I Am Not A NT Scholar, But...

On a personal note I'm fighting a cold today and although it's not as bad as it was yesterday I'm still feeling tired and weak. With that said I really felt an emptiness from not doing my devotions yesterday, so today I will push through and just do this.

As you may or may not know I'm in my final year of a Master's education in Divinity. I have as my New Testament professor a brilliant man who, in my opinion, truly understands how the messages of the gospels are intended to be understood by the generation and communities in which we live. His scholarship is one of taking a look at the "historical Jesus" which teaches to look at more than just the words given to us within the bible, but to also understand the entire history of the people who wrote the words as well as the people for which they were originally written.

In this type of study we are asked to look at things such as literary style and genre, socio-economics at the time the words were written, possible redaction and editing, clues to underlying messages, and other things which might not be considered in the reading of the bible. We're also asked to take a look at alternate meanings of the Greek words as used and to fit those alternate words into the reading to see if the readings make more sense. This is what I did today and if you'll allow me to be "scholarly" I will attempt to walk you through a new understanding to an old verse.

Please read Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 and focus especially on verse 21. This verse has been used by those opposing what I will now call relationship equality (formally known as homosexuality). In the opposing of relationship equality we are all told that the word "fornication" refers to Jesus speaking out against such acts as gay/lesbianism, bestiality, incense, and the like. However, when I decided to see if there are any alternative meanings to this word I found this (http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4202&t=KJV): 

2) metaph. the worship of idolsa) of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols 

 The word fornicate is sometimes used as a metaphor for a form of idolatry by eating the sacrifices offered to idols. Now, reread the entire passage and insert this meaning of the word when you get to fornication. I ask you, which makes more sense? Which meaning of the word falls directly in line with what the argument with the Pharisees and Jesus is about?

Being a Christian means truly understanding what Jesus is talking about and what his message is. Jesus is not admonishing the actions of people. Jesus is admonishing the actions of the Pharisees in sticking to their antiquated principles and policies and not helping the people they are supposed to be a spiritual leader to understand that it's not what goes in to us, but what comes out from us that dictates who, or what we are.

I'm not asking you to take my meaning of the word as used in this passage to be the absolute truth. I'm just saying this is how I now understand it. If you disagree with me I actually think that's a good thing because it's through disagreement and the conversations done with kindness and acceptance of each other's view which come from that disagreement that true spiritual growth happens.

Maybe next time we can talk about some of the other words in that verse.

What Are We Producing

Sometimes when I read the scripture passage for my day's devotions I see a single verse that creates in me a single mindset. As that mindset ingrains itself into my heart I find myself unable to see, or hear, anything else the reading may have to say. Today is one of those days.

James 1:17-27 has within it these words from verse 20 - for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. The verse before it mentions being quick to listen and slow to speak, slow to anger. The verses after it talk about how to be an effective listener and a call to do what is good in the eyes of God. But that single verse, those seven simple words really just stick with me.

Yesterday I was observing one of the students I help. We were in his math class and one of the two teachers was in the front of the class explaining a problem the kids had a question with. The other teacher came to where I was standing and began to complain under her breath that they were running out of time. She grew more impatient as time went on, actually voicing comments such as, "just give them the answer, they can figure it out themselves", or, "we need to move on, if they need help they can come to tutoring."

The teacher at the front of the class was doing her best to help the students understand, and she was making headway. The teacher in the back, however, became more and more impatient. A student close to the teacher in the back turned to her and asked if he could be moved closer to the board because he couldn't see. Her reply was, "Why don't you just get glasses." The student immediately shut down.

There's a saying we have in the customer service industry; behavior breeds behavior. How you treat someone will be how you get treated. The fruits of your words and actions are what those around you will ingest, and if those words are sweet or bitter will be completely up to you.

Just remember that whatever you produce will be a vindication of who, and what, you are. So our thought for today is to be aware of what it is we share with those around us and to do everything we can to share the best we have to offer.

Don't Forget

For everything we state to be our beliefs, whether it's with our religion, politics, philosophies, or lifestyle choices I feel as though we sometimes put our "doctrines" before what we have witnessed with our eyes and hearts. If you'll allow me a moment to tell a personal story maybe it would help explain what I mean.

About a week ago I was still in my "the world is ending, be prepared, be prepared O young people" funk. I was so engrossed in what the scripture was saying, so enveloped in bringing my personal message to those around me I had forgotten to take a look at what was happening with those people who were around me. Every conversation I was in I turned to, "So, do you think we're ready for the impending change in history?" Every though every thought in my head was, "What can I do to bring awareness to this problem?" Every feel in my heart was that of sadness and deep concern that we're not going to be able to "defeat" the "enemy" when it comes. (Why is everything I'm writing have air bunnies.)

I had immersed myself in the doctrine of the scripture and began to believe it was my role to get the message out. I had forgotten, no, worse, ignored what was happening right in front of me. Today's lectionary reading from Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 talks about just this thing. In the passage we hear Moses as he speaks to the gathered people about the statutes and ordinances they are being taught. Moses uses this speech to ask for obedience to the law as passed down to him by God.

However, stuck right there in the middle of his speech, and at the end of our lectionary passage, we see this: "But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life." In other words, yes, these are good laws I've presented to you, but never forget the things you have seen with your own eyes and how God has worked in your lives. 

And there it is - I had forgotten to be a witness of the things that are happening around me. Since I've decided to get off my "end of the world" way of life (last week Thursday, I think) I've been able to see some of the pain the youth I work with everyday are going through and have been able to be the presence of Christ I strive to be in their lives. I had never stopped loving them, I had just forgotten to walk with them as they go through their lives. 

I'm in a better place now, but that place isn't "my" place; it's a place I can share with those around me and my God. Want to come in and sit a while?

Where Will They Live?

Maybe it's because I'm watching the morning news and their talking about the National Convention for the Republican Party and Hurricane Isaac, but I can't help to hear today's passage from Psalm 15 speak directly to our nation's, and maybe our world's, leaders. Firstly, let me say that my prayers go out to all of creation in the path of Hurricane Isaac. I was watching one report say that this hurricane is taking the same path and behaving exactly as Hurricane Katrina did in 2005. In fact, the report said Isaac is currently projected to make landfall on August 29, which would be the exact same date Katrina hit land. I can't help but think that's eerie and so I send prayers and thoughts to all of God's creation which may be in the path of that terrible storm.

Secondly, let me say that I'm thankful those in charge of the National Republican Convention (NRC) have decided to postpone today's beginning of the convention to see exactly what the storm will be doing. I must admit I thought they would hold the NRC no matter what, which would be in line with their outward persona  of putting profits before people. Their postponing this convention brings to me a glimmer of hope that in at least some cases people do come first.

Thirdly, I am curious to see what happens after the storm passes and the NRC goes on. While it's certain hurricane Isaac will not be hitting Tampa, Florida it will be hitting approximately the same area Katrina did. At what point in this week will those who want to lead our country and contribute in a positive way to our world show what, or who, they truly are? Will they find a way to be compassionate to others, even if it means changing the convention? Will they make a call to service to help those affected by this storm? Or will they go forward with whatever they have planned, no matter what is happening, as long as it doesn't affect them? 

Today's Psalm talks about where one will live in God's kingdom. I wonder where those who are making the decisions, and those who decide to follow what is decided, will live. As today's Psalm asks, in which tent will they abide. The Psalm clearly spells out who will be able to live in God's tent; the blameless, truthful, and honorable. Those who dwell on God's hill will be the people who "stand by their oath, even to their hurt." (verse 4b) 

This is going to be another interesting week. 

Above All Else

After the past two weeks of being on my "be ready for the change" rant and finally coming to the realization that God is in control, I had a chance yesterday to just be me. I didn't have any thoughts of the impending unknown fogging my thoughts nor did I have any feelings of anxiousness crowding my soul. With my mind and heart uncluttered I just went about my day with the insight into others God has gifted me.

With my newly found (for the umpteenth time) openness for and with others I had the opportunity to sit with students and talk about life as a teenager. I listened to stories of sadness due to a fight with boyfriends, hate at parents for making life hard, stress brought on by teachers assigning too much work, and more. I had forgotten how I truly enjoy listening to these stories. Ahhh, teenagers, such a wonderful group of people.

As I went through my day I began to hear all the passages that have accumulated in me over the past few weeks. It would seem that once I was able to honestly ingest what I was being taught about walking with God on whatever journey my life is currently on and just trusting that God will get me through any difficulties, just as God has always done, the person I am came alive.

Some of you know, or maybe don't know, in fact I'm going to say most of you don't know I am a quote guy. I like looking up quotes to see what else has been said about what I'm thinking.The quote I want to use to emphasize today's thought is an extension, or alternate, of the one by Hardy Jackson about being true to yourself ("Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart into it, take yourself out of it"). Howard Thurman, a great theologian, gives us this great quote to think about over the weekend: "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who come alive."

Nuff said.

To Whom Can We Go?

Wow. I read today's passage from John 6:56-69 and it just brought everything together for me. This week has been one of contemplating where to turn to in times of trouble. I found myself at a crossroads and having to make a choice on which way to go and wondering if I am ready to go there. I found inner strength in the knowledge that God gives to me gifts to use in order that I may make the right choice and understand I am never without love.

The struggle for me this week has been with trying to get the message across to others that we need to be ready for whatever is coming. Today's passage gave to me the inner peace I've been seeking for the past two weeks. Not necessarily the answer, but a realization, and a reminder, that it's not about me.

With the simplest of responses by 12 men who decided to stay with Jesus while all others left him I found a calmness for my heart and soul. Jesus once again speaks about eating his flesh and drinking his blood as the only way to eternal life. As I mentioned in a post last week John is using that image as a metaphor for fully ingesting what it is he's trying to teach. It would seem, though, that his disciples have had enough of this kind of talk and leave - except for the twelve. To be honest I was beginning to feel the same way.

The twelve are then asked if they wish to leave as well, to which their response is "why, where else can we go." Actually, their words are, "To whom can we go." With this simple response of five words I am reminded that God is in control. I had forgotten that, and so I was living each day for the past two weeks with my soul and heart in turmoil over what I feel is coming and my need to prepare others for that change. I had forgotten to trust that God has already done that.

My refuge is in God, I choose God, Jesus helps dress me with the shoes I need to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance. I trust completely in that knowledge and with that trust I begin to feel my soul calm and my heart mend.

Protection From _________ (Fill In The Blank)

The lectionary reading for the past 2 weeks have really been sending a rather unique message to me. It's spoken of impending change, storms, being at a crossroads, making choices, and a clear declaration that there are going to be people who will need help getting through it all. It's spoken of God's unconditional acceptance and never-ending love and how we, a part of all creation, will have to decide who we are and what we'll do for one another. It's been one passage after another filled with images of battles, both inward and outward.

So I find it only fitting that today's passage from Ephesians 6:10-20 talks about donning the "armor of God". We all know how it goes; belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, etc. What we often miss, or have glazed over for us, is who the enemy we're fighting is. Yes, I know we've been told the enemy is "The Enemy", but really, who is the enemy.

 What we read today is very clear on this. Ephesians 6:12 says as straightforward as it can that our struggle is "not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

I've read this passage a hundred times (okay, maybe not) and today is the first time I've actually realized just who our enemies are. I will not argue that our fight is against things which try to separate us from our relationships.  It's in today's reading I see the one, or ones, who are continuously trying to separate us; who it is that "evil" is working through.

Please don't take my next comment to be political in any way, please.

It would seem that we are being separated from one another by those whom we have entrusted our lives to. Not just our community, city, state, and country leaders or the leaders of our military, but also some of our everyday leaders. Those we call our boss, those we call our teachers or mentors, and even those we call our friends. Now, I want to say that a vast majority of those who are leading us do so with as much dedication to peace through unity and justice as possible. It's the very few who that aren't I'm talking bout.

We all have, somewhere in our lives, someone who is motivated by being a force of division. These are the people we need to protect ourselves from. We need to be able to wrap ourselves with the truth and fend off any attempt to create a division between ourselves, our neighbors, creation and God with what we know to be right and just.

My request for today is to be on the lookout for these people, as few as they may be, and do as Ephesians says; "As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace."

Make Your Choice

I am in the belief we are standing at a crossroads of a sort. I mentioned in a post last week that I can sense humanity is on the verge of a large shift. I mentioned that the world is standing at the precipice of change and, like it or not, history's next step will be taking us on a journey we may not be prepared for. My call to the youth and young-at-heart in that post was to stand ready and know that God is preparing you to lead us into the next generation.

It took yesterday's post to understand that we, as neighbors, will be each other's refuge in the storm that is to come along with that change. Today, as I reflect on Joshua 24:1-18 I am beginning to understand that maybe, just maybe, we better start picking sides. Before you think I'm going to say join God's army and defeat all those who don't believe - something I would never say - I want to explain what I mean by choosing sides.

In our passage, God, through the prophet Joshua, says to the gathered people that it was God who was with them from the very beginning. God reminds them in a brief summary that everything which has helped them prosper in good times and overcome difficult times beginning with Abraham, through Moses, and to Jericho has been because of God. In fact in verse 13 God actually reminds them that God gave them a land on which they had not labored and towns they had not built.

After the brief history lesson God then offers them a choice. God says to choose either the gods of a far away time and place, or to choose the God that has always been with them and stands with them now. The people don't even think twice as they choose to be with their Lord.

This brings me to my thought for today. In the millenniums that have passed since this story was first told Christians have made this passage, and others like it, to be a call for "soldiers" to rise and "make" everyone follow the "right" god. Nothing, to me, could be further from the truth. Passages like this remind me that there has been a God that has been with me throughout my entire life, through good and bad times.

It also reminds me that eventually I will need to make a choice - to keep traveling in the direction my life is going, or to change directions. I made that choice almost 20 years ago, and since then I have deepened my relationship with those around me, my self, and my God. I chose a life filled with unconditional love and acceptance. I walk along a path my God has put me on, and now I try my best, with the gifts God has given me, to help others understand that there is and always will be one that loves them for the person they are, regardless of who they are or what they've done.

So, the next time you find yourself at a crossroad in life, remember that there are people around you who love you unconditionally, and a God that asks only one thing from you - to try and remember that it is God who has always been there and to live a life that allows God to be a part of it.

Then, and only then, make your choice.

Take Refuge

I thought I knew the meaning of the word "refuge" until I read this morning's passage from Psalm 34:15-22. The dictionary tells us that refuge is defined as shelter or protection from danger. Simple enough of a definition, right, except that it doesn't fully explain what that protection is.

Imagine you're in a violent storm. Rain drops as big as pennies being whipped around by 50 mph winds. The trees around you are being bent to their limits as the grounds become saturated and soft, threatening to release those trees to fly where the winds would carry them. Loose items which are light enough to be carried from one place to another pass by you with blinding speed.

As the howling winds intensify the thunder gets close enough to shake the ground bellowing from the dark skies above. Then, suddenly, a flash of light appears so close that the heat can be felt through your entire body. You look around for someplace to hide, someplace safe. Through the blinding rain you see a small home, built of solid stone and run towards it, dodging small branches and flying debris.

As you reach the building you look inside and see that it's full of people and there seems to be no room for one more. The people in the small building reach out to you, pull you in, and hold on to you as they make room to fit one more. They are strangers to you, although you know them as neighbors. In that room, and in the embrace of your neighbors you ride out the storm, somehow feeling safer, somehow knowing everything will be alright.

The storm passes, you and your neighbors flow out of that building, and as you look around you see that a lot of damage has been done by the storm. Some of your neighbors begin to cry as they realize most of their home is gone, taking a lot of the physical memories with it. You go to hold one of them, feeling the need to apologize for the storm and what it may have taken from her. "It's okay", she says, "they were only pictures." With that comment you somehow know everything will turn out fine.

So, let me ask you this question after reading that short story...which was a better refuge, the building or the people?

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18)

You'd Think We Get It By Now

Once again we're in the Gospel of John and we hear Jesus tell those gathered that he is the bread of life and in order to have eternal life we need to consume his flesh. Except this time Jesus turns it up a notch and mentions that those gathered not only need to eat of his flesh but drink his blood as well.

John 6:51-58 is an extension of what we've been reading the last few weeks. If you remember last week we discovered that Jesus is using the image of eating his flesh (and now drinking his blood) as a metaphor for fully ingesting his teachings. In John's point-of-view Jesus is saying that the only way to reach eternal life is to fully ingest all that Jesus is trying to teach.

This week I want to talk about "eternal life". The Greek word used in the bible is zoe. Simply (maybe not so simply) translated zoe means "of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God..." (http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2222&t=KJV).

Life, as translated in John and most of the New Testament doesn't necessarily mean being alive, rather it's truer meaning is to be filled with life; to be free from that which stops you from living in a way that brings true joy and peace. Stop and think, what brings you down? Maybe it's the feeling of not belonging to a particular group. Maybe it's not being "allowed" to be the true person you are. Maybe it's the fear of failing or being ridiculed. Any of those things will have the tendency to stop our lives, but if we can fully ingest all that Christ is, all that Christ is trying to teach us, all that is Christ, then we can start to live again.

Not a day goes by when I hear voices from people around me stating that "it doesn't matter, nobody cares anyway." Nothing can be further from the truth. God cares. God will always care. God's love never diminishes, never slows down, never leaves you - no matter what you do or who you are - so start loving each other with the same unconditional acceptance. That's the message Jesus Christ brings to us. Period. End of discussion.

I'm Confused...Is The Message Don't Get Drunk, or...?

I have shared with you my humble upbringing in an evangelistic church. This church taught me a lot of what not to do. Don't go to the movies, don't dance with girls, don't drink alcohol, don't think bad thoughts. All of these don'ts were taught to us on the premise that Jesus would return to earth while I was doing these things and therefore I would be caught sinning and not be taken up in the "rapture" (should that have been capitalized?).

When I became of age - 11 or 12 years old - I began to question some of these rules. Okay, not the rules themselves but the intent behind the rules. I remember thinking, "But if I don't dance with girls, how am I to find a girlfriend?" I remember being witness to contradictions as my family had alcoholic beverages at gatherings. The scariest, though, was having "bad thoughts", just as any healthy 12-year old would, and thinking it was all over, I am definitely going to hell.

Now that I am older, and hopefully a little wiser, I am understanding what God's intent for us really is. Our journey through Ephesians is certainly helping me get my thoughts into writing as well. Let's look at 5:15-20. This was often used in the church I grew up in as a "quote" instructing us not to drink. Do you see it. Right there in verses 18. Well, not quite the whole verse, but those first four words were enough to teach us teenagers what the bible is telling us not to do.

The funny thing is that in the entire passage there are 7 "dos" and 2 "do nots"; and one of those do nots is "do not be foolish". The rest of the passage asks us to make the most with the time we're given and to try and discern how God wants us to live our life and to live that life in constant thanks to God; singing and praising God as much as we can.

I ask you which message you want our youth and children to learn - don't get drunk or else...or love God, love others and love yourself and when things go bad remember there are those who will never give up on you, including Jesus.

It's so good to not be confused anymore.

All I Want Is To Understand

1 Kings 2 10-12, 3:3-14 is such a topical passage for what we are currently going through in the United States. Wait, let me expand that thought..what we are going through in the world.

For a few years now I have been in discussion about where we are in history. I can't explain it, but all the people I get into this conversation with agrees; we are on the verge of a very significant change. I've spoken with teachers, ministers, business people, friends, and family and we all agree we can feel "something". Nobody can put a name to it, but we all agree it's there.

The conversation usually goes from the recognition that a very significant change is coming to whether or not we are prepared for this change. I remember sitting in a room of future ministerial hopefuls and having this conversation. As we spoke over dinner I stopped to look at the people in that room and realized that God was already making plans for this change. The people gathered were of different ages, from different backgrounds, and had different ideas about what their faith stood for. However we did have one thing in common; a deep love for God and a deep respect for one another's convictions.

We were able to listen, agree, disagree, and speak our minds and hearts, and do it all without judgment. We did our best to try and understand why people saw their faith in the way they did. We took into account each other's entire history and let the people they were speak for them, and not let the people we are dictate the conversation. In other words we did our best to find within the conversations a common ground upon which we could build.

In our passage King David has passed on and his son, Solomon, is now King. When Solomon is told by God that he can ask for anything, Solomon doesn't ask for riches or power. Instead, Solomon first thanks God for the blessings God has given to his father, then he admits to God that he doesn't know what to do, not as well as his father, David, did anyway. Finally, Solomon simply asks for the ability to understand and discern what is best for God and for God's people.

When one considers that Solomon was most likely still a teenager when he became king that request is nothing short of refreshing, especially in today's culture when our societies try their very best to teach our teens that it's all about riches and fame.

So, this message is for the youth and young at heart in our world - Do your best to understand what your role in today's world is and never be afraid to ask for help to get there. Solomon did it. And just as Solomon did so are you are standing at the precipice of change. Be ready for it, my friends, and know in your hearts what is good and just for all the people of the world.

When We Fear Instead Of Honor

Today's passage from Psalm 111 gives me a chance to dispel a long-held thought by some people as to the word "fear" as used in the bible. I, for one, have always been turned away by those who demand we be afraid of God or else (insert your own version of fire or brimstone). Yes, sometimes when we see the Hebrew word yare used in the Old Testament it does mean fear; but in most cases the word is better represented by the English translation of reverent.

In my opinion living our lives in fear of a God, who is nothing except unconditional love, is how we as a human race have separated ourselves from our God. When you fear something you don't want to be near it. When you fear something you don't want to talk about it. When you fear something you live your life in a way to never be in a situation where that which you fear is confronted.

To be reverent is to be with a deep respect of something. We show reverence for Olympic athletes who train for years on years for that one shot at a gold medal. We show reverence to an elder in our community who has done nothing but build up that community and the people within it. We are reverent when we honor the promises made before God and others to our life partner.

Why, then, can we not be reverent to a God that created us and all things around us? God is not to be feared. God is to be respected. I believe God never intended us to be afraid of God, but rather wants nothing more than to be respected and to share in our lives as often as is possible.

Do me a favor today; read Psalm 111 and every time the word "fear" appears replace it with the word "reverent" or some form of the word (reverence, revere, etc.). Once you have done that honestly answer this question...Would you rather live in a world filled with fear of its Creator, or in reverence?

What a start to my week!

A Happy Ending

Last week I mentioned a coworker of mine who's fiance moved out of home without a word. If you remember she had asked me if it was a good idea to go to him and talk about what happened. I told her that if she just had to know why and was prepared for the answer than it may be a good idea to go.

I finally had a chance to talk with her to follow up on what happened. It took her about a week to build the courage to go talk with him and she said she's so happy she did. Apparently her fiance's son was staying with them and had become a complete disruption to their lives. According to her there were daily arguments which had progressively become more and more heated. It was to a point where nobody wanted to be in that home anymore.

My coworker and her fiance don't have a home phone, nor do they have mobile phones, it's a decision they made on purpose; they also don't have a TV or home computer. So, when the fiance decided to remove his son from the house he had no way to let her know without risking his son running away. He told her that there was no way he could allow his son to be in that house anymore and bring the level of unhappiness he was into their lives. So he just decided to pack up his son's things and take him to an uncle's house.

When they all sat down and talked the fiance told his son that he loved his future wife very much, and will not let the actions and words of his son separate them any longer. He asked his son if he was willing to be civil and try to live within the rules set in that house. Unfortunately the son refused and his father decided that the love he had for both his son and his future wife dictated that he go home with his wife and let his son try to make a living on his own.

What I want to point out in this story is that the discussion the three of them had was done in complete honesty, with some anger, and without malice; there was never an intent to hurt anyone. The end result may not have been ideal, however it's what is probably best for those involved. I think this is what this week's readings were about - living in truth with love may not always bring instant joy, but it will bring the peace necessary to allow the joy to begin.

An Apple For The teacher

As we read John  6:35 and 41-51 at last night's Bible Study with our church's youth I read in my study bible that the image of Jesus as the bread of life is meant to be a metaphor for achieving understanding through the teachings of Christ. That single piece of information opened a whole new way of looking at this passage.

No living thing can live without food, not for long anyway. Plants, animals, humans, all living things need whatever it is that provides them the fuel to continue. It is, and will always be, amazing to me that no matter how many living things are on this earth we are all being provided for by the Creator. I'll admit there are those in this world who barely have enough, and there are those in this world who have too much - but that's not the fault of our Creator.

As the largest consumers in the world those of us in modern industrialized nations need to begin to look out for the rest of the world. My wife made a comment the other day while watching the Olympic games. She said, "Why can't the leaders of our world get along as well as the athletes who represent those countries do?" She's so right. These athletes may get upset when they lose by 100th of a point or 10th's of a second, but they don't fight with each other about it. Instead they realize that on that day, in that time, the other athlete was better. The only thing to do is to congratulate the other athlete, usually by hugging or shaking the hand of the one who inched them from their victory.

Indeed, then, why can't the leaders of our world be like that. In today's passage Jesus reminds those around him to stop bickering and to start living in the understanding which he is trying to bring to them - the understanding that we, the human race, really should begin living in love and acceptance of those around us. This is what Jesus did, this is what Jesus is trying to teach, this is the "bread" we are being asked to eat in order for us to continue in the joyous peace God intended.

Jesus is the great teacher. Let's do our part and begin learning.

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me

Confession time...I'm a big crybaby. Okay, maybe not so much of a big confession, those of you who know me know I can be emotional, especially when talking about the love of God. So, as I read this morning's passage from Ephesians 4:25-5:2 I got a little teary eyed.

The author of Ephesians has a way of getting right to the heart of things. I don't mean s/he finds the center, rather s/he knows precisely what words are needed to connect your mind with your soul. In seminary we call this type of talking "heart-speak"; the ability to put into words what the heart is feeling. It's not something easy to do, but in Ephesians if we open our heart just enough we can feel as well as read what is trying to be said.

In this particular passage we read from the very beginning that we need to speak the truth with one another. I find it interesting how those words are followed with the statement that it's okay to be angry, just don't let the sun go down on that anger. This might be the best advice one can take from this passage; do not give up on each other. Don't let feelings of anger separate you from one another. Keep working at finding a way to get over the anger so the relationship can continue.

I can't even begin to tell you of how many people I know who have stopped talking to family members or friends because of a "fight" they had last week, or last month, or last year, or a long time ago. I ask them why they just don't patch things up and the reply is almost always, "I don't think it would matter".

I want to quote a line from Elton John's song, "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me"

I can't find, Oh the romantic line
But see me once and see the way I feel
Don't discard me just because you think I mean you harm
But these cuts I have they need love to help them heal

Elton John understood the pain of being discarded because of anger as much as he understood how love can heal those pains. Yes, we're all going to have disagreements with loved ones; it's almost impossible not to. What we should try to remember is that as we strive to live the love shown to us by God though Christ we also strive to love those around us in the same way.

So, today find someone you have/had a disagreement with and let them know you love them enough to try and work out whatever your differences are/were. Who knows, maybe you'll find an inner peace that has been missing.

When The Going Get's Tough, Look For Angels

I can most certainly feel what Elijah may be going through in today's passage from 1 Kings 19:4-8. Let me set up the passage with what comes just before it. Elijah decides to come out of hiding and presents himself to Ahab. Ahab, who was the king of Israel at that time, was very unhappy with Elisha, blaming him for the 3-year drought the land was currently in. Not to worry, though, because God has told Elisha that the rains are coming and the prophet is there to give the king the good news.

But first Elisha must battle the prophets of Baal. A big battle between 150 of them and 1 of Elisha ensues and, no surprise, Elisha's god wins and is hailed as the Lord God. Then, for whatever reason, Elisha orders all the prophets of Baal killed.

Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, is not happy that the prophets of her god have been killed and pledges to have Elisha killed in the same way. That brings us to today's passage. Elisha has decided to run for his life and goes to a safe place. Just outside (okay, a day's journey outside) of this safe place Elisha finds some solitude and tells God he can't go on because he's no better than all of his ancestors. Elisha is thinking himself a failure, unable to represent God in the way God deserves.

Yup, been there. If you've been there raise your hand. We've all felt that way at some point in our lives. We all know the feeling of letting someone down, of feeling like a failure towards the people or person we love the most; or to ourselves. Most likely we did what Elisha did and stopped our lives, asking a force larger than us to just make it stop, letting that force know we don't want to do it anymore.

It's at this point in our lives, when we feel the lowest and just want life itself to end, that God comes to us to remind us that there's no such thing as letting God down. God's love for us is unending, period. Just as God did for Elisha God will also send us an angel to pull us out of our depression. All we need to do is recognize when that angel has come and accept that angel's help. The only way to do that is to know, with absolute truth, that God is always there. Always.

So, the next time you're under your "broom tree" deciding whether or not it's worthwhile to go on just remember you are not alone and  somewhere very close to you is an angel from God, ready to lift you up and give you all you need to keep on going.

So Good I Can Taste It

This week's Psalm (34:1-8) reminds me that God is awesome. It begins with the words "his praise shall be continually in my mouth." and ends with "O taste and see that the Lord is good". Everything between those words just make me happy that I have a God who has helped me get through those more difficult times in my life as well as share in the most joyous times in my life, and everything in between.

The Psalm reminds about more than the awesomeness of God, however. It also requests that we "magnify" the Lord with the Psalmist, exalting God's name together. That is such a great reminder, too. If other things make me happy and I tell everyone about it - a special day with my wife, a deep conversation with a friend, a simple dinner with my parents - why wouldn't I want to tell everyone about how the ongoing realization of God's unconditional love and acceptance makes me live every day of my life with nothing but joyful peace.

So, join with me today, and each day forward, in letting everyone know how great your God has been in your life. As today's Psalm reminds us, "look to God and be radiant." Let God's love shine through you!

...To Be Found And Understood

I like how John 6:24-35 begins. It reminds me of times in my younger days when I've woken up after a night of partying, wondering where I was and how I got there. Of course those days are far behind me, but the memories - as bad as some of them may be - linger on.

The one thing I learned from those days, however, is that I wasn't partying because I had an addiction to drugs, I partied because I had a longing to be accepted. That which I was searching for in my partying wasn't about being accepted by others as I will be the first to tell you I had good friends. However, the acceptance issues I had was with and about myself. I wanted to be found and understood by me.

I felt like one of the crowd mentioned in today's passage; lost, searching, following, questioning, and when the way to healing was explained to me I thought it couldn't be that easy so I kept searching. Of course, in retrospect it was that easy. Jesus tells us in today's passage he is the "bread of life" and that if we live with him in our lives we will "never be hungry".

Those days of searching for myself in my youth was about me being hungry all the time. I was hungry for a love that I thought was supposed to come from those around me. What I now understand is that the love I was searching for was a love for and from myself. Jesus has helped me find this love, and it's because of him I now live a life filled with peace; a peace that can only come from accepting the unconditional acceptance of me, those around me, and my God.

If you're reading this and still feel that hunger and hope for love, peace, and joy I say to begin with you. Find that love for yourself first, let Jesus help you find it, and when you can completely accept you for who you are then the rest will begin to make sense and fall into place. Jesus is with you on this journey and always walks by your side. You really don't have to get in a boat to the other side of the lake to find him.

...Unity Through Love And Truth

Today's passage from Ephesians 4:1-16 is one of my favorite. It speaks about unity as one people under one God. This particular reading reminds us that God gives us gifts that can help in achieving a goal of unity. It then ends by stating if we begin speaking the truth in love eventually this unity will begin to happen. In my mind there is no truer statement than that; in truthful love we find unity with peace and justice.

So, today's question will be - is unity attained by telling the truth in a loving way what I crave.

As I search for the words to put into this blog I'm thinking about what a co-worker is currently going through. When I saw her on Monday she wasn't her usual bubbly, "hey-how-ya-doing" self. She seemed very tired, dragging her feet as she walked with slouching shoulders. I asked her how she was doing and she simply shrugged saying she would be alright. I could tell something was wrong, but she didn't want to talk more about it, so I didn't push.

Yesterday, as I was going up the stairwell and she was coming down, I again asked her how she was. This time she told me what was going on. Her fiance left her, without giving a reason, on the day before school started. She was completely devastated; as those of us who have been there know.

She asked me if she should go see him and try and find out why he left. I asked her two questions; how badly do you need to know and are you prepared for the answer. She looked me in the eye and , as she processed the answers in her heart, she began to cry a deep, much needed cry.

When she settled down she seemed to have a little more courage, standing a little straighter, her shoulders a little higher. She again looked me in the eye and said she very much needed to know and yes, now she was ready to hear the truth. I don't know what happened with her last night, but I am hoping she'll be in today so we can talk more.

Sometimes the truth might be difficult to take, but if we can find a way to speak the truth with love and respect we can also find a way to continue to have love for each other - even if that love will sometimes hurt.