Colossians 3:1-11
Every time I go on these rants about being anti-parenthesis I receive a little good-natured grief because I'm known to use the grammatically unimportant punctuation myself (really, I do). I want to clear the air before the grief comes: I only get upset at the use of parenthesis in the bible because the parenthesis is being used to enhance a language which had no such punctuation. In fact, the parenthesis, or brackets, were not used until the late 14th century. Why, then, are we placing them in a writing that didn't use them, let alone know how they're to be used.
With this in mind let's take another look at verse 5 from our reading today. If, if, we replace the parenthesis with other puncuations the words "which is idolatry" enhances the list, not further describes the last entry in the list. Could it be that Paul is saying all of the things which come before those words are a result of, or in danger of becoming, idolatry.
I have what might be a better way of writing that verse (at least a more proper way, according to what Paul's overall message is):
"Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly - fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire - which is idolatry."
I submit this different way of thinking because, really, how can passion be an earthly evil unless it becomes that which we put before God. Yet the word is included in the list. The writer of the letter to the church in Colossae is making the point that we are all sinners. We all have those things in our lives which we put between us and God or us and one another. We all have something which causes us to separate our relationships. The point of today's passage is to remind us that we have a Christ in whom we can give our lives to in order to repair and rebuild those relationships.
It's through Christ we can begin to understand the vision of God as Jesus teaches it to be. It's through Christ that we learn to love God and one another unconditionally and to reach out to help those in need. It's through Christ we learn to give up those things which bring false hope, and put our energies into what brings truth.
It's through Christ we learn to find the peace and joy we long for.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Never Give Up, Never Surrender
Hosea 11:1-11
Today is the first day of school for teachers and assisting staff. I'm one of the assisting staff so today I go back to school. It's been a great summer and I've enjoyed each moment spent with family, friends, colleagues, and whoever I happened to be with.
I missed being with the kids at the high school I work. I won't see them until next week as that's when school begins for students. So, until then we'll do whatever it is a school staff does to get ready for their students.
One of the things I miss is the continuous positive guidance I share with the students. More to the point, I miss the struggle throughout the school year to get and keep the students on a track towards success. It's a constant challenge and there are times I feel like giving up, but I keep in mind that there are always other things besides school which hinder their school life and it's in the place they are that I really need to be.
Sometimes I threaten to stop being there for them. Sometimes I get so upset I literally can't look at them. Sometimes they get so agitated with me that they do everything in their power to avoid me. In the process, though, our relationship grows and somehow we become better friends.
Maybe that's the message Hosea has for us today. God has tried and tried and tried and tried (one more) and tried and still God's people don't do what they're supposed to do. They live by rules which only separate them from one another and from God, instead of doing the things which will bring them closer together. God is frustrated and is in a place where God says, "That's it. I'm done."
However, God is not done. God just needs a break before God really gets angry and does things God may regret later. Through Hosea, God is saying "I am so irritated by your behavior right now that I have to step away before I do something I really don't want to. So, I'm going to put you in time out while I go into another room. When I've calmed down, and when you're ready to listen, I'll be back and we can go forward from there."
I can't tell you how many times I've said those exact things to the kids I work with at school.
Today is the first day of school for teachers and assisting staff. I'm one of the assisting staff so today I go back to school. It's been a great summer and I've enjoyed each moment spent with family, friends, colleagues, and whoever I happened to be with.
I missed being with the kids at the high school I work. I won't see them until next week as that's when school begins for students. So, until then we'll do whatever it is a school staff does to get ready for their students.
One of the things I miss is the continuous positive guidance I share with the students. More to the point, I miss the struggle throughout the school year to get and keep the students on a track towards success. It's a constant challenge and there are times I feel like giving up, but I keep in mind that there are always other things besides school which hinder their school life and it's in the place they are that I really need to be.
Sometimes I threaten to stop being there for them. Sometimes I get so upset I literally can't look at them. Sometimes they get so agitated with me that they do everything in their power to avoid me. In the process, though, our relationship grows and somehow we become better friends.
Maybe that's the message Hosea has for us today. God has tried and tried and tried and tried (one more) and tried and still God's people don't do what they're supposed to do. They live by rules which only separate them from one another and from God, instead of doing the things which will bring them closer together. God is frustrated and is in a place where God says, "That's it. I'm done."
However, God is not done. God just needs a break before God really gets angry and does things God may regret later. Through Hosea, God is saying "I am so irritated by your behavior right now that I have to step away before I do something I really don't want to. So, I'm going to put you in time out while I go into another room. When I've calmed down, and when you're ready to listen, I'll be back and we can go forward from there."
I can't tell you how many times I've said those exact things to the kids I work with at school.
Monday, July 29, 2013
For Your Consideration
Psalm 107:1-9, 43
It's always interesting to read different bible interpretations of the same verse. For instance, the passage I've linked to is given to us from the NRSV and uses the word consideration in verse 43. The KJV and NKJV uses the word "understand". The NLT uses the phrase "and they will see" and the NIT gives us the word "ponder."
In instances like this I like to go to the root word, take a look at the original language being used. In Hebrew the root word used in all of the above variations is biyn, which means to discern. As any dictionary is apt to do varying definitions of the word is given - perceive, observe, understand, insight - but at its root the word means to discern.
As a recent seminary graduate I am currently in a time of discernment; in a time when I am in the process of understanding what God is calling me to do. I'm doing this through and with my complete self. Discernment, to me, is not just to come to an understanding with my mind, but to also understand with my heart, soul, and body as well as through the impact in my life and those around me. Discernment is the process of coming to an understanding, not the end result of said understanding.
I am currently reading "Living the Questions" by David M. Felten and Jeff Procter-Murphy. The authors point out that a lot of the earlier writings in the Old Testament are written with language which suggests being on a journey, not being in a final destination. With this thought in mind I can see how today's Psalmist is urging the readers to recall the Exodus story of wandering in the wilderness, lost and looking for a home, all the time learning to be in relationship with one another and with God.
Our journeys continue throughout our entire lifetime. Never stop discerning what it is God is calling you to do.
It's always interesting to read different bible interpretations of the same verse. For instance, the passage I've linked to is given to us from the NRSV and uses the word consideration in verse 43. The KJV and NKJV uses the word "understand". The NLT uses the phrase "and they will see" and the NIT gives us the word "ponder."
In instances like this I like to go to the root word, take a look at the original language being used. In Hebrew the root word used in all of the above variations is biyn, which means to discern. As any dictionary is apt to do varying definitions of the word is given - perceive, observe, understand, insight - but at its root the word means to discern.
As a recent seminary graduate I am currently in a time of discernment; in a time when I am in the process of understanding what God is calling me to do. I'm doing this through and with my complete self. Discernment, to me, is not just to come to an understanding with my mind, but to also understand with my heart, soul, and body as well as through the impact in my life and those around me. Discernment is the process of coming to an understanding, not the end result of said understanding.
I am currently reading "Living the Questions" by David M. Felten and Jeff Procter-Murphy. The authors point out that a lot of the earlier writings in the Old Testament are written with language which suggests being on a journey, not being in a final destination. With this thought in mind I can see how today's Psalmist is urging the readers to recall the Exodus story of wandering in the wilderness, lost and looking for a home, all the time learning to be in relationship with one another and with God.
Our journeys continue throughout our entire lifetime. Never stop discerning what it is God is calling you to do.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Friday Findings
Variations on the prayer as taught to us by Jesus:
(THE MESSAGE, 2002)
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best --
As above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
RETRANSLATION (FROM THE ARAMAIC)
O Breathing Life, your Name shines everywhere!
Release a space to plant your Presence here.
Imagine your possibilities now.
Embody your desire in every light and form.
Grow through us this moment's bread and
wisdom.
Untie the knots of failure binding us,
as we release the strands we hold of others'
faults.
Help us not forget our Source,
Yet free us from not being in the Present.
From you arises every Vision, Power and Song
from gathering to gathering.
Amen -
May our future actions grow from here.
EARTH DANCE
(based on the Lord's Prayer published in Minnesota Women's
Press,
December 1999 Author thought to be Karen Loveland, as member
of Unity Church, Santa
Rosa, CA Passed on in 2000 by Nancy Carroll)
Our mother,
which art the earth,
Nurturing are thy ways.
Thy web of life be woven
Thy way be found within,
As it is all around.
Thank you this day for our daily bread and sweat
and forgive us our misuse of you,
as we forgive others their misuse of us.
And lead us not into exploitation,
But deliver us
From lording it over you,
And over each other,
And over all our other fellow creatures.
For thine are the waters of life,
The hills, valleys and plains of home,
The breeding, seeding, feeding ground,
For now, and for as close to forever
As we will ever come.
Ah, woman!
Our Father, Mother,
who are in the world and surpass the world,
Blessed be your presence,
in us, in animals and flowers,
in still air and wind.
May justice and peace dwell among us,
as you come to us.
Your will be our will;
You will that we be sisters and brothers,
as bread is bread, water is itself,
For our hunger, for quenching of thirst.
Forgive us.
We walk crookedly in the world,
are perverse, and fail of our promise.
But we would be human,
if only you consent to stir up our hearts.
Amen.
(circulated from the BC IREPM advent prayer list, 12/21/07)
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Just Ask
Luke 11:1-13
I can still remember my first few weeks in retail sales. I was transitioning from a dozen or so years in the food service industry and honestly had no idea what I was doing. So, imagine my surprise at the success which I was enjoying.
I was selling used cars (yes, I was a used car salesman) and sold 10 cars in my first month. I received accolades from my sales managers and fellow sales people. Apparently, selling 10 cars in a month is somewhat of a milestone in the automotive sales industry. What amazed them more was that I achieved this milestone without any kind of training, formal or informal. My training was literally a sentence by my sales manager that went something like, "Just help the customer find a car he's happy with and we'll do the rest."
Of course, one can't help but learn how things work so as I paid attention to the interaction between my sales manager and the customer I understood exactly how to "make a deal". Then, for the next 3 weeks, as I did and said all the things I needed to in order to make a deal, I sold absolutely no cars - none.
My manager called me in to his office one night and said that normally I would have been fired by now, but because I had such a good first month he was going to give me one more week to sell a car. If I didn't sell a car within the week he was going to let me go.
As I sat alone in the corner of the lot and contemplated if sales was what I should be doing, one of the other sales people came up to me and began a conversation. "How are you doing?" "Where are you from?" "Oh really, do you know so-and-so?" Are you married?"
After a good 15 minutes of him asking me somewhat personal questions he looked at me and asked, "Am I the kind of person you would want to buy a car from?"
In that question I understood exactly what he meant. For me, making the deal had become more important than knowing the customer. As I reflected on my first month I heard myself asking each person I met the same questions he just asked me. Reflecting on the conversations in the weeks that followed, the questions were more about finances and monthly payments.
Prayer, to me, is something like that. In order for it to be successful a relationship needs to be established between you and God. The better the relationship, the better the chances that you will find what you're looking for through your conversation with God.
I can still remember my first few weeks in retail sales. I was transitioning from a dozen or so years in the food service industry and honestly had no idea what I was doing. So, imagine my surprise at the success which I was enjoying.
I was selling used cars (yes, I was a used car salesman) and sold 10 cars in my first month. I received accolades from my sales managers and fellow sales people. Apparently, selling 10 cars in a month is somewhat of a milestone in the automotive sales industry. What amazed them more was that I achieved this milestone without any kind of training, formal or informal. My training was literally a sentence by my sales manager that went something like, "Just help the customer find a car he's happy with and we'll do the rest."
Of course, one can't help but learn how things work so as I paid attention to the interaction between my sales manager and the customer I understood exactly how to "make a deal". Then, for the next 3 weeks, as I did and said all the things I needed to in order to make a deal, I sold absolutely no cars - none.
My manager called me in to his office one night and said that normally I would have been fired by now, but because I had such a good first month he was going to give me one more week to sell a car. If I didn't sell a car within the week he was going to let me go.
As I sat alone in the corner of the lot and contemplated if sales was what I should be doing, one of the other sales people came up to me and began a conversation. "How are you doing?" "Where are you from?" "Oh really, do you know so-and-so?" Are you married?"
After a good 15 minutes of him asking me somewhat personal questions he looked at me and asked, "Am I the kind of person you would want to buy a car from?"
In that question I understood exactly what he meant. For me, making the deal had become more important than knowing the customer. As I reflected on my first month I heard myself asking each person I met the same questions he just asked me. Reflecting on the conversations in the weeks that followed, the questions were more about finances and monthly payments.
Prayer, to me, is something like that. In order for it to be successful a relationship needs to be established between you and God. The better the relationship, the better the chances that you will find what you're looking for through your conversation with God.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
It Just Doesn't Matter
Colossians 2:6-19
The author of Colossians makes a definite statement against allowing yourself to be oppressed because of biased judgment. It's right there, go read it.
A lot of times we, and by "we" I mean the polite Progressive Christians, don't say anything in our defense as people put us down for our beliefs. We believe deep in our hearts that God loves and unconditionally accepts all people regardless of race, religion, gender identity, socio-economic status, and mental or physical abilities. Yet, as much as we believe these things as deeply as we do we stand by as other christians (the lower-case "c" is on purpose) promote hate and division in the name of God and Christ.
It's time to say enough.
This passage in Colossians reminds us that through the death of Christ we are reconciled with God. For many years the people of Israel have been living under the oppression of others as predicted by the prophets of old. If we remember Hosea's words, the people of Israel are no longer being protected by the God of war, God is no longer literally fighting on their behalf.
We also have to remember that Hosea reminds the people of Israel that God will some day return. So, in taking the words of the prophet(s) literally the leaders of the Jewish community tightened their laws and made stricter the adherence to these laws. As a result the people became complacent, happy enough to follow those rules until God's return in the form of a messiah who would once again lead them by force into greatness.
What might have been misunderstood is God's promise to never, that was never, again lead them by force and to instead lead them through God's word. What, then, is God's word? It's the teachings of Christ. What, then, are the teachings of Christ? It's to love and unconditionally accept all people regardless of race, religion, gender identity, socio-economic status, and mental or physical abilities.
It's time the quiet, polite, timid Christian speaks up and speaks out about who our Christ is, remembering that this can be done without force and through understanding.
The author of Colossians makes a definite statement against allowing yourself to be oppressed because of biased judgment. It's right there, go read it.
A lot of times we, and by "we" I mean the polite Progressive Christians, don't say anything in our defense as people put us down for our beliefs. We believe deep in our hearts that God loves and unconditionally accepts all people regardless of race, religion, gender identity, socio-economic status, and mental or physical abilities. Yet, as much as we believe these things as deeply as we do we stand by as other christians (the lower-case "c" is on purpose) promote hate and division in the name of God and Christ.
It's time to say enough.
This passage in Colossians reminds us that through the death of Christ we are reconciled with God. For many years the people of Israel have been living under the oppression of others as predicted by the prophets of old. If we remember Hosea's words, the people of Israel are no longer being protected by the God of war, God is no longer literally fighting on their behalf.
We also have to remember that Hosea reminds the people of Israel that God will some day return. So, in taking the words of the prophet(s) literally the leaders of the Jewish community tightened their laws and made stricter the adherence to these laws. As a result the people became complacent, happy enough to follow those rules until God's return in the form of a messiah who would once again lead them by force into greatness.
What might have been misunderstood is God's promise to never, that was never, again lead them by force and to instead lead them through God's word. What, then, is God's word? It's the teachings of Christ. What, then, are the teachings of Christ? It's to love and unconditionally accept all people regardless of race, religion, gender identity, socio-economic status, and mental or physical abilities.
It's time the quiet, polite, timid Christian speaks up and speaks out about who our Christ is, remembering that this can be done without force and through understanding.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
What's In A Name
Hosea 1:2-10
In my mid-20's my father told me the story behind my name. When I was born he and my mother decided to name me Randolph. In the discussion over that name they decided I would dislike it so much that I would call myself Randy. In order to bypass all the torment I might receive growing up they cut to the chase and settled on calling me Randy instead of Randolph.
The funny thing about this story is that as I was going through childhood if someone called me Randall I would politely correct them that my given name was Randy. However, if someone called me Randolph, well...let's just say that I'm glad my parents didn't give me that name. Maybe if my name meant salvation, like the prophet Hosea, I wouldn't have minded.
I find it interesting that God uses the names of people to portray what their lives, or the lives of those around them, may be like. Just for fun I searched what my name meant. (You can do the same here.) Apparently, depending on the origin of my name it either means the shield of a wolf, strong defender, or admirable. What's even more fun is I can see how, at times, I live up to my name.
Of course, what I did was for fun, but what God is saying through the prophet Hosea isn't. Israel is about to be destroyed and its people dispersed into a sort of wilderness. Through Hosea, God says that no longer will the people of Israel be saved by the sword or any other act of war. God goes so far as to say God will deny any knowledge of the people of Israel. God does all this through Hosea by having him marry someone outside of accepted society, giving them 3 children, then asking Hosea to give his children names which I'm sure they didn't like.
Here's where my thought takes me today: If God gives you an identity that you don't like, will you be able to live up to that identity anyway?
We are named by the identity we carry. If we identify ourselves as Christians, then we have to live up to what that name means.To be Christ-like is to be all-accepting towards all people, especially to those who stand outside the norms of accepted society. Christ was inclusive, and so must we be. Christ fought for justice and so must we. Christ's message was that the love of God must be more important than the rules about love made by man.
At the end of today's passage Hosea reminds the people of Israel that even though God has proclaimed all of these bad things were going to happen, God will not abandon them. There will be a time when God's presence will once again be known. Even though the message Hosea brings is one of doom and gloom, we see there is still hope.
My guess is Hosea is asked to do something he probably had a difficult time doing, but he did them anyway. He brings the message of truth and hope to God's people. In this way he lived up to his name.
In my mid-20's my father told me the story behind my name. When I was born he and my mother decided to name me Randolph. In the discussion over that name they decided I would dislike it so much that I would call myself Randy. In order to bypass all the torment I might receive growing up they cut to the chase and settled on calling me Randy instead of Randolph.
The funny thing about this story is that as I was going through childhood if someone called me Randall I would politely correct them that my given name was Randy. However, if someone called me Randolph, well...let's just say that I'm glad my parents didn't give me that name. Maybe if my name meant salvation, like the prophet Hosea, I wouldn't have minded.
I find it interesting that God uses the names of people to portray what their lives, or the lives of those around them, may be like. Just for fun I searched what my name meant. (You can do the same here.) Apparently, depending on the origin of my name it either means the shield of a wolf, strong defender, or admirable. What's even more fun is I can see how, at times, I live up to my name.
Of course, what I did was for fun, but what God is saying through the prophet Hosea isn't. Israel is about to be destroyed and its people dispersed into a sort of wilderness. Through Hosea, God says that no longer will the people of Israel be saved by the sword or any other act of war. God goes so far as to say God will deny any knowledge of the people of Israel. God does all this through Hosea by having him marry someone outside of accepted society, giving them 3 children, then asking Hosea to give his children names which I'm sure they didn't like.
Here's where my thought takes me today: If God gives you an identity that you don't like, will you be able to live up to that identity anyway?
We are named by the identity we carry. If we identify ourselves as Christians, then we have to live up to what that name means.To be Christ-like is to be all-accepting towards all people, especially to those who stand outside the norms of accepted society. Christ was inclusive, and so must we be. Christ fought for justice and so must we. Christ's message was that the love of God must be more important than the rules about love made by man.
At the end of today's passage Hosea reminds the people of Israel that even though God has proclaimed all of these bad things were going to happen, God will not abandon them. There will be a time when God's presence will once again be known. Even though the message Hosea brings is one of doom and gloom, we see there is still hope.
My guess is Hosea is asked to do something he probably had a difficult time doing, but he did them anyway. He brings the message of truth and hope to God's people. In this way he lived up to his name.
Monday, July 22, 2013
If At First You Don't Succeed...
Psalm 85
I want to start today's thoughts with a personal note. Today is my wife and my's 14th/17th anniversary. I use both numbers because we actually got married on the same date we met, only 3 years later. It's been a wonderful 17 years (I prefer using the longer version) filled with the usual ups and downs a relationship has.
There have been moments of joy within those years I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. There were also moments of pain I would rather forget. However, I would never trade those moments of pain for anything in the world as well. It's through the pain and the joy that a relationship finds out how strong it can be.
In times of joy the people in a relationship can sometimes take one another for granted. We think everything is good, or good enough, and we stop trying to make it better. We go through our lives without a thought to the relationship until things get bad, sometimes too bad to recover. It's in those times we wish for the better days when everything was good and life was filled with joy.
Today's psalm reminds me of those moments. The Psalmist begins this writing in the past tense, using words like "were", "restored", and "pardoned". The psalmist is recalling a time when God forgave God's people for their transgressions. However, it would seem that's not going on anymore as the writer soon asks God to once again for forgiveness. It would seem that the Psalmist is acknowledging that God has abandoned them.
I have spoken to a few couples who have gone through times like this. I have been with couples as they share the same sense of abandonment. "Why doesn't she love me anymore?" and "Why doesn't he understand me?" are often questions that come from these times. The truth is that the love is not gone, it's just that in order to protect one's self someone in the relationship understands that they just can't go on as partners any longer.
I have also found that as time goes on there is almost always forgiveness. Sometimes the forgiveness takes decades, sometimes it takes months, but usually given enough time the forgiveness happens. I want to say that this kind of forgiveness can only happen because the love never goes away.
God is exactly this kind of a God. The love never goes away even though sometimes it might seem that way, especially as we go through difficult times in our lives. If we take an honest look at the relationship we will see that it is us who have left God, not the other way around. God's love never leaves us.
That's the secret to a good relationship - honesty. When things are good we should ask ourselves why it's good and be honest about how we can keep it good and make it better. Conversely, we should ask ourselves why things are bad then ask ourselves if we did anything to contribute and what we could do to make it better.
God's love is, as our Psalmist reminds us, steadfast. It's when we are faithful and accept without question that kind of love that we can begin to understand the grace of God.
I want to start today's thoughts with a personal note. Today is my wife and my's 14th/17th anniversary. I use both numbers because we actually got married on the same date we met, only 3 years later. It's been a wonderful 17 years (I prefer using the longer version) filled with the usual ups and downs a relationship has.
There have been moments of joy within those years I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. There were also moments of pain I would rather forget. However, I would never trade those moments of pain for anything in the world as well. It's through the pain and the joy that a relationship finds out how strong it can be.
In times of joy the people in a relationship can sometimes take one another for granted. We think everything is good, or good enough, and we stop trying to make it better. We go through our lives without a thought to the relationship until things get bad, sometimes too bad to recover. It's in those times we wish for the better days when everything was good and life was filled with joy.
Today's psalm reminds me of those moments. The Psalmist begins this writing in the past tense, using words like "were", "restored", and "pardoned". The psalmist is recalling a time when God forgave God's people for their transgressions. However, it would seem that's not going on anymore as the writer soon asks God to once again for forgiveness. It would seem that the Psalmist is acknowledging that God has abandoned them.
I have spoken to a few couples who have gone through times like this. I have been with couples as they share the same sense of abandonment. "Why doesn't she love me anymore?" and "Why doesn't he understand me?" are often questions that come from these times. The truth is that the love is not gone, it's just that in order to protect one's self someone in the relationship understands that they just can't go on as partners any longer.
I have also found that as time goes on there is almost always forgiveness. Sometimes the forgiveness takes decades, sometimes it takes months, but usually given enough time the forgiveness happens. I want to say that this kind of forgiveness can only happen because the love never goes away.
God is exactly this kind of a God. The love never goes away even though sometimes it might seem that way, especially as we go through difficult times in our lives. If we take an honest look at the relationship we will see that it is us who have left God, not the other way around. God's love never leaves us.
That's the secret to a good relationship - honesty. When things are good we should ask ourselves why it's good and be honest about how we can keep it good and make it better. Conversely, we should ask ourselves why things are bad then ask ourselves if we did anything to contribute and what we could do to make it better.
God's love is, as our Psalmist reminds us, steadfast. It's when we are faithful and accept without question that kind of love that we can begin to understand the grace of God.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Friday Findings
A few thoughts which help to bring together where I've been this week.
"When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels
tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these
feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear." – Buddha
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a
kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of
caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." – Leo Buscaglia
"One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening
to what another has to say." – Bryant H. McGill
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass
under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or
watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." – John
Lubbock
"So when you are listening to somebody, completely,
attentively, then you are listening not only to the words, but also to the
feeling of what is being conveyed, to the whole of it, not part of it." – Jiddu
Krishnamurti
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Shh, What's That Sound
Luke 10:38-42
Luke 10 is a very interesting chapter. It begins with the commissioning of 70 disciples to go into the surrounding towns and let the people of those towns know God is with them. It didn't matter whether the town agreed with their assessment of God's love, the job of the disciples was to let the town's people know that God had come to be with them.
The very next story we read is that of a lawyer-type person questioning Jesus as to whether or not he understands the law. Jesus not only shows the lawyer that he does understand it, but he also shows how little the lawyer understood it. We hear the story of a Samaritan, considered an outsider of accepted society, acting in the way God expects one to act.
This week we read about Mary and Martha. In some way or another we can all relate to this story of dis-harmony within a household. Martha is orderly - everything has to be in its place and there is always something to do to make it better. Mary is more of a we'll-get-to-it-when-we-can person. Mary's concerns are more with the beauty of life than the beauty of her home. This 1st century odd couple found a way to co-exist despite their life-choice differences.
However, on this particular day Jesus has come to visit and Martha is very stressed out. She feels like she's the only one who cares about the welfare of others, after all she's the only one even trying to prepare snacks and drinks for the gathering. Martha's stress reaches a breaking point and she lashes out at Mary, who is doing what Mary does; sitting with Jesus and listening to him talk.
Martha breaks into the conversation and tells Jesus to make Mary help her. Jesus simply replies, "Martha, don't be mad at Mary, she's doing what she chooses to do. Because it's her choice we should find a way to respect it."
Cool stories, and each one is more than able to stand on its own. What I want to point out is that these three separate stories are collected as one in a single chapter. The question to me is, "Why?"
Let me offer this explanation, and maybe an insight to how 1st century Jews may have heard it if those stories were read together as one. Jesus tells his disciples to tell everyone that God is near. Jesus then tells a story meant to relate how our actions show the love of God. Then we are told a story about a close friend of Jesus who chooses to just sit and listen to him, even in the face of household discontent. Whether we have chosen to act on God's behalf or to simply be in God's presence, it's okay - in both instances God is with us.
Your choices are yours. In the eyes of God you are accepted in your choices. The hope is that the choices you make lead to better relationships, as that between the Samaritan and the stranger or Mary and Jesus. But, either way, God is with you.
Luke 10 is a very interesting chapter. It begins with the commissioning of 70 disciples to go into the surrounding towns and let the people of those towns know God is with them. It didn't matter whether the town agreed with their assessment of God's love, the job of the disciples was to let the town's people know that God had come to be with them.
The very next story we read is that of a lawyer-type person questioning Jesus as to whether or not he understands the law. Jesus not only shows the lawyer that he does understand it, but he also shows how little the lawyer understood it. We hear the story of a Samaritan, considered an outsider of accepted society, acting in the way God expects one to act.
This week we read about Mary and Martha. In some way or another we can all relate to this story of dis-harmony within a household. Martha is orderly - everything has to be in its place and there is always something to do to make it better. Mary is more of a we'll-get-to-it-when-we-can person. Mary's concerns are more with the beauty of life than the beauty of her home. This 1st century odd couple found a way to co-exist despite their life-choice differences.
However, on this particular day Jesus has come to visit and Martha is very stressed out. She feels like she's the only one who cares about the welfare of others, after all she's the only one even trying to prepare snacks and drinks for the gathering. Martha's stress reaches a breaking point and she lashes out at Mary, who is doing what Mary does; sitting with Jesus and listening to him talk.
Martha breaks into the conversation and tells Jesus to make Mary help her. Jesus simply replies, "Martha, don't be mad at Mary, she's doing what she chooses to do. Because it's her choice we should find a way to respect it."
Cool stories, and each one is more than able to stand on its own. What I want to point out is that these three separate stories are collected as one in a single chapter. The question to me is, "Why?"
Let me offer this explanation, and maybe an insight to how 1st century Jews may have heard it if those stories were read together as one. Jesus tells his disciples to tell everyone that God is near. Jesus then tells a story meant to relate how our actions show the love of God. Then we are told a story about a close friend of Jesus who chooses to just sit and listen to him, even in the face of household discontent. Whether we have chosen to act on God's behalf or to simply be in God's presence, it's okay - in both instances God is with us.
Your choices are yours. In the eyes of God you are accepted in your choices. The hope is that the choices you make lead to better relationships, as that between the Samaritan and the stranger or Mary and Jesus. But, either way, God is with you.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Let It Out
Colossians 1:15-28
When Paul starts painting images through his masterful use of oratory, barely another thought beyond Christ can be achieved. At least that's how it feels for me. Last week I wrote about how Jesus was a Progressive for his time. The same can be said for Paul.
A Progressive is someone who questions traditions. A progressive works towards the acceptance of human diversity, especially focusing on social justice for the poor and oppressed. A progressive achieves change for the better of all humanity through compassion as well as social and political activism. Paul is most definitely a progressive.
Paul is also an Evangelist. Paul makes no quarrels about praising the work of Christ in his life. He makes no excuses for the person he used to be and he never shies away from the person he has become. In fact, in today's passage Paul tells everyone who will listen that he has become a servant of the church, or as he makes very clear, the body of Christ. He then goes on to say that as a servant of the body of Christ he will do his best to live out the commission given to him by Christ - to make the word of God fully known.
Paul says "word" and "known" not to mean everyone needs to begin reading the bible, after all the bible wasn't yet put together. What Paul means is that through his words and action everyone will understand the fullness of God's grace through the words and actions of Jesus Christ. Paul understands his commission to be an Evangelist for the unconditional acceptance of God, through the teachings of Christ. Paul does his best to achieve this as a modern day Progressive.
If we are to take to heart the words of Paul to the church in Colossae, we need to understand that Paul is speaking as someone seeking change at a time when change was difficult to come by. If we are to live Paul's words in today's societies we need to understand that that same message of change needs to be spoken, even though the change we seek will be just as, if not more, difficult.
When Paul starts painting images through his masterful use of oratory, barely another thought beyond Christ can be achieved. At least that's how it feels for me. Last week I wrote about how Jesus was a Progressive for his time. The same can be said for Paul.
A Progressive is someone who questions traditions. A progressive works towards the acceptance of human diversity, especially focusing on social justice for the poor and oppressed. A progressive achieves change for the better of all humanity through compassion as well as social and political activism. Paul is most definitely a progressive.
Paul is also an Evangelist. Paul makes no quarrels about praising the work of Christ in his life. He makes no excuses for the person he used to be and he never shies away from the person he has become. In fact, in today's passage Paul tells everyone who will listen that he has become a servant of the church, or as he makes very clear, the body of Christ. He then goes on to say that as a servant of the body of Christ he will do his best to live out the commission given to him by Christ - to make the word of God fully known.
Paul says "word" and "known" not to mean everyone needs to begin reading the bible, after all the bible wasn't yet put together. What Paul means is that through his words and action everyone will understand the fullness of God's grace through the words and actions of Jesus Christ. Paul understands his commission to be an Evangelist for the unconditional acceptance of God, through the teachings of Christ. Paul does his best to achieve this as a modern day Progressive.
If we are to take to heart the words of Paul to the church in Colossae, we need to understand that Paul is speaking as someone seeking change at a time when change was difficult to come by. If we are to live Paul's words in today's societies we need to understand that that same message of change needs to be spoken, even though the change we seek will be just as, if not more, difficult.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
The Sound Of Silence
Amos 8:1-12
Amos sure is a barrel of laughs - or is that a basket of laughs.
The imagery painted in this section of Amos is remarkably contrast. The chapter begins with a vision of a basket of Summer fruit. The basket would have been filled with seasonal delicacies such as grapes, olives, dates, figs, and pomegranates. Add some mango and pineapple and we have the makings of a great fruit salad.
However, the image of sweet, refreshing fruit is not what Amos' vision is meant to relay. God is showing Amos that the harvest has already happened and those who were worthy have already been taken. God once again reminds Amos that for those who remain, there will be no more pass overs, no longer will God protect the people of Israel from the results of their decisions.
This time, however, God goes a step further and says not only will God stand by and watch the people of Israel suffer but that God's guidance will also be taken away. God, by removing God's word, is in a sense making a complete withdrawal from the people of Israel.
Those of us in a relationship might understand this better as being given the silent treatment. Trust me, there is nothing worse than the silent treatment. There is just some kind of soulful disruption that happens when your partner is in the house, but neither participates in the daily activities or says a word about anything. It's like they are there, but they're not.
Sometimes these silent times can last an hour, sometimes they can last a day, and sometimes they can last a whole lot longer. How long it lasts is really up to you. Once you figure out what you did wrong (believe me it can be more than one thing) and admit to your wrong-doing with a sincere apology, the silence begins to lessen until all are living with harmony in the same house. This is Amos' ultimate message: know what you're doing wrong, admit it, and God will return.
Until then I hope you like the quiet.
Amos sure is a barrel of laughs - or is that a basket of laughs.
The imagery painted in this section of Amos is remarkably contrast. The chapter begins with a vision of a basket of Summer fruit. The basket would have been filled with seasonal delicacies such as grapes, olives, dates, figs, and pomegranates. Add some mango and pineapple and we have the makings of a great fruit salad.
However, the image of sweet, refreshing fruit is not what Amos' vision is meant to relay. God is showing Amos that the harvest has already happened and those who were worthy have already been taken. God once again reminds Amos that for those who remain, there will be no more pass overs, no longer will God protect the people of Israel from the results of their decisions.
This time, however, God goes a step further and says not only will God stand by and watch the people of Israel suffer but that God's guidance will also be taken away. God, by removing God's word, is in a sense making a complete withdrawal from the people of Israel.
Those of us in a relationship might understand this better as being given the silent treatment. Trust me, there is nothing worse than the silent treatment. There is just some kind of soulful disruption that happens when your partner is in the house, but neither participates in the daily activities or says a word about anything. It's like they are there, but they're not.
Sometimes these silent times can last an hour, sometimes they can last a day, and sometimes they can last a whole lot longer. How long it lasts is really up to you. Once you figure out what you did wrong (believe me it can be more than one thing) and admit to your wrong-doing with a sincere apology, the silence begins to lessen until all are living with harmony in the same house. This is Amos' ultimate message: know what you're doing wrong, admit it, and God will return.
Until then I hope you like the quiet.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Mmm, Green Olives
Psalm 52
Sometimes it can be a little difficult to see the roses through the thorns. Our Psalm today is a rosebush filled with thorns. Of course, one needs to look at the history behind the Psalm to understand why that's true.
Doeg was an Edomite who went to Saul (who at that time was very angry towards David) and told the King that David was hiding in and being taken care of the priest of the city of Nob. However, what Doeg had left out was that David had lied to that priest about why he was there. As a result, Saul led an invasion against the town David was hiding in and killed the priest. David felt remorse for how his actions led to the destruction of others, but assigns blame to Doeg for his role in it as well.
Doeg wasn't a nice guy. He even turned against Saul and so has gone down in Hebrew history as someone who did and said things towards his own benefit. Since this is a Psalm attributed to David's words against Doeg's actions in the death of the priest of Nob, we hear words against deceit; especially deceit towards personal gain.
Hidden in this Psalm is the verse, "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God." With those words we are given a glimpse of the budding rose hiding within the thorny bush. Sometimes our lives are just like this bush. It might seem that everywhere we turn we're confronted with deceit and/or people who want to use us for their personal gains. And, sometimes we feel that way with good reason. The truth is, however, we're more like that rose, hidden among the thorns, just waiting to come to full bloom.
As our passage reminds us we are like the green olive tree, which one day will be full grown and bear much fruit. David, in the end, praises God for all that happens. It is for that knowledge we should live the final verse of this Psalm - "I will thank you for ever, because of what you have done."
God never leaves our side.
Sometimes it can be a little difficult to see the roses through the thorns. Our Psalm today is a rosebush filled with thorns. Of course, one needs to look at the history behind the Psalm to understand why that's true.
Doeg was an Edomite who went to Saul (who at that time was very angry towards David) and told the King that David was hiding in and being taken care of the priest of the city of Nob. However, what Doeg had left out was that David had lied to that priest about why he was there. As a result, Saul led an invasion against the town David was hiding in and killed the priest. David felt remorse for how his actions led to the destruction of others, but assigns blame to Doeg for his role in it as well.
Doeg wasn't a nice guy. He even turned against Saul and so has gone down in Hebrew history as someone who did and said things towards his own benefit. Since this is a Psalm attributed to David's words against Doeg's actions in the death of the priest of Nob, we hear words against deceit; especially deceit towards personal gain.
Hidden in this Psalm is the verse, "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God." With those words we are given a glimpse of the budding rose hiding within the thorny bush. Sometimes our lives are just like this bush. It might seem that everywhere we turn we're confronted with deceit and/or people who want to use us for their personal gains. And, sometimes we feel that way with good reason. The truth is, however, we're more like that rose, hidden among the thorns, just waiting to come to full bloom.
As our passage reminds us we are like the green olive tree, which one day will be full grown and bear much fruit. David, in the end, praises God for all that happens. It is for that knowledge we should live the final verse of this Psalm - "I will thank you for ever, because of what you have done."
God never leaves our side.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Friday Findings (Yes, The Name Has Changed)
"Speak Your Mind" – Valerie Garcia
Don't you just wish
Sometimes
That you could speak your mind
Rattle out all your rhymes.
Let everyone know
What you're thinking about
How you really feel
Or why you wear that pout.
And don't you just wish
Every day
That you could sing your own song
Not caring about what anyone will say.
I think everyone
Has this desire
Inside our heart
Burning like a fire.
We should all let it out
Let the fire burn
And deal out all our words
Speaking what we yearn.
And we shouldn't be afraid
Of our own burning flame
We should let a little out
Letting fate control the game.
We all have a passion
Something hiding in our hearts
A secret we hold on to
Because we're afraid of what it might start.
But don't be afraid
I should listen to my own advice
And maybe you, or I, will speak out today
Without thinking twice.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Justify Thyself
Luke 10:25-37
I find it interesting that the lawyer in today's story not only tries to test Jesus as to whether or not he is knowledgeable in scripture, but also tries to justify himself even after the correct answer was given. Not only was the right answer given, it was given by the lawyer himself. What was there to justify? Is it that the lawyer was correct, or that Jesus didn't know the answer. Perhaps, maybe, the Lawyer was asking to be justified in the knowledge of who the neighbor really is.
Leading up to today's reading I have commented that I've been thinking about the phrase Christian Quietism more and more over the past few weeks. Today's reading gives us a great insight into just what the opposite of Christian Quietism, Progressive Evangelism, would look like.
Jesus tells a story which is meant to make those hearing the story take notice of the injustices occurring in their communities. A man is in physical pain, lying by the side of the road, and is passed by those who should have, at the very least, stopped to make sure he was alright. Instead, an outsider of the accepted Jewish community stops to make sure the man laying in pain is okay. This unacceptable outsider then goes the extra step in taking the man to a safe place in order to become healed.
The question I think Jesus should have asked at the end of today's reading is not "Which do you say is the neighbor?", but "What kind of neighbor are you?" Will you be the one who passes by those in pain, or will you be the one who stops and takes the time to help others heal?
Progressive Christianity is the idea that the teachings of Christ show the unconditional acceptance of God's love to all people, and therefore as followers of Christ we are to do the same. Evangelism is the outward sharing of that which one believes. The time is now for Progressive Evangelism.
I find it interesting that the lawyer in today's story not only tries to test Jesus as to whether or not he is knowledgeable in scripture, but also tries to justify himself even after the correct answer was given. Not only was the right answer given, it was given by the lawyer himself. What was there to justify? Is it that the lawyer was correct, or that Jesus didn't know the answer. Perhaps, maybe, the Lawyer was asking to be justified in the knowledge of who the neighbor really is.
Leading up to today's reading I have commented that I've been thinking about the phrase Christian Quietism more and more over the past few weeks. Today's reading gives us a great insight into just what the opposite of Christian Quietism, Progressive Evangelism, would look like.
Jesus tells a story which is meant to make those hearing the story take notice of the injustices occurring in their communities. A man is in physical pain, lying by the side of the road, and is passed by those who should have, at the very least, stopped to make sure he was alright. Instead, an outsider of the accepted Jewish community stops to make sure the man laying in pain is okay. This unacceptable outsider then goes the extra step in taking the man to a safe place in order to become healed.
The question I think Jesus should have asked at the end of today's reading is not "Which do you say is the neighbor?", but "What kind of neighbor are you?" Will you be the one who passes by those in pain, or will you be the one who stops and takes the time to help others heal?
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Fruity Tooty
Colossians 1:1-14
Leave it to Paul to calm my spirit down. I'll admit I've had a bit of a Pentecostal streak the last few weeks. Not that there's anything wrong with that, after all I grew up in a Pentecostal church. It's just that to get riled up and in your face is not a style I'm comfortable with. I'm more of a calm, quiet, peaceful person who thinks that through my examples of being Christian I can be a better evangelist.
In my mid-20's I was taught that behavior breeds behavior, In other words, how I treat someone will be how they treat me. The phrase was taught as part of a management class on concern resolution (a fancy way of saying customer complaints). Even before attending this class I understood how I treat someone is how they will treat me. I think I learned that in my Pentecostal Sunday School.
How Paul helped to bring me back to being of a gentle spirit is with his reminder that I should lead a live worthy of God. I was reminded that I bear fruit in everything I do while I grow in my relationship with God. To be perfectly honest I would much rather bear fruit that listens to all sides and tries to find common ground than to be the person who says my way is the way.
I believe that if we profess ourselves to be Christians, our everyday life is under constant scrutiny. People will listen more carefully to our words and they will watch our actions a lot closer. The things we say and do will have a direct impact on how people evaluate Christ. The Christ I want to portray is the one who reached out to the societal fringes. This is the Christ who ate with those nobody else would eat with. This is the Christ who touched those others would not touch. This is the Christ who encourages us to speak our mind as we stand against injustices while at the same time be with those whom are being oppressed.
Being a Christian is a constant walk along the tightrope of society. We need to balance our actions and words in a way that shows God's unconditional acceptance. It isn't an easy task, but it's something we are expected to do.
Leave it to Paul to calm my spirit down. I'll admit I've had a bit of a Pentecostal streak the last few weeks. Not that there's anything wrong with that, after all I grew up in a Pentecostal church. It's just that to get riled up and in your face is not a style I'm comfortable with. I'm more of a calm, quiet, peaceful person who thinks that through my examples of being Christian I can be a better evangelist.
In my mid-20's I was taught that behavior breeds behavior, In other words, how I treat someone will be how they treat me. The phrase was taught as part of a management class on concern resolution (a fancy way of saying customer complaints). Even before attending this class I understood how I treat someone is how they will treat me. I think I learned that in my Pentecostal Sunday School.
How Paul helped to bring me back to being of a gentle spirit is with his reminder that I should lead a live worthy of God. I was reminded that I bear fruit in everything I do while I grow in my relationship with God. To be perfectly honest I would much rather bear fruit that listens to all sides and tries to find common ground than to be the person who says my way is the way.
I believe that if we profess ourselves to be Christians, our everyday life is under constant scrutiny. People will listen more carefully to our words and they will watch our actions a lot closer. The things we say and do will have a direct impact on how people evaluate Christ. The Christ I want to portray is the one who reached out to the societal fringes. This is the Christ who ate with those nobody else would eat with. This is the Christ who touched those others would not touch. This is the Christ who encourages us to speak our mind as we stand against injustices while at the same time be with those whom are being oppressed.
Being a Christian is a constant walk along the tightrope of society. We need to balance our actions and words in a way that shows God's unconditional acceptance. It isn't an easy task, but it's something we are expected to do.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
No More Passover
Amos 7:7-17
Wow! Amos sure is a bundle of fire. The images of Israel being made desolate and laid waste we find in today's passage is just a tip of the iceberg Amos paints for the people of Jerusalem.
Amos prophesied at a time when the people of high society and those in power were making their socio-economic gains at the expense of the poor. It was a time when the gap between the haves and the have-nots were growing wider. Although the words spoken by Amos took place almost 5000 years ago, the truth of those words ring just as loud today.
There is a line which Amos speaksin today's passage that grabbed a hold of me today. Verse 8 says, "See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by;" I wondered just what Amos might be saying with those words, so I did some research. What Amos is saying is that Israel has time and time again ignored God's guidance for the people of Israel to live with justice towards all people. Yet, time and time again God has been a good God and rescued them.
Not so this time. God has measured them and found them to be unjust and will no longer lead them out of their troubles. Instead, God will watch as their temples and leaders fall.
In response to Amos the High priest of Bethel says to go away from them and to "Earn your bread elsewhere." Amaziah is accusing Amos of preaching for profit. As any decent preacher will tell you there's no such thing as preaching for profit. Amos' response was to remind the priest that he is only a herdsman, one of the poor, and that God sent him to that place to say the words he does. The conversation concludes with Amos bringing more of his doom and gloom message to Israel.
All of this adds to my thoughts from yesterday. Amos lived in a time when people were being oppressed by the rules and regulations of politics and religion. Those in power had forgotten, or maybe ignored, the words of God which consistently invited them to live as one people under one love. It would seem as though God didn't want to be quiet anymore, so he sent prophets which would shake up the norm and speak out against the oppression which was coming from within.
The time for Christian Quietism is coming to an end. I can feel this in my heart. I sense that the true love of God - complete, unconditional acceptance - is what God is guiding us to talk about and live in our everyday lives. I'm just not sure we'll have to be as forward or damning as the prophets of old. At least I hope not.
Wow! Amos sure is a bundle of fire. The images of Israel being made desolate and laid waste we find in today's passage is just a tip of the iceberg Amos paints for the people of Jerusalem.
Amos prophesied at a time when the people of high society and those in power were making their socio-economic gains at the expense of the poor. It was a time when the gap between the haves and the have-nots were growing wider. Although the words spoken by Amos took place almost 5000 years ago, the truth of those words ring just as loud today.
There is a line which Amos speaksin today's passage that grabbed a hold of me today. Verse 8 says, "See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by;" I wondered just what Amos might be saying with those words, so I did some research. What Amos is saying is that Israel has time and time again ignored God's guidance for the people of Israel to live with justice towards all people. Yet, time and time again God has been a good God and rescued them.
Not so this time. God has measured them and found them to be unjust and will no longer lead them out of their troubles. Instead, God will watch as their temples and leaders fall.
In response to Amos the High priest of Bethel says to go away from them and to "Earn your bread elsewhere." Amaziah is accusing Amos of preaching for profit. As any decent preacher will tell you there's no such thing as preaching for profit. Amos' response was to remind the priest that he is only a herdsman, one of the poor, and that God sent him to that place to say the words he does. The conversation concludes with Amos bringing more of his doom and gloom message to Israel.
All of this adds to my thoughts from yesterday. Amos lived in a time when people were being oppressed by the rules and regulations of politics and religion. Those in power had forgotten, or maybe ignored, the words of God which consistently invited them to live as one people under one love. It would seem as though God didn't want to be quiet anymore, so he sent prophets which would shake up the norm and speak out against the oppression which was coming from within.
The time for Christian Quietism is coming to an end. I can feel this in my heart. I sense that the true love of God - complete, unconditional acceptance - is what God is guiding us to talk about and live in our everyday lives. I'm just not sure we'll have to be as forward or damning as the prophets of old. At least I hope not.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Light, Camera, Action
Psalm 82
Maybe it's because I just returned from the United Church of Christ's General Synod or maybe it's just something that's been in my heart for a while now, but today's Psalm is leading me to what is known in some churches as a call to action.
The one thing that has been going through my mind and heart is the theme of "Christian Quietism". I first heard this phrase a few weeks ago while listening to a talk being given by Allan Boesak. He described Christian Quietism as what polite Christians have developed. A polite Christian, he went on to say, is the Christian who stands by and complains about what is being said in God's name and doesn't do anything about it, mostly because they don't want to cause any disruptions.
I am guilty of being a polite Christian, and therefore am guilty of Christian Quietism. I stand by as some Christians talk about God hating and people needing to be "saved" or they will go to hell. I don't do anything as I watch other Christians talk about God's conditional love when every ounce of my being understands that to be completely false.
Today's Psalm serves as a reminder that God's vision is for the needy and the destitute to be comforted in the knowledge that there is a God who stands by their side. It also serves as a reminder that the polite Christians need to begin spreading this message: God's love is unconditional, and as a Christian so is mine.
Maybe it's because I just returned from the United Church of Christ's General Synod or maybe it's just something that's been in my heart for a while now, but today's Psalm is leading me to what is known in some churches as a call to action.
The one thing that has been going through my mind and heart is the theme of "Christian Quietism". I first heard this phrase a few weeks ago while listening to a talk being given by Allan Boesak. He described Christian Quietism as what polite Christians have developed. A polite Christian, he went on to say, is the Christian who stands by and complains about what is being said in God's name and doesn't do anything about it, mostly because they don't want to cause any disruptions.
I am guilty of being a polite Christian, and therefore am guilty of Christian Quietism. I stand by as some Christians talk about God hating and people needing to be "saved" or they will go to hell. I don't do anything as I watch other Christians talk about God's conditional love when every ounce of my being understands that to be completely false.
Today's Psalm serves as a reminder that God's vision is for the needy and the destitute to be comforted in the knowledge that there is a God who stands by their side. It also serves as a reminder that the polite Christians need to begin spreading this message: God's love is unconditional, and as a Christian so is mine.
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