Psalm 130

“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!” vs. 1

We live in strange and bewildering times. On the one hand our country has been involved in an attack on Iran, the consequences of which are still to be seen. And yet, aside from an uptick in gasoline prices at the pump, it’s as though nothing has happened. We see videos and news reports of horrible things that have been occurring, yet life goes on. 

Oh, some are deeply upset and frustrated that their opposition to this war is ignored. But others are supportive of the attacks, and hope that they will change the political climate of the Middle East in a positive way. Iran has long been a thorn in the side of our country. But no matter what our position none of us are at a level where we can have much influence on anyone. The best we can do is protest and hope that someone is listening.

That’s what the psalmist was doing too. We’re not sure what was happening–it could have been a political crisis. (God knows that there have been plenty of those in Israel.) But he’s crying from the depths, a place that most of us are familiar with, and he’s hoping that someone is listening. More specifically, he’s hoping that the Lord is listening! One thing he knew for sure! The Lord is full of love, and his prayers would never be in vain!

Thought for the Day: How am I praying for my country?

Ezekiel 37:1-14

“Then he said to me, ‘Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.”’” vs. 11

From Israel’s perspective, hunkered down in captivity in Babylon, the future was pretty dismal, and Ezekiel doesn’t pull any punches. The nation had appeared to him in a vision as a valley of dry bones, a country that had completely lost its way. 

While we typically think of our relationship to God in individual terms, the Hebrew scriptures have a corporate understanding of our connection. What we do as a nation makes a difference! For some believers questions about our own country’s standing before God have been open for discussion in recent years. They have deep reservations about the future, and wonder openly whether we have lost our way. Our country has made clear that the hungry and the poor, the “least of these” according to the words of Jesus, are no longer welcome here. Those who have come here seeking asylum are being sent home.

Instead we have adopted a belligerent and aggressive attitude toward the world, flexing our muscles, and waging war against those we have labelled “bad” people. And because we are a powerful, well-armed nation there has been little resistance. And so we wonder. Have we, like Israel, lost our way? Are there dry bones in our future?

No matter what our political stance, it is something for us to pray about. These are turbulent times!

Thought for the Day: How can individuals have an impact on what our nation does?

John 9:28-38

“They answered him, ‘You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?’ And they drove him out.” vs. 34

It’s hard for educated and highly trained professionals to listen to the ramblings of the illiterate and unlearned. The religious leaders had zero respect for the insights of a beggar or his parents. And when the man claimed that Jesus had come from God they silenced him. He had no credentials!

The standards have not changed in the twenty-first century. We still live in a tiered and hierarchical world in which supposedly learned people regularly discount the ideas and the testimony of those with no standing. As a result even in our congregations some are reluctant to share their faith stories or testify to what has happened in their lives. They’re afraid they’ll get shot down, or even worse, laughed at. The man who had been born blind had no such fear. He knew what had happened to him and he was willing to share his good news with anyone who would listen.

That’s how it is with the good news that Jesus brings. It has nothing to do with book learning or education. Forgiveness, mercy, and love are part of a universal language, a part of the gospel that we can hear from any hurting person, no matter what their status! In the same way, each of us has a story too, and the more people that hear it, the better for us all.

Thought for the day:Why is it hard to share with the “learned?”

John 9:13-27

“He answered, ‘I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.’” vs. 25

The man who had been blind in John’s story didn’t have a satisfactory answer for anyone who questioned him. The whole community, from religious leaders to his own parents, wondered how he had recovered his sight, and all he could do was tell his simple story. When they pressed him further he gave his most impressive testimony. He didn’t have an answer, but he did know this: he once was blind but now he could see. 

That continues to be the best answer when people press us about the nature of our faith. We probably won’t have erudite answers and details often escape us. Many times our theology seems weak and our biblical knowledge feels completely inadequate. But we do have a testimony! It could be like the one offered by the man in the text: I once was blind but now I see. Or even better, I once was lost but now am found! We may not have any fancy or learned answers, but we do know that even in this troubled and dark world, all is well with our souls!

It feels good to have that simple and blessed assurance! It means we can relax and move on in our lives with peace and serenity in our hearts and hope for our tomorrows. Who could possibly wish for anything more?

Thought for the Day: What is my testimony?

Just inadvertantly posted March 26—ignore it until then!

John 9:1-12

“The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, ‘Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?’ Some were saying, ‘It is he.’ Others were saying, ‘No, but it is someone like him.’ He kept saying, ‘I am the man.’” vss.8-9

In John’s story the people had gotten used to the blind man sitting and begging in the street. They saw him every day, and they were comfortable with his presence. But when Jesus put mud on the beggar’s eyes and told him to go and wash their little predictable world was threatened. And when the man came back suddenly able to see, he almost became a threat. Some refused to believe it was the same guy. They got so upset they called in the religious authorities!

It can be disconcerting when God gets into our comfort zones and changes things around. If someone who has been a jerk and threat suddenly begins to act in loving and caring ways we are suspicious and our internal radar senses a scam of some sort. But if we hang around Jesus we are exposing ourselves to the transformative presence of the Holy Spirit, and if scripture is a guide, most anything can happen. 

So maybe it’s true that we “need to be careful about what we pray for.” The resulting changes might mean that further changes are going to be needed, and our whole worlds could soon be turned upside down. And the knowledge that “it’s all good,” does nothing to ease our discomfort.

Thought for the Day:Why is change uncomfortable?

Ephesians 5:12-14

“For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light.” vs. 12-14a

In recent months, as the files and papers related to the crimes of a wealthy and influential financier who made his fortune providing tax and estate services to billionaires, have been released to the public, dozens of his friends and acquaintances have resigned their positions. It seems that they knew what he was doing, but as long as his activities were covered by darkness, people continued to cultivate his friendship. We still don’t know how many more folks will be exposed.

It’s always a bit of a surprise to find out what people will do secretly and we wonder how respectable people could be involved. But once such deeds are exposed by the light everything changes. Their misdeeds can no longer stand public scrutiny, and many are forced into embarrassing repudiations of their former friend and even acknowledgment of their own involvement.

But as painful as such exposure might be, the truth is that there can be no healing or restoration until light has shone brightly. Only as the depths of sin are revealed is there any chance for forgiveness or reconciliation. That’s one of the reasons investigations continue in our world. Humanity can neither be cleansed or satisfied until all the brokenness has been confessed and made known.

Thought for the Day: How potent is guilt by association?

Ephesians 5:8-10

“For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light—for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.” vss. 8-10

As the called disciples of Jesus we have heard since the day of our baptisms that we are the light of the world, and that we are to let that light shine before others. As is written plainly in this letter to the Ephesians, we are to “live as children of light–for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.” So there really is no question about how we are to conduct our lives. But still a question lingers! Just what will a light-filled life look like? Because it’s not that self-evident!

Evidently Paul knew this too! So he tells the Ephesians to “try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.” He’s right! Even when our intentions are good it’s not always easy to know what to do. Sometimes we only get that figured out after an extended period of trial and error. So life actually ends up being filled with periods of experimentation. Even when we think we’re doing what is right, it might not be the best way to let our light shine. 

So life in Christ isn’t necessarily a slam-dunk! As the years go by there’s a lot about living in the light that we just need to figure out!

Thought for the Day: What in my life is pleasing to the Lord?

Psalm 23

“He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.” vss. 2-3

While some folks love being a leader, there is probably even greater delight in having a leader! The psalmist made no bones about it. The Lord was his shepherd and he didn’t have a care in the world. His leader took care of all his material and spiritual needs, from food and water to the restoration of his soul. That’s how it is for people of faith. Like sight-seers on a tour of a foreign country, we ride on our bus in confidence as our guide shows the way. We have few decisions to make. All we have to do is get up  in the morning, get on the bus, and go!

Admittedly, following the Lord is a bit more complicated, but if the level of our trust is high, it can be a wonderful, stressfree journey. And the best part of the trip is that we are led on the paths of righteousness. As followers of the Good Shepherd we are led to strive for peace and justice in our communities, and practice love and compassion among those who join us on the way. We will reach out to the “least of these” and offer consolation to those who mourn.

While it can be an aggravation to be a leader, the blessings of following Jesus are life-fulfilling!

Thought for the Day: What is the best thing about being a follower? 

1 Samuel 16:1-13

“Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’  And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.’” vs. 11

Even though David was a handsome enough fellow, with his ruddy skin and beautiful eyes, he had one additional attribute that had caught Samuel’s ear. He was a shepherd boy! Based on what we read in the Hebrew scriptures, being a shepherd was the primary requirement for being  a leader. It started with Moses in the wilderness with his father-in-law’s sheep and trying to mind his own business. Little did he know that sheep herding would give him all the skills he needed to keep the Israelites in line through the wilderness.

And Ezekiel the prophet used the image of a shepherd to describe the kings of Israel, and he likely thought that David was the greatest shepherd king of all. And of course Jesus, following the pattern, describes himself as the Good Shepherd, and said, “I know my own and my own know me.” From his parables we know him as the shepherd who never abandons a lost sheep, and who searches diligently until the lost has been found.

In our congregation it’s no accident that the word “pastor” derives from the Latin word for shepherd. Of all the things that a pastor does there is none more important than tenderly shepherding and caring for the people of a congregation. 

Thought for the Day: What distracts pastors from their primary role?