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.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
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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