This morning's appointed Gospel reading is from Mark 14. It is Mark's presentation of the Last Supper. This meal means so much to the Christian community. It serves a wide range of purposes.
Most of these were covered last night, in Kat's sharing with the group about her year in Mexico with the Young Adults in Global Mission program. Her first slide was something along the lines of "Kat Loves Food."
She spoke of food as that which sustains us. The meal we share as Christians sustains us. It provides the spiritual nutrition we need to be able to face all that the week will bring.
Kat spoke of food as community. We not only eat, we share a table with others. As we share the table, we learn of the others' hopes and their needs. They become a part of our lives and we become a part of theirs.
Kat's love of food involved celebrations. Did you catch the part where her hosts attempted to replicate a "Thanksgiving Meal" for her. They cooked chicken and tortilla - "That is poultry and bread stuffing," they offered. We celebrate at this meal - celebrate what Christ has accomplished for us as we celebrate the presence of Christ in our lives.
Finally, she spoke of justice. The intricacies of international trade are too complicated for me, but those she served spoke of how food choices had changed once trade began. Gone is the great variety of locally developed hybrid corns. Watching the pre-school children drink cola for breakfast raised questions of how food reflects greed rather than an attempt to share and to seek the betterment of others. Surely, our shared meal is about God's will might be done, by God, but also by us.
We are all in love with food; and we love the sharing of meals. They are so important to us and to the life we seek to live. No wonder Jesus made the sharing of a meal the core gathering for his followers. He knew that around the table so much can be accomplished. And around his table, so much is.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Devotion - Wednesday, September 28
Mark 13 is an interesting chapter. It is apocalyptic in style, meaning it speaks of great cataclysmic events at the "end of time." Somehow I had failed to notice that the first story to follow this interesting presentation is the story of the woman who anoints Jesus with costly oil.
Jesus is at the house of Simon, "the leper." The woman enters and pours the pure nard over Jesus ' head. The writer says it could have been sold for 300 denarii (that would be something around $16K in modern terms.) "The money could have been given to the poor," they insist.
Jesus tells them to leave her alone. "You will always have the poor, and you can choose to help them at any time. You will not always have me." he says.
Then, he says something I remembered, but had not really thought about. He says, that whenever the story of his presence is told, this story will be remembered, and re-told.
Only twice, in all of the gospels, does Jesus say that something will be "remembered." One is the events at the Lord's Supper. The other is the action of this woman. "And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her."
The commentaries tell us that her action serves the purpose of anointing Jesus for his burial. The violent nature of his death and the rush to get him from the cross to the tomb means there is no time for anointing. The women who discover the empty grave are on their way to anoint him, three days after his death. This woman's actions ensure that Jesus has a proper burial, according to the religious customs of his day. What she does is important, so important that it is remembered and retold.
There will forever be talk of great and cataclysmic events. There are those who seek to find ways to act which will bring about the greatest possible change in the world; in God's presence in the world. We sometimes overlook the simple acts of anointing, the doing of what is right and proper. The grand vision of Mark 13 is followed with the seemingly wasteful act of preparing Jesus for his burial.
How will you seek to serve God today? Will it be some great and grand event? Or will it be in some seemingly simple act? The cost of the nard is (in my opinion) a device to help us understand the value of this woman's actions. It is a way of calling attention to the view of too many that rituals and rites are a waste. Yet Jesus reminds us that this simple, preparatory act is to be remembered and retold.
How will you seek to serve God? Look for the opportunity to change the world; but don't overlook the chance to do the right thing, the simple thing, the thing which sustains the piety of God's people.
Jesus is at the house of Simon, "the leper." The woman enters and pours the pure nard over Jesus ' head. The writer says it could have been sold for 300 denarii (that would be something around $16K in modern terms.) "The money could have been given to the poor," they insist.
Jesus tells them to leave her alone. "You will always have the poor, and you can choose to help them at any time. You will not always have me." he says.
Then, he says something I remembered, but had not really thought about. He says, that whenever the story of his presence is told, this story will be remembered, and re-told.
Only twice, in all of the gospels, does Jesus say that something will be "remembered." One is the events at the Lord's Supper. The other is the action of this woman. "And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her."
The commentaries tell us that her action serves the purpose of anointing Jesus for his burial. The violent nature of his death and the rush to get him from the cross to the tomb means there is no time for anointing. The women who discover the empty grave are on their way to anoint him, three days after his death. This woman's actions ensure that Jesus has a proper burial, according to the religious customs of his day. What she does is important, so important that it is remembered and retold.
There will forever be talk of great and cataclysmic events. There are those who seek to find ways to act which will bring about the greatest possible change in the world; in God's presence in the world. We sometimes overlook the simple acts of anointing, the doing of what is right and proper. The grand vision of Mark 13 is followed with the seemingly wasteful act of preparing Jesus for his burial.
How will you seek to serve God today? Will it be some great and grand event? Or will it be in some seemingly simple act? The cost of the nard is (in my opinion) a device to help us understand the value of this woman's actions. It is a way of calling attention to the view of too many that rituals and rites are a waste. Yet Jesus reminds us that this simple, preparatory act is to be remembered and retold.
How will you seek to serve God? Look for the opportunity to change the world; but don't overlook the chance to do the right thing, the simple thing, the thing which sustains the piety of God's people.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Devotion - Tuesday, September 27
Our upcoming Fall Retreat will be a welcome break from routines and demands. It will also allow us the opportunity to discuss how it is that each of us approach God.
Too often we assume that there is but one way to show devotion to God. We observe one particular pattern, or are influenced by one spiritual mentor and spend or lives emulating their style. That style may have worked very well for them, but it many not be ours. As a result, we struggle in our response to God. We fail to realize that the style is as much of an impediment as is our lack of discipline.
It should come as no surprise to those who know me well that my preferred spiritual expression is that of service. In fact, starting tomorrow these offerings will begin to reflect the exhaustion associated with building the Homecoming Habitat House. "The Compassionate Life" is but one way to express one's piety.
Other expressions include a "Word-Centered Life," those who fixate on the scritpures; "Spirit-empowered," which would be more of a mystical approach; "Virtuous Life," meaning making a strong moral character our anchor; and finally "Prayer-Filled," which is somewhat like mystical, but is more intentional in the attempts to talk to God.
While we may find one way more comfortable, few of us fall firmly into one category. We typically express our hope in several. But understanding the differing approaches can enable us to find a pattern of interaction which is more satisfying. How is God experienced in our lives?
I am looking forward to the weekend and to the opportunity to explore a bit of this with you. I offer these thoughts in hope that it might get you thinking ahead about our time together; that it might provide content for those of you who will be with us in prayer, but not in body. Keep the participants in your prayers this weekend, and ask that God would help each to better understand how it is that they experience and respond to God's invitation to be his children.
Too often we assume that there is but one way to show devotion to God. We observe one particular pattern, or are influenced by one spiritual mentor and spend or lives emulating their style. That style may have worked very well for them, but it many not be ours. As a result, we struggle in our response to God. We fail to realize that the style is as much of an impediment as is our lack of discipline.
It should come as no surprise to those who know me well that my preferred spiritual expression is that of service. In fact, starting tomorrow these offerings will begin to reflect the exhaustion associated with building the Homecoming Habitat House. "The Compassionate Life" is but one way to express one's piety.
Other expressions include a "Word-Centered Life," those who fixate on the scritpures; "Spirit-empowered," which would be more of a mystical approach; "Virtuous Life," meaning making a strong moral character our anchor; and finally "Prayer-Filled," which is somewhat like mystical, but is more intentional in the attempts to talk to God.
While we may find one way more comfortable, few of us fall firmly into one category. We typically express our hope in several. But understanding the differing approaches can enable us to find a pattern of interaction which is more satisfying. How is God experienced in our lives?
I am looking forward to the weekend and to the opportunity to explore a bit of this with you. I offer these thoughts in hope that it might get you thinking ahead about our time together; that it might provide content for those of you who will be with us in prayer, but not in body. Keep the participants in your prayers this weekend, and ask that God would help each to better understand how it is that they experience and respond to God's invitation to be his children.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Devotion - Monday, September 26
For several weeks, my lectionary has been guiding me through the history of David's rise to power, his stumbles along the way, and how he continues to work out his relationship with God. This morning I started in Kings, I Kings 1.1-31.
By this time David is old, very old. At issue is who will succeed him as King. In 1 & 2 Samuel, we had read of the various sons who made an attempt to take the throne. In I Kings, there is another such attempt, but it is decided by David that Solomon would be the one to sit on his throne.
Overseeing all this is the prophet Nathan. Nathan is the one who confronts David with his sin, regarding Bathsheba. Now, he goes to Bathsheba in order to make sure that her son, Solomon, is the next King of Israel.
Most of us know the story of David. Surely we have also heard of Solomon and his mother. There is genearlly a high level of recognition as we speak of Absolom, the son who challenges David. But how much do we remember of Nathan?
The major characters in the narrative are the ones around whom the action occurs. The headliners carry the show and get the recognition which follows. But those who guide the process are the ones who ensure that God's will is done; that the decisions made by those in authority are consistent with the affirmations made in the Temple.
One of the books my campus pastor brought to our attention is by a Brazilian Bishop. In it, he speaks of those who are in the parade and those who watch the parade. Those along the sidelines are more numerous than those who march. It is these folks, the ones observing, who form the majority. And yet, we only given them passing thoughts when speaking of the parade.
Those in the center of attention are not always the ones through whom God is most active. Sometimes it is the Nathan in our midst who has heard the Word of God and ensures that it is followed.
Try to turn your attention from the front of the stage to its sides. Who is there, guiding and directing? How accurately are the principals listening? Can you hear their voice, and listen to it rather than the chatter of others?
Thank God for the Nathans in the world. Thank goodness for those who search them out and hear what they have to say.
By this time David is old, very old. At issue is who will succeed him as King. In 1 & 2 Samuel, we had read of the various sons who made an attempt to take the throne. In I Kings, there is another such attempt, but it is decided by David that Solomon would be the one to sit on his throne.
Overseeing all this is the prophet Nathan. Nathan is the one who confronts David with his sin, regarding Bathsheba. Now, he goes to Bathsheba in order to make sure that her son, Solomon, is the next King of Israel.
Most of us know the story of David. Surely we have also heard of Solomon and his mother. There is genearlly a high level of recognition as we speak of Absolom, the son who challenges David. But how much do we remember of Nathan?
The major characters in the narrative are the ones around whom the action occurs. The headliners carry the show and get the recognition which follows. But those who guide the process are the ones who ensure that God's will is done; that the decisions made by those in authority are consistent with the affirmations made in the Temple.
One of the books my campus pastor brought to our attention is by a Brazilian Bishop. In it, he speaks of those who are in the parade and those who watch the parade. Those along the sidelines are more numerous than those who march. It is these folks, the ones observing, who form the majority. And yet, we only given them passing thoughts when speaking of the parade.
Those in the center of attention are not always the ones through whom God is most active. Sometimes it is the Nathan in our midst who has heard the Word of God and ensures that it is followed.
Try to turn your attention from the front of the stage to its sides. Who is there, guiding and directing? How accurately are the principals listening? Can you hear their voice, and listen to it rather than the chatter of others?
Thank God for the Nathans in the world. Thank goodness for those who search them out and hear what they have to say.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sermon - September 25, 2011
15th Sunday in Pentecost – Year A (Pr26)
Philippians 2:1-13
Have the Same Mind
A few years ago, I was involved in a forum at the Strom Thurmon Institute. The speaker was William Schulz, executive director for Amnesty International. I bought a copy of the book he had recently published; he was signing them for participants. I found the title of his book to be interesting. It was: In Our Own Best Interest; How defending human rights benefits us all. When asked about the title, Schultz acknowledged that he and many other human rights advocates were finding it increasingly difficult to excite hearers or enlist support by using the line, “It is the right thing to do.” Rather, they were needing to couch their presentations in explaining how becoming involved would be beneficial to the one taking action.
I thought of this, as I heard the Stewardship Committee’s proposals for today’s emphasis. The tagline for this, the third week of our Stewardship Emphasis, is “Acting Together.” I hope you read John’s article in the Wednesday E-News, or will pick up a copy in the narthex. His article identifies one of the obstacles to efforts of this sort. It is the same obstacle Schultz encountered. The article in UniLu’s E-News pointed out that we live in a culture where individualism is worshiped. As a result, “acting together” can be a hard sell. We are more inclined to want to go our own way, make our own path, set our own priorities. All too often, we are reluctant to sign on until it can be shown that acting in harmony with others will in the end be beneficial to “me.” Is “Acting Together” out of the question, until it can be shown that doing so is really in “our own best interest”?
“Acting Together.” It is the sub-theme of our emphasis “Blessed to be a Blessing.” Acting Together is what we do when we throw our lot into a common effort, allowing the whole to set the course and determine the contours of the particulars. It can be a difficult sell. Maybe this is why the Stewardship Committee asked for four weeks of activity. It takes that much time to get enough folks on board that we can safely plan ministries for the coming year. We, the followers of Jesus, fight an uphill battle in a world where the prime criteria isn’t “How can we join together?” but rather, “What would benefit me the most?”
I was on the phone this week with my buddy from VA Tech. Bill is also on the staff at Luther Memorial, where he too is preaching this morning. Our conversation was on the text from Philippians. It suits well his work at Luther Memorial, where he is the Director of their outreach ministries. I was telling him how appropriate it was for our consideration of what it means to act together.
St. Paul writes, “Make my joy complete; be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” I don’t think Paul was referring to any unity around a shared mindset. Would he have celebrated the attitude among those FSU fans at the face-mask call in the fourth quarter. That was the one that kept the final Clemson drive alive and resulted in the touchdown which made the difference in the final score? The FSU fans around me were pretty united. Yet, I don’t think this is the kind of unity Paul is encouraging. Paul is encouraging us to be of “one mind” as in the mindset we share with Jesus. He even speaks of traits he would assume to be present in those who would share this mind. “If there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy” then we are more likely to find the unity which makes joy complete.
Encouragement, consolation, love, sharing, compassion, sympathy – once again we speak of traits not often enough championed by the culture in which we live. Sure, we hear talk about “love,” but doesn’t it most often refer to sensual love - rather than love of neighbor, or the love of stranger to which God calls us? It is tough to enlist support for the mindset of which Paul writes.
“Be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” Do we even know where to begin?
It seems that the first place we begin is to speak of the difference between “giving” and “purchase of services.” “Giving” involves taking that which has come our way (do I need to remind you that the catechism says everything which has come our way is a gift from God?), giving involves taking that which has come our way and returning the first fruits for God’s use. Most of us structure our week around work, and Clemson football games. How might our planning differ if we started with Bible Study, worship, and acts of Christian service?
Two of our students spoke at this week’s student gathering about inverting our financial planning. I will paraphrase, because I didn’t have a pen to write it down. But they spoke of “Saving – Giving – Spending” rather than “Spending and then seeing what was left over.
“Be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” It begins with an understanding that we have been blessed, so that we might be a blessing. It manifests itself in learning to Act Together.
There is always the possibility that any talk from a pastor about stewardship will come off as self-serving. After all, getting folks to take a turn fixing the Wednesday evening LCM meal means one less thing I have to worry about, right? So let me share a few observations from the perspective of fellow-member of University Lutheran Church.
For the past three summers my baby has been on staff at Lutheridge. While there, he has provided oversight to campers from across South Carolina and the southeast. When we sent UniLu members to camp, we sent them with the assurance that if they needed help while there, they could look for Caleb. He is a great counselor – not my evaluation, but that of those who see him in action. Having acknowledged what he has given, I want to bear testimony to what Lutheridge has given him. Caleb is still a bit unsure as to his career path. That is okay, he will get there. But as he searches, those summers at camp assure him that he has a place in this world; that he is making a profound contribution in the lives of others. He gains so much from those brief ten weeks; it is a benefit which would be denied him, were it not for the faithful stewardship of those who support the camp and see to its upkeep. It is not as a pastor that I express appreciation for those stewards, it is as a father. This would not be possible in his life, nor in the lives of so many others, did we not “Act Together” in supporting the ministries of this Church.
Last May, our family benefited from the promises of scripture with regard to resurrection. When Granna died, it was the message of salvation which gave us the courage to commend her into God’s care. Without that, we would surely have been crushed. That message came to us through the liturgies of the Church and through the sacrament of Holy Communion. Those unchangeable, unwavering promises also came to us through what is so often referred to as the ministry of cards and casseroles. Miriam’s investment in this place – years of taking her place on Sunday mornings, and accepting her turn – returned to her family the assurance that we were not facing those days alone. Her faithful stewardship served as the impetus for other stewards to reach out to her family in the aftermath of her death. “Acting Together” the church eased the burdens and made the transition passable.
“Acting Together” means having a shared mindset among us in which we ask how life might be made better for all of us. “Acting Together” means realizing that all we have is a gift from God and using it as a gift is the best way to ensure that it will move us closer to the joy which comes from God. “Acting Together” does not (yet) come natural to the culture around us, but it is the culture we seek to establish. “Acting Together” means “making our joy complete.”
Amen.
Philippians 2:1-13
Have the Same Mind
A few years ago, I was involved in a forum at the Strom Thurmon Institute. The speaker was William Schulz, executive director for Amnesty International. I bought a copy of the book he had recently published; he was signing them for participants. I found the title of his book to be interesting. It was: In Our Own Best Interest; How defending human rights benefits us all. When asked about the title, Schultz acknowledged that he and many other human rights advocates were finding it increasingly difficult to excite hearers or enlist support by using the line, “It is the right thing to do.” Rather, they were needing to couch their presentations in explaining how becoming involved would be beneficial to the one taking action.
I thought of this, as I heard the Stewardship Committee’s proposals for today’s emphasis. The tagline for this, the third week of our Stewardship Emphasis, is “Acting Together.” I hope you read John’s article in the Wednesday E-News, or will pick up a copy in the narthex. His article identifies one of the obstacles to efforts of this sort. It is the same obstacle Schultz encountered. The article in UniLu’s E-News pointed out that we live in a culture where individualism is worshiped. As a result, “acting together” can be a hard sell. We are more inclined to want to go our own way, make our own path, set our own priorities. All too often, we are reluctant to sign on until it can be shown that acting in harmony with others will in the end be beneficial to “me.” Is “Acting Together” out of the question, until it can be shown that doing so is really in “our own best interest”?
“Acting Together.” It is the sub-theme of our emphasis “Blessed to be a Blessing.” Acting Together is what we do when we throw our lot into a common effort, allowing the whole to set the course and determine the contours of the particulars. It can be a difficult sell. Maybe this is why the Stewardship Committee asked for four weeks of activity. It takes that much time to get enough folks on board that we can safely plan ministries for the coming year. We, the followers of Jesus, fight an uphill battle in a world where the prime criteria isn’t “How can we join together?” but rather, “What would benefit me the most?”
I was on the phone this week with my buddy from VA Tech. Bill is also on the staff at Luther Memorial, where he too is preaching this morning. Our conversation was on the text from Philippians. It suits well his work at Luther Memorial, where he is the Director of their outreach ministries. I was telling him how appropriate it was for our consideration of what it means to act together.
St. Paul writes, “Make my joy complete; be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” I don’t think Paul was referring to any unity around a shared mindset. Would he have celebrated the attitude among those FSU fans at the face-mask call in the fourth quarter. That was the one that kept the final Clemson drive alive and resulted in the touchdown which made the difference in the final score? The FSU fans around me were pretty united. Yet, I don’t think this is the kind of unity Paul is encouraging. Paul is encouraging us to be of “one mind” as in the mindset we share with Jesus. He even speaks of traits he would assume to be present in those who would share this mind. “If there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy” then we are more likely to find the unity which makes joy complete.
Encouragement, consolation, love, sharing, compassion, sympathy – once again we speak of traits not often enough championed by the culture in which we live. Sure, we hear talk about “love,” but doesn’t it most often refer to sensual love - rather than love of neighbor, or the love of stranger to which God calls us? It is tough to enlist support for the mindset of which Paul writes.
“Be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” Do we even know where to begin?
It seems that the first place we begin is to speak of the difference between “giving” and “purchase of services.” “Giving” involves taking that which has come our way (do I need to remind you that the catechism says everything which has come our way is a gift from God?), giving involves taking that which has come our way and returning the first fruits for God’s use. Most of us structure our week around work, and Clemson football games. How might our planning differ if we started with Bible Study, worship, and acts of Christian service?
Two of our students spoke at this week’s student gathering about inverting our financial planning. I will paraphrase, because I didn’t have a pen to write it down. But they spoke of “Saving – Giving – Spending” rather than “Spending and then seeing what was left over.
“Be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” It begins with an understanding that we have been blessed, so that we might be a blessing. It manifests itself in learning to Act Together.
There is always the possibility that any talk from a pastor about stewardship will come off as self-serving. After all, getting folks to take a turn fixing the Wednesday evening LCM meal means one less thing I have to worry about, right? So let me share a few observations from the perspective of fellow-member of University Lutheran Church.
For the past three summers my baby has been on staff at Lutheridge. While there, he has provided oversight to campers from across South Carolina and the southeast. When we sent UniLu members to camp, we sent them with the assurance that if they needed help while there, they could look for Caleb. He is a great counselor – not my evaluation, but that of those who see him in action. Having acknowledged what he has given, I want to bear testimony to what Lutheridge has given him. Caleb is still a bit unsure as to his career path. That is okay, he will get there. But as he searches, those summers at camp assure him that he has a place in this world; that he is making a profound contribution in the lives of others. He gains so much from those brief ten weeks; it is a benefit which would be denied him, were it not for the faithful stewardship of those who support the camp and see to its upkeep. It is not as a pastor that I express appreciation for those stewards, it is as a father. This would not be possible in his life, nor in the lives of so many others, did we not “Act Together” in supporting the ministries of this Church.
Last May, our family benefited from the promises of scripture with regard to resurrection. When Granna died, it was the message of salvation which gave us the courage to commend her into God’s care. Without that, we would surely have been crushed. That message came to us through the liturgies of the Church and through the sacrament of Holy Communion. Those unchangeable, unwavering promises also came to us through what is so often referred to as the ministry of cards and casseroles. Miriam’s investment in this place – years of taking her place on Sunday mornings, and accepting her turn – returned to her family the assurance that we were not facing those days alone. Her faithful stewardship served as the impetus for other stewards to reach out to her family in the aftermath of her death. “Acting Together” the church eased the burdens and made the transition passable.
“Acting Together” means having a shared mindset among us in which we ask how life might be made better for all of us. “Acting Together” means realizing that all we have is a gift from God and using it as a gift is the best way to ensure that it will move us closer to the joy which comes from God. “Acting Together” does not (yet) come natural to the culture around us, but it is the culture we seek to establish. “Acting Together” means “making our joy complete.”
Amen.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Devotion - Thursday, September 22
When asked, "Which is the greatest commandment?" Jesus hardly catches his breath before he gives and answer. (Mark 12:28-34)
"The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength."
It is the love of God where our devotion to God is shown.
Martin Luther's struggle was that he found it impossible to love a God who was forever looking for opportunities to condemn. In his world, Luther had been taught that unless he did this or avoided that he faced eternal condemnation. Finally, after an extremely long session in the confessional booth, the man hearing Luther's confession blurted out with exasperation, "All that is required is that you love God!" Luther, equally frustrated by the whole enterprise, replied, "Love God? I hate God!"
It is difficult to love a God whom we think to be looking for every opportunity to condemn us. It is easy to perceive God that way when we are taught that being a Christian is following this rule or abiding by that requirement. Jesus does not miss a beat when asked where it is that our justification begins; it starts with a love of God.
We love God because God loves us. We serve God out of this love.
It is my hope and prayer that you will enter this day confident of God's deep love for you. It is my hope and prayer that you will find your joy and your delight in loving God. It is in that relationship that we comprehend the persons God calls us to be.
"The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength."
It is the love of God where our devotion to God is shown.
Martin Luther's struggle was that he found it impossible to love a God who was forever looking for opportunities to condemn. In his world, Luther had been taught that unless he did this or avoided that he faced eternal condemnation. Finally, after an extremely long session in the confessional booth, the man hearing Luther's confession blurted out with exasperation, "All that is required is that you love God!" Luther, equally frustrated by the whole enterprise, replied, "Love God? I hate God!"
It is difficult to love a God whom we think to be looking for every opportunity to condemn us. It is easy to perceive God that way when we are taught that being a Christian is following this rule or abiding by that requirement. Jesus does not miss a beat when asked where it is that our justification begins; it starts with a love of God.
We love God because God loves us. We serve God out of this love.
It is my hope and prayer that you will enter this day confident of God's deep love for you. It is my hope and prayer that you will find your joy and your delight in loving God. It is in that relationship that we comprehend the persons God calls us to be.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Devotion - Wednesday, September 21
I love mornings. I really do. I get up early, make some coffee, let the dog out, let the cat in, get the paper and scan the headlines, then I sat down and read my Bible and say my prayers. It is so quiet and peaceful; in the early morning hours.
This morning, as I was waking, I could hear the gentle rain falling outside. When I went for the paper, I could tell it has just started. By the time I picked up my Bible, it was raining steady. The place I sit to read and pray is by our front door. I opened the inside door, so I could hear the sound of the glorious rain. through the screen.
As I prayed, recalling the requests to remember ailing loved ones and the longings for clear vision, the sound of the rain continued to grow stronger. "Thank you, Lord. For the refreshing rain which enlivens all things."
In my prayers, I acknowledged the things on my "to do list," and I lifted before God my hope that tasks would not interfere with my ability to be available to those whom He will send my way this day. Was I imagining it, or did the rain start to fall a bit faster? "Thank you, Lord. For washing away all those things which seem so urgent to me, but are truly only a means to accomplish that which you have called me to do."
Somewhere around this time, the cat decided she had eaten enough and was ready to go back outside. When she saw the rain, she thought better of it and retreated back into the house, to curl up in the bed where Laura is still sleeping. "Thank you, Lord. You have given me a place of shelter, a place of security amidst the storms of life."
I love mornings; this morning I will cherish for a very long time. When I got out of the bed, I had no idea that all this was waiting for me. What a gift from God!
But then, in our lives, we so often recieve such a gift. God provides for us; God remains faithful to us. Perhaps it is the noise and constant activity which prevents us from perceiving all that God has done.
Find some quiet time for yourself this morning - and re-discover all the reason why you might say, "Thank you, Lord."
This morning, as I was waking, I could hear the gentle rain falling outside. When I went for the paper, I could tell it has just started. By the time I picked up my Bible, it was raining steady. The place I sit to read and pray is by our front door. I opened the inside door, so I could hear the sound of the glorious rain. through the screen.
As I prayed, recalling the requests to remember ailing loved ones and the longings for clear vision, the sound of the rain continued to grow stronger. "Thank you, Lord. For the refreshing rain which enlivens all things."
In my prayers, I acknowledged the things on my "to do list," and I lifted before God my hope that tasks would not interfere with my ability to be available to those whom He will send my way this day. Was I imagining it, or did the rain start to fall a bit faster? "Thank you, Lord. For washing away all those things which seem so urgent to me, but are truly only a means to accomplish that which you have called me to do."
Somewhere around this time, the cat decided she had eaten enough and was ready to go back outside. When she saw the rain, she thought better of it and retreated back into the house, to curl up in the bed where Laura is still sleeping. "Thank you, Lord. You have given me a place of shelter, a place of security amidst the storms of life."
I love mornings; this morning I will cherish for a very long time. When I got out of the bed, I had no idea that all this was waiting for me. What a gift from God!
But then, in our lives, we so often recieve such a gift. God provides for us; God remains faithful to us. Perhaps it is the noise and constant activity which prevents us from perceiving all that God has done.
Find some quiet time for yourself this morning - and re-discover all the reason why you might say, "Thank you, Lord."
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