find the basis for sacrificial giving to the church first and then our favorite charities, "'Return to me so I can return to you,' says God-of-the-Angel-Armies."
How?
"The tithe and the offering—that's how! Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams."
I'm willing to test God on this to see if he's serious.
Kelly - Malachi 3
These verses have a whole different connotation here in the midst of Malachi than they do when they are quoted in Matthew and Luke.
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare my way before me." (v. 1). Quoted in Matthew 11 and Luke 7 - where they refer to John the Baptist.
In Malachi they are followed by "who can endure the day of his coming?" and words about how the people have lied to God, are robbing God, and will be judged and refined in the fire.
John the Baptist had this kind of fire in him - this sense of righteousness and accountability and fear and trembling before the Holy God. Unfortunately, Jesus in our day and age has lost this. And I think the gospel writers are partially to blame - Jesus is too warm and fuzzy in the gospels - so human and loving that the Holy Fear of God is lost. Only once in the gospels does Jesus lose his temper.
I certainly appreciate the mercy God grants me...but sometimes I think we need a little more trembling. The contrast between Malachi's original message and the way it is presented by Matthew and Luke is too much for me.
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare my way before me." (v. 1). Quoted in Matthew 11 and Luke 7 - where they refer to John the Baptist.
In Malachi they are followed by "who can endure the day of his coming?" and words about how the people have lied to God, are robbing God, and will be judged and refined in the fire.
John the Baptist had this kind of fire in him - this sense of righteousness and accountability and fear and trembling before the Holy God. Unfortunately, Jesus in our day and age has lost this. And I think the gospel writers are partially to blame - Jesus is too warm and fuzzy in the gospels - so human and loving that the Holy Fear of God is lost. Only once in the gospels does Jesus lose his temper.
I certainly appreciate the mercy God grants me...but sometimes I think we need a little more trembling. The contrast between Malachi's original message and the way it is presented by Matthew and Luke is too much for me.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Kelly - Malachi 2
I love that even the prophets seem to suffer from selective memories. Malachi tells us today that God says "My covenant was with [Levi]...he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin." (vv. 5-6)
Did Malachi read the same stories in Genesis that I did? I don't remember Levi standing out that much - but he certainly doesn't fit the description I see here. Or perhaps Malachi is talking about the "figurative" Levi - those who followed in the early footsteps of Aaron and were the first priests for the chosen people. You know...the ones that melted everyone's gold down and created a golden calf to worship?
There's an important message here about the way we should be before God...but also some descriptive language that just doesn't hold up to inspection.
As an aside, I hadn't run across these verses on divorce before - interesting to see something so concretely relevant to our 21st century lives outside of Paul's letters.
Did Malachi read the same stories in Genesis that I did? I don't remember Levi standing out that much - but he certainly doesn't fit the description I see here. Or perhaps Malachi is talking about the "figurative" Levi - those who followed in the early footsteps of Aaron and were the first priests for the chosen people. You know...the ones that melted everyone's gold down and created a golden calf to worship?
There's an important message here about the way we should be before God...but also some descriptive language that just doesn't hold up to inspection.
As an aside, I hadn't run across these verses on divorce before - interesting to see something so concretely relevant to our 21st century lives outside of Paul's letters.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Kelly - Malachi 1
"Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors..."v. 10
It is better to give up entirely than to do a half-xxxed job? If you can't give everything, give the best of what you have, put God above all else all the time, then it is better to just shut the temple doors?
The prophets are wearying. I can't imagine living with this level of extreme devotion all the time. I have lived through spurts of it, retreats and weekends and even months at a time. But my faith is often more like a marathon than a sprint. The prophets seem to be demanding a full-out sprint non-stop.
I'll admit that there have been times when my offerings have not been the best. I have taught Sunday School classes where I was less than fully prepared, for example. I have preached sermons that I knew hadn't quite clicked yet, that needed more flushing out.
In the Methodist ordination service, all pastors are asked the following questions:
"Are you pursuing perfection?" and "Do you expect to achieve it in this lifetime?" "Perfection" is a loaded methodist term just like "justification" or "grace" is in the ELCA - "Perfection" relies on the work of the Holy Spirit within us - to make us fully into what God created us to be. But that doesn't change the fact that the entire congregation has to suppress a little giggle when these questions are asked (Just as we suppress giggles when candidates are asked if they are indebted - a question with historical roots that is a little ridiculous in light of current seminary costs.)
If we are not "going on to perfection" then what are we doing? If we are not pursuing perfection, what are we about as God's people? And if we do not trust in God's grace to bring us to that place we are created to be, then what can we trust God for?
But still, it is exhausting. I pray God's forgiveness for my half-xxxed offerings. And I rely on God's grace as I go on to perfection.
It is better to give up entirely than to do a half-xxxed job? If you can't give everything, give the best of what you have, put God above all else all the time, then it is better to just shut the temple doors?
The prophets are wearying. I can't imagine living with this level of extreme devotion all the time. I have lived through spurts of it, retreats and weekends and even months at a time. But my faith is often more like a marathon than a sprint. The prophets seem to be demanding a full-out sprint non-stop.
I'll admit that there have been times when my offerings have not been the best. I have taught Sunday School classes where I was less than fully prepared, for example. I have preached sermons that I knew hadn't quite clicked yet, that needed more flushing out.
In the Methodist ordination service, all pastors are asked the following questions:
"Are you pursuing perfection?" and "Do you expect to achieve it in this lifetime?" "Perfection" is a loaded methodist term just like "justification" or "grace" is in the ELCA - "Perfection" relies on the work of the Holy Spirit within us - to make us fully into what God created us to be. But that doesn't change the fact that the entire congregation has to suppress a little giggle when these questions are asked (Just as we suppress giggles when candidates are asked if they are indebted - a question with historical roots that is a little ridiculous in light of current seminary costs.)
If we are not "going on to perfection" then what are we doing? If we are not pursuing perfection, what are we about as God's people? And if we do not trust in God's grace to bring us to that place we are created to be, then what can we trust God for?
But still, it is exhausting. I pray God's forgiveness for my half-xxxed offerings. And I rely on God's grace as I go on to perfection.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Jordan - Haggai 2
Martin Luther says this about worship:
The Lord speaks through Haggai and has the people of Judah rebuild the temple "so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored" (1:8). Because Zerubbabel and the people obey, they will be blessed forever and Z will be a great king. The people give God a house to give thanks and praise, and they get everything. It makes things seem so simple. And yet, there are days where I don't even think to give God thanks or praise because I am too busy building and dwelling within my own house.
"We cannot give God anything but praise and thanks, for everything else we receive from [God] - be it grace, words, works, Gospel, faith and all things."Two things, thats all we can give back. Can you imagine each birthday getting one of two things praise or thanks. Today, at our group's townhall, I got a little thanks for all of the hours I have been putting in to deliver our major applications to our clients. Whoopie. I hope God gets a little more out of our thanks and praise than I do from my boss. God works far more overtime than I do anyway.
The Lord speaks through Haggai and has the people of Judah rebuild the temple "so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored" (1:8). Because Zerubbabel and the people obey, they will be blessed forever and Z will be a great king. The people give God a house to give thanks and praise, and they get everything. It makes things seem so simple. And yet, there are days where I don't even think to give God thanks or praise because I am too busy building and dwelling within my own house.
Expectations vs expectancy
Last fall, I read a book called Mindset. It changed my life. I now try to live every day with an open vs closed mindset. Everyone has expectations of what a pastor/church should be for them. The Holy Spirit is also moving in our midst if we allow her the freedom to do so, which could change our lives forever, giving them more depth and meaning.
I think we should continue to plow through the last two minor prophets in the Old Testament in this order:
•Malachi {4 chapters}: In a time of crisis, absolutely everything is important and significant. Our relationship with God comes to the forefront. During the humdrum times in life, God is crowded to the margins. We disregard what God has to say, as if he were not involved in such dailiness. Malachi alerts us to the crisis of God during times when the only thing we are concerned with is us. His final sentences evoke the names of Moses and Elijah, who respectively keep us rooted in what God has done and said in the past and ready for what he will do in the days ahead.
•Zechariah {14 chapters}: While Zechariah shared Haggai's task, he also worked to rebuild Israel's self-identity. His visions and messages helped recover the magnificence from the ruins of a degrading exile.
We as a church need to internalize these messages from God for us in our time.
I was encouraged today by the heading "This temple will end up better than it started out" and the last verse, "I've looked over the field and chosen you for this work."
Faith isn't just about us. It's about God reaching out to others through us.
I think we should continue to plow through the last two minor prophets in the Old Testament in this order:
•Malachi {4 chapters}: In a time of crisis, absolutely everything is important and significant. Our relationship with God comes to the forefront. During the humdrum times in life, God is crowded to the margins. We disregard what God has to say, as if he were not involved in such dailiness. Malachi alerts us to the crisis of God during times when the only thing we are concerned with is us. His final sentences evoke the names of Moses and Elijah, who respectively keep us rooted in what God has done and said in the past and ready for what he will do in the days ahead.
•Zechariah {14 chapters}: While Zechariah shared Haggai's task, he also worked to rebuild Israel's self-identity. His visions and messages helped recover the magnificence from the ruins of a degrading exile.
We as a church need to internalize these messages from God for us in our time.
I was encouraged today by the heading "This temple will end up better than it started out" and the last verse, "I've looked over the field and chosen you for this work."
Faith isn't just about us. It's about God reaching out to others through us.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Kelly - Haggai 1
One of the struggles I continue to have with my faith is trying to figure out exactly what my role is in "looking after my own house." Haggai condemns the people for being preoccupied with building up their own houses while neglecting God's house.
I am called to care for my family. That is my primary mission - to raise two children to know God and care for others and use their gifts and graces to the best of their abilities. But there are times when following that mission can be interpreted as "looking after my own house" at the expense of building up God's house. Obviously, the ways we choose to spend our money has implications here. But there are bigger issues, too.
I have a friend in Maine who has 6 children - 2 natural, 2 adopted, and 2 foster kids. I'm always amazed at those who bring in foster children while they are raising their own children. There are serious risks to that - and it spreads the parenting resources thinner.
I wish I had a straight line to follow on this issue - but it seems to be one of the great gray areas in my life and faith. Each situation seems to merit its own off-the-cuff response in how I balance God's demands for my service to the world and the mission I have been given of raising the kiddos.
I am called to care for my family. That is my primary mission - to raise two children to know God and care for others and use their gifts and graces to the best of their abilities. But there are times when following that mission can be interpreted as "looking after my own house" at the expense of building up God's house. Obviously, the ways we choose to spend our money has implications here. But there are bigger issues, too.
I have a friend in Maine who has 6 children - 2 natural, 2 adopted, and 2 foster kids. I'm always amazed at those who bring in foster children while they are raising their own children. There are serious risks to that - and it spreads the parenting resources thinner.
I wish I had a straight line to follow on this issue - but it seems to be one of the great gray areas in my life and faith. Each situation seems to merit its own off-the-cuff response in how I balance God's demands for my service to the world and the mission I have been given of raising the kiddos.
Building up the body
We are the church. The body of our Lord. We are all God's children and we have been restored. The church is not a building where people go to pray. It's not made up of sticks and stones and it's not made up of clay...
This was a song we sang at Green Lake Bible Camp every summer.
Haggai's singular task was to get God's people to work at rebuilding the Temple. Our stained glass windows and garden are unbelievably beautiful. Our rebuilding task at Faith now is more about building up the body. Five months ago, we started the conversation with spiritual giftedness. 74 of our 400ish members have taken this task to heart. Most are living directly out of the gifts God has given them. We're learning more every day about passionate spirituality and how to live it out individually and corporately.
We are encouraged to "take a good hard look at our lives".
The verse that speaks most to our culture is "while you've run around, caught up with taking care of your own houses, my Home is in ruins". As I said before, our church building isn't falling down. It has taken a few months to stabilize our budget, but we're basically breaking even now.
Haggai preached God's message to the people: "I am with you!"
That's what got them moving, got them working on the Temple.
God is with us. His Spirit is moving in our midst. Let's take care of God's Home with an eye toward the future. We are the church. Let's build up the body.
This was a song we sang at Green Lake Bible Camp every summer.
Haggai's singular task was to get God's people to work at rebuilding the Temple. Our stained glass windows and garden are unbelievably beautiful. Our rebuilding task at Faith now is more about building up the body. Five months ago, we started the conversation with spiritual giftedness. 74 of our 400ish members have taken this task to heart. Most are living directly out of the gifts God has given them. We're learning more every day about passionate spirituality and how to live it out individually and corporately.
We are encouraged to "take a good hard look at our lives".
The verse that speaks most to our culture is "while you've run around, caught up with taking care of your own houses, my Home is in ruins". As I said before, our church building isn't falling down. It has taken a few months to stabilize our budget, but we're basically breaking even now.
Haggai preached God's message to the people: "I am with you!"
That's what got them moving, got them working on the Temple.
God is with us. His Spirit is moving in our midst. Let's take care of God's Home with an eye toward the future. We are the church. Let's build up the body.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Jordan - Zephaniah 3
I found out that I am rational today, fancy that. Much to the disbelief of Erin I am sure! What I mean is, that my spiritual style is a rational one, and I must say, I had myself pegged this way from the beginning of the "3 Colors Of Your Spirituality" book that the Natural Church Development team started reading a month or so ago.
My predominant spritual style is rational and my opposite style is enthusiastic. The "peril" of my spiritual style is intellectualism. "Only those aspects of God that have successfully pass through the filter of your own logical system of explanation, are approved as valid." I relate to spirituality through the "earthiness" on the mental and intellectual side. That opposite style, enthusiastic, relate to spirituality through their charismatic "arms up" style.
Funny, in college I sang in a Gospel choir, and I loved it! I was one of maybe two or three white people in the choir (and you can barely classify me as white, maybe translucent is a better term). Yet, it was the music and the harmonies of the choir that I felt blessed by, not necessarily the passionate prayer, clapping and arm waving that would accompany our singing.
So, what does all this have to do with Zephaniah 3? I can really see the passion in the final verses of this chapter. They are the enthusiastic "all praise" that many of the prophets and psalms have. But all of a sudden, I can understand more clearly why in passages like that I can't really feel the passion of the author. Because its too much for me. I like Habakkuk, with his controlled poetic prose vs. Zephaniah where his emotions take over his writing.
I love this stuff!
Just in case you didn't believe me:
My predominant spritual style is rational and my opposite style is enthusiastic. The "peril" of my spiritual style is intellectualism. "Only those aspects of God that have successfully pass through the filter of your own logical system of explanation, are approved as valid." I relate to spirituality through the "earthiness" on the mental and intellectual side. That opposite style, enthusiastic, relate to spirituality through their charismatic "arms up" style.
Funny, in college I sang in a Gospel choir, and I loved it! I was one of maybe two or three white people in the choir (and you can barely classify me as white, maybe translucent is a better term). Yet, it was the music and the harmonies of the choir that I felt blessed by, not necessarily the passionate prayer, clapping and arm waving that would accompany our singing.
So, what does all this have to do with Zephaniah 3? I can really see the passion in the final verses of this chapter. They are the enthusiastic "all praise" that many of the prophets and psalms have. But all of a sudden, I can understand more clearly why in passages like that I can't really feel the passion of the author. Because its too much for me. I like Habakkuk, with his controlled poetic prose vs. Zephaniah where his emotions take over his writing.
I love this stuff!
Just in case you didn't believe me:
Hope
I have one request. When we finish Haggai on Thursday, let's jump to Malachi. Next Tuesday, we'll start whatever Sue wants.
My thoughts this morning go back to our Psalm from Sunday, "Weeping spends the night, but joy comes in the morning." More important than joy, I think, is hope.
Rewind to worship 9 days ago, "Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us." The Holy Spirit has been poured into our hearts.
Early in Zephaniah 3, the leaders and priests are thrown up against the wall. Hope has me clearly hearing these words:
"Accept my discipline."
"Find relief from the punishment I'm bringing."
God's people were not fazed. They continued doing the same old things.
Not me. For the next 7 days, you will not get an e-mail from me, nor will I read one from you. From 6 pm last night until the princess party ends next Monday, I'm fasting from e-mail.
God promises, "I will turn things around for my people. United, they will serve me."
Then I read the expression "poor in spirit" and went off on a tangent. I feel poor in spirit and the Holy One brought me to the Beatitudes where I found hope again, "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family." Amen.
My thoughts this morning go back to our Psalm from Sunday, "Weeping spends the night, but joy comes in the morning." More important than joy, I think, is hope.
Rewind to worship 9 days ago, "Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us." The Holy Spirit has been poured into our hearts.
Early in Zephaniah 3, the leaders and priests are thrown up against the wall. Hope has me clearly hearing these words:
"Accept my discipline."
"Find relief from the punishment I'm bringing."
God's people were not fazed. They continued doing the same old things.
Not me. For the next 7 days, you will not get an e-mail from me, nor will I read one from you. From 6 pm last night until the princess party ends next Monday, I'm fasting from e-mail.
God promises, "I will turn things around for my people. United, they will serve me."
Then I read the expression "poor in spirit" and went off on a tangent. I feel poor in spirit and the Holy One brought me to the Beatitudes where I found hope again, "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family." Amen.
Kelly - Zepahaniah 3
I read the pronoun "she" in the Bible so rarely that it's really all I can focus on today. I know that the prohpet is talking about a city, but it's interesting to read it as direct comments on me. I'm not about to jump off the church-feminism ledge - but I like tripping across this every now and again and it changes the way I read the scriptures. It's more confrontational than the universal "he" or "men" that I have to consciously remember includes me, too.
"she does not accept correction, she does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to God" (v. 2) and "the Lord within her is righteous" (v. 5). I could spend months on those verses alone.
"she does not accept correction, she does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to God" (v. 2) and "the Lord within her is righteous" (v. 5). I could spend months on those verses alone.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Kelly - Zephaniah 2
Sometimes I feel like the remnant. Faith is a little different from so many other churches I have attended - but so often I've sat in congregations that were full of so many people older than I. (Of course, it may be that the churches haven't changed that much, I've just gotten old.)
In college, even in Texas, few of my friends went to church. I went, but was there by myself. When we moved to Boston, we went...but even in the college town, college students and grad students didn't go to church. Now that I have kids there are more people my age in the churches...but most of the people I see from day to day are not in church on Sunday morning or Saturday night.
When my grandparents went to church on Sunday, everyone went. You couldn't shop on Sundays - church was what everyone did. I'm not sure that people were any more faithful than they are now -attendance was more of a social norm than the conscious choice it is today.
Rose was reading some of the "Little House on the Prairie" books recently and was shocked that Laura spent 4 hours in church every Sunday. She was more shocked when I pointed out that she spends close to that every week.
We are the remnant. We are the faithful who hold the ground as we await the fulfillment of God's promises. And sometimes it is downright lonely being the remnant - so thank you to all who wait here with me and my family.
In college, even in Texas, few of my friends went to church. I went, but was there by myself. When we moved to Boston, we went...but even in the college town, college students and grad students didn't go to church. Now that I have kids there are more people my age in the churches...but most of the people I see from day to day are not in church on Sunday morning or Saturday night.
When my grandparents went to church on Sunday, everyone went. You couldn't shop on Sundays - church was what everyone did. I'm not sure that people were any more faithful than they are now -attendance was more of a social norm than the conscious choice it is today.
Rose was reading some of the "Little House on the Prairie" books recently and was shocked that Laura spent 4 hours in church every Sunday. She was more shocked when I pointed out that she spends close to that every week.
We are the remnant. We are the faithful who hold the ground as we await the fulfillment of God's promises. And sometimes it is downright lonely being the remnant - so thank you to all who wait here with me and my family.
Spirituality
"Seek God, all you quietly disciplined people who live by God's justice. Seek God's right ways. Seek a quiet and disciplined life."
As a part of the Natural Church Development work we're doing, our church health team has been reading a book together. We just reached a critical point where after taking a survey, we're learning about our personal spirituality styles. Once we know these, we can work to interact with those who are different from us, which will deepen our own spirituality.
Needless to say, my style isn't what I expected it to be, but the above verse resonates with me. Personal spiritual disciples, like this blog, are what keep me enduring in my faith. Endurance produces character and character produces hope and hope does not disappoint us.
We would love it if this chain of events simply started with endurance, but suffering is what kicks it all off.
Lord, like Job, help me learn to trust in you always.
As a part of the Natural Church Development work we're doing, our church health team has been reading a book together. We just reached a critical point where after taking a survey, we're learning about our personal spirituality styles. Once we know these, we can work to interact with those who are different from us, which will deepen our own spirituality.
Needless to say, my style isn't what I expected it to be, but the above verse resonates with me. Personal spiritual disciples, like this blog, are what keep me enduring in my faith. Endurance produces character and character produces hope and hope does not disappoint us.
We would love it if this chain of events simply started with endurance, but suffering is what kicks it all off.
Lord, like Job, help me learn to trust in you always.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
god is dead
God is alive and well, but "the god Money is dead". Regarding Judgment Day, we are told, "Don't plan on buying your way out. Your money is worthless for this."
I am surprised by how much the Bible talks about money and how little we talk about stewardship. We talked about it at LYFE Group tonight. It's interesting to see the perspective our youth are learning.
What really grabbed me today was the vivid description of Judgment Day: "a day of distress and anguish, a day of catastrophic doom, a day of darkness at noon, a day of black storm clouds, a day of bloodcurdling war cries."
Consider Luke 23:44, "By now it was noon. The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours—a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. Jesus called loudly, "Father, I place my life in your hands!" Then he breathed his last."
Each of us will be judged by Jesus. One on one. Face to face. But we know that he comes with compassion. He comes to forgive us, because he loves us. Sin boldly. Make a difference in the world.
I am surprised by how much the Bible talks about money and how little we talk about stewardship. We talked about it at LYFE Group tonight. It's interesting to see the perspective our youth are learning.
What really grabbed me today was the vivid description of Judgment Day: "a day of distress and anguish, a day of catastrophic doom, a day of darkness at noon, a day of black storm clouds, a day of bloodcurdling war cries."
Consider Luke 23:44, "By now it was noon. The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours—a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. Jesus called loudly, "Father, I place my life in your hands!" Then he breathed his last."
Each of us will be judged by Jesus. One on one. Face to face. But we know that he comes with compassion. He comes to forgive us, because he loves us. Sin boldly. Make a difference in the world.
Jordan - Zephaniah 1
Oh Jerusalem, looks like you have issues. I wonder what the prophets would say about our current times? Would Zephaniah come to Boston and tell us to repent?
Kelly - Zephaniah 1
Well, there can be no doubt that we have left Habakkuk....Zephaniah doesn't seem to be offering much consolation.
I was struck by v. 12 "I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent...."
There are many sins alluded to in this chapter (idolatry, greed), but complacency is the one that strikes me today. God is furious with those who are complacent. A tepid faith is not faith.
We can rejoice, we can get angry with God, we can argue and bargain and try to persuade God, but it is complacency that God despises.
I was struck by v. 12 "I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent...."
There are many sins alluded to in this chapter (idolatry, greed), but complacency is the one that strikes me today. God is furious with those who are complacent. A tepid faith is not faith.
We can rejoice, we can get angry with God, we can argue and bargain and try to persuade God, but it is complacency that God despises.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Nevertheless
"Though the cherry trees don't blossom and the strawberries don't ripen,
Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted,
Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty,
NEVERTHELESS...
I'm singing joyful praise to God.
I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.
Counting on God's Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength.
I run like a deer."
Okay, so the word nevertheless isn't in the middle of this passage, but it is in our lives. Our keynote speaker delivered a tremendous sermon yesterday, saying,
"Though [fill in the blank]
NEVERTHELESS...
God prevails. We rejoice."
The classic example is Jesus, who though he dies, he lives and so do we. This is the good news. We need to share this with our children and grandchildren, but also everyone we come in contact with. Our whole lives should be driven by the joy we receive from this one occurance. Life from death.
Please attend Children's Sunday tomorrow at 10 am (we will also have the 8 am service...June 13th starts our summer 9 am worship...our next garden service is June 27th). We need to teach our kids and youth about the truth of NEVERTHELESS. We need to live it by example.
We have had great stewardship conversations this weekend. Heidi and I can't really afford to tithe, NEVERTHELESS...God provides.
My dream for Faith is that every child who walks through the door (member or friend) would be so convinced that they are a precious child of God that their lives would never be the same. I would love to see all of our Confirmands, before they make their vows in church in the spring of their freshman year, attend one week of Camp Calumet and one week of a mission trip free of charge. We need to give generously to make that happen.
A handful of people are working diligently to eliminate our budget deficit. Please let me know if you would like to join them. Tomorrow is our last Stockholder Sunday. Could you spare $20 for the campers and $20 for the mission trippers? For $40, you will get a postcard from each trip. Unified, we can make a huge difference in the world and in the lives of our youth.
Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted,
Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty,
NEVERTHELESS...
I'm singing joyful praise to God.
I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.
Counting on God's Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength.
I run like a deer."
Okay, so the word nevertheless isn't in the middle of this passage, but it is in our lives. Our keynote speaker delivered a tremendous sermon yesterday, saying,
"Though [fill in the blank]
NEVERTHELESS...
God prevails. We rejoice."
The classic example is Jesus, who though he dies, he lives and so do we. This is the good news. We need to share this with our children and grandchildren, but also everyone we come in contact with. Our whole lives should be driven by the joy we receive from this one occurance. Life from death.
Please attend Children's Sunday tomorrow at 10 am (we will also have the 8 am service...June 13th starts our summer 9 am worship...our next garden service is June 27th). We need to teach our kids and youth about the truth of NEVERTHELESS. We need to live it by example.
We have had great stewardship conversations this weekend. Heidi and I can't really afford to tithe, NEVERTHELESS...God provides.
My dream for Faith is that every child who walks through the door (member or friend) would be so convinced that they are a precious child of God that their lives would never be the same. I would love to see all of our Confirmands, before they make their vows in church in the spring of their freshman year, attend one week of Camp Calumet and one week of a mission trip free of charge. We need to give generously to make that happen.
A handful of people are working diligently to eliminate our budget deficit. Please let me know if you would like to join them. Tomorrow is our last Stockholder Sunday. Could you spare $20 for the campers and $20 for the mission trippers? For $40, you will get a postcard from each trip. Unified, we can make a huge difference in the world and in the lives of our youth.
Kelly - Habakkuk 3
This book seems so much more timeless than others in the Bible. I loose myself in these words, and do not care about the setting or context....His cries are my cries and his yearnings are mine. I think I like Habakkuk as much or better than the Psalms. And it saddens me that these words are buried in the minor prophets and so few have read them.
"Renew [your deeds] in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath, remember mercy." v.3. It speaks so honestly to the fact that we spend our time emulating a man who lived on this earth over 2000 years ago. I know Jesus says that "blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe"(John 20) -- but sometimes my heart longs for more direct action from God, more direct intervention, more sight. And if God were to ever grant that wish, then I would certainly need mercy.
The Holy Spirit is active among us, and Christ uses our hands to do God's will in this world. But like a petulant child, sometimes I just want to see more, understand more, and have God's presence be clearer and bolder.
"Renew [your deeds] in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath, remember mercy." v.3. It speaks so honestly to the fact that we spend our time emulating a man who lived on this earth over 2000 years ago. I know Jesus says that "blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe"(John 20) -- but sometimes my heart longs for more direct action from God, more direct intervention, more sight. And if God were to ever grant that wish, then I would certainly need mercy.
The Holy Spirit is active among us, and Christ uses our hands to do God's will in this world. But like a petulant child, sometimes I just want to see more, understand more, and have God's presence be clearer and bolder.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Luther's verse
Martin Luther had a revelation when reading Habakkuk 2:4b, "The person in right standing before God through loyal and steady believing is fully alive, really alive."
This chapter ends with a powerful verse too, "God is in his holy Temple! Quiet everyone—a holy silence. Listen!"
If we stand before God just as we are and trust him to move in our lives, he will shape us into who he wants us to be in the world, individually and corporately.
We need to pray sincere prayers like Jordan and then listen and watch for God on the move. Will we follow where his spirit leads?
We are being challenged at this synod assembly to be active agents in the world for God's kingdom. This thing is so huge that it should capture our imagination at every turn.
Five weeks from tomorrow, we leave on our mission trip to Butler, Indiana. We will come back a changed church.
God's work. Our hands.
This chapter ends with a powerful verse too, "God is in his holy Temple! Quiet everyone—a holy silence. Listen!"
If we stand before God just as we are and trust him to move in our lives, he will shape us into who he wants us to be in the world, individually and corporately.
We need to pray sincere prayers like Jordan and then listen and watch for God on the move. Will we follow where his spirit leads?
We are being challenged at this synod assembly to be active agents in the world for God's kingdom. This thing is so huge that it should capture our imagination at every turn.
Five weeks from tomorrow, we leave on our mission trip to Butler, Indiana. We will come back a changed church.
God's work. Our hands.
Jordan - Habakkuk 2
"For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speak to the end, and does not lie." (v. 3)Dear God,
I pray for a glimpse of your vision. That I can understand my place in this enormous world and ever reaching universe. I want to live by my faith, but I find myself yelling at gold plated idols till I am just as breathless as the image itself. Please teach me to be silent in your presence that I may hear your call.
Amen.
Kelly - Habakkuk 2
"Woe to you" - doesn't seem to pack much of a punch these days. The message of this chapter of Habakkuk is similar to the messages of Nahum - but this language seems softer and less imposing to me.
Perhaps the entire concept of "woe" is soft in our language...it sounds more poetic than intimidating.
This is probably why people forget the "woe to you" parts of the beatitudes in Luke. They are written just as firmly as these harsh prophetic words in Habakkuk, but we tend to skim over them and pretend they aren't a real threat.
Perhaps the entire concept of "woe" is soft in our language...it sounds more poetic than intimidating.
This is probably why people forget the "woe to you" parts of the beatitudes in Luke. They are written just as firmly as these harsh prophetic words in Habakkuk, but we tend to skim over them and pretend they aren't a real threat.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
What's up with that, God?!?
Jordan, you are reading my mind...or is the Holy Spirit speaking to both of us?
I not only thought about Jacob wrestling with the angel for his blessing, but Job reeling from disaster.
If we are really engaged in our faith, we will not only pray to God and say, "Your will be done," but "What's up with that, God?!?"
Job suffered, but also stepped up to the God he loved and checked him saying, "Don't you think this is a little excessive?"
God will never give us more than God and we can handle. Too often, we forget that God suffers with us. Sometimes, oftentimes, things are more than we can handle alone.
I not only thought about Jacob wrestling with the angel for his blessing, but Job reeling from disaster.
If we are really engaged in our faith, we will not only pray to God and say, "Your will be done," but "What's up with that, God?!?"
Job suffered, but also stepped up to the God he loved and checked him saying, "Don't you think this is a little excessive?"
God will never give us more than God and we can handle. Too often, we forget that God suffers with us. Sometimes, oftentimes, things are more than we can handle alone.
Jordan - Habakkuk 1
Well, thanks Habakkuk for answering my question from last night. I guess God "roused the Chaldeans..." What was in it for them?
I already love Habakkuk. He is demanding answers from God for the worlds injustices. This chapter is a witness that God can take our doubts and mistrust because in wrestling with our faith, we become more in tune with it. Just like Jacob literally wrestled with God in Genesis!
I already love Habakkuk. He is demanding answers from God for the worlds injustices. This chapter is a witness that God can take our doubts and mistrust because in wrestling with our faith, we become more in tune with it. Just like Jacob literally wrestled with God in Genesis!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Jordan - Nahum 3
I love the big roman war/battle movies. Gladiator, 300, Troy... you name it. The thundering chariots, the sword fights, bows, spears, armor, its awesome. Yes, I know this isn't the Roman empire, but it has the same feel. In the movies, you sense the power and tactics of the armies. Here, in Nahum you get more of the passion and the spirit in which these warriors fought. Nineveh wasn't just a city, Nineveh represented the empire that held people captive within their own state. Nineveh existed with such strength due to its exploitation of the states it controlled. Nahum's savage recounting of the deaths of thousands of Ninevites is an explosion of emotion.
So, I have to ask. I read in historical accounts that the Babylonians, Medes, Scythians and Cimmerians. Did God really raze the city? Did God work through these four civilizations to free the Israelites? This isn't quite the same as Sodom and Gomorrah where the cities were destroyed by fire from the sky. Here, the city was destroyed by other people who may or may not have cared about Israel.
So, I have to ask. I read in historical accounts that the Babylonians, Medes, Scythians and Cimmerians. Did God really raze the city? Did God work through these four civilizations to free the Israelites? This isn't quite the same as Sodom and Gomorrah where the cities were destroyed by fire from the sky. Here, the city was destroyed by other people who may or may not have cared about Israel.
Fish Slappers!
Kelly, you are awesome with the history. Anyone reading this blog is getting WAY more out of the Bible than they ever have.
Who knew the minor prophets could be so exciting?
I couldn't help but think about the Jonah story and especially the Veggie Tale, since I just quoted it in my sermon last Sunday, "Our God is a God of 2nd chances." That's why these 7 words from today's reading were so disturbing, "Sorry. Too late. Your wound is fatal."
What? Too late?!?
The saddest funeral I've ever attended was a grave-side for a guy named Joseph. Joseph and his wife had one son, Walter. They were Gospel singers who used to travel with James Brown. One day, a Minneapolis city bus made a turn too tight and Walter was picked off the curb. Normally, the death of a child ends a marriage, but Joseph and his wife struggled along, singing about God and trying to drink their pain away. When I met Joseph, he was 55, separated from his wife. He really wanted to turn his life around, but his "wound was fatal." His liver couldn't support his body and he died. Heidi, the kids, and I were the only ones at his funeral, other than the gal from the funeral home.
Someone from our church donated a headstone, because they knew how important Joseph had been to us. He had impressed our kids with a "trick" he could do, folding a piece of paper and tearing off the edges. Two things would emerge: a cross with the scraps reading hell. I have no idea how he did it, but it was his ministry and message.
If Jonah was written before the fall, I'm saddened, because the fish slappers from Nineveh never really learned their lesson. If it's written afterward, they had a compelling reason to turn around, since they fully understood the consequences of not doing so. Jerusalem fell, Adam and Eve did. Maybe it's just a part of the deal. You've gotta wipe out completely before you understand that you're not the king of the world.
The good news is that we have a God who will pick us up, dust us off, and get us going in the right direction. Now that'll preach.
Who knew the minor prophets could be so exciting?
I couldn't help but think about the Jonah story and especially the Veggie Tale, since I just quoted it in my sermon last Sunday, "Our God is a God of 2nd chances." That's why these 7 words from today's reading were so disturbing, "Sorry. Too late. Your wound is fatal."
What? Too late?!?
The saddest funeral I've ever attended was a grave-side for a guy named Joseph. Joseph and his wife had one son, Walter. They were Gospel singers who used to travel with James Brown. One day, a Minneapolis city bus made a turn too tight and Walter was picked off the curb. Normally, the death of a child ends a marriage, but Joseph and his wife struggled along, singing about God and trying to drink their pain away. When I met Joseph, he was 55, separated from his wife. He really wanted to turn his life around, but his "wound was fatal." His liver couldn't support his body and he died. Heidi, the kids, and I were the only ones at his funeral, other than the gal from the funeral home.
Someone from our church donated a headstone, because they knew how important Joseph had been to us. He had impressed our kids with a "trick" he could do, folding a piece of paper and tearing off the edges. Two things would emerge: a cross with the scraps reading hell. I have no idea how he did it, but it was his ministry and message.
If Jonah was written before the fall, I'm saddened, because the fish slappers from Nineveh never really learned their lesson. If it's written afterward, they had a compelling reason to turn around, since they fully understood the consequences of not doing so. Jerusalem fell, Adam and Eve did. Maybe it's just a part of the deal. You've gotta wipe out completely before you understand that you're not the king of the world.
The good news is that we have a God who will pick us up, dust us off, and get us going in the right direction. Now that'll preach.
Kelly - Nahum 3
Okay...so I see by this chapter that getting on God's bad side is most defiinitely someting I would like to avoid.
What strikes me most is that the use of religious language to condemn others hasn't really changed that much over the centuries. It may be cynical of me, but I really see this chapter less about prophecy and more about Nahum's polemic against the powerful of another culture. It sounds in many ways like conservative Islamic diatribes against the United States.
In our own case, when we hear these rants we tend to bristle at the injustice of them. Sure, there are some powerful people in our culture who exploit other nations and peoples - but the majority of Americans are just trying to live their lives. Most of us are busy raising our children and paying our mortgage. The same was doubtless true in the city of Ninevah --- most people weren't exciting the wrath of God - most were buying food and raising kids. God would have saved Sodom and Gomorrah for 10 righteous people ..... why not Ninevah?
In April, our family spent a day at Harper's Ferry, WV and walked around the historic Civil War site. I was struck by the song "John Brown's Body" - which became the war marching tune, and later Christian Hymn, "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Again, the wrath of God is coming upon those on the wrong side of political issues.
I have always struggled with the issue of corporate sin - how we are accountable for our role in it, and how throughout the Bible God punishes corporately. My own approach seems to be (by default, not by conscious design) that I will accept that I am part of it - my actions in this society are not blameless. But I will also avoid playing a role in condemning other groups of people. Just as I try to avoid seeing the speck in my neighbor's eye - I try to avoid joining my voice to those who claim that other nations or other groups are not doing the will of God. It's not a perfect solution to my struggles on this issue, but it's the one I'm using for now.
What strikes me most is that the use of religious language to condemn others hasn't really changed that much over the centuries. It may be cynical of me, but I really see this chapter less about prophecy and more about Nahum's polemic against the powerful of another culture. It sounds in many ways like conservative Islamic diatribes against the United States.
In our own case, when we hear these rants we tend to bristle at the injustice of them. Sure, there are some powerful people in our culture who exploit other nations and peoples - but the majority of Americans are just trying to live their lives. Most of us are busy raising our children and paying our mortgage. The same was doubtless true in the city of Ninevah --- most people weren't exciting the wrath of God - most were buying food and raising kids. God would have saved Sodom and Gomorrah for 10 righteous people ..... why not Ninevah?
In April, our family spent a day at Harper's Ferry, WV and walked around the historic Civil War site. I was struck by the song "John Brown's Body" - which became the war marching tune, and later Christian Hymn, "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Again, the wrath of God is coming upon those on the wrong side of political issues.
I have always struggled with the issue of corporate sin - how we are accountable for our role in it, and how throughout the Bible God punishes corporately. My own approach seems to be (by default, not by conscious design) that I will accept that I am part of it - my actions in this society are not blameless. But I will also avoid playing a role in condemning other groups of people. Just as I try to avoid seeing the speck in my neighbor's eye - I try to avoid joining my voice to those who claim that other nations or other groups are not doing the will of God. It's not a perfect solution to my struggles on this issue, but it's the one I'm using for now.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Jordan - Nahum 2
So now I know where Muhammad Ali came up with "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." Its from verse 6 here, "The chariots race madly through the streets, they rush to and fro through the squares, their appearance is like torches, they dart like lightning." Oddly enough, this is sort of a weird parallel to what Kelly wrote about Nineveh. When Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston in 1964, it rocked the world, not in exactly the same way that Nineveh's falling did, but it was awesome nonetheless.
Kelly - Nahum 2
Have you heard the expression "That'll preach!"? It's used more often in the Methodist churches (UMC, AME, AMEZion, CME, etc.) and I don't think I've ever heard it around Lutherans. It's said in the midst of conversation between a few people when someone says something that has real depth to it - that digs at the very base of faith life. "That'll Preach!" means that you can expand on that thought - and it will challenge and comfort and inspire --- flushing out that idea will make a great sermon.
Jordan said (Micah 7), "if we live in our comfort zone, we will get nowhere." - that'll preach. Matthew said (Nahum 2), "sometimes we need to hold each other up" - that'll preach. Honestly, about 90% of the words in this blog will preach.
Here's fair warning - the rest of this blog posting will not preach...it may be interesting, but in a more academic way. The seminarian in me is peeking out.
I went after information on Ninevah - trying to put Nahum and his words into some context. Ninevah was the capital city of Assyria - had been populated since prehistoric times and always a great and powerful city. According to the authors of Genesis, it was founded by your friend and mine....NIMROD! The archeaological remains of Ninevah lie in the modern city of Mosul, Iraq.
Nahum was most likely written around 615 BCE, shortly before the actual fall of Ninevah in 612 BCE. The destruction of the city of Ninevah would have been earth-shattering - something like the fall of the city of Rome or a modern-day destruction of London....the city had been there forever and had been powerful forever. Its destruction would have brought hope to the exiles, but also been quite unsettling --- if Ninevah falls, what else can happen in this world?
The other great book about Ninevah- Jonah - is more or less impossible to date. All that is known for certain is that it was written between 800 BCE and 200 BCE - quite a gap. In this book Ninevah repents of its sin and God relents. But the focus of that book is more on Jonah and the nature of God than it is on Ninevah itself.
Jordan said (Micah 7), "if we live in our comfort zone, we will get nowhere." - that'll preach. Matthew said (Nahum 2), "sometimes we need to hold each other up" - that'll preach. Honestly, about 90% of the words in this blog will preach.
Here's fair warning - the rest of this blog posting will not preach...it may be interesting, but in a more academic way. The seminarian in me is peeking out.
I went after information on Ninevah - trying to put Nahum and his words into some context. Ninevah was the capital city of Assyria - had been populated since prehistoric times and always a great and powerful city. According to the authors of Genesis, it was founded by your friend and mine....NIMROD! The archeaological remains of Ninevah lie in the modern city of Mosul, Iraq.
Nahum was most likely written around 615 BCE, shortly before the actual fall of Ninevah in 612 BCE. The destruction of the city of Ninevah would have been earth-shattering - something like the fall of the city of Rome or a modern-day destruction of London....the city had been there forever and had been powerful forever. Its destruction would have brought hope to the exiles, but also been quite unsettling --- if Ninevah falls, what else can happen in this world?
The other great book about Ninevah- Jonah - is more or less impossible to date. All that is known for certain is that it was written between 800 BCE and 200 BCE - quite a gap. In this book Ninevah repents of its sin and God relents. But the focus of that book is more on Jonah and the nature of God than it is on Ninevah itself.
On God's side
Jordan made me think of the Buddy Jesus.
Jesus is my homeboy.
Maybe we feel a more personal touch with Christ, because he dwelt among us, but the God of the Old Testament gets a bad rap.
Sometimes I like to talk about God the Mother. Fathers too often display lack of patience and revert to anger quickly. I'm trying to break that cycle in my family. In other words, father make God look bad. Mothers are usually more merciful and compassionate.
God is described in the Psalms as slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Do we talk to God anymore like Moses and the prophets did?
Have you read the story about Moses having to keep his arms raised to continue to win a battle? Side note: Why is their so much fighting in the Bible?
I love the expression, "You're either part of the solution or part of the problem." It makes our lives as saints and sinners more clear cut. With the best of intentions, sometimes as sinners, weak in the flesh, we are part of the problem.
Without even meaning to be.
Picture Moses again. Two other guys needed to hold his arms up and God was victorious. We pray all the time, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done." Sometime we need to hold each other up.
Let's be on the side of faith and God's kingdom. We will still be judged, but amidst our mistakes will be found to be on God's side.
We are getting a lesson in all-encompassing stewardship today at Kelly and Marcus' home, 7 pm. This may be the most important meeting of the year. Please attend if you are able (unless you're on the Youth Ministry, Finance, or Property Teams, which are meeting over the same time frame) and let's start this month off with a bang.
Jesus is my homeboy.
Maybe we feel a more personal touch with Christ, because he dwelt among us, but the God of the Old Testament gets a bad rap.
Sometimes I like to talk about God the Mother. Fathers too often display lack of patience and revert to anger quickly. I'm trying to break that cycle in my family. In other words, father make God look bad. Mothers are usually more merciful and compassionate.
God is described in the Psalms as slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Do we talk to God anymore like Moses and the prophets did?
Have you read the story about Moses having to keep his arms raised to continue to win a battle? Side note: Why is their so much fighting in the Bible?
I love the expression, "You're either part of the solution or part of the problem." It makes our lives as saints and sinners more clear cut. With the best of intentions, sometimes as sinners, weak in the flesh, we are part of the problem.
Without even meaning to be.
Picture Moses again. Two other guys needed to hold his arms up and God was victorious. We pray all the time, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done." Sometime we need to hold each other up.
Let's be on the side of faith and God's kingdom. We will still be judged, but amidst our mistakes will be found to be on God's side.
We are getting a lesson in all-encompassing stewardship today at Kelly and Marcus' home, 7 pm. This may be the most important meeting of the year. Please attend if you are able (unless you're on the Youth Ministry, Finance, or Property Teams, which are meeting over the same time frame) and let's start this month off with a bang.
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