The discussion topic for this conference is how do we evaluate or observe the religious life of young adults. Our presenter is a sociologist, who has done a study of over 3.300 youth/young adults. In her research, she has heard all sorts of answers to questions like, "Would say you are religious?" or "How have you lived out your religious thoughts?"
It is interesting to listen to my colleagues. Our questions reveal what it is that we consider to be "essential" for one who self-identifies as "Christian." Perhaps, as the final weigh-in of the day, the person leading our closing devotion presented materials form a Book of Prayer on Mohandas Gandhi. The responsive reading spoke of one measure of what is sometimes spoken of as essential traits.
"We know, Lord, that the world will never cease to return hatred for love and violence for peace. Still we pray for the courage and confidence to walk in love and peace for the sake of those who have never known love or peace, for the sake of our own treacherous hearts."
I realize that for me at least one of the essential marks of a Christian has to be a willingness to absorb as much of the hatred and violence banging around in the world as I possibly can. That following Jesus means speaking that word or doing that action which reduces the verbal and physical abuse of others. We must learn to replace competition with compassion. We need to return to the central message of Jesus which is that God loves us and calls upon us to love others.
How a sociologist might measure that is beyond me. How one does this requires a lot of courage. But I fear that unless we do this we fall short of the hope God has for us
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Devotion - Monday, January 30
I am attending a conference of my campus ministry colleagues from across Region 9. We have as our guest a Clemson professor who studies religious attitudes and practices of youth. We came here prepared to discuss and learn how it is that faith and religious practices develop.
As we were gathering, our colleague from University of Florida returned to yesterday morning's Gospel text. In Mark 1.21ff, we read of Jesus' teaching in the Temple. It was said of him, "They were astounded at this teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
This "authority" was unique to Jesus. But we can emulate this kind of authority. Many teach what they have learned; Jesus taught what he knew. Too often we tell others what we know about Jesus; the thing we need to share is what we know of Jesus.
As presented last night, the world is in need of persons who are capable (and willing) to share a vision, a hope, a promise. Unlike pieces of information, a vision, a hope, a promise reflect not merely what we know about Jesus but the way in which we are known by Jesus.
Remember those who shared with you their faith. Recall how formative such sharing was to you, perhaps at a critical time in your life. Then, begin to muster the energy and the courage to share similar glimpses with those whom you encounter. Speak to them not merely about Jesus, but of Jesus.
As we were gathering, our colleague from University of Florida returned to yesterday morning's Gospel text. In Mark 1.21ff, we read of Jesus' teaching in the Temple. It was said of him, "They were astounded at this teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
This "authority" was unique to Jesus. But we can emulate this kind of authority. Many teach what they have learned; Jesus taught what he knew. Too often we tell others what we know about Jesus; the thing we need to share is what we know of Jesus.
As presented last night, the world is in need of persons who are capable (and willing) to share a vision, a hope, a promise. Unlike pieces of information, a vision, a hope, a promise reflect not merely what we know about Jesus but the way in which we are known by Jesus.
Remember those who shared with you their faith. Recall how formative such sharing was to you, perhaps at a critical time in your life. Then, begin to muster the energy and the courage to share similar glimpses with those whom you encounter. Speak to them not merely about Jesus, but of Jesus.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Devotion - Thursday, January 26
I thought Josh did an excellent job with last night's LCM Program. He shared with us his understanding of the content of Rob Bell's book, Love Wins, It was the kind of program that gets us thinking; perhaps asking more questions than are answered.
In case you aren't familiar with the book (or were not with us last night,) the questions raised by the book have to do with heaven and hell. What are these places/things/concepts and who are the residents of each?
Some of the opinions shared last night were insightful; some were pretty far fetched. All illustrated an important evolution in the life-cycle of a person of faith.
Until faith becomes our own, it lacks the primacy in our lives which it must have if it is going to brace us against the harsh events likely to confront us in the years to come. Until we unpack each theological teaching, examine it, and then re-assemble our own mosaic, doubt will dominate where certainty is desired.
I said last night that faith is a journey. It is a relationship with God that guides us through life and instructs us in our thinking. When faith is reduced to a set of theorems or affirmations it looses it ability to become our own. Dogma and Doctrine are important and essential to the life of the Church and the life of individual Christians. Dogma and Doctrine should not (however) be confused with faith. These things are different.
This is a shout-out to Josh - good job last night. It is more importantly an encouragement for all of us to spend the time contemplating our faith and our beliefs and coming to a clear understanding of what it is that we believe. Much of what we finally affirm will look very similar to what we have been taught - but the process makes it ours, not merely something picked up from someone else.
In case you aren't familiar with the book (or were not with us last night,) the questions raised by the book have to do with heaven and hell. What are these places/things/concepts and who are the residents of each?
Some of the opinions shared last night were insightful; some were pretty far fetched. All illustrated an important evolution in the life-cycle of a person of faith.
Until faith becomes our own, it lacks the primacy in our lives which it must have if it is going to brace us against the harsh events likely to confront us in the years to come. Until we unpack each theological teaching, examine it, and then re-assemble our own mosaic, doubt will dominate where certainty is desired.
I said last night that faith is a journey. It is a relationship with God that guides us through life and instructs us in our thinking. When faith is reduced to a set of theorems or affirmations it looses it ability to become our own. Dogma and Doctrine are important and essential to the life of the Church and the life of individual Christians. Dogma and Doctrine should not (however) be confused with faith. These things are different.
This is a shout-out to Josh - good job last night. It is more importantly an encouragement for all of us to spend the time contemplating our faith and our beliefs and coming to a clear understanding of what it is that we believe. Much of what we finally affirm will look very similar to what we have been taught - but the process makes it ours, not merely something picked up from someone else.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Devotion - Wednesday, January 25
A recent visit with a member of the congregation resulted in my carrying away a book on Abraham. This one was written by a local author, a woman in Greenville. Like other books on the same topic, she analyzes the relationship between the "Abrahamic Faiths."
Jewish, Christian, and Islamic communities trace their origins to Abraham. Jewish identity begins with Abraham. Christians emerge from following Jesus, a descendant of Abraham. In the book of Romans, Paul goes to great lenghts to show how Jesus more adequately understood God's promise to Abraham, and thus why one should follow Christian teachers.
The split which gives rise to Islam is rooted in the events of Genesis 16. Here, after Sarai is unable to conceive, she asks her servant girl (Hagar) to lie with Abraham and bear a child for her. When conception occurs, jealously develops between the two. Hagar flees. God comes to Hagar and promises protection for her child; promises that the child will have many decedents. There is also a reference to his "hand against every man and every man's hand against him."
Family fights are the worse fights. Because we know each other well we are able to hurt one another in ways a stranger never could. Most family fights arise out of jealousy. We think there isn't enough love to go around, or we fear one is being preferred over another.
Again, the ability of the ancient stories of scripture to describe what is happening in our lives and in our world is amazing. Again, from scripture we can glean the assurances that we need to be locked in such trivial disputes. God comes to offer words of assurance and to comfort us with Promise.
Jewish, Christian, and Islamic communities trace their origins to Abraham. Jewish identity begins with Abraham. Christians emerge from following Jesus, a descendant of Abraham. In the book of Romans, Paul goes to great lenghts to show how Jesus more adequately understood God's promise to Abraham, and thus why one should follow Christian teachers.
The split which gives rise to Islam is rooted in the events of Genesis 16. Here, after Sarai is unable to conceive, she asks her servant girl (Hagar) to lie with Abraham and bear a child for her. When conception occurs, jealously develops between the two. Hagar flees. God comes to Hagar and promises protection for her child; promises that the child will have many decedents. There is also a reference to his "hand against every man and every man's hand against him."
Family fights are the worse fights. Because we know each other well we are able to hurt one another in ways a stranger never could. Most family fights arise out of jealousy. We think there isn't enough love to go around, or we fear one is being preferred over another.
Again, the ability of the ancient stories of scripture to describe what is happening in our lives and in our world is amazing. Again, from scripture we can glean the assurances that we need to be locked in such trivial disputes. God comes to offer words of assurance and to comfort us with Promise.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Devotion - Tuesday, January 24
In a conversation yesterday afternoon, I discussed the on-going task of applying scripture's instructions to our own lives. The discussion arose out of a question as to whether the Church was becoming less and less convinced of what it is that God expects of us.
At least part of the deliberation is to consider what are God's instructions, and what are the instructions added by those who seek to teach us God's laws.
Phylis Tribble says that Eve is the first Rabbi. "The job of a Rabbi is to build a fence around the Torah." Such fences are built as an outer, protective layer to God's Law. When asked about God's instructions regarding the fruit on the tree in the Garden of Eden, Eve reports that God said, "You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree, nor shall you touch it." There had been no mention of "touching" the fruit. But Rabbi Eve builds a fence. She knows that if she does not touch the fruit she certainly cannot eat the fruit.
In Eve's words we find God's instructions. We also find the additions of a wise teacher of the Law; additions which improve the chances that God's instructions will be followed.
Today's Gospel reading is the story in John 5 of Jesus healing the lame man on the Sabbath. For this, Jesus is condemned by the religious leaders. They have reason to contemn him - Jesus does violate the teachings. Jesus seems to imply that these teachings are in the category of those added (with the best of intentions, but still added) to the central instruction of God.
This is not a blanket endorsement of "anything goes," or "everyone decides for themselves." But it does allow us to come together, as God's people, and re-examine the living out of God's instructions. We need to be careful about speaking for God; we must be intentional in speaking God's Word. When we were children, someone told us what to do and how to do it. As we become adults, we must make some of those decisions for ourselves.
At least part of the deliberation is to consider what are God's instructions, and what are the instructions added by those who seek to teach us God's laws.
Phylis Tribble says that Eve is the first Rabbi. "The job of a Rabbi is to build a fence around the Torah." Such fences are built as an outer, protective layer to God's Law. When asked about God's instructions regarding the fruit on the tree in the Garden of Eden, Eve reports that God said, "You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree, nor shall you touch it." There had been no mention of "touching" the fruit. But Rabbi Eve builds a fence. She knows that if she does not touch the fruit she certainly cannot eat the fruit.
In Eve's words we find God's instructions. We also find the additions of a wise teacher of the Law; additions which improve the chances that God's instructions will be followed.
Today's Gospel reading is the story in John 5 of Jesus healing the lame man on the Sabbath. For this, Jesus is condemned by the religious leaders. They have reason to contemn him - Jesus does violate the teachings. Jesus seems to imply that these teachings are in the category of those added (with the best of intentions, but still added) to the central instruction of God.
This is not a blanket endorsement of "anything goes," or "everyone decides for themselves." But it does allow us to come together, as God's people, and re-examine the living out of God's instructions. We need to be careful about speaking for God; we must be intentional in speaking God's Word. When we were children, someone told us what to do and how to do it. As we become adults, we must make some of those decisions for ourselves.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Devotion - Monday, January 23
In Hebrews 8, the writer speaks of the covenant. The intent is to show the new covenant as a promise contained in the old covenant.
The first covenant is established with Abraham. (Jewish teachers encourage us to refer to it as the "Prime Covenant," a reminder that this covenant has not become outdated, as the word "Old" would suggest. Rather, it is the prime covenant upon which another is built.)
The second covenant comes to us through Jesus.
I speaking of this covenant, God says, "I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." In this covenant, we are released from our worry and our anxiety; we are set free to love and serve God.
If this is the promise God has made with us, what is our promise to God? Think of the opportunity you have to establish a new covenant, a covenant between you and God. This may be your first or prime. It might be a second, or perhaps a third or even an eleventh. Regardless, what might be the earmarks of a new covenant between you and God?
Martin Luther taught that as he washed his face each morning, he remembered his baptismal covenant and began the new day with a new relationship with God. Begin this day, with a new covenant in place between you and the God who sets you free from fear and anxiety.
The first covenant is established with Abraham. (Jewish teachers encourage us to refer to it as the "Prime Covenant," a reminder that this covenant has not become outdated, as the word "Old" would suggest. Rather, it is the prime covenant upon which another is built.)
The second covenant comes to us through Jesus.
I speaking of this covenant, God says, "I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." In this covenant, we are released from our worry and our anxiety; we are set free to love and serve God.
If this is the promise God has made with us, what is our promise to God? Think of the opportunity you have to establish a new covenant, a covenant between you and God. This may be your first or prime. It might be a second, or perhaps a third or even an eleventh. Regardless, what might be the earmarks of a new covenant between you and God?
Martin Luther taught that as he washed his face each morning, he remembered his baptismal covenant and began the new day with a new relationship with God. Begin this day, with a new covenant in place between you and the God who sets you free from fear and anxiety.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Devotion - Wednesday, January 18
John 3:16 speaks of God's love for the world. It is a love which saves us; a love which brings to us eternal life.
"Love" is easily spoken of, but difficult to fully comprehend. We say we would offer our life for another, but when the ship is sinking, we seek our own safety and ignore duty or obligation or affection for others. This is an aspect of how we are made. It is the drive toward self-preservation.
St. Augustine (remember that Luther was a monk in the Order established by St. Augustine) spoke of the difficulty of "loving" because our first impulse to love is love of self. "What is the actual history of man's (sic) love? Simply that he loves himself - passionately, toughly, fiercely, relentlessly." This love, as quick as it is to develop within us, is our downfall. It is a love turned in on itself.
"Unless and until the love with which I love finds its proper object in the love with which I am loved by God I am a prisoner of love too small for love's heavenly nature and scope." (Joseph Sittler)
Perhaps this is where Martin Luther King, Jr. got his strength to love (subject of Monday's devotion.) Perhaps it arose from an ability to step outside the circle of self-love and find that proper object.
It is a difficult thing, to love. Perhaps only God can love the world so deeply as to give one's only Son. God has that love and acts on that love in order that we might not perish but have eternal life.
How will we approximate that love? In our lives?
"Love" is easily spoken of, but difficult to fully comprehend. We say we would offer our life for another, but when the ship is sinking, we seek our own safety and ignore duty or obligation or affection for others. This is an aspect of how we are made. It is the drive toward self-preservation.
St. Augustine (remember that Luther was a monk in the Order established by St. Augustine) spoke of the difficulty of "loving" because our first impulse to love is love of self. "What is the actual history of man's (sic) love? Simply that he loves himself - passionately, toughly, fiercely, relentlessly." This love, as quick as it is to develop within us, is our downfall. It is a love turned in on itself.
"Unless and until the love with which I love finds its proper object in the love with which I am loved by God I am a prisoner of love too small for love's heavenly nature and scope." (Joseph Sittler)
Perhaps this is where Martin Luther King, Jr. got his strength to love (subject of Monday's devotion.) Perhaps it arose from an ability to step outside the circle of self-love and find that proper object.
It is a difficult thing, to love. Perhaps only God can love the world so deeply as to give one's only Son. God has that love and acts on that love in order that we might not perish but have eternal life.
How will we approximate that love? In our lives?
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Devotion - Tuesday, January 17
When we think of something being "lifted up," we tend to associate this with an elevation in status or recognition. I am planning a February trip to the seminary in Philadelphia. The grant which makes that possible includes language of "lifting up leaders for the Church of the future." The Gatorade bath has replaced the practice I remember from my college age of lifting the winning coach on the shoulders of the offensive linemen.
There is even a popular Christian Praise song which speaks says, "I will lift your name on high."
In John 2 there is a reference to "lifting up." The reference includes both a look backward and a look forward. Jesus reminds his listeners that in the wilderness, Moses lifted up the serpent and so also will the Son of man be lifted up.
The serpents had come among the Israelites. Many were being bitten and dying. Moses molds a serpent and hangs it on a wooden pole. The people who are bitten look at that which had been lifted up and they are saved.
You know the story of Jesus' being hoisted onto a tree, outside of Jerusalem, at a place called "The Skull."
The very act associated with being honored (being lifted up) is the act which robs Jesus of his lift. In a wonderful twist, that which robs him of life becomes the gateway to salvation. His being robbed of life is our way to live eternally.
It is too simple to say "God's ways are not our ways," but that is certainly true here. More profoundly true is the lesson that what the world intends is thwarted by what God desires. We may need to look deeply and intently at what is happening in order to see past the simple spin placed upon events. Such attempts at spin are most often attempts to rob the event of God's intentions and make it fit our own.
"The Son of man is lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."
There is even a popular Christian Praise song which speaks says, "I will lift your name on high."
In John 2 there is a reference to "lifting up." The reference includes both a look backward and a look forward. Jesus reminds his listeners that in the wilderness, Moses lifted up the serpent and so also will the Son of man be lifted up.
The serpents had come among the Israelites. Many were being bitten and dying. Moses molds a serpent and hangs it on a wooden pole. The people who are bitten look at that which had been lifted up and they are saved.
You know the story of Jesus' being hoisted onto a tree, outside of Jerusalem, at a place called "The Skull."
The very act associated with being honored (being lifted up) is the act which robs Jesus of his lift. In a wonderful twist, that which robs him of life becomes the gateway to salvation. His being robbed of life is our way to live eternally.
It is too simple to say "God's ways are not our ways," but that is certainly true here. More profoundly true is the lesson that what the world intends is thwarted by what God desires. We may need to look deeply and intently at what is happening in order to see past the simple spin placed upon events. Such attempts at spin are most often attempts to rob the event of God's intentions and make it fit our own.
"The Son of man is lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."
Monday, January 16, 2012
Devotion - Monday, January 16
I have never been one who read sermons. Sermons were intended to be preached, not written. The exception to this are the sermons preached by The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His sermons (some of which I have also seen as newsreels) are moving in either format.
The collection of sermons most meaningful to me are those grouped together in his The Strength to Love collection.
Pastor King experienced the hatred of those who opposed him. He knew how it felt to be called names and to be physically attacked. There were earlier attempts to harm or murder him prior to the gun shot which took his life. He spoke to a segment of the population who had also experienced outpouring of hatred.
And yet, as he spoke, he spoke of the strength to love.
Hatred only leads to more hatred. The only way to solve hatred is to begin to love. In an situation where everyone is angry and yelling, it is the one who loves who begins to provide a resolution.
For Pastor King, it was the divisions of race that exposed the hatred. There remain such divisions today and there are far too many who continue to "hate" purely because of skin color. There have emerged hatreds in recent years over religious differences, and cultural divisions.
It takes a great strength to love - to love our enemies. It is easier (and thus the route most often taken) to return hatred with hatred.
On this ML King, Jr. holiday, pray for the strength to hear God's call to love our enemies and pray for those who oppose us. Hear the reminder of God's servant, that until we love, we will never overcome hatred.
The collection of sermons most meaningful to me are those grouped together in his The Strength to Love collection.
Pastor King experienced the hatred of those who opposed him. He knew how it felt to be called names and to be physically attacked. There were earlier attempts to harm or murder him prior to the gun shot which took his life. He spoke to a segment of the population who had also experienced outpouring of hatred.
And yet, as he spoke, he spoke of the strength to love.
Hatred only leads to more hatred. The only way to solve hatred is to begin to love. In an situation where everyone is angry and yelling, it is the one who loves who begins to provide a resolution.
For Pastor King, it was the divisions of race that exposed the hatred. There remain such divisions today and there are far too many who continue to "hate" purely because of skin color. There have emerged hatreds in recent years over religious differences, and cultural divisions.
It takes a great strength to love - to love our enemies. It is easier (and thus the route most often taken) to return hatred with hatred.
On this ML King, Jr. holiday, pray for the strength to hear God's call to love our enemies and pray for those who oppose us. Hear the reminder of God's servant, that until we love, we will never overcome hatred.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Sermon - Epiphany 2 - January 15, 2012
I Samuel 3:1-10
Hearing the Voice
I don’t know if you are a Saturday morning listener of Public Radio. There is a show which comes on at 10 am that is real hoot and on occasion provides a lot of information. The hosts are also the writers of a column which appears in the Saturday Greenville News, in the Auto Section. They call themselves Click and Clack, the Tappert Brothers, and the radio show is simply called “Car Talk.”
The basic premise behind the show is that you call in with some problem you are having with your car and they try to help you figure out what is wrong. Like I said, it is always entertaining, occasionally the information seems helpful.
What I like best are the callers who are hearing engine noises. “I’ve got this noise in my engine.” “Well, is it a clicking, a pinging or a grinding?” “I don’t know exactly, what does a clinking sound like?” “Well, it is a clink that repeats, sometimes in proportion to how fast the engine is rotating.” “I don’t think it is a click. How does a pinging sound?” And on and on and on.......
I enjoy listening to these exchanges in which the person who has heard the sound tries to gain insight from someone who might know what such a sound could means. I enjoy listening to these exchanges in part because I have been in frustratingly similar conversations. Things would be so much simpler if the one who heard the noise was also the one who could recognize. Diagnosis may be possible - if only the one with the expertise had also been the one present for the mishap.
In our first lesson for this morning, there is a similar sort or unfortunate separation. In our lesson, there is a young boy, Samuel by name, who had the opportunity to witness a wonderful event. God speaks to him. But due to his youth, perhaps due to his lack of experience, he doesn’t recognize the sound. He doesn’t know who it is that is calling to him. He thinks it must be his master Eli.
Eli, you will recall, was the priest serving in the temple when Hannah lifted her voice to God, asking for a son. Hannah is in the temple, wailing and causing quite a scene. Eli first thinks she is drunk and tries to send her away. When he learns the nature of her cries, he blesses her and Samuel is born. In response, and out of gratitude, Hannah brings Samuel back to Eli, to serve him in his service to the temple.
Samuel grows; grows in his dedication to Eli, grows in his attention to the affairs of the temple. He serves well, doing all that is required of him.
But, he serves in lean years. As our lesson indicates, there had not been a lot of activity of which to speak. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. We can’t be totally sure what the writer meant by such a description, but certainly a picture is painted in which constant, sustaining and ongoing activity between God and God’s people has been lacking. The word of the Lord as rare in those days.
“What would God have us do?” “How are we to know? There has been no word.”
The way that we bind the various sixty-six books of the Bible into one volume makes it easy for us to overlook or forget the tremendous periods of time between major events. We think that because the story of David’s coronation comes a mere 163 pages after the entering of the Promised Land that a very short period of time has passed. Or, because we read of Noah’s encounter with the flood and Joseph’s coat of many colors within 14 chapters of Genesis that they must have lived within a few short years of each other. But this isn’t true. Centuries passed between these events.
In biblical times, no less than our own, there were long periods of time during which there came no clear word from Yahweh. Often, the word was rare and visions were not widespread. It was during these times that the people found it most difficult to remain faithful. Scoffers would ask, “Where is your God?” Unbelievers would challenge, “If there is a God, why isn’t something being done to correct this evil?”
Maybe we live in such a time. A time when the word is rare, a time in which visions are not widespread. It appears as if our world lacks a sense of vision, of direction for the future. Even our churches seem to miss the mark or fall terribly short. In the times when the word is rare, when visions are not widespread, surviving can be difficult.
The only real hope we have, in the face of such times, is the knowledge that God never abandons us forever. Whether it be in our personal lives or in the continuation of God’s history with humanity, there comes a word - a vision is received.
However, God’s decision to speak is only half the problem. Look again at our story. God speaks to Samuel, but he doesn’t know who it is. God speaks to him, yet he runs and wakes Eli. The word was rare, the visions infrequent, and as a result the recipient doesn’t recognize that word when it does come.
Some of you know of my love for the writings of novelist Walker Percy. In one of his novels, The Second Coming, the main character, Will Barrett, devises a plan to test for God’s existence. Without leaving any notes, he crawls into a cave, carrying a flashlight, a clock and some pills designed to kill the pain associated with starvation. “If God exists,” Barrett decides, “someone will find me and I will be saved. If there no God, I will die. And if there is no God, it is just as well.”
Something insignificant happens. His alarm clock breaks so he can’t keep track of how long it has been since he took the last of the pain pills. So he decides that he needs to move to where he can see the light of day. As he crawls through the cave, he falls into the underground greenhouse of an escapee of the local insane asylum. She nurses him back to health.
For most of the remainder of the book, Will believes that his “test” has been nullified. It is only after he has fallen in love with the young woman that he sees her as God’s salvation, sent to save him from death; sent to save him from a live of emptiness.
When God’s word comes, we are often so unaccustomed to hearing it that we fail to recognize it for what it is. We go and ask Eli, “You called me?” There are times when God’s word is rare. But is equally true that there are times in which we just are not prepared to hear God’s word for what it is.
Samuel was fortunate, Eli was there to help. Our scripture reads, “Now Samuel did not know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him...(but) Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy.
We pass over the story involved here. Eli was the priest. Samuel was his servant. There had been no frequent vision; the word of the Lord was rare. And now, the word comes not to the master, but to the slave boy.
How it must have crushed Eli to know that another was to receive the long awaited vision. How it must have tested his faith to realize that God was going to speak to this young lad not to him.
If we read on, we understand even better how horrible this is, for the word revealed to Samuel is that the house of Eli is to be destroyed. Because Eli’s sons had misused their priestly office, and because Eli had not punished them sufficiently, God is going to remove Eli from his post and appoint another.
How it must have crushed Eli to know that another was to receive the long awaited vision. How it must have tested his faith to realize that God was going to speak to this young lad and not to him.
Samuel is the benefactor of Eli’s wisdom and faithfulness. He does as Eli instructs and receives the Word of God. He will become a great prophet. He will serve long among God’s people. But the first lesson he has to learn is how to learn from others; how to grow from their experience, how to benefit from their insight, how to profit from their history.
Tomorrow is the official observance of the live and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He may just be the best example we have of what it means to learn from another’s insight. King knew that his struggle wasn’t simply for the benefit of black people. He knew that unless the hatred of racism was removed from our nation it would result in the destruction of us all. White churches, in refusing to allow in their black brothers and sisters, were also making it impossible for God to enter. But his assignation didn’t come when all he talked about was racism. He was murdered after he initiated The War on Poverty. His Memphis speech in which he spoke of the “un-holy trinity” of racism, materialism, and militarism is the word which many sought to silence.
All around us there are those who have seen visions, who have heard God’s Word. If we wish to break the silence, overcome the blindness, our first step is to listen to what they are telling us. To do as they have instructed.
For the times in our lives when there is no vision, when there is no word, we remember that God does not abandon forever.
During those times, we must also remember how easily we mistake the word of God for something else and ignore it.
And, as we struggle to hear and to see, we must turn also to those with clearer vision and sharper ears, willing to learn from them how it is that God speaks.
Amen.
Hearing the Voice
I don’t know if you are a Saturday morning listener of Public Radio. There is a show which comes on at 10 am that is real hoot and on occasion provides a lot of information. The hosts are also the writers of a column which appears in the Saturday Greenville News, in the Auto Section. They call themselves Click and Clack, the Tappert Brothers, and the radio show is simply called “Car Talk.”
The basic premise behind the show is that you call in with some problem you are having with your car and they try to help you figure out what is wrong. Like I said, it is always entertaining, occasionally the information seems helpful.
What I like best are the callers who are hearing engine noises. “I’ve got this noise in my engine.” “Well, is it a clicking, a pinging or a grinding?” “I don’t know exactly, what does a clinking sound like?” “Well, it is a clink that repeats, sometimes in proportion to how fast the engine is rotating.” “I don’t think it is a click. How does a pinging sound?” And on and on and on.......
I enjoy listening to these exchanges in which the person who has heard the sound tries to gain insight from someone who might know what such a sound could means. I enjoy listening to these exchanges in part because I have been in frustratingly similar conversations. Things would be so much simpler if the one who heard the noise was also the one who could recognize. Diagnosis may be possible - if only the one with the expertise had also been the one present for the mishap.
In our first lesson for this morning, there is a similar sort or unfortunate separation. In our lesson, there is a young boy, Samuel by name, who had the opportunity to witness a wonderful event. God speaks to him. But due to his youth, perhaps due to his lack of experience, he doesn’t recognize the sound. He doesn’t know who it is that is calling to him. He thinks it must be his master Eli.
Eli, you will recall, was the priest serving in the temple when Hannah lifted her voice to God, asking for a son. Hannah is in the temple, wailing and causing quite a scene. Eli first thinks she is drunk and tries to send her away. When he learns the nature of her cries, he blesses her and Samuel is born. In response, and out of gratitude, Hannah brings Samuel back to Eli, to serve him in his service to the temple.
Samuel grows; grows in his dedication to Eli, grows in his attention to the affairs of the temple. He serves well, doing all that is required of him.
But, he serves in lean years. As our lesson indicates, there had not been a lot of activity of which to speak. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. We can’t be totally sure what the writer meant by such a description, but certainly a picture is painted in which constant, sustaining and ongoing activity between God and God’s people has been lacking. The word of the Lord as rare in those days.
“What would God have us do?” “How are we to know? There has been no word.”
The way that we bind the various sixty-six books of the Bible into one volume makes it easy for us to overlook or forget the tremendous periods of time between major events. We think that because the story of David’s coronation comes a mere 163 pages after the entering of the Promised Land that a very short period of time has passed. Or, because we read of Noah’s encounter with the flood and Joseph’s coat of many colors within 14 chapters of Genesis that they must have lived within a few short years of each other. But this isn’t true. Centuries passed between these events.
In biblical times, no less than our own, there were long periods of time during which there came no clear word from Yahweh. Often, the word was rare and visions were not widespread. It was during these times that the people found it most difficult to remain faithful. Scoffers would ask, “Where is your God?” Unbelievers would challenge, “If there is a God, why isn’t something being done to correct this evil?”
Maybe we live in such a time. A time when the word is rare, a time in which visions are not widespread. It appears as if our world lacks a sense of vision, of direction for the future. Even our churches seem to miss the mark or fall terribly short. In the times when the word is rare, when visions are not widespread, surviving can be difficult.
The only real hope we have, in the face of such times, is the knowledge that God never abandons us forever. Whether it be in our personal lives or in the continuation of God’s history with humanity, there comes a word - a vision is received.
However, God’s decision to speak is only half the problem. Look again at our story. God speaks to Samuel, but he doesn’t know who it is. God speaks to him, yet he runs and wakes Eli. The word was rare, the visions infrequent, and as a result the recipient doesn’t recognize that word when it does come.
Some of you know of my love for the writings of novelist Walker Percy. In one of his novels, The Second Coming, the main character, Will Barrett, devises a plan to test for God’s existence. Without leaving any notes, he crawls into a cave, carrying a flashlight, a clock and some pills designed to kill the pain associated with starvation. “If God exists,” Barrett decides, “someone will find me and I will be saved. If there no God, I will die. And if there is no God, it is just as well.”
Something insignificant happens. His alarm clock breaks so he can’t keep track of how long it has been since he took the last of the pain pills. So he decides that he needs to move to where he can see the light of day. As he crawls through the cave, he falls into the underground greenhouse of an escapee of the local insane asylum. She nurses him back to health.
For most of the remainder of the book, Will believes that his “test” has been nullified. It is only after he has fallen in love with the young woman that he sees her as God’s salvation, sent to save him from death; sent to save him from a live of emptiness.
When God’s word comes, we are often so unaccustomed to hearing it that we fail to recognize it for what it is. We go and ask Eli, “You called me?” There are times when God’s word is rare. But is equally true that there are times in which we just are not prepared to hear God’s word for what it is.
Samuel was fortunate, Eli was there to help. Our scripture reads, “Now Samuel did not know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him...(but) Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy.
We pass over the story involved here. Eli was the priest. Samuel was his servant. There had been no frequent vision; the word of the Lord was rare. And now, the word comes not to the master, but to the slave boy.
How it must have crushed Eli to know that another was to receive the long awaited vision. How it must have tested his faith to realize that God was going to speak to this young lad not to him.
If we read on, we understand even better how horrible this is, for the word revealed to Samuel is that the house of Eli is to be destroyed. Because Eli’s sons had misused their priestly office, and because Eli had not punished them sufficiently, God is going to remove Eli from his post and appoint another.
How it must have crushed Eli to know that another was to receive the long awaited vision. How it must have tested his faith to realize that God was going to speak to this young lad and not to him.
Samuel is the benefactor of Eli’s wisdom and faithfulness. He does as Eli instructs and receives the Word of God. He will become a great prophet. He will serve long among God’s people. But the first lesson he has to learn is how to learn from others; how to grow from their experience, how to benefit from their insight, how to profit from their history.
Tomorrow is the official observance of the live and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He may just be the best example we have of what it means to learn from another’s insight. King knew that his struggle wasn’t simply for the benefit of black people. He knew that unless the hatred of racism was removed from our nation it would result in the destruction of us all. White churches, in refusing to allow in their black brothers and sisters, were also making it impossible for God to enter. But his assignation didn’t come when all he talked about was racism. He was murdered after he initiated The War on Poverty. His Memphis speech in which he spoke of the “un-holy trinity” of racism, materialism, and militarism is the word which many sought to silence.
All around us there are those who have seen visions, who have heard God’s Word. If we wish to break the silence, overcome the blindness, our first step is to listen to what they are telling us. To do as they have instructed.
For the times in our lives when there is no vision, when there is no word, we remember that God does not abandon forever.
During those times, we must also remember how easily we mistake the word of God for something else and ignore it.
And, as we struggle to hear and to see, we must turn also to those with clearer vision and sharper ears, willing to learn from them how it is that God speaks.
Amen.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Devotion - Thursday, January 12
In John 15 Jesus uses the image of a grape vine to express the relationship he seeks with us. He says, "I am the true vine." There are many places one might turn, to find a source of life and meaning, but Jesus invites us to find that source in him and in his words.
Not merely in him, but in the one who sent him. He may be the vine, but he reminds us, "My father is the vine dresser."
He then outlines his relationship with us. He says, "I am the the vine, you are the branches."
Apart from the vine, the branches wither and die. The branches depend upon the vine for their nutrients. Only the vine is rooted in the soil.
At our LCM Leadership Team meeting on Tuesday, I was trying to share an idea with the Team members. I wanted to explore with them ways in which LCM-C might support the "branches" which have become known to us. Not all branches will be connected to the vine in the same way. Too often we (me and the LCM Leadership Team) act as if there is only one way to be connected - we want those branches to become involved in our activities and ministries. We need to remember that there are other ways to be connected; and we need to find a way to support all those options.
Some will find their connection through service. They will discover that in serving others, they are strengthened in their connection to the vine which gives them life and sustenance.
Others will be connected through personal prayer and devotion. There is not always a direct correlation between the number of hours spent in "church" and the amount of time spent in private study and prayer.
In whatever way you (as one of the branches) is connected to the vine, strengthen that connection. Be affirmed in your own way of interacting with God, depending upon God, and striving to do God's will. But stay connected. Apart from the vine, we can do nothing.
Not merely in him, but in the one who sent him. He may be the vine, but he reminds us, "My father is the vine dresser."
He then outlines his relationship with us. He says, "I am the the vine, you are the branches."
Apart from the vine, the branches wither and die. The branches depend upon the vine for their nutrients. Only the vine is rooted in the soil.
At our LCM Leadership Team meeting on Tuesday, I was trying to share an idea with the Team members. I wanted to explore with them ways in which LCM-C might support the "branches" which have become known to us. Not all branches will be connected to the vine in the same way. Too often we (me and the LCM Leadership Team) act as if there is only one way to be connected - we want those branches to become involved in our activities and ministries. We need to remember that there are other ways to be connected; and we need to find a way to support all those options.
Some will find their connection through service. They will discover that in serving others, they are strengthened in their connection to the vine which gives them life and sustenance.
Others will be connected through personal prayer and devotion. There is not always a direct correlation between the number of hours spent in "church" and the amount of time spent in private study and prayer.
In whatever way you (as one of the branches) is connected to the vine, strengthen that connection. Be affirmed in your own way of interacting with God, depending upon God, and striving to do God's will. But stay connected. Apart from the vine, we can do nothing.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Devotion - Wednesday, January 11
My devotional guide has specific readings for the days immediately following Epiphany (January 6). As a result, two passages from John fall even more closely together. They are verses I speak of often, in theological discussions about differing faith traditions.
In John 14 we read a verse that is often quoted by those seeking to understand that which is particular about being a Christian. Jesus says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me." This verse was part of this morning's appointed text.
Yesterday morning I was directed to John 10. There, in the 16th verse, Jesus says "I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd." This verse is helpful to those seeking to understand how we are to approach those of differing spiritual traditions.
Harvey Cox calls this the tension between the particular and the universal.
I want to share with the whole world the Good News of Jesus. In Jesus I find the pathway to shalom. I believe that Jesus is the answer to the questions and fears which plague us and seek to distract us. I have come to this conviction because of the gentle way in which Jesus (and his followers) have shepherded me (remember yesterday's devotion.) This type of care is offered, by Jesus, to all the world's inhabitants.
I can look back and speculate on how the sheep got divided into various folds. I can lament the divisions which make it the way it is. The important thing, it seems, is to follow Jesus in understanding that the end is not reached until we are one flock. The one who shepherds us wanted it that way. And so will I.
In John 14 we read a verse that is often quoted by those seeking to understand that which is particular about being a Christian. Jesus says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me." This verse was part of this morning's appointed text.
Yesterday morning I was directed to John 10. There, in the 16th verse, Jesus says "I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd." This verse is helpful to those seeking to understand how we are to approach those of differing spiritual traditions.
Harvey Cox calls this the tension between the particular and the universal.
I want to share with the whole world the Good News of Jesus. In Jesus I find the pathway to shalom. I believe that Jesus is the answer to the questions and fears which plague us and seek to distract us. I have come to this conviction because of the gentle way in which Jesus (and his followers) have shepherded me (remember yesterday's devotion.) This type of care is offered, by Jesus, to all the world's inhabitants.
I can look back and speculate on how the sheep got divided into various folds. I can lament the divisions which make it the way it is. The important thing, it seems, is to follow Jesus in understanding that the end is not reached until we are one flock. The one who shepherds us wanted it that way. And so will I.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Devotion - Tuesday, January 10
In Jeremiah 23, the prophet speaks of a time when God will send new shepherds to replace the shepherds who have not been attentive to the sheep. In John 10, Jesus speaks of himself as the Good Shepherd, as the one who will tend to the lost lambs. Seward Hiltner writes, "Shepherding occupies a quite unique place in Christianity... No other religion than that of Christ absorbs all ideas of ministration within the idea of Pastorship."
It is terribly important that those who follow Jesus understand the importance of shepherding.
In a flock, there are shepherds and there are sheep. Within the fold which belongs to Christ, the line isn't so permanently drawn. In one instance, we might be the sheep; in another we might be asked to take on the role of shepherd. It is best if we understand ourselves as sometimes occupying one role; sometimes occupying the other.
Start your day with the confidence that God has appointed shepherds for you. That God will provide good and faithful shepherds, who are looking out for your well-being and ensuring that you are cared for and protected. With such confidence, you need never feel alone.
Move through your day looking to identify the opportunities you have to serve as shepherd to another. It is only occasionally that the shepherd is called upon to fight off lions. Most shepherds will spend their whole life without such an encounter. Mostly, the shepherd remembers where there is water and leads the sheep in that direction. The primary task is to use your height (shepherds stand upright rather than all fours) to see where the grass is growing. Help the sheep move in that direction.
Sheep - shepherd. We are each a bit of both. Assuming both roles (at various times in our day) keeps the flock healthy and happy and well cared for.
"Shepherding occupies a quite unique place in Christianity."
It is terribly important that those who follow Jesus understand the importance of shepherding.
In a flock, there are shepherds and there are sheep. Within the fold which belongs to Christ, the line isn't so permanently drawn. In one instance, we might be the sheep; in another we might be asked to take on the role of shepherd. It is best if we understand ourselves as sometimes occupying one role; sometimes occupying the other.
Start your day with the confidence that God has appointed shepherds for you. That God will provide good and faithful shepherds, who are looking out for your well-being and ensuring that you are cared for and protected. With such confidence, you need never feel alone.
Move through your day looking to identify the opportunities you have to serve as shepherd to another. It is only occasionally that the shepherd is called upon to fight off lions. Most shepherds will spend their whole life without such an encounter. Mostly, the shepherd remembers where there is water and leads the sheep in that direction. The primary task is to use your height (shepherds stand upright rather than all fours) to see where the grass is growing. Help the sheep move in that direction.
Sheep - shepherd. We are each a bit of both. Assuming both roles (at various times in our day) keeps the flock healthy and happy and well cared for.
"Shepherding occupies a quite unique place in Christianity."
Monday, January 9, 2012
Devotion - Monday, January 9
The traffic flow started increasing last night. The emails in my In Box have changed in tone from, "Enjoy the break," to "this is what needs doing for the spring term." Classes resume on Wednesday, and I imagine that you will spend today traveling back to Clemson, buying books, straightening up your room, and/or catching up with friends and classmates.
I hope and pray that this will be a good semester. For you; for us as a community.
This morning's reading from Isaiah 45:14-19 spoke of the God of Israel as contrasted with the gods of Israel's neighbors. Isaiah writes: "All of them are put to shame and confounded, the makers of idols go in confusion together."
The term will be "good," if the experiences of these sixteen weeks help to clear away confusion. It will have been well spent when we can say that we have set aside any feelings of being shamed or confounded.
I hope and pray that amid all the academic work which is about to put on your planner, that you would intentionally set aside time to reflect on the intentions of God toward you. That you will seek out the opportunities to hear God's Word and to allow that Word to take root in your life. I hope and pray this for you, as result of knowing the clarity and calm which comes into the life of one who embarks upon this way. I bear witness to the power of God to set aside all that might seek to distract us. I speak of the clarity and confidence which comes from beginning each day in communion with Christ.
It is raining in Clemson. If you are still packing, make sure to get your raincoat or umbrella. Be prepared for what you will encounter when you get back to town. Thinking ahead, to what we will need, alters our behavior as we start out. This is true for road trips back to school; it is true for our life of faith.
I hope and pray that this will be a good semester. For you; for us as a community.
This morning's reading from Isaiah 45:14-19 spoke of the God of Israel as contrasted with the gods of Israel's neighbors. Isaiah writes: "All of them are put to shame and confounded, the makers of idols go in confusion together."
The term will be "good," if the experiences of these sixteen weeks help to clear away confusion. It will have been well spent when we can say that we have set aside any feelings of being shamed or confounded.
I hope and pray that amid all the academic work which is about to put on your planner, that you would intentionally set aside time to reflect on the intentions of God toward you. That you will seek out the opportunities to hear God's Word and to allow that Word to take root in your life. I hope and pray this for you, as result of knowing the clarity and calm which comes into the life of one who embarks upon this way. I bear witness to the power of God to set aside all that might seek to distract us. I speak of the clarity and confidence which comes from beginning each day in communion with Christ.
It is raining in Clemson. If you are still packing, make sure to get your raincoat or umbrella. Be prepared for what you will encounter when you get back to town. Thinking ahead, to what we will need, alters our behavior as we start out. This is true for road trips back to school; it is true for our life of faith.
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