Matthew 10:40-42

“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” vs. 40

When Jesus sent out his disciples to expand his ministry to the towns and villages of Galilee he warned them that there would be suffering involved. But he also lets them know that there would be blessings for those who welcomed them. Through them people would experience the Divine Presence; through them they would be welcoming Jesus. Those encounters still take place. Those who make welcoming a part of their hospitality practice often report that they regularly run into Jesus. He appears out of nowhere, often as a stranger, and when they offer a greeting, a cup of cold water, or a smile, the response touches their heart. It’s one of the rewards that comes when the Christ in us breaks through barriers and connects with the Christ in the other. Sometimes we forget the power we have in ourselves to brighten the lives of others. We forget that we are the unconditional love of God in the flesh and that in us hurting people can be lifted up and even find healing. It’s not something to be arrogant about, not at all, unconditional love is only found in the presence of deep humility. But still, it’s invigorating to know that through us others are meeting Jesus. In fact, it often may cause us to change our behaviors! In Christ, we will always want to put our best face forward.

Thought for the Day: How does it feel to know that you are the incarnation of Christ?

Romans 6:17-23

“But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life.” vs, 22

One of the peculiarities of life in Christ is that after years and years of choosing the good in the course of daily living, we become virtually incapable of being anything but good. To use Paul’s words, we have been freed from sin and enslaved to God. At times, because the changing norms of culture are constantly in our face we may be tempted to make less-good choices. For instance, something like nonmonogamy might catch our eye and for an instant we think it might be an option–a new way for individuals to experience community. But because we’re enslaved to God, we don’t even consider it. Of course this doesn’t mean that we’ve achieved perfection–we’ll still have plenty of slip-ups and missteps daily–those things are a part of the good life, and there’s always a need for confession in our God-connection. And if we ever question our commitment to the good, all we have to do is consider how things are going for those who have regularly made those less-good choices. We see them all around us–Paul calls them slaves of sin, and while they, being free to do whatever they please, are not bound to choose the good, their lives reflect their choices, and the good life eludes them.

Thought for the Day: Why does the good life seem boring to some?

Romans 6:12-16

“No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness.” vs. 13

Paul implies here that the folks in Rome had an option to present themselves either to sin as instruments of wickedness or to God as instruments of righteousness. His words resonate with our own observations of the world and our own involvement in the decisions of daily living. From the time we were children we have had a myriad of opportunities each day to make good decisions–and the pattern we choose rapidly becomes apparent. Some of us have consistently done what is good and right, and we become good people–good friends, good parents, good spouses–it’s inevitable. Others when faced with a choice will choose greed or sloth or some other vice. And as we choose the selfish way, the easy way, we become wicked people–cheating friends, abusive parents, unfaithful spouses–again it’s inevitable! We don’t start out intending to be good or evil people–but bit by bit as we make our decisions we seal our destiny. Can we break out of the patterns of a lifetime? Of course! There is always opportunity for repentance all along the way–the Holy Spirit of God is always at hand, and we can be transformed. In Christ we can look forward to daily resurrection and restoration, and we can become good people!

Thought for the Day: How can a person become good?

Psalm 89:15-18

“Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance;” vs. 15

There’s something to be said for familiarity in worship. While it is true that the old hymns can seem boring and often lack the spirited tempo of contemporary music, simply dropping traditional liturgies in favor of those that change from week to week doesn’t always make our hearts sing. The psalmist knew from experience the joy that came from being able to sing out with others during the temple festivals. Everyone knew the words and sang praise to the Lord with exuberance. Their joyous worship lifted them up and gave direction to their daily walk. Too often in recent years worship leaders have begun to overpower congregational singing, and something valuable has been lost. Sometimes those leaders seem to be the only ones who know the tune or the words. By contrast the feeling of being in a mass of people who are singing out familiar hymns as one body is incomparable. Such moments in worship lift our hearts and fill us with happiness, and sometimes we are even bold enough to sing in parts. Often the lyrics to those old songs carry a carefully crafted message that reflects the basic teachings of scripture, and we massage our faith as we sing. Certainly there is a need for new songs in the church, and often the new tunes also spark our joy. But thank God for familiarity–it’s what keeps us coming back.

Thought for the Day: My favorite “old” hymn!

“I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.” vs. 2

According to Wikipedia a theory of everything is a hypothetical, singular, all- encompassing, coherent theoretical framework of physics that fully explains and links together all aspects of the universe. To this point no one has been able to construct such a framework–it is one of the unsolved problems of physics. Some theories have been proposed, but none have provided a satisfactory solution. The psalmist does however have an answer, and it’s probably as good as any, and likely better than most. He declares that the steadfast love of God is the foundation of the universe, and all that exists is knit together by that one guiding principle. While that idea may not satisfy the criteria demanded by physicists, growing numbers of people of all religious backgrounds are coming to affirm the truth of his observation. It suggests that from the beginning, through billions of years, every step of creation has been guided by love. And when we pause in our meditation and take time to consider the intricacies and interconnectedness of our universe, it’s hard to escape that conclusion. There seems to be no doubt about it, the universe, the world, is inexplicably good, as good as good can be–and it’s all the product of love. We don’t often think of love in such universal terms, but there’s no denying its impact in our daily lives. Even on a micro level love can shape and mold lives, and it all has its origin in God!

Thought for the Day: How has love changed me?

Jeremiah 28:7-9

“As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.” vs. 9

Jeremiah was suspicious of the prophet Hananiah. It might well be true that Hananiah’s placating message was from the Lord–if so they’d soon find out. But in Jeremiah’s experience the true prophets always called for repentance and change, and if our scriptures can be trusted, he was right! The problem is that we don’t really like being told that we need to change–we like it best when we’re told we can keep on doing exactly what we’ve always done. Some have even come to believe that this is the message of Jesus and that when he tells us that he loves us as we are, we don’t really have to change! Of course, as any member of AA could tell us, that notion is poppycock! We know this too from our own experience. Some of the people we love the most need big-time repentance in their lives, and a prophet like Jeremiah will do them far more good than another Hananiah. The same is true for those who are concerned about the environment. We don’t need folks who tell us that our old habits are just fine and that it’s okay to keep on doing the same as we have always done. Granted, true prophets can be obnoxious–and change is never easy. But even if we aren’t prophets ourselves, it’s always wise to listen to those who are!

Thought for the Day: What changes do I feel called to make?

Jeremiah 28:5-6

“and the prophet Jeremiah said, ‘Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord fulfill the words that you have prophesied, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles.’” vs. 6

Jeremiah wasn’t the only prophet in Jerusalem in those years before its destruction. Hananiah also had a vision for the future and his optimistic words were like candy to the ears of the people. Jeremiah then tells them he hopes that Hananiah is right–he too would like to see the treasures of the temple restored–but that wasn’t the word that he had gotten from the Lord. The people were put in a tough spot–who should they believe? We’ve been put in that kind of a situation by the prophets of our day with regard to the environment. Some say there is nothing to fear, that all the alarming trends should not be a concern. We don’t need to find alternative sources of energy to meet our growing needs. Others maintain that unless we make the move away from fossil fuels there will be disastrous consequences. We all would like it if the optimists were right and that we don’t need to change our ways. But deep in our hearts we wonder about the predictions. We may not know for sure now, but our great grandchildren will know without a doubt who the false prophets were. It would be horrible if we could have done something and didn’t!

Thought for the Day: How did I decide who to believe about climate change?

Matthew 10:29-34

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted.” vss. 29-30

Outside of God there is nothing. Inside of God there is everything. Jesus teaches a view of God that challenges our minds and gives peace to our souls. Even the hairs of our heads are all counted, no one of us is beyond God’s love and all that we do and are has value. Could any teaching be more inclusive or more comforting? We are so blessed! When we can actually begin to believe this incredibly good news fear falls away and hope fills our hearts. Freed to be we are equipped with all we need to bring love into the hurting lives of every person we encounter. Our life mission however it plays out through the years asks nothing more of us than simple kindness and genuine humility. Each day we are led by the Spirit into the presence of the harassed and helpless, people yearning for a taste of mercy and a moment of affirmation. We aren’t asked to convert or coerce, all we are called to be is the incarnation of divine love, something that is as natural to humans as eating or breathing. While such loving may seem beyond our capabilities, it’s as easy as letting go and letting the God in us connect with the God in the other.

Thought for the Day: What does it mean to let go and let God?

Matthew 10:29-34

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted.” vss. 29-30

Outside of God there is nothing. Inside of God there is everything. Jesus teaches a view of God that challenges our minds and gives peace to our souls. Even the hairs of our heads are all counted, no one of us is beyond God’s love and all that we do and are has value. Could any teaching be more inclusive or more comforting? We are so blessed! When we can actually begin to believe this incredibly good news fear falls away and hope fills our hearts. Freed to be we are equipped with all we need to bring love into the hurting lives of every person we encounter. Our life mission however it plays out through the years asks nothing more of us than simple kindness and genuine humility. Each day we are led by the Spirit into the presence of the harassed and helpless, people yearning for a taste of mercy and a moment of affirmation. We aren’t asked to convert or coerce, all we are called to be is the incarnation of divine love, something that is as natural to humans as eating or breathing. While such loving may seem beyond our capabilities, it’s as easy as letting go and letting the God in us connect with the God in the other.

Thought for the Day: What does it mean to let go and let God?

Matthew 10:24-28

“What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.” vs. 27

When Jesus sent his disciples on their mission to bring healing and good news to the helpless and the harassed he knew that there would be difficulties for them. They could expect rejection and even persecution–not everyone would be excited to receive them. It would be easy for them to become timid and adopt risk-averse tactics. So he told them plainly that he expected them to be bold in their actions and especially in their proclamation. Boldness is still a valued attribute for those who are called to go with the gospel, and it’s still difficult for most. We would much rather go undercover as Christians and keep our faith a secret from those we encounter on the way. We’re afraid that if we are bold in our speech people might be offended and we could possibly lose friends. We don’t want to be one of those “pushy” types who try to impose their beliefs on others. Now it is true that we live in a time dominated by brash and blustery trash-talkers, and we rightly refrain from that kind of demagoguery. But we have a message that is healing balm to those who are hurting, and silence is not a strategy for mission. Somehow we need to find the courage of those early disciples and boldly risk rejection for the sake of the gospel.

Thought for the Day: When is timidity an issue for me?