Colossians 1:15-20

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him.” vss. 15-16

Like the gospel writer, John, Paul believed that Christ was in the beginning, and through him all things were made. And more than that, any who wished to know the invisible God should look first of all to Jesus, Christ’s visible presence on earth. We can’t possibly know everything about God–that’s impossible–but we can know what we need to know, namely, that God has a passion for the broken, and compassion for the hurting, and an unconditional love for all people. Of course many of us would like to know more–we search for knowledge by studying ancient books and peering into the depths of the universe. And the more we learn, the more awesome our God becomes–all the libraries of our world could not contain the full knowledge of the One who brought all things into existence and who sustains them from day to day. And finally we come to realize that it is enough to know that God fills all and is in all–from birth to death and beyond we are ever in the hands of God. In fact, it is the very breath of God that gives us life!

Thought for the Day: Where did I learn about God?

Psalm 15

“O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;” vss. 1-3

As people of faith we have learned from our ancestors that there are certain standards for human behavior that must be upheld at every level if civilization is to survive. This psalmist laid those principles out in a way that cannot be misunderstood–his description of the holy life is as applicable in our time as it was in his. Admittedly, living a blameless life is a big ask, and there are few who would claim to actually walk in such a fashion. But most people don’t even seem to try. We label truths we don’t agree with as being “fake news,” and think nothing of spreading every kind of slander via our social media. Anyone who takes a principled stand will be pilloried with rumors, gossip and threats–and it’s taking place at every level. Instead of speaking the truth from the heart, folks are just making things up and the meaner the better. But just because everyone is doing it doesn’t mean that people of the Way should join the crowd of liars. We will double down on our call to apologize for neighbors, speak well of them, and put the most charitable construction on all that they do. Holiness will never go out of date!

Thought for the Day: Why is walking a blameless life so hard?

Genesis 18:5-10a

“They said to him, ‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ And he said, ‘There, in the tent.’ Then one said, ‘I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.’” vss. 9-10a

Sarah wasn’t consulted when Abraham invited the three strangers to have a bite to eat in the shadow of the oak trees. It was all on him, but when he decided to serve some cakes, it was all on her. He ordered three of her finest, and set her to work on it. And when the meal was served he stood nearby to receive their thanks and glory–sort of the natural thing for a man to do. But the visitors really hadn’t come to see him, they’d come with a message for Sarah. In her old and shriveled state she was going to have a son! This was the first of those key stories in scripture about children of promise, and always there some sort of obstacle. Hannah, Sarah, and Elizabeth were all too old, and Mary was too young. The people of God have loved these stories and held them close–in them there is a message of hope, and the assurance that the women of God have a key role in the transmission of the good news. And it’s not just that they became mothers! These women were people of faith, and against great cultural odds managed to be remembered. And it’s still happening! Not only are they having children, now they’re leading congregations. Truly it can be said, “You’ve come a long way, Baby!”

Thought for the Day: My favorite biblical woman.

Genesis 18:1-4

“He said, ‘My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. ⁴Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.’” vss. 3-4

The stories of Abram and Sarai were precious to our faith ancestors and they took care to preserve them in the writings that became our scriptures. The people in the stories seem real to us, and their God encounters resonate with our own experience. In this particular story, the visit of the three men to Abraham and Sarah’s tent by the oaks of Mamre, we see a classic story of Middle-Eastern desert hospitality. Of course others have seen more. The Russian monk, Andrei Rublev, in the early 15th century, based his classic icon, “The Old Testament Trinity” on these verses. For him the three angels were the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, gathered around a meal in perfect symmetry. For our part, what we do know is that our faith ancestors believed that God comes close in the course of our lives. These are holy moments, sometimes puzzling, but always times to be cherished and remembered. Often people are involved, the “angels unaware” mentioned in the book of Hebrews; at other times it might be a vision or a dream, or perhaps a song or moment of worship. But we would be foolish indeed if we imagined that in a world that is chock full of God to overflowing, there would not be multiple occasions when we might at least catch a glimpse. 

Thought for the Day: Why are God encounters so often connected to eating?

Luke 10:30-37

“Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” vss. 36-37

When we think about loving our neighbor, our first response is to question who our neighbor might be. We look for definitions that would limit our loving responsibilities to those we have an affinity for. Like the lawyer we look to Jesus for an answer. But Jesus really isn’t interested in that question. In response he told the parable of the Good Samaritan, one that has been familiar since our Sunday School days–but he doesn’t present the story as an answer to “Who is my neighbor?” He knows that the question is a diversion, one that can only lead to hair-splitting and speculation. The real issue is not who our neighbor is, but whether we act as neighbors to others, regardless of who they may be. And we do that by showing mercy to any who are in need! For the most part people get this. Humans are capable of great compassion and regularly reach out to help victims and show mercy. Amazingly it’s sometimes the religious who have a tough time in providing assistance. For one reason or another they “walk by on the other side,” and provide selective mercy to those in need. Some even “blame the victim” and argue that people “reap what they sow.” However, when Jesus said, “Go and do likewise,” that’s not what he had in mind!

Thought for the Day: What are the limits of my compassion?

Luke 10:25-29

“But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” vs. 29

The lawyer who came to Jesus had a pretty good understanding of what was required to inherit eternal life. He answered quickly, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” We would agree. These are the central commandments of the Law. But the lawyer had a follow-up question, and it’s a good one, one that is not so easily answered. “Who is my neighbor?” he asked, and that’s what we wonder too. We don’t always like our neighbors and it’s sometimes a stretch to love them. Like the lawyer we would like a clearer definition. Does it include refugees and rappers? Transvestites and red-necks? The homeless and alcoholics? The profane and unbelievers? There are a lot of people who we would welcome as our neighbors, but if some folks moved next door, we’d put up a “For Sale” sign. And so we ask the question, “Who is our neighbor?,” hoping that Jesus will offer us a loophole or two. Otherwise, this loving thing is just too hard–probably the hardest thing anyone has ever asked us to do. And if we can’t do it, do we miss out on eternal life? Those are hard questions–but that’s how life in Christ is–hard questions abound. And sometimes we don’t like the answers!

Thought for the Day: Who is our neighbor?

Colossians 1:9-14

“so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” vs. 10

The Colossians had made a good start. They had heard the gospel of grace and had responded in faith and their little community was growing quickly. But as every generation of Christians has discovered, what had happened was only a beginning. Paul reminds them that the best was still to come. He was now praying that as they grew in the knowledge of God’s will they would lead lives worthy of the Lord by bearing fruit in every good work. It’s a beautiful thing when faith communities mature in such a fashion. Love abounds as people look for ever more ways to reach out to the hungry and the hurting all around the world. To be a part of such a group is to get a sample of what life in the peaceable kingdom is like. It’s not theoretical or something to be experienced after death–it happens wherever people come together and live the way they’re supposed to live. Some may doubt that such communities even exist amidst the ugliness and spiritual poverty of contemporary culture. We see so many people living for themselves that it’s a surprise when we encounter those who cheerfully and heartily live for others. But it does happen! Sometimes right under our noses! The Kingdom of God is at hand and is among us!

Thought for the Day: What is a life worthy of the Lord?

Colossians 1:1-7

“Just as (the gospel) is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God.” vs. 6

Things were happening in that little congregation in Colossae. The gospel was bearing fruit and growing and Paul was rejoicing. Life was good! We love to hear those kinds of reports in our congregations–they build enthusiasm and hope. But too often in these latter days we’ve not been hearing about wonderful things taking place. More often we hear of church closings, declining attendance at worship, and splintering congregations. And some are asking what’s wrong. What was the big secret at Colossae? Why can’t our faith communities be experiencing fruitful growth? It doesn’t appear that they had advanced technologies or vibrant youth programs, they seem to have relied on the proclamation of God’s grace. To communities experiencing oppression and poverty, the teaching and preaching of grace was a breath of fresh air. They began to take care of the poor, reach out to the sick, and build loving communities with Christ at the center. And the Spirit took care of the growth! Can that still happen? Of course. Our communities are filled with shell-shocked, spiritually hungry people yearning for hope and a word of mercy. They want to love and be loved–they are looking for exactly what the good news of Christ offers. And many, many, communities, even now, are bearing fruit and growing! Praise God!

Thought for the Day: How do congregations get off track?

Psalm 25:1-10

“O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.” vs. 2

Guilt and shame have haunted human existence from the beginning, a pair of companions on life’s journey that we would love to be free of. They’re universal feelings–everyone has experienced them, and of the two, shame is the most disheartening. We can negotiate with guilt. It comes as a result of something that we’ve said or done, and when that happens, there’s generally a way to get forgiveness. Most religions have a ritual particularly designed to help us make amends and find peace. But shame is different. Guilt affects the conscience, but shame attacks our souls. It hits at the very fiber of our being. Shame is often unrelated to what we’ve said or done, but it always has to do with who we are. If guilt means “I did a bad thing,” shame says “I am bad!” There are any number of reasons for us to feel shame. Coming from the outside they gang up on us and pommel us into the ground. Like worms we want to crawl in dark holes and never come out. Some first get the message in early childhood, and the words “Shame on you,” reverberate in their unconscious for decades. And since we don’t like to talk about our shame there really isn’t a place for it to go. The psalmist feared shame and found consolation in his conviction that God’s steadfast love could erase it. That’s still our best solution!

Thought for the Day: When do I feel shame?

Deuteronomy 30:11-14

“Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away…No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.” vss. 11, 14

What is this word that the scribe is describing in these ancient texts, a word not found in a book, or across the sea? It is the very Word that the gospel writer John uses in his prologue, the Word present in creation and made flesh in Jesus. The scribe says that the word is a commandment, but what he has in mind is Love. “You shall love the Lord your God…you shall love your neighbor.” It’s this word that has been planted in the DNA of humans from the beginning and it’s this word that tugs at our hearts daily, drawing us into relationships with God and the people around us. No one should be confused about God’s intentions for humanity or wonder which of a myriad of laws we need to obey. As the song says, all we need is love. And lest we be confused about the nature of this love, it’s not the self-serving romcom variety that we’re served up in movies and social media. This love was enfleshed in the person of Jesus and is self-giving and sacrificial to the core. Often sought, seldom experienced, it abides within us, and is spurred into action by the prodding of the Spirit. And when it appears the angels weep with joy!

Thought for the Day: When do I notice this love in myself?