Psalm 97:1-2

“The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.” vss. 1-2

A long time ago, as our faith ancestors began to articulate their image of God they were adamant in claiming that the Lord was greater than all the gods of the nations. They believed that it was foolish for people to worship idols made of clay or wood. Their God was king of all the earth, greater than the rulers of the nations, and God’s throne was founded on the principles of righteousness and justice, the core values of their developing religion. While we continue to understand God as the source of all Being and the creator of the universe, using “king” language to describe God has lost some of its impact. Kings just don’t have the same significance in our world, and they certainly don’t have much power! We’ve had to find other terms to describe God, ones that are consistent with our experience. Still the psalmist got one big thing right. Clouds and thick darkness are all around God! And because that’s the way it is, we will be forever stymied in trying to know God! Oh, we try hard enough! But God remains hidden–but not absent! And righteousness and justice are still at the heart of the God mystery–and believers embrace those values. They have become the guiding principles of our lives.

Thought for the Day: What’s my favorite word for God?

Acts 16:25-34

“At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay.” vs. 33

There are some who wish that the Church could return to its first century roots as described by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. They would love to see men and women following the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they establish congregations and proclaim the good news of Jesus. And in some places that’s exactly what is happening. With little regard for tradition or theology evangelists are baptizing and teaching, and new congregations are being established. The energy is palpable in these communities of faith and thousands of believers are being added to the Church. For others this pentacostal model is disconcerting and troubling. They’ve become accustomed to denominations where there are strict protocols and traditions. The Holy Spirit is spoken of, but there’s confusion about what the Spirit does. Paul’s baptism of the jailer’s family has become a prooftext for the validity of infant baptism–but it’s not seen as a model for outreach in our congregations. We might even be critical and wonder if the names of these family members were properly recorded in the parish records! Obviously there is a need for structure in the church, and traditions can be wonderful. But because the Holy Spirit is at work in all our congregations there has to be room for spontaneity and spiritual energy–and maybe even some “surprise” baptisms!

Thought for the Day: How can structure inhibit mission?

Acts 16:16-24

“She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out that very hour.” vs. 18

In the Roman world slavery was a way of life. Paul likely encountered the practice everywhere he went–in fact, as he preached and his words were taken to heart, slaves listened too and some became a part of those early congregations. It does not seem to have occurred to Paul that the whole institution should be challenged–it was just the way things were. But Paul was also aware of another kind of slavery, one of the spirit, and when confronted by the slave girl in Philippi, moved to free her from her spirit of divination. Ironically, the girl had irritated Paul by calling him a slave of the Most High God, one who proclaimed a new way of salvation. Paul may not have seen it at the time, but she was right. Paul had been taken captive by the Spirit of Christ on the road to Damascus, and had been daily following the instructions of that Spirit in his mission activities. That’s one of the great paradoxes of life in Christ. On the one hand we have been set free from the burdens of sin and death and given the gifts of peace, and joy. But we have also become slaves of the Spirit, compelled by our call to serve and love in the name of Jesus–and what a blessing that slavery is!

Thought for the Day: In what ways am I a slave?

John 14:25-27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” vs. 27

World peace has proven to be elusive. There’s a dismal rhythm in human history–devastating wars are fought, peace conferences are held, participants are hopeful, some years pass…and then we’re ready to fight again! Tens of millions of casualties in one generation are forgotten by the next–it seems we’ll never fight the “war to end all wars.” Even in our “enlightened” times there are legions who are hungry for blood to be shed. It really is a disheartening story! Those who live in Christ however, have discovered that there is another kind of peace, one that persists even in the midst of wars and the rumors of wars. Jesus talked about that peace in the context of his departure–it’s his promise to his disciples that they’ll never be alone, even when he has gone away. Billions of his disciples have found comfort in that promise through every kind of conflict and disaster. In the presence of pain, suffering, and misfortune, even when beset by diseases of the mind and body, believers have found serenity that defies logic and human understanding. It’s a peace that comes with surrender, not  of armies but of our anxieties and worries. In that moment a weight is lifted and the delicious peace of God fills our souls and calms our spirits.

Thought for the Day: How do I surrender my anxieties?

John 14:23-24

“Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’” vs. 23

It’s obvious from the gospel of John that loving Jesus is synonymous with loving others in the same way that he poured out his sacrificial love on us. Most of us have discovered however that his commandment is easier said than done. We tend to have the darndest time conjuring up the will to love the jerks we encounter in daily living. So how can that actually happen? The key is found in the love of God for us. We simply don’t have the reserves built up in our hearts to sustain self-giving love. But as we surrender to the love of God, as we humbly relax into it, and allow ourselves to be loved, our hearts are filled and we are transformed. It’s almost magical as it occurs and certainly miraculous. Again the process is not easy. Some are so filled with shame and self-loathing that they think themselves unworthy of love. Others have giant egos and believe themselves capable of doing everything. They even think that they can love without humbling themselves! And what a joke that is! But when we trust that the Universe is crafted and sustained by love, and know that we are loved deeply and completely just as we are, love can percolate up from the depths of our hearts and actually be seen and experienced by others. And it happens every day!

Thought for the Day: How’s my loving going?

Revelation 22:1-5

“On either side of the river (of life) is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” vs. 2

As he describes the river of life that flows through the holy city of his vision John puts his finger on a truth that many will find compelling. Along its banks grows the tree of life, which not only bears fruit, but whose leaves are for the healing of the nations. John realizes that the woes of this world not only stem from the sins of individuals but that the nations themselves bear a direct responsibility. We can easily see how this corporate sin has played out through the centuries. Nations rise against nations and inflict horrendous harm and damage with endless wars and senseless attacks. Infected by the disease of nationalism millions of individuals become fervent supporters of genecide and annihilation. We demonize other peoples and races and rejoice when they are slaughtered. Most people would never commit such atrocities on their own–but when fueled by the fire of political propaganda humans become savages. We gladly approve the expenditure of billions on bombs and missiles while resisting the spending of millions for humanitarian assistance. Oh how wonderful life will be when the nations receive the healing power of the tree of life, and international relationships are marked by expressions of kindness and love!

Thought for the Day: What healing does our nation need?

Revelation 21:10, 21-27

“But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” vs. 27

As the book of Revelation draws to a close its writer describes the holy city of Jerusalem as the center of God’s new creation. The vision brings to mind the great castles of Fantasyland, a place where there is no night, death will be no more, and everything is suffused with light. It’s an exclusive city, a place only for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. It’s verses like this that leap out at us from scripture and that sow doubt in our minds about salvation. And as a result too many people wonder whether their names are written in the book! There are even popular songs about a “roll that will be called up yonder.” It’s really sad that we have to wonder about such things because of verses like this. We don’t even know precisely what the writer has in mind with his visions and symbols. This exclusionary city doesn’t fit at all with the beautiful picture of new life that we see in Jesus’ teachings, a gospel message of forgiveness and the steadfast love of God. Now some may not mind wondering if their name is in the book, but most sinners much prefer knowing that there is absolutely nothing in all creation, not even death, that can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Thought for the Day: Why do some like to believe that there is a final list?

Psalm 148

“Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! Young men and women alike, old and young together!” vss. 7-8, 10, 12 

The psalmist understood that all things have their origin in the Great Mystery, Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe, and that humans are a part of the web of existence. He also knew how spectacular it is to be alive in such a setting and believed that daily praise is the most natural response for all that exists. There’s plenty of room for such exuberance even in these days of climate change and global warming anxiety. No matter how much we abuse our environment we can’t even come close to destroying the essence of its beauty and its remarkable ability to survive everything we throw at it. We who are blessed to inhabit this earth are duty bound to thank God with every breath we take for the incredible privilege that is ours. The birds have it figured out pretty well. Every morning, with the break of dawn, they sing their little hearts out for no other reason than to praise God for the wonder of another day. Their chorus is a reminder for the human sluggards, struggling to get out of bed, that life is good, that it’s very good, and deserves our daily psalms of praise and thanksgiving.

Thought for the Day: What’s special about mornings?

Acts 16:11-13

“When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.’ And she prevailed upon us.” vs. 13

When Paul and his companions arrived in Philippi after crossing the Aegean Sea there wasn’t an established synagogue but there were some Greek women who were God-fearers, i.e. they had been attracted to Jewish teachings but had not become converts. Paul found them by a river near the city on the sabbath and reached out to them with his Christ story. One of them, Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, received what he said with eagerness, and, together with her household, was baptized. Presumably a long period of instruction was not necessary at that time! She was so moved that she invited Paul and the men with him to come stay at her house–and they did it. Unfortunately, we don’t know more about Lydia, but we do know that the little congregation that grew up in Philippi likely was centered in her home. Paul was so proud of those people and even wrote a love letter to them while he was in prison. It’s likely no accident that this faith community, known for its generosity, was led by a well-established business woman. Lydia is honored in the church as the first European convert and her influence over the centuries has been enormous. What a blessing it is when women are not only seen as servants, but as leaders! 

Thought for the Day: How might a woman’s style of leadership be different?

Acts 16:9-12

“During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’” vs. 9

When Paul began his missionary journeys he didn’t have an outreach plan or an executive assistant. Guided by the Holy Spirit he flew by the seat of his pants, moving from one city to the next, totally dependent on the hospitality of strangers. Most often he would seek out the synagogues of the Jewish diaspora and proclaim the good news to those who knew the scriptures. Sometimes he was received with joy–often he met resistance. His model is a good one for us. Oh, we’re not called to wander about like college students on spring break, but we should expect that the Spirit of Christ will be with us each day offering spur of the moment mission opportunities along the way. When we can live with a spirit of expectancy we will not be surprised by what we encounter. Some days it leads to real adventure and we do or say things totally outside our comfort zone. Occasionally, as with Paul, the inspirations come to us in meditation or prayer–or even in our dreams. We might surprise folks or get strange looks, and some will be resistant to our words of kindness or acts of empathy, but always we will have the sense of full involvement in the mission of Christ. And ultimately, it really is fun when we get off the sidelines and into the game. It’s a great way to live!

Thought for the Day: What happens when I am spontaneous in my mission?