Devotion - Thursday, May 2

Near the end of Paul's letter to the Church in Rome, he speaks of the individuality of the members of the community.  The matters of concern seem to have been dietary choices.  It was common in those days for religious devotion to include avoiding some foods, even considering some items unclean.  (There is still such prohibitions in modern-day faiths - but they have become less a concern among Christians.)

Paul does not settle the issue of whether these rules and customs are to be upheld.  What he says is that we are to leave others to their practices and not pass judgement on them.  He writes:  "Who are you to pass judgement on the servant of another?  It is before his own master that he stands or falls.  And he will be upheld, for the Master is able to make him stand."

Do not read into this that "anything goes."  Rather, gather from Paul that each will be accountable for their own actions; each will need to be judged by God as to their dedication and devotion.  It is a difficult thing - to not judge.

In a few short days you will be leaving campus.  As you journey to parts far and wide, you will encounter Christians and Christian communities whose customs and habits may be different from what you have experienced here.  You may prefer their way of doing things; or you might critique them based on what you have come to find familiar here.  Remember Paul's words.  Know that it is our devotion to Christ which God judges and not the particular ways in which we show that devotion.  Ways and customs differ; it is the same Lord who is worshiped and glorified.  

Things will be different at LCM when those of you who are returning do so.   The construction of a new narthex means we will worship in the Fellowship Hall - probably hosting three services on Sunday morning.  Will the new schedule be more pleasing, or disruptive?  We will have to wait and seen.

Do not judge; and do not fear the judgement of others.  Be the servant of God whom you have come to know yourself to be.  Stand firm in your devotion to Him, and know that you are good and acceptable and deeply loved.

I will be back with you in August - have a wonderful summer.

Devotion - Wednesday, May 1

I acknowledged earlier this week that I am currently reading from the Wisdom of Solomon.  This is a book not in our Protestant Bibles, but among the books used by the Roman Churches.

This morning's section is Chapter 13:1-9.  The words encourage us to marvel in the beauty and the mystery of creation; and to see in the beauty and wonder the handiwork of the Creator.  This line of reasoning is also found in the opening chapters of Romans.  It is sometimes called "Natural Theology;" i.e. from nature would ought to be able to deduce the presence of God.  

I don't speak much of my brother, and his faith life.  One of the reasons is that my brother doesn't talk much about theoretical issues.  He is so wonderfully connected to living life that he seldom worries or wonders about attitudes or opinions.  But one encounter with my brother serves as an invitation to such things in my life.

I was around nineteen years old.  He and I were rebuilding the top end of the 318 cc Chrysler engine in his panel van.  I was going to drive that van to the LSM-USA National Assembly in Tempe, AZ.  David's hands knew how to adjust the rocker arms and to evaluate the valve springs.  I admired his skill.  He said something to the effect, "If someone as stupid as me can make an engine work, with all of its complicated and interconnected parts, how can we not be overcome with appreciation for the God who makes everything in the whole world work?"

You may not even have a bible with the book of Wisdom in it.  So I am going to paste the verses I read this morning below.  Read them, slowly.  Think about each verse and allow the words to encourage you to see the marvel of the God who made possible the things you are studying in your classes: the complicated organic chemistry, or the great variety of crops, or the materials out of which we fashion new bio-materials.  I overhear your discussions about this exam or that project and I am struck by all that you are learning - and how marvelous is this world, and your brain's ability to comprehend the handiwork of God.

Wisdom 13:1-9

For all people who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature;

and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know the one who exists,

nor did they recognize the artisan while paying heed to his works; 

but they supposed that either fire or wind or swift air,

or the circle of the stars, or turbulent water,

or the luminaries of heaven were the gods that rule the world. 

If through delight in the beauty of these things people assumed them to be gods,

let them know how much better than these is their Lord,

for the author of beauty created them. 

And if people were amazed at their power and working,

let them perceive from them

how much more powerful is the one who formed them. 

For from the greatness and beauty of created things

comes a corresponding perception of their Creator. 

Yet these people are little to be blamed,

for perhaps they go astray

while seeking God and desiring to find him. 

For while they live among his works, they keep searching,

and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful. 

Yet again, not even they are to be excused; 

for if they had the power to know so much

that they could investigate the world,

how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?