www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Lena Petty
Zechariah 8:9-17
"God who rules over all also says, 'Gather strength, you who are listening to these words today from the mouths of the prophets who were there at the founding of the house of God who rules over all, so that the temple might be built. Before that time there was no compensation for human or animal, nor was there any relief from adversity for those who came and went, because I had pitted everybody - each one - against everyone else. But I will be different now to this remnant of my people from the way I was in those days,' says God who rules over all, 'for there will be a peaceful time of sowing, the vine will produce its fruit and the ground its yield, and the skies will rain down dew. Then I will allow the remnant of my people to possess all these things. And it will come about that just as you (both Judah and Israel) were a curse to the nations, so I will save you and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid! Instead, be strong!' "
"For God who rules over all says, 'As I had planned to hurt you when your fathers made me angry,' says God who rules over all, 'and I was not sorry, so, to the contrary, I have planned in these days to do good to Jerusalem and Judah - do not fear! These are the things you must do: Speak the truth, each of you, to one another. Practice true and righteous judgment in your courts. Do not plan evil in your hearts against one another. Do not favor a false oath - these are all things that I hate,' says God.' " New Revised Standard Version
We have all been apprehensive when entering into a relationship with someone who has a past that is not the most pleasant. Sometimes our prejudgment of someone can hinder us from "hearing" important messages that they may have for us. While we may always remember the past, we can try to not allow fear to determine our future. People can change. Just as God gave the Israelites another chance in today's story, we can give those we care about another chance and have a new attitude not controlled by the past.
My grandmother has a beautiful cherry bedroom that she's had for as long as I can remember. When I was young, I would play with the woodworking on the headboard, acting like I was changing the channel on the television. My grandmother would make me dust it for leaving my fingerprints all over her headboard. Twenty plus years later, my children put garbage pail kids stickers all over the chest of drawers. I was very upset with them for ruining Grandmother's chest of drawers and tried to get them off. I couldn't believe it when Grandmother's response was "Oh leave them on there. That just means they love me. You don't chance ruining the child who has a heart and feelings for a piece of furniture that cannot love you back."
Grandmother knew that she could change her mind and try something different. She knew what really mattered was doing what you know is right, even if it was different than what you had been doing all of your life.
Advent allows those of us who are skeptical about the future, because of the past, to hope. We can face today with anticipation instead of dread, because we know that it doesn't need to be like yesterday. God gives us a fresh start every day to get it right: to speak the truth, to live in peace, to love one another. What's from the heart reaches the heart..
communications@mccgsl.org
www.MCCGSL.org
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 18th~ By Kelly Durbin
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Matthew 25:14-30
"For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master replied, 'You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" New Revised Standard Version
Today we have yet a third parable about waiting. This story has a different twist to it though. Before the master leaves, he entrusts each of his servants with a portion of his property. To put it simply, he gives them money. No instructions are given in the text, but there is clearly an expectation that the handling or managing of the master's money requires some action on the part of the servants, otherwise the master could "hold" the money for himself. Without any knowledge of when the master would return, each servant set out to manage the money entrusted to him/her. As the story goes, two of the three servants invest the money so well that they double what they were given. The third servant didn't fare so well; fearful of losing what s/he had been given, the servant hides the money with no return on investment. This servant played it safe and missed the call.
When I've heard this story in the past, I've always been taught that it means we are to be good stewards of what we have, that we are to use our resources, talents, skills and abilities wisely and for the glory of God, for if we neglect to use them, they will be taken from us or at the very least be of no use to anyone if left idle. I think this is a reasonable interpretation, but I also believe there is more to the story if we look a little closer. The placement of this parable in the book of Matthew is shortly before Jesus' death, before the time when he would be leaving the disciples. It would seem Jesus was trying to use this story metaphorically to prepare the disciples for his death and departure. He was trying to provide some direction for what they should "do" while they wait for his return, for he would surely return just as the master does in the story.
So what were they to do? At first glance, it would seem they should invest and make money for an earthly kingdom to be established. But again, the money is a metaphor for something far greater...some scholars believe the investment is in people, in the mission of making disciples of all nations. This would make sense as a mere 3 chapters later, Jesus has died, been resurrected and now commissions the disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 when he says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of God the Creator, of the Son our Redeemer, and of the Holy Spirit our Sustainer, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." New Revised Standard Version
So what is the lesson from this parable? RISK is involved in making disciples. We must do more than accept the gift of love we have received in Christ. We are not to take that precious gift and bury it in the ground! We must take risks as the two servants did to "come out" into the world with the good news of Christ and invest in the lives of others. We are to invest our time, our talents and our abilities in loving people as Christ loved us. But there is indeed RISK. Anytime we put ourselves out there, we take the chance that we may not be received; we may even be ridiculed or persecuted. Sometimes I think we can handle those harsh realities more readily than the fact that we may be "uncomfortable" as we are called to love those who are not like us. Notice the call is to make disciples of ALL nations, not just of those we identify as "our people." RISK, RISK, RISK...While we wait...May we answer the call to go and make disciples of all nations. May we take the risk to love; and lest we forget, we are not alone for Christ is with us always, to the end of the age (even while we wait).
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Matthew 25:14-30
"For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master replied, 'You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" New Revised Standard Version
Today we have yet a third parable about waiting. This story has a different twist to it though. Before the master leaves, he entrusts each of his servants with a portion of his property. To put it simply, he gives them money. No instructions are given in the text, but there is clearly an expectation that the handling or managing of the master's money requires some action on the part of the servants, otherwise the master could "hold" the money for himself. Without any knowledge of when the master would return, each servant set out to manage the money entrusted to him/her. As the story goes, two of the three servants invest the money so well that they double what they were given. The third servant didn't fare so well; fearful of losing what s/he had been given, the servant hides the money with no return on investment. This servant played it safe and missed the call.
When I've heard this story in the past, I've always been taught that it means we are to be good stewards of what we have, that we are to use our resources, talents, skills and abilities wisely and for the glory of God, for if we neglect to use them, they will be taken from us or at the very least be of no use to anyone if left idle. I think this is a reasonable interpretation, but I also believe there is more to the story if we look a little closer. The placement of this parable in the book of Matthew is shortly before Jesus' death, before the time when he would be leaving the disciples. It would seem Jesus was trying to use this story metaphorically to prepare the disciples for his death and departure. He was trying to provide some direction for what they should "do" while they wait for his return, for he would surely return just as the master does in the story.
So what were they to do? At first glance, it would seem they should invest and make money for an earthly kingdom to be established. But again, the money is a metaphor for something far greater...some scholars believe the investment is in people, in the mission of making disciples of all nations. This would make sense as a mere 3 chapters later, Jesus has died, been resurrected and now commissions the disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 when he says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of God the Creator, of the Son our Redeemer, and of the Holy Spirit our Sustainer, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." New Revised Standard Version
So what is the lesson from this parable? RISK is involved in making disciples. We must do more than accept the gift of love we have received in Christ. We are not to take that precious gift and bury it in the ground! We must take risks as the two servants did to "come out" into the world with the good news of Christ and invest in the lives of others. We are to invest our time, our talents and our abilities in loving people as Christ loved us. But there is indeed RISK. Anytime we put ourselves out there, we take the chance that we may not be received; we may even be ridiculed or persecuted. Sometimes I think we can handle those harsh realities more readily than the fact that we may be "uncomfortable" as we are called to love those who are not like us. Notice the call is to make disciples of ALL nations, not just of those we identify as "our people." RISK, RISK, RISK...While we wait...May we answer the call to go and make disciples of all nations. May we take the risk to love; and lest we forget, we are not alone for Christ is with us always, to the end of the age (even while we wait).
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 17th by Kelly Durbin
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Matthew 25:1-13
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No! There will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." New Revised Standard Version
Much like yesterday's meditation, we have another story about waiting. Only in this story, no one person is put in charge while the master, or in this case the bridegroom, is away. Each bridesmaid is left to prepare and provide for her own needs while she waits: a look at one's own soul if you will. Now, I've heard many sermons on this parable. Most have been focused on the difference between the 5 wise bridesmaids and the 5 foolish. There is a call, often motivated by fear of being locked out like the foolish, to be like the wise, prepared, ever watchful maids waiting for the bridegroom to return. While I understand how those sermons developed, I'd like to look at this story in another way. I believe that the Holy Spirit is still at work within each of us, providing new insights and fresh perspectives to face the challenges we have in our lives and in our world today.
What if the oil were really the focus of this story, rather than the bridesmaids themselves? The oil is the fuel after all, the energy that keeps their lamps lit, ready and prepared. We know that the scientific community, in theories of Quantum Physics and the like, describes God as pure energy and it is energy that is needed for fuel. I tend to think of God's energy as love, pure love. What if they had fueled their inner lamps with love? What happens when we share love? We are transformed when we love. And instead of running out, love actually burns brighter and grows. Ask anyone who has loved if this is not indeed the case! Footnotes in the New Interpreter's Study Bible indicate that the "oil represents faithful, active, obedient discipleship. It cannot be borrowed from others." This explains why when the foolish bridesmaids asked to borrow oil from the wise, the response was a negative one. But perhaps that call to faithful obedience and discipleship was misunderstood? What if the call was actually a call to love? Isn't that what discipleship is, sharing the love of God, the good news of the gospel with others, thereby making disciples through love?
If we stand ready and willing to fuel our lamps with the love of God, a direct product of being in relationship with God, then we can share that love with others and many will be transformed, including ourselves. There will be no fuel shortage, since with love there is always "enough" to go around so no one needs to be "shut out." In the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:14, Jesus gives us the church's mission, "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God in heaven."
During this season of advent, may we at Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis be reminded, as we wait for the bridegroom. to keep our lamps burning bright with good works of love; may we indeed be radically inclusive to invite all to share our oil and to answer the call to love as God first loved us.
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Matthew 25:1-13
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No! There will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." New Revised Standard Version
Much like yesterday's meditation, we have another story about waiting. Only in this story, no one person is put in charge while the master, or in this case the bridegroom, is away. Each bridesmaid is left to prepare and provide for her own needs while she waits: a look at one's own soul if you will. Now, I've heard many sermons on this parable. Most have been focused on the difference between the 5 wise bridesmaids and the 5 foolish. There is a call, often motivated by fear of being locked out like the foolish, to be like the wise, prepared, ever watchful maids waiting for the bridegroom to return. While I understand how those sermons developed, I'd like to look at this story in another way. I believe that the Holy Spirit is still at work within each of us, providing new insights and fresh perspectives to face the challenges we have in our lives and in our world today.
What if the oil were really the focus of this story, rather than the bridesmaids themselves? The oil is the fuel after all, the energy that keeps their lamps lit, ready and prepared. We know that the scientific community, in theories of Quantum Physics and the like, describes God as pure energy and it is energy that is needed for fuel. I tend to think of God's energy as love, pure love. What if they had fueled their inner lamps with love? What happens when we share love? We are transformed when we love. And instead of running out, love actually burns brighter and grows. Ask anyone who has loved if this is not indeed the case! Footnotes in the New Interpreter's Study Bible indicate that the "oil represents faithful, active, obedient discipleship. It cannot be borrowed from others." This explains why when the foolish bridesmaids asked to borrow oil from the wise, the response was a negative one. But perhaps that call to faithful obedience and discipleship was misunderstood? What if the call was actually a call to love? Isn't that what discipleship is, sharing the love of God, the good news of the gospel with others, thereby making disciples through love?
If we stand ready and willing to fuel our lamps with the love of God, a direct product of being in relationship with God, then we can share that love with others and many will be transformed, including ourselves. There will be no fuel shortage, since with love there is always "enough" to go around so no one needs to be "shut out." In the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:14, Jesus gives us the church's mission, "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God in heaven."
During this season of advent, may we at Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis be reminded, as we wait for the bridegroom. to keep our lamps burning bright with good works of love; may we indeed be radically inclusive to invite all to share our oil and to answer the call to love as God first loved us.
communications@mccgsl.org
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 16th - by: Kelly Durbin
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Matthew 24:45-51
"Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whose master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." New Revised Standard Version
A coworker was telling me a story the other day about how her son's school teacher was leaving the classroom at various moments during the day. Whenever this would occur, she would leave a certain student in charge of the classroom. It was her responsibility to make sure that her classmates weren't talking or getting out of hand. She was charged with putting names on the board of anyone who was "misbehaving". Now I'm sure the student that was chosen to be in charge was probably a "good student", one who follows directions, completes her assignments, and helps out in class. The teacher likely used her observations of this student in the classroom to make her choice. As it turns out, however, when the teacher wasn't watching, this little girl didn't behave the same way. She picked on students that she didn't like, putting their names on the board to lose recess first, and those who were her friends could talk without consequence.
Reading today's scripture lesson made me think of that story. Many people go through life operating just as this little girl did. We are faithful servants when others are watching, especially when we think someone in authority or who has power or influence over us is watching, but when the "master" is out, we do what we want. I've experienced this same phenomenon in the work place: that often people work harder, or more quietly, and definitely more diligently when the boss is in vs. when the boss is out. Why is it we sometimes have a tendency not to do the right thing when left on our own? Do we only want to make a good impression on our teacher, the boss or others in a position of power? What about the needs of those left in our care, whether they are coworkers, customers, children or those less fortunate than ourselves who we are given a direct charge by Jesus to serve?
The apostle Paul understood the struggle. In Romans 7:14-25, he talks about knowing what he wanted to do, and yet at times found himself doing the very things he didn't want to do instead. Why? The answer is that we are human and fallible, thus prone to following our own desires and fulfilling our own needs, rather than following the example of Christ. His example was one of to loving (and serving) others as we love (and serve) ourselves. The message is not that we should deny ourselves completely, but that we must go beyond caring for ourselves to use our talents, gifts, skills and abilities in the service and care of others. If we have not taken care of ourselves, if we do not love ourselves, then we will not have the strength or even the understanding of what is needed to care for others. I think what often happens though is we get so wrapped up in ourselves that we forget the other part of the call: to reach out beyond ourselves. What we often don't realize is that something transformative happens when we answer the call completely by loving God, ourselves and others. We suddenly find ourselves whole.
I will tell a little story on my spouse that often brings a smile to my face...there are times when Gina will get frustrated with someone, maybe a clerk at the store, another driver on the road or a coworker who has been rude or inconsiderate. She will often say to me, "Its times like this when I know "it's" working! If it wasn't, I'd be going off on them!" What she is so vehemently declaring is that if it were left up to her, and her human spirit, she would not be kind, understanding or polite to those individuals. But because of the Spirit of God working within her, she is able to regain composure and behave in a more responsible and loving way. The apostle Paul said exactly the same thing in Romans 7:24 when he wrote, "Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
During this season of advent, we are encouraged to wait with great expectation for the return of Jesus Christ our Lord, just as the world waited for his birth. Yet while we wait, we are not to sit idle! We are challenged to continue working while we wait, to take care of our world (the household of God) in much the same way as the master left a wise and faithful servant in charge of the household in our scripture lesson. The question is which servant will we be: wise and faithful or foolish and selfish? Alone and under our own power, I fear we will find ourselves foolish and selfish. But the good news of the gospel is this: while we wait, the Spirit of God is ever present to come to our aid! We can indeed do all things through Christ who gives us strength and is at work within us right here, right now. May we yield to the Spirit today and every day! May it be so!
www.MCCGSL.org
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Matthew 24:45-51
"Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whose master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." New Revised Standard Version
A coworker was telling me a story the other day about how her son's school teacher was leaving the classroom at various moments during the day. Whenever this would occur, she would leave a certain student in charge of the classroom. It was her responsibility to make sure that her classmates weren't talking or getting out of hand. She was charged with putting names on the board of anyone who was "misbehaving". Now I'm sure the student that was chosen to be in charge was probably a "good student", one who follows directions, completes her assignments, and helps out in class. The teacher likely used her observations of this student in the classroom to make her choice. As it turns out, however, when the teacher wasn't watching, this little girl didn't behave the same way. She picked on students that she didn't like, putting their names on the board to lose recess first, and those who were her friends could talk without consequence.
Reading today's scripture lesson made me think of that story. Many people go through life operating just as this little girl did. We are faithful servants when others are watching, especially when we think someone in authority or who has power or influence over us is watching, but when the "master" is out, we do what we want. I've experienced this same phenomenon in the work place: that often people work harder, or more quietly, and definitely more diligently when the boss is in vs. when the boss is out. Why is it we sometimes have a tendency not to do the right thing when left on our own? Do we only want to make a good impression on our teacher, the boss or others in a position of power? What about the needs of those left in our care, whether they are coworkers, customers, children or those less fortunate than ourselves who we are given a direct charge by Jesus to serve?
The apostle Paul understood the struggle. In Romans 7:14-25, he talks about knowing what he wanted to do, and yet at times found himself doing the very things he didn't want to do instead. Why? The answer is that we are human and fallible, thus prone to following our own desires and fulfilling our own needs, rather than following the example of Christ. His example was one of to loving (and serving) others as we love (and serve) ourselves. The message is not that we should deny ourselves completely, but that we must go beyond caring for ourselves to use our talents, gifts, skills and abilities in the service and care of others. If we have not taken care of ourselves, if we do not love ourselves, then we will not have the strength or even the understanding of what is needed to care for others. I think what often happens though is we get so wrapped up in ourselves that we forget the other part of the call: to reach out beyond ourselves. What we often don't realize is that something transformative happens when we answer the call completely by loving God, ourselves and others. We suddenly find ourselves whole.
I will tell a little story on my spouse that often brings a smile to my face...there are times when Gina will get frustrated with someone, maybe a clerk at the store, another driver on the road or a coworker who has been rude or inconsiderate. She will often say to me, "Its times like this when I know "it's" working! If it wasn't, I'd be going off on them!" What she is so vehemently declaring is that if it were left up to her, and her human spirit, she would not be kind, understanding or polite to those individuals. But because of the Spirit of God working within her, she is able to regain composure and behave in a more responsible and loving way. The apostle Paul said exactly the same thing in Romans 7:24 when he wrote, "Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
During this season of advent, we are encouraged to wait with great expectation for the return of Jesus Christ our Lord, just as the world waited for his birth. Yet while we wait, we are not to sit idle! We are challenged to continue working while we wait, to take care of our world (the household of God) in much the same way as the master left a wise and faithful servant in charge of the household in our scripture lesson. The question is which servant will we be: wise and faithful or foolish and selfish? Alone and under our own power, I fear we will find ourselves foolish and selfish. But the good news of the gospel is this: while we wait, the Spirit of God is ever present to come to our aid! We can indeed do all things through Christ who gives us strength and is at work within us right here, right now. May we yield to the Spirit today and every day! May it be so!
www.MCCGSL.org
communications@mccgsl.org
Monday, December 14, 2009
Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 15th - by Val Jackson
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Val Jackson
Matthew 24: 32-44
'From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that the Messiah* is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. '
'But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Messiah but only God. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day the Messiah is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Humanity is coming at an unexpected hour.' New Revised Standard Version
The Second Coming (A continuation of yesterday's the End is Near)
As we pray about this scripture, let's remember the time in which it was written. During that time, Jewish people lived under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire and Christians were being persecuted. The rapture and second coming may have been a response of, or hope for, the members of that community. In the text, Jesus indicated that his second coming would be within that generation, but there was no rapture and there was no second coming. So how was Jesus mistaken? Was he wrong about a physical second coming, period, or just about the timing? Might there be pieces, missing in the translation, that would tie it all together neatly? We don't know and we may never know.
Hebrew and early Christian writers saw God as the "master planner," so many of their writings are based on the supernatural and divine intervention. Most of us today have not seen divine intervention to the extent of the claims in the Bible. We, today, may or may not be able to believe in a supernatural rapture or heroic return of Christ. What is real to us is that the world could end as abruptly as it does in this scripture through neglect or nuclear war - not necessarily through divine intervention.
The warning to be more urgent and less complacent is, perhaps, more meaningful for us today, than for 1st century Christians. We can't afford to be so caught up in our individual lives that we cannot see where humanity is going as a whole as was the case for people of Noah's time.
Neither can we afford to disenfranchise ourselves from the world (living in, but not of) waiting for the rapture and the fulfillment of this so called prophecy.
If we remain bound by the 1st century worldview and accept this scripture as prophecy - destiny ordained by God - then the end of the world becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, brought on by ill-chosen human action and ill-chosen human inaction.
What we ordain, God ordains.
During this advent season, let us open our hearts anew, not seeking to have Christ return to us, but to have us return to the way of Christ. Give us eyes, hands and the will, Oh Lord, to turn the tide of a world headed for self-destruction. You gave us the way in the first coming. Help us to seek justice for all, to love our neighbors as ourselves and to love God with our whole heart.
communications@mccgsl.org
www.MCCGSL.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Val Jackson
Matthew 24: 32-44
'From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that the Messiah* is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. '
'But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Messiah but only God. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day the Messiah is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Humanity is coming at an unexpected hour.' New Revised Standard Version
The Second Coming (A continuation of yesterday's the End is Near)
As we pray about this scripture, let's remember the time in which it was written. During that time, Jewish people lived under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire and Christians were being persecuted. The rapture and second coming may have been a response of, or hope for, the members of that community. In the text, Jesus indicated that his second coming would be within that generation, but there was no rapture and there was no second coming. So how was Jesus mistaken? Was he wrong about a physical second coming, period, or just about the timing? Might there be pieces, missing in the translation, that would tie it all together neatly? We don't know and we may never know.
Hebrew and early Christian writers saw God as the "master planner," so many of their writings are based on the supernatural and divine intervention. Most of us today have not seen divine intervention to the extent of the claims in the Bible. We, today, may or may not be able to believe in a supernatural rapture or heroic return of Christ. What is real to us is that the world could end as abruptly as it does in this scripture through neglect or nuclear war - not necessarily through divine intervention.
The warning to be more urgent and less complacent is, perhaps, more meaningful for us today, than for 1st century Christians. We can't afford to be so caught up in our individual lives that we cannot see where humanity is going as a whole as was the case for people of Noah's time.
Neither can we afford to disenfranchise ourselves from the world (living in, but not of) waiting for the rapture and the fulfillment of this so called prophecy.
If we remain bound by the 1st century worldview and accept this scripture as prophecy - destiny ordained by God - then the end of the world becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, brought on by ill-chosen human action and ill-chosen human inaction.
What we ordain, God ordains.
During this advent season, let us open our hearts anew, not seeking to have Christ return to us, but to have us return to the way of Christ. Give us eyes, hands and the will, Oh Lord, to turn the tide of a world headed for self-destruction. You gave us the way in the first coming. Help us to seek justice for all, to love our neighbors as ourselves and to love God with our whole heart.
communications@mccgsl.org
www.MCCGSL.org
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Daily Advent Meditation DEC 14th - By Val Jackson
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Val Jackson
Matthew 24: 15-31
So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; someone on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, "Look! Here is the Messiah!" or "There is Christ!"-do not believe it. For false messiah and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, "Look! The Messiah is in the wilderness", do not go out. If they say, "Look! Christ is in the inner rooms", do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
'Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Humanity will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see "the Son of Humanity coming on the clouds of heaven" with power and great glory. And Christ will send out the angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather the Messiah's elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. ' New Revised Standard Version
THE END IS NEAR
This passage, along with Revelation and parts of the book of Daniel are commonly assumed to be biblical prophecy about the end of the world. Many of us have heard the "End is Near" sermon preached in one format or another. That message still rings in my ears, and I can hear the preacher as he delivers it from the pulpit with an urgent fervor:
"We know the time is short," He says, "We know it won't be long because we see the signs of the times. No man knows the exact day. No angel in heaven knows the exact hour - Not even Jesus himself. Only God knows the appointed time when Christ shall appear. On that day, the sun will refuse to shine, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky and the Earth will tremble on its axis. It will be a time of great suffering and tribulation, but there will be no place to run and no place to hide. Behold...the heavens will split and all will look to the sky and see him, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, The Prince of Peace, riding on a cloud of glory, wielding the sword of power and justice. And Christ will send forth the angels to sound the final trumpet. Then the dead in Christ shall rise first. Afterward, those of us in Christ, who remain, who are the living Elect, will be gathered from the four corners of the earth and we will be caught up to meet him in the air. Glory, Hallelujah, brothers and sisters have you been washed in the blood of the lamb? Are you ready for that great 'getting up' morning?"
I can hear the joyful "Amens" and "Hallelujahs" coming from the congregation as the Elect rejoice in that great day of deliverance.
Even today, as I attempt to sort myth from fact, the possible from the impossible and the literal from the metaphorical, my heart feels the power of the message. Yet - my head finds it difficult to digest it. On the surface some scriptures appear to be too far-fetched to be useful, but I don't want to dismiss them immediately. Let's honor this scripture (as it reads or how we've heard it.) Let us invite in the Holy Spirit as we contemplate its significance for us. What is the meaning of the second coming of Christ for us now? Is there a message in this story which is plausible and useful?
Speak to us, I pray. (To be continued in tomorrow's devotional)
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Val Jackson
Matthew 24: 15-31
So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; someone on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, "Look! Here is the Messiah!" or "There is Christ!"-do not believe it. For false messiah and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, "Look! The Messiah is in the wilderness", do not go out. If they say, "Look! Christ is in the inner rooms", do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
'Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Humanity will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see "the Son of Humanity coming on the clouds of heaven" with power and great glory. And Christ will send out the angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather the Messiah's elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. ' New Revised Standard Version
THE END IS NEAR
This passage, along with Revelation and parts of the book of Daniel are commonly assumed to be biblical prophecy about the end of the world. Many of us have heard the "End is Near" sermon preached in one format or another. That message still rings in my ears, and I can hear the preacher as he delivers it from the pulpit with an urgent fervor:
"We know the time is short," He says, "We know it won't be long because we see the signs of the times. No man knows the exact day. No angel in heaven knows the exact hour - Not even Jesus himself. Only God knows the appointed time when Christ shall appear. On that day, the sun will refuse to shine, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky and the Earth will tremble on its axis. It will be a time of great suffering and tribulation, but there will be no place to run and no place to hide. Behold...the heavens will split and all will look to the sky and see him, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, The Prince of Peace, riding on a cloud of glory, wielding the sword of power and justice. And Christ will send forth the angels to sound the final trumpet. Then the dead in Christ shall rise first. Afterward, those of us in Christ, who remain, who are the living Elect, will be gathered from the four corners of the earth and we will be caught up to meet him in the air. Glory, Hallelujah, brothers and sisters have you been washed in the blood of the lamb? Are you ready for that great 'getting up' morning?"
I can hear the joyful "Amens" and "Hallelujahs" coming from the congregation as the Elect rejoice in that great day of deliverance.
Even today, as I attempt to sort myth from fact, the possible from the impossible and the literal from the metaphorical, my heart feels the power of the message. Yet - my head finds it difficult to digest it. On the surface some scriptures appear to be too far-fetched to be useful, but I don't want to dismiss them immediately. Let's honor this scripture (as it reads or how we've heard it.) Let us invite in the Holy Spirit as we contemplate its significance for us. What is the meaning of the second coming of Christ for us now? Is there a message in this story which is plausible and useful?
Speak to us, I pray. (To be continued in tomorrow's devotional)
communications@mccgsl.org
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 13th By Val Jackson
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Val Jackson
John 5: 30-47
'I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of the One who sent me. '
'If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John's. The works that God has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that God has sent me. And the God who sent me has testified on my behalf. You have never heard God's voice or seen God's form, and you do not have God's word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom God has sent. '
'You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in* you. I have come in God's name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Parent; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what Moses wrote, how will you believe what I say?' New Revised Standard Version
Can I Get a Witness?
Law enforcement officials often talk about the unreliability of eyewitnesses. It is amazing how a number of people can witness the same event, yet see different things. Actually, what we see is dependent upon what we've seen in the past. What we see is based on what is within us.
Jesus is talking to individuals who are unable to witness God in him. Sometimes we miss God because we are expecting to see God in a certain way, under particular conditions. Sometimes, God isn't quite acting the way we think God should act.
The Christmas story is about God coming to us born of a virgin in a stable. The message is not that God actually came to us from a virgin and was laid in the manger, but that God comes to us in unexpected ways.
Our challenge is to be in full relationship with God so that God fills us and overflows to the world beyond. When this happens, we witness God in ourselves and in others. We see, hear and appreciate God in the smallest ways.
Lord, fill me with your spirit. Let me be a witness of your love.
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Val Jackson
John 5: 30-47
'I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of the One who sent me. '
'If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John's. The works that God has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that God has sent me. And the God who sent me has testified on my behalf. You have never heard God's voice or seen God's form, and you do not have God's word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom God has sent. '
'You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in* you. I have come in God's name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Parent; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what Moses wrote, how will you believe what I say?' New Revised Standard Version
Can I Get a Witness?
Law enforcement officials often talk about the unreliability of eyewitnesses. It is amazing how a number of people can witness the same event, yet see different things. Actually, what we see is dependent upon what we've seen in the past. What we see is based on what is within us.
Jesus is talking to individuals who are unable to witness God in him. Sometimes we miss God because we are expecting to see God in a certain way, under particular conditions. Sometimes, God isn't quite acting the way we think God should act.
The Christmas story is about God coming to us born of a virgin in a stable. The message is not that God actually came to us from a virgin and was laid in the manger, but that God comes to us in unexpected ways.
Our challenge is to be in full relationship with God so that God fills us and overflows to the world beyond. When this happens, we witness God in ourselves and in others. We see, hear and appreciate God in the smallest ways.
Lord, fill me with your spirit. Let me be a witness of your love.
communications@mccgsl.org
Friday, December 11, 2009
Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 12th
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Ron White
Revelation 3: 1 - 6
'And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars:'
'I know your works; you have a name for being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is at the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God. Remember then what you received and heard; obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. Yet you have still a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes; they will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. If you conquer, you will be clothed like them in white robes, and I will not blot your name out of the book of life; I will confess your name before God and before the angels. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.' (New Revised Standard Version)
The Advent season is about new beginnings...about one new beginning that completely transforms life. The story of the birth of Christ has given tremendous hope to those who have become intimately familiar with it over the last two millennia. Their hope has transformed the way that much of the world conducts their both daily life and business. A writer once wrote that "Hope is the basic ingredient in motivating ourselves and others."
For some, the story doesn't do what it has done for so many. One thing that two thousand years of elapsed time has produced is a critical rereading of the narrative. Whether for better understanding of the Christian imperative or factual deconstruction of the details of the narrative, critical re-readings and the subsequent commentaries have produced a doubt about the veracity of not only the advent story, but of the details in the entire Bible. As the Jesus Seminar (a group of Biblical scholars who study the historicity of Jesus) has so aptly illustrated, the Bible is only peripherally a historical document and is far more a collection of philosophical truths.
Do you ever wonder what the white robe will look like, the one this passage says you'll be clothed in when you have conquered this world? That isn't at the top of the list for most people who embrace the hope of entering the Kingdom of God. What about the Book of Life with your name written in it? Is it literally written on pages, whether papyrus or paper? Again, that isn't at the top of most folks' concerns. For me, the hope that the advent story gives and how I choose to live my life today are the pursuits in which I immerse myself. Truth for me is all about what I believe God has in store for me today and forevermore, whether I grasp the "factual" details or not. Can you embrace your hope without all the window dressing? As we enter this worshipful season, let the hope of Advent flood your senses and your consciousness. We have a salvation which, one day, can lead all of humanity out of the hopelessness of this world and into the brilliant light of hope which this Advent Season promises.
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Ron White
Revelation 3: 1 - 6
'And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars:'
'I know your works; you have a name for being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is at the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God. Remember then what you received and heard; obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. Yet you have still a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes; they will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. If you conquer, you will be clothed like them in white robes, and I will not blot your name out of the book of life; I will confess your name before God and before the angels. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.' (New Revised Standard Version)
The Advent season is about new beginnings...about one new beginning that completely transforms life. The story of the birth of Christ has given tremendous hope to those who have become intimately familiar with it over the last two millennia. Their hope has transformed the way that much of the world conducts their both daily life and business. A writer once wrote that "Hope is the basic ingredient in motivating ourselves and others."
For some, the story doesn't do what it has done for so many. One thing that two thousand years of elapsed time has produced is a critical rereading of the narrative. Whether for better understanding of the Christian imperative or factual deconstruction of the details of the narrative, critical re-readings and the subsequent commentaries have produced a doubt about the veracity of not only the advent story, but of the details in the entire Bible. As the Jesus Seminar (a group of Biblical scholars who study the historicity of Jesus) has so aptly illustrated, the Bible is only peripherally a historical document and is far more a collection of philosophical truths.
Do you ever wonder what the white robe will look like, the one this passage says you'll be clothed in when you have conquered this world? That isn't at the top of the list for most people who embrace the hope of entering the Kingdom of God. What about the Book of Life with your name written in it? Is it literally written on pages, whether papyrus or paper? Again, that isn't at the top of most folks' concerns. For me, the hope that the advent story gives and how I choose to live my life today are the pursuits in which I immerse myself. Truth for me is all about what I believe God has in store for me today and forevermore, whether I grasp the "factual" details or not. Can you embrace your hope without all the window dressing? As we enter this worshipful season, let the hope of Advent flood your senses and your consciousness. We have a salvation which, one day, can lead all of humanity out of the hopelessness of this world and into the brilliant light of hope which this Advent Season promises.
communications@mccgsl.org
Advent Devotion for Dec 11th
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Ron White
Psalm 31: 1-5
In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name's sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me faithful God. (New Revised Standard Version)
Psalm 31 became a resource for the gospel writers for understanding and relating to the passion and death of Jesus. The underlined verse, traditionally attributed as a direct quotation of Jesus from the cross, is an affirmation of his trust in God that anticipates the resurrection. Even more important, these words are not just an interpretation of how Jesus died but are also part of a critically important interpretation of the gospel writers about how Jesus lived his life. The writers authoritatively assert that Jesus lived his entire life trusting God. Whatever other theological differences the gospels present, on this point they are in unison. The worldly result of that trust is unmistakably obvious.
In our community, some have managed to live relatively secure and peaceful lives, not exposed to the threat and persecution that the Psalmist referred to in his own life. Many others have managed to live with oppression, if not direct threats, for much of their lives, while the remainder may have experienced a degree of threat and persecution akin to that of the Psalmist. In all cases, we have managed to live within whatever circumstances we find ourselves. We usually manage our lives fairly well by ourselves. We may even take pride in having done so. But therein lies the problem. We may have read this Psalm a hundred times and missed the message, or perhaps not. Here's the message: this Psalm and Jesus' life teach us the importance of self-surrender to Yahweh. In surrendering, we have hope of finding the "peace that surpasses human understanding" promised by the writer of Phillippians 4 if only we will approach total surrender. Yet, that may also be the most difficult task we will ever approach. But, we don't only have our own will to overcome; perhaps the hidden lesson to learn from Psalm 31 and from the life of Jesus is that persons who trust God unreservedly can expect opposition from those who choose to trust only themselves.
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Ron White
Psalm 31: 1-5
In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name's sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me faithful God. (New Revised Standard Version)
Psalm 31 became a resource for the gospel writers for understanding and relating to the passion and death of Jesus. The underlined verse, traditionally attributed as a direct quotation of Jesus from the cross, is an affirmation of his trust in God that anticipates the resurrection. Even more important, these words are not just an interpretation of how Jesus died but are also part of a critically important interpretation of the gospel writers about how Jesus lived his life. The writers authoritatively assert that Jesus lived his entire life trusting God. Whatever other theological differences the gospels present, on this point they are in unison. The worldly result of that trust is unmistakably obvious.
In our community, some have managed to live relatively secure and peaceful lives, not exposed to the threat and persecution that the Psalmist referred to in his own life. Many others have managed to live with oppression, if not direct threats, for much of their lives, while the remainder may have experienced a degree of threat and persecution akin to that of the Psalmist. In all cases, we have managed to live within whatever circumstances we find ourselves. We usually manage our lives fairly well by ourselves. We may even take pride in having done so. But therein lies the problem. We may have read this Psalm a hundred times and missed the message, or perhaps not. Here's the message: this Psalm and Jesus' life teach us the importance of self-surrender to Yahweh. In surrendering, we have hope of finding the "peace that surpasses human understanding" promised by the writer of Phillippians 4 if only we will approach total surrender. Yet, that may also be the most difficult task we will ever approach. But, we don't only have our own will to overcome; perhaps the hidden lesson to learn from Psalm 31 and from the life of Jesus is that persons who trust God unreservedly can expect opposition from those who choose to trust only themselves.
communications@mccgsl.org
Friday, November 20, 2009
Weekly Meditation for Nov 22nd
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
By Ron & Christine White
Revelation 1: 4-8
Grace to you and peace from the One who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before God's throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings and queens of the earth. To Christ who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving God and Parent, to God be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Look! Christ is coming with the clouds;
every eye will see Christ;
even those that pieced Christ;
and on Christ's account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.
"I am the Alpha and Omega," says God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
What does it mean to have a God who does not have a noun for a name - a God who isn't a person, place or thing, a God who tells us that God is beyond our comprehension? In many ancient cultures, a name captures the essence of a person or thing. The God of the Hebrews whom we claim today as our God is a God of "being" or "presence." The Old and New Testament writers testify to a God who was personally active in their midst, in Israel and the early Christian community. Today, some of us recognize God's presence, albeit in different ways, some of us more deeply on a personal level, some of us less intimately. Whatever our personal circumstances, most of us understand our God to be the ultimate presence throughout the entire universe. Many of us believe that God is personally present with us. And we believe that our Creator desires to be in a very personal relationship with us just as we do with our Creator.
So how do we recognize God's presence in our lives? Ron would say that God's presence is the consonance (harmony) in the world, while human will is the cause of dissonance (disharmony) in the world. Some consonance/dissonance examples are peace/war, justice/violence, sharing/greed. Perhaps you can imagine how the dissonance in your own life, whether self inflicted or inflicted by others, is at the root of pain in your life and is the cause of feelings of separation from God. Jesus the Christ, whom scriptures tell us is God personified, is presented in the scriptures as the example of how we are to live a life in consonance with God. Interesting to note is that the consonance in Jesus' life lead to his crucifixion. Consonance with God is not something that the powers of this world can easily tolerate.
The Spirit of God that lived within Jesus and enabled him to live a life of consonance, also lives within each of us. This Spirit is described in Isaiah 11:2 as:
"the Spirit of Wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."
How will we know when we are living in consonance? To paraphrase Isaiah 11, verses 3 and 4: "We will not judge by what we see with our eyes, or decide by what we hear with our ears; but with righteousness we will justly deal with the needy, and with justice we will give decisions favoring the poor of the earth."
As we enter the Season of Hope, may God bless us in our efforts to bring peace and justice to a world sorely in need. Amen.
Weekly Meditation
By Ron & Christine White
Revelation 1: 4-8
Grace to you and peace from the One who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before God's throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings and queens of the earth. To Christ who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving God and Parent, to God be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Look! Christ is coming with the clouds;
every eye will see Christ;
even those that pieced Christ;
and on Christ's account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.
"I am the Alpha and Omega," says God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
What does it mean to have a God who does not have a noun for a name - a God who isn't a person, place or thing, a God who tells us that God is beyond our comprehension? In many ancient cultures, a name captures the essence of a person or thing. The God of the Hebrews whom we claim today as our God is a God of "being" or "presence." The Old and New Testament writers testify to a God who was personally active in their midst, in Israel and the early Christian community. Today, some of us recognize God's presence, albeit in different ways, some of us more deeply on a personal level, some of us less intimately. Whatever our personal circumstances, most of us understand our God to be the ultimate presence throughout the entire universe. Many of us believe that God is personally present with us. And we believe that our Creator desires to be in a very personal relationship with us just as we do with our Creator.
So how do we recognize God's presence in our lives? Ron would say that God's presence is the consonance (harmony) in the world, while human will is the cause of dissonance (disharmony) in the world. Some consonance/dissonance examples are peace/war, justice/violence, sharing/greed. Perhaps you can imagine how the dissonance in your own life, whether self inflicted or inflicted by others, is at the root of pain in your life and is the cause of feelings of separation from God. Jesus the Christ, whom scriptures tell us is God personified, is presented in the scriptures as the example of how we are to live a life in consonance with God. Interesting to note is that the consonance in Jesus' life lead to his crucifixion. Consonance with God is not something that the powers of this world can easily tolerate.
The Spirit of God that lived within Jesus and enabled him to live a life of consonance, also lives within each of us. This Spirit is described in Isaiah 11:2 as:
"the Spirit of Wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."
How will we know when we are living in consonance? To paraphrase Isaiah 11, verses 3 and 4: "We will not judge by what we see with our eyes, or decide by what we hear with our ears; but with righteousness we will justly deal with the needy, and with justice we will give decisions favoring the poor of the earth."
As we enter the Season of Hope, may God bless us in our efforts to bring peace and justice to a world sorely in need. Amen.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Weekly Meditation for Nov 15
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
By Michael Desmond
Matthew 6:25-33 (New International Version)
Do Not Worry
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
I don't know about you, but for me worrying is not necessarily something that can just be switched off-even if God tells me to do it. The lifelong trials of career, children, marriage, sonship, and friendship take their toll. Over time some level of worry seems to get baked into our chemistry. It becomes a habit of sorts.
One way to break a habit is to work at replacing it with another. Have you tried the practice of thankfulness? Work at being thankful for literally everything (and if you are really searching for what to be thankful for, add opposites). For example: sunshine, rain; fresh clothes, rumpled ones; sight, darkness; people, solitude; laughter, sorrow; community, aloneness-just on and on. It's kind of a searching of everything (events, people, thoughts and mysteries) that happens to try to experience thankfulness at finding God in it.
Maybe you have heard it expressed simply as the "attitude of gratitude". (Maybe this is a practice you also follow.) This practice often clears and revives the mind. Anxiety levels can fall off dramatically. Thoughts and energies focus where they belong, on God. After all, who are we thankful to? An added bonus is recognizing the sometimes subtle experience of receiving God's grace. It is often easier to perceive when we are in a thankful state of mind.
Seeking God's kingdom and righteousness kind of follow along naturally. (Seeking, even if not achieving!)
Thank you God for the opportunity to express this viewpoint. May we find you often today. Amen.
Weekly Meditation
By Michael Desmond
Matthew 6:25-33 (New International Version)
Do Not Worry
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
I don't know about you, but for me worrying is not necessarily something that can just be switched off-even if God tells me to do it. The lifelong trials of career, children, marriage, sonship, and friendship take their toll. Over time some level of worry seems to get baked into our chemistry. It becomes a habit of sorts.
One way to break a habit is to work at replacing it with another. Have you tried the practice of thankfulness? Work at being thankful for literally everything (and if you are really searching for what to be thankful for, add opposites). For example: sunshine, rain; fresh clothes, rumpled ones; sight, darkness; people, solitude; laughter, sorrow; community, aloneness-just on and on. It's kind of a searching of everything (events, people, thoughts and mysteries) that happens to try to experience thankfulness at finding God in it.
Maybe you have heard it expressed simply as the "attitude of gratitude". (Maybe this is a practice you also follow.) This practice often clears and revives the mind. Anxiety levels can fall off dramatically. Thoughts and energies focus where they belong, on God. After all, who are we thankful to? An added bonus is recognizing the sometimes subtle experience of receiving God's grace. It is often easier to perceive when we are in a thankful state of mind.
Seeking God's kingdom and righteousness kind of follow along naturally. (Seeking, even if not achieving!)
Thank you God for the opportunity to express this viewpoint. May we find you often today. Amen.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Weekly Meditation for Nov 8th
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
By Christine White
Mark 12:38-45
As he taught, he said, 'Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.'
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'
The catchword "widow" links these two pericopes together. In the first story, Jesus condemns the scribes for using their position to be an agent contributing to the poverty of most widows rather than the role that Jesus sees for them as an advocate for widows, defending and seeking justice for them.
In the second story, Jesus starkly contrasts the deficient character of the wealthy who make a show of giving from their abundance with the humble character of the widow who quietly gives all she had. His praise for the widow does not imply that Jesus approves of the social conditions that have created her poverty. Some suggest that not only is Jesus condemning the scribes whose rich taste is linked to "devouring the houses of widows" but also the religious system that taught this woman that God demanded (and in some religions still demands) such a sacrifice from the poor of the world.
This story poses the same challenge to readers today as it did 2000 years ago. Amos, Chapter 5, contains a prophetic condemnation of the rich within the sanctuary of the temple who foster injustice that reduces others in society to poverty:
"I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies
Even though you offer me your burnt
Offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
And the offerings of well-being
Of your fatted animals
I will not look upon them.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps."
By our deeds, we the people of MetropolitanCommunityChurch are defining ourselves more and more every year as a social justice church. Both the Mark and the Amos stories indicate that this is a mission that God finds worthy. The Amos passage ends with these words:
"But let justice roll down like waters
And righteousness like an ever flowing stream."
May God bless us as we provide sanctuary and seek justice for those who cannot do it for themselves.
Weekly Meditation
By Christine White
Mark 12:38-45
As he taught, he said, 'Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.'
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'
The catchword "widow" links these two pericopes together. In the first story, Jesus condemns the scribes for using their position to be an agent contributing to the poverty of most widows rather than the role that Jesus sees for them as an advocate for widows, defending and seeking justice for them.
In the second story, Jesus starkly contrasts the deficient character of the wealthy who make a show of giving from their abundance with the humble character of the widow who quietly gives all she had. His praise for the widow does not imply that Jesus approves of the social conditions that have created her poverty. Some suggest that not only is Jesus condemning the scribes whose rich taste is linked to "devouring the houses of widows" but also the religious system that taught this woman that God demanded (and in some religions still demands) such a sacrifice from the poor of the world.
This story poses the same challenge to readers today as it did 2000 years ago. Amos, Chapter 5, contains a prophetic condemnation of the rich within the sanctuary of the temple who foster injustice that reduces others in society to poverty:
"I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies
Even though you offer me your burnt
Offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
And the offerings of well-being
Of your fatted animals
I will not look upon them.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps."
By our deeds, we the people of MetropolitanCommunityChurch are defining ourselves more and more every year as a social justice church. Both the Mark and the Amos stories indicate that this is a mission that God finds worthy. The Amos passage ends with these words:
"But let justice roll down like waters
And righteousness like an ever flowing stream."
May God bless us as we provide sanctuary and seek justice for those who cannot do it for themselves.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Weekly Meditation for November 1
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
How Shall We Pray?
By Tom Robertsen
Revelation 21: 1-5
I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jeusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men and will live with them. They will be people of God, and God will be with them and be their God. Our God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed." The One seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"
This passage from the last book in the Christian New Testament is an example of apocalyptic writing, which is usually a visionary depiction of a sometime future face off between powers of good and evil. The book of Daniel could be another instance of an apocalypse.
We know almost nothing about John the author of Revelation except that he lived on a small and rather barren island off the coast of Greece. The purpose and overall meaning of John's book have been almost anyone's guess for nearly 1900 years. In fact, it wasn't even included in the official collection of biblical writings until sometime in the 4th century.
In spite of that, certain passages -- such as the one above -- speak profoundly to us as followers of the gospel message. These words can quite possibly answer the most basic Christian question: Why do we pray? What does it do for me? or What do I get out of it?
Follow with me if you will in John's footsteps. Silently meditate for a few moments on the infinite love of our God, the inexhaustible care and benevolence provided on our behalf. Shut out from your perception anything to the contrary. Feel yourself to be spiritually centered on this single divine energy source.
I believe that continuing your prayer-meditation in this way you will soon begin to experience a new heaven and earth, a renewal of everything around you. Some of the old stuff in your life can begin to fall away. "No more sea?" That's Bible talk for an end to life's turbulence.
Let's look at what follows: a new Jerusalem or an exalted city of hope; then, God as an indwelling and living presence in our lives; and lastly, a way out from a lot of the bad stuff in our lives.
This happened in the experience I wrote about last month, seeming nearly like an apostolic event. Starting in the very depth of frustration, I saw through prayer how things could change almost immediately to a time of hope and fulfillment!
This Christ consciousness is constantly inviting us in to experience renewal and regeneration in our personal live as well as in our larger church community. Truly God does make all things new.
Weekly Meditation
How Shall We Pray?
By Tom Robertsen
Revelation 21: 1-5
I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jeusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men and will live with them. They will be people of God, and God will be with them and be their God. Our God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed." The One seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"
This passage from the last book in the Christian New Testament is an example of apocalyptic writing, which is usually a visionary depiction of a sometime future face off between powers of good and evil. The book of Daniel could be another instance of an apocalypse.
We know almost nothing about John the author of Revelation except that he lived on a small and rather barren island off the coast of Greece. The purpose and overall meaning of John's book have been almost anyone's guess for nearly 1900 years. In fact, it wasn't even included in the official collection of biblical writings until sometime in the 4th century.
In spite of that, certain passages -- such as the one above -- speak profoundly to us as followers of the gospel message. These words can quite possibly answer the most basic Christian question: Why do we pray? What does it do for me? or What do I get out of it?
Follow with me if you will in John's footsteps. Silently meditate for a few moments on the infinite love of our God, the inexhaustible care and benevolence provided on our behalf. Shut out from your perception anything to the contrary. Feel yourself to be spiritually centered on this single divine energy source.
I believe that continuing your prayer-meditation in this way you will soon begin to experience a new heaven and earth, a renewal of everything around you. Some of the old stuff in your life can begin to fall away. "No more sea?" That's Bible talk for an end to life's turbulence.
Let's look at what follows: a new Jerusalem or an exalted city of hope; then, God as an indwelling and living presence in our lives; and lastly, a way out from a lot of the bad stuff in our lives.
This happened in the experience I wrote about last month, seeming nearly like an apostolic event. Starting in the very depth of frustration, I saw through prayer how things could change almost immediately to a time of hope and fulfillment!
This Christ consciousness is constantly inviting us in to experience renewal and regeneration in our personal live as well as in our larger church community. Truly God does make all things new.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Weekly Medidation for October 24th ~ Rev. Sue Yarber
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
By Rev Sue Yarber
Jeremiah 31: 7-9
For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
'Save, O Lord, your people,
the remnant of Israel.'
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
those with child and those in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come,
and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Mark 10:46-52
They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' Jesus stood still and said, 'Call him here.' And they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Take heart; get up, he is calling you.' So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, 'What do you want me to do for you?' The blind man said to him, 'My teacher let me see again.' Jesus said to him, 'Go; your faith has made you well.' Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Both Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet, and Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, come calling "Save, O Lord, your people." Jeremiah says it literally, and Bartimaeus does so figuratively. Jeremiah foretells how the Messiah "will gather up the people from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and lame." Bartimaeus is a blind beggar, for to be blind in ancient days meant that one was relegated to a life of poverty, one's only chance for survival was to beg. Blind people could not enter the temple, which was the center of community life, but had to remain outside while others enjoyed each other's company.
Bartimaeus yearned to see again. He understood that sight would restore him to the community. As Jesus and his disciples were leaving they encountered crowds and, yet, over the din of chaos they heard a strong and determined voice calling, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted, surely he could tell he was blind, yet he asked what he needed. Jesus empowers Bartimaeus to state his own needs and to participate in his own healing. Receiving Christ's mercy happens when we recognize our own need and humbly confess that need to Christ. I have experienced this spiritual truth in my own life. God will allow me to struggle over and over with something until I am finally done and able to give it up to God's care. When I can identify my own need for healing and sincerely ask God to heal me, then, and only then, can I move forward in my process. God's grace, as demonstrated through Jesus in this story, can only be received through a humble and waiting heart, one that has quieted enough to hear when Jesus speaks. Jesus said, "Go; your faith has made you well." Jesus calls Bartimaeus and us to move beyond the situation for which we have requested healing. We can acknowledge how God has moved in our lives and brought healing to us. We must see ourselves as healed, not perfect, just as ones who have received mercy and grace and are grateful.
Bartimaeus followed Jesus; once healed, he was compelled to be a part of other people's healing experiences. We, too, are able to pass on the unconditional love, the compassionate care and the promise of new life to others. We have all met people who define themselves by their problems or their personal histories. They may focus on what has happened to them, or the ways in which they have been mistreated by others. They have not, yet, approached Jesus requesting healing, they are caught at the point of surveying the damage. Jesus will be there whenever they are ready to move on in the process. We are called to point that way to the foot of the cross where we are receive mercy.
Sight is so much more than vision; Bartimaeus knew that a miracle had happened and that his entire future was transformed in an instant. Help us along the path to Jesus and give us the courage and faith we need to walk as a healed and beloved people.
Weekly Meditation
By Rev Sue Yarber
Jeremiah 31: 7-9
For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
'Save, O Lord, your people,
the remnant of Israel.'
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
those with child and those in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come,
and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Mark 10:46-52
They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' Jesus stood still and said, 'Call him here.' And they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Take heart; get up, he is calling you.' So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, 'What do you want me to do for you?' The blind man said to him, 'My teacher let me see again.' Jesus said to him, 'Go; your faith has made you well.' Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Both Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet, and Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, come calling "Save, O Lord, your people." Jeremiah says it literally, and Bartimaeus does so figuratively. Jeremiah foretells how the Messiah "will gather up the people from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and lame." Bartimaeus is a blind beggar, for to be blind in ancient days meant that one was relegated to a life of poverty, one's only chance for survival was to beg. Blind people could not enter the temple, which was the center of community life, but had to remain outside while others enjoyed each other's company.
Bartimaeus yearned to see again. He understood that sight would restore him to the community. As Jesus and his disciples were leaving they encountered crowds and, yet, over the din of chaos they heard a strong and determined voice calling, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted, surely he could tell he was blind, yet he asked what he needed. Jesus empowers Bartimaeus to state his own needs and to participate in his own healing. Receiving Christ's mercy happens when we recognize our own need and humbly confess that need to Christ. I have experienced this spiritual truth in my own life. God will allow me to struggle over and over with something until I am finally done and able to give it up to God's care. When I can identify my own need for healing and sincerely ask God to heal me, then, and only then, can I move forward in my process. God's grace, as demonstrated through Jesus in this story, can only be received through a humble and waiting heart, one that has quieted enough to hear when Jesus speaks. Jesus said, "Go; your faith has made you well." Jesus calls Bartimaeus and us to move beyond the situation for which we have requested healing. We can acknowledge how God has moved in our lives and brought healing to us. We must see ourselves as healed, not perfect, just as ones who have received mercy and grace and are grateful.
Bartimaeus followed Jesus; once healed, he was compelled to be a part of other people's healing experiences. We, too, are able to pass on the unconditional love, the compassionate care and the promise of new life to others. We have all met people who define themselves by their problems or their personal histories. They may focus on what has happened to them, or the ways in which they have been mistreated by others. They have not, yet, approached Jesus requesting healing, they are caught at the point of surveying the damage. Jesus will be there whenever they are ready to move on in the process. We are called to point that way to the foot of the cross where we are receive mercy.
Sight is so much more than vision; Bartimaeus knew that a miracle had happened and that his entire future was transformed in an instant. Help us along the path to Jesus and give us the courage and faith we need to walk as a healed and beloved people.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Weekly Meditation October 18th
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
By Val Jackson
1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
The Trump Card
I've always had difficulty with the concept of unconditional love. It feels unnatural and unrealistic to me. I suspect others feel the same and that is understandable. We live in a competitive world. Value and lovability are linked closely to talents, appearance, possessions, influence, knowledge, and good works.
This biblical passage teaches about the characteristics and importance of unconditional love. Unconditional love is patient, kind, not envious, arrogant or rude. In the hierarchy of desirable traits and practices, unconditional love is above all others. All others are hollow without it and only have true value with it. Unconditional love, not strength, bears all things. Unconditional love, not faith, believes and hopes all things. Unconditional love, not power, endures all things. It is the only thing that will never end. Unconditional love is the trump card in the deck.
As spiritual children, it is difficult to practice unconditional love. We tend to be self-engrossed and shortsighted. We want others to earn our love. Sometimes, we can't love ourselves unless we've "earned it". But we are encouraged to mature from children to spiritual adults. We are encouraged to rise above the temporary and the incomplete and embody a trait which has no shelf life.
God is unconditional love and unconditional love is God. Unconditional love is like a magnet. As human beings we need and are drawn to it. It makes both the giver and the recipient whole and complete. When we practice unconditional love, we practice God.
Lord, help our church body to be the trump card in our community. Let us exemplify what it means to love others without conditions and agendas.
Lord, help me, as an individual, to remember that you have equipped me with your trump card. As I interact with others, let me ask myself, "Is the trump card on the table?"
Weekly Meditation
By Val Jackson
1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
The Trump Card
I've always had difficulty with the concept of unconditional love. It feels unnatural and unrealistic to me. I suspect others feel the same and that is understandable. We live in a competitive world. Value and lovability are linked closely to talents, appearance, possessions, influence, knowledge, and good works.
This biblical passage teaches about the characteristics and importance of unconditional love. Unconditional love is patient, kind, not envious, arrogant or rude. In the hierarchy of desirable traits and practices, unconditional love is above all others. All others are hollow without it and only have true value with it. Unconditional love, not strength, bears all things. Unconditional love, not faith, believes and hopes all things. Unconditional love, not power, endures all things. It is the only thing that will never end. Unconditional love is the trump card in the deck.
As spiritual children, it is difficult to practice unconditional love. We tend to be self-engrossed and shortsighted. We want others to earn our love. Sometimes, we can't love ourselves unless we've "earned it". But we are encouraged to mature from children to spiritual adults. We are encouraged to rise above the temporary and the incomplete and embody a trait which has no shelf life.
God is unconditional love and unconditional love is God. Unconditional love is like a magnet. As human beings we need and are drawn to it. It makes both the giver and the recipient whole and complete. When we practice unconditional love, we practice God.
Lord, help our church body to be the trump card in our community. Let us exemplify what it means to love others without conditions and agendas.
Lord, help me, as an individual, to remember that you have equipped me with your trump card. As I interact with others, let me ask myself, "Is the trump card on the table?"
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Weekly Meditation for Oct 11th
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Weekly Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Mark 10: 17-31
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.'" He said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all of these since my youth." Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were greatly astounded and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible." Peter began to say to him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age-houses, brothers, and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions-and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first"
What must I do to inherit eternal life? Or another way to phrase the question might be how do I enter into relationship with God, or be restored to fellowship with God as I was created to be, both here and now, and forevermore? This is a fundamental question that is at the very heart of the gospel. Depending on our religious background or possibly for some, no religious background at all, we might answer that question in a variety of ways: we must be baptized, we must receive Jesus as our Savior, we must be born again, we must confess Jesus is Lord, we must do penance, we must give generously, we must obey church teachings, we must make peace, we must live a good life, we must love others, we must, we must, we must...when we focus on what WE must do, then we lose sight of God's part and transforming power in the relationship.
Jesus' response to the question is an interesting one. First of all he asked a question before answering in attempt to open the young man's spiritual eyes. "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone." Already, we begin to get a glimpse of the message AND the character of the young man Jesus was dealing with. The young man seems to have a belief or basic assumption in operation that he is capable of making judgments about others and then also about himself. A confidence, if you will, that he can discern who is good, and conversely then who is not good. Jesus begins by stating the obvious, that no one is good but God alone. In other words, we cannot be "good" of our own accord or of our own efforts. We ALL are on equal ground, found wanting, found needing. But the young man, as we also often do, misses the point.
So Jesus, loving him, tries again as God so often does with us. Having assured Jesus that he had kept the commandments since his youth, Jesus tells him there is "one more thing" he must do. I'm sure the young man was thrilled, excited with anticipation to hear the one last thing he needed to do in order to receive the benefits of the gospel. But all of the wind came pouring out of his sails when he heard the words "go sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." Why this one thing? What could Jesus possibly be saying? Why this particular instruction? Maybe it's because his possessions kept him in a place of self sufficiency, relying on himself to do whatever he judged as required to inherit eternal life rather than relying on God. Self sufficiency, self interest, and self importance...there seems to be a theme here...
God calls us to "let go" of self (the "whatever is in the way") of entering fully, and authentically into relationship with God. We need to see and experience that God's love is available for us, that we can partake of the fountain, but we have to "get out of the way" first. We can't give ourselves fully and wholly to God, when we are hanging on to things that we believe will provide us with joy and happiness in their own right. Acknowledgment that we can't do it alone seems to be the first step.
May we pray the Psalm from the Old Testament Reading this week in an effort to set self interest aside and to focus on what God can do in and through us this day? Psalm 90: 12-17: So teach us (God) to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Turn, O Lord! How long? (God) Have compassion on your servants! Satisfy us (God) in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all of our days. (God) Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us, as many years as we have seen trouble. Let your work (God) be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power (God) to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands-O prosper (Dearest God) the work of our hands! May it be so.
Weekly Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Mark 10: 17-31
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.'" He said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all of these since my youth." Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were greatly astounded and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible." Peter began to say to him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age-houses, brothers, and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions-and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first"
What must I do to inherit eternal life? Or another way to phrase the question might be how do I enter into relationship with God, or be restored to fellowship with God as I was created to be, both here and now, and forevermore? This is a fundamental question that is at the very heart of the gospel. Depending on our religious background or possibly for some, no religious background at all, we might answer that question in a variety of ways: we must be baptized, we must receive Jesus as our Savior, we must be born again, we must confess Jesus is Lord, we must do penance, we must give generously, we must obey church teachings, we must make peace, we must live a good life, we must love others, we must, we must, we must...when we focus on what WE must do, then we lose sight of God's part and transforming power in the relationship.
Jesus' response to the question is an interesting one. First of all he asked a question before answering in attempt to open the young man's spiritual eyes. "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone." Already, we begin to get a glimpse of the message AND the character of the young man Jesus was dealing with. The young man seems to have a belief or basic assumption in operation that he is capable of making judgments about others and then also about himself. A confidence, if you will, that he can discern who is good, and conversely then who is not good. Jesus begins by stating the obvious, that no one is good but God alone. In other words, we cannot be "good" of our own accord or of our own efforts. We ALL are on equal ground, found wanting, found needing. But the young man, as we also often do, misses the point.
So Jesus, loving him, tries again as God so often does with us. Having assured Jesus that he had kept the commandments since his youth, Jesus tells him there is "one more thing" he must do. I'm sure the young man was thrilled, excited with anticipation to hear the one last thing he needed to do in order to receive the benefits of the gospel. But all of the wind came pouring out of his sails when he heard the words "go sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." Why this one thing? What could Jesus possibly be saying? Why this particular instruction? Maybe it's because his possessions kept him in a place of self sufficiency, relying on himself to do whatever he judged as required to inherit eternal life rather than relying on God. Self sufficiency, self interest, and self importance...there seems to be a theme here...
God calls us to "let go" of self (the "whatever is in the way") of entering fully, and authentically into relationship with God. We need to see and experience that God's love is available for us, that we can partake of the fountain, but we have to "get out of the way" first. We can't give ourselves fully and wholly to God, when we are hanging on to things that we believe will provide us with joy and happiness in their own right. Acknowledgment that we can't do it alone seems to be the first step.
May we pray the Psalm from the Old Testament Reading this week in an effort to set self interest aside and to focus on what God can do in and through us this day? Psalm 90: 12-17: So teach us (God) to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Turn, O Lord! How long? (God) Have compassion on your servants! Satisfy us (God) in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all of our days. (God) Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us, as many years as we have seen trouble. Let your work (God) be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power (God) to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands-O prosper (Dearest God) the work of our hands! May it be so.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Weekly Meditation October 4th
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Weekly Meditation
By Christine White
Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.' And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
This episode begins with the disciples attempting to enforce one of the standard social mores of their day. Children should not be allowed to disturb the teacher and his students. The disciples demonstrate that they still don't understand the point of Jesus' ministry, which is inclusion. Including the children also made it possible for the women who had the responsibility for caring for them to hear Jesus' teaching. Jesus is always including the excluded of his society - lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors, women and children.
Jesus then goes on to say "whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." Children were not considered persons in their own right. They had no status or power. Jesus insists that God's rule exists for them.
This episode occurs after the disciples were arguing about which of them is the greatest. Modern ideas about the innocence of children were not held during the first century. Could Jesus be advising the disciples and us that we are all radically dependent upon God's grace just as a child is radically dependent on the parent for status, inheritance and life itself?
The message of radical dependence on grace is very inclusive. It puts us all on equal footing before God. Whatever our education, whatever our economic circumstances, whatever our race, whatever our gender, whatever our sexual orientation, whatever our religious affiliation, whatever our physical abilities or limitations, whatever our personality flaws - we are all radically dependent upon God's grace. We are all included in the circle of God's unconditional love.
This is the good news that we are blessed to receive and share - whatever your whatever, whatever your neighbor's whatever - we are all invited to share in God's kingdom. The challenge for both the disciples and for us is to realize that we are called to identify with the non-persons of our society - the homeless, the gang member, the mentally unstable, the chemically dependent. The list goes on. May God bless us as we struggle to be the body of Christ for each other and for those we would rather ignore.
Weekly Meditation
By Christine White
Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.' And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
This episode begins with the disciples attempting to enforce one of the standard social mores of their day. Children should not be allowed to disturb the teacher and his students. The disciples demonstrate that they still don't understand the point of Jesus' ministry, which is inclusion. Including the children also made it possible for the women who had the responsibility for caring for them to hear Jesus' teaching. Jesus is always including the excluded of his society - lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors, women and children.
Jesus then goes on to say "whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." Children were not considered persons in their own right. They had no status or power. Jesus insists that God's rule exists for them.
This episode occurs after the disciples were arguing about which of them is the greatest. Modern ideas about the innocence of children were not held during the first century. Could Jesus be advising the disciples and us that we are all radically dependent upon God's grace just as a child is radically dependent on the parent for status, inheritance and life itself?
The message of radical dependence on grace is very inclusive. It puts us all on equal footing before God. Whatever our education, whatever our economic circumstances, whatever our race, whatever our gender, whatever our sexual orientation, whatever our religious affiliation, whatever our physical abilities or limitations, whatever our personality flaws - we are all radically dependent upon God's grace. We are all included in the circle of God's unconditional love.
This is the good news that we are blessed to receive and share - whatever your whatever, whatever your neighbor's whatever - we are all invited to share in God's kingdom. The challenge for both the disciples and for us is to realize that we are called to identify with the non-persons of our society - the homeless, the gang member, the mentally unstable, the chemically dependent. The list goes on. May God bless us as we struggle to be the body of Christ for each other and for those we would rather ignore.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Weekly Meditation for Sept 27th
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Weekly Meditation
By Ron White
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10
Now the king and Haman came to drink wine with Esther the queen. And the king said to Esther on the second day also as they drank their wine at the banquet, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done."
Then Queen Esther replied, "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me as my petition, and my people as my request; for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed and to be annihilated. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have remained silent, for the trouble would not be commensurate with the annoyance to the king."
Then King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, "Who is he, and where is he, who would presume to do thus?"
Esther said, "A foe and an enemy is this wicked Haman!" Then Haman became terrified before the king and queen.
Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were before the king said, "Behold indeed, the gallows standing at Haman's house fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai who spoke good on behalf of the king!" And the king said, "Hang him on it."
So they hanged Haman on the gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai, and the king's anger subsided.
What are we to make of this story which the Bible tells? Believe it or not, the Bible has humor in its pages. Esther and her people were about "to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated." In translation from the Hebrew, that sounds like abundant overkill. In Hebrew culture, perhaps this expression meant to humorously exaggerate her circumstances for our reflection? Consider that Esther's petition was answered and her enemy completely removed...not just removed but hung until dead! Is this a parable for both our prayers and the answers that are possible? If you think you and yours are having your lives threatened, you do want your enemies hung by the neck until dead, don't you? Well, don't you?
Have you ever prayed fervently when things were really bad? I have. The Giver of Salvation can actually be upstaged by the sigh of relief we exhale when we see that the stress has been alleviated. The Giver disappears from view as we celebrate the victory. "Phew," we voice. "That was a close one!" Of course, since God is essentially speaking very quietly, almost imperceptibly, we often fail to listen and resume moving at breakneck speed until we run headlong into the next brick wall that appears. At least, I have resembled that description.
By the way, Esther is clear that she would not have bothered the King with a petition for much of anything less than relief from total disaster. When you read those verses, did you believe this parable meant "don't sweat praying over the small stuff?" That is one obvious possible interpretation. Yes, I too pray more fervently for someone who is in terrible circumstances. But, who is to measure the relative importance of prayers? Me? Is it possible that"insignificant" prayers are like snowflakes which land, some on hillsides, forming snowballs which roll downhill, starting avalanches? If mistakes are like that, can't prayers be? All too often when I was a younger man, I passed right over the admonition to "turn it over" and "did it [to] myself." Ah, the messes I made (and still do, though not quite as often)! By the way, I found it harder to forgive myself for my mistakes in judgment when I never should have tried to carry the ball myself!
Is this passage truly informing us that the only prayer we should pray is amidst life-and-death situations? For too long the church taught (and in some cases still teaches) that prostrate on the floor is the only way we belong in front of our King, God. Heaven help us grasp the humor hidden in the exaggeration of both Esther's prayer and the King's answer! I sing praises that God is merciful and forgiving. If life continues...and if we are listening to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit throughout the seasons of life, the Spirit will affirm in us the wisdom of this week's passage from Psalm 124:
"The snare is broken and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth."
May God grant us the wisdom to know that, in this life, we are always in the snare and always need to be praying about everything.Praise God our Creator who gives us endless mercy and the peace that surpasses human understanding when we finally surrender our illusion of control, and finally see that God's sweet Spirit endures throughout our lives. Therein lies the victory that God promises us.
Weekly Meditation
By Ron White
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10
Now the king and Haman came to drink wine with Esther the queen. And the king said to Esther on the second day also as they drank their wine at the banquet, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done."
Then Queen Esther replied, "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me as my petition, and my people as my request; for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed and to be annihilated. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have remained silent, for the trouble would not be commensurate with the annoyance to the king."
Then King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, "Who is he, and where is he, who would presume to do thus?"
Esther said, "A foe and an enemy is this wicked Haman!" Then Haman became terrified before the king and queen.
Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were before the king said, "Behold indeed, the gallows standing at Haman's house fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai who spoke good on behalf of the king!" And the king said, "Hang him on it."
So they hanged Haman on the gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai, and the king's anger subsided.
What are we to make of this story which the Bible tells? Believe it or not, the Bible has humor in its pages. Esther and her people were about "to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated." In translation from the Hebrew, that sounds like abundant overkill. In Hebrew culture, perhaps this expression meant to humorously exaggerate her circumstances for our reflection? Consider that Esther's petition was answered and her enemy completely removed...not just removed but hung until dead! Is this a parable for both our prayers and the answers that are possible? If you think you and yours are having your lives threatened, you do want your enemies hung by the neck until dead, don't you? Well, don't you?
Have you ever prayed fervently when things were really bad? I have. The Giver of Salvation can actually be upstaged by the sigh of relief we exhale when we see that the stress has been alleviated. The Giver disappears from view as we celebrate the victory. "Phew," we voice. "That was a close one!" Of course, since God is essentially speaking very quietly, almost imperceptibly, we often fail to listen and resume moving at breakneck speed until we run headlong into the next brick wall that appears. At least, I have resembled that description.
By the way, Esther is clear that she would not have bothered the King with a petition for much of anything less than relief from total disaster. When you read those verses, did you believe this parable meant "don't sweat praying over the small stuff?" That is one obvious possible interpretation. Yes, I too pray more fervently for someone who is in terrible circumstances. But, who is to measure the relative importance of prayers? Me? Is it possible that"insignificant" prayers are like snowflakes which land, some on hillsides, forming snowballs which roll downhill, starting avalanches? If mistakes are like that, can't prayers be? All too often when I was a younger man, I passed right over the admonition to "turn it over" and "did it [to] myself." Ah, the messes I made (and still do, though not quite as often)! By the way, I found it harder to forgive myself for my mistakes in judgment when I never should have tried to carry the ball myself!
Is this passage truly informing us that the only prayer we should pray is amidst life-and-death situations? For too long the church taught (and in some cases still teaches) that prostrate on the floor is the only way we belong in front of our King, God. Heaven help us grasp the humor hidden in the exaggeration of both Esther's prayer and the King's answer! I sing praises that God is merciful and forgiving. If life continues...and if we are listening to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit throughout the seasons of life, the Spirit will affirm in us the wisdom of this week's passage from Psalm 124:
"The snare is broken and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth."
May God grant us the wisdom to know that, in this life, we are always in the snare and always need to be praying about everything.Praise God our Creator who gives us endless mercy and the peace that surpasses human understanding when we finally surrender our illusion of control, and finally see that God's sweet Spirit endures throughout our lives. Therein lies the victory that God promises us.
Day 26 - I AM BLESSED AS A CHILD OF GOD
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DAY 26 - LESSON 26
I AM BLESSED AS A CHILD OF GOD
As a child of God, I have all the gifts of life available to me at every moment. The gifts of joy, peace, love, prosperity, abundance, power and choice are mine; they are already in my life. As I acknowledge and recognize these gifts, they manifest more frequently and abundantly. My blessings are infinite, and my life is filled with peace and absolutely effortless prosperity. I am blessed as a child of God.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 26
Bless people - either silently or aloud - all day long. Say,
"God bless you" to everyone, and mean it.
Affirmation: I have the peace of God.
Remember to keep your word today
DAY 26 - LESSON 26
I AM BLESSED AS A CHILD OF GOD
As a child of God, I have all the gifts of life available to me at every moment. The gifts of joy, peace, love, prosperity, abundance, power and choice are mine; they are already in my life. As I acknowledge and recognize these gifts, they manifest more frequently and abundantly. My blessings are infinite, and my life is filled with peace and absolutely effortless prosperity. I am blessed as a child of God.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 26
Bless people - either silently or aloud - all day long. Say,
"God bless you" to everyone, and mean it.
Affirmation: I have the peace of God.
Remember to keep your word today
Friday, September 25, 2009
Day 25 - I LET GO AND LET GOD
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DAY 25 - LESSON 25
I LET GO AND LET GOD
Today I surrender control, and I allow the part of God that is expressing through me to come into my life to guide me. Today I let peace make all of my decisions; I let love tell me where to go, whom to see, and what to say; I let the part of me that is God shine forth, creating joy in my life. Today I have the trust surrender control. I let go and let God.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 25
For one day, give full control to God. Do not take back the control.
Surrender to His care and love, all day long. Notice how you feel.
Affirmation: I shine peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
DAY 25 - LESSON 25
I LET GO AND LET GOD
Today I surrender control, and I allow the part of God that is expressing through me to come into my life to guide me. Today I let peace make all of my decisions; I let love tell me where to go, whom to see, and what to say; I let the part of me that is God shine forth, creating joy in my life. Today I have the trust surrender control. I let go and let God.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 25
For one day, give full control to God. Do not take back the control.
Surrender to His care and love, all day long. Notice how you feel.
Affirmation: I shine peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Day 24 - GOD IS GREAT, AND SO AM I
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DAY 24 - LESSON 24
GOD IS GREAT, AND SO AM I
I already know that I am an extension of God. His quality and His essence are within me; they are inherent and are my natural state. I am a child of God, and have the potential to be just like Him, God is great, and so am I. Whenever I must bring love into my perception of another person, I close my eyes, remind myself that we are all extensions of God, and repeat the words "God is great, and so are you." God is great, and so am I
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 24
Acknowledge how wonderful you are. Know that you are magnificent and that you are growing toward the light. Know that many people are growing with you.
Affirmation: Peace is great.
Remember to keep your word today.
Courtesy of: www.EffortlessProsperity.com
DAY 24 - LESSON 24
GOD IS GREAT, AND SO AM I
I already know that I am an extension of God. His quality and His essence are within me; they are inherent and are my natural state. I am a child of God, and have the potential to be just like Him, God is great, and so am I. Whenever I must bring love into my perception of another person, I close my eyes, remind myself that we are all extensions of God, and repeat the words "God is great, and so are you." God is great, and so am I
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 24
Acknowledge how wonderful you are. Know that you are magnificent and that you are growing toward the light. Know that many people are growing with you.
Affirmation: Peace is great.
Remember to keep your word today.
Courtesy of: www.EffortlessProsperity.com
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Day 23 - I TRUST GOD
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DAY 23 - LESSON 23
I TRUST GOD
Today I am aware that I have not been trusting god completely. When I trust God, I do not question any event that happens, for I know that everything that occurs in my life is in my best interest. My power to create miracles for myself begins as I realize that I can make a conscious choice to trust God. Today I trust God.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 23
Listen for God within, and embrace the peace that He offers you. Then notice and acknowledge the experience you have in your life because of it. Can you see the good - the silver lining?
Affirmation: I trust peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
DAY 23 - LESSON 23
I TRUST GOD
Today I am aware that I have not been trusting god completely. When I trust God, I do not question any event that happens, for I know that everything that occurs in my life is in my best interest. My power to create miracles for myself begins as I realize that I can make a conscious choice to trust God. Today I trust God.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 23
Listen for God within, and embrace the peace that He offers you. Then notice and acknowledge the experience you have in your life because of it. Can you see the good - the silver lining?
Affirmation: I trust peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
DAY 22 - GOD LOVES ME MORE THAN I LOVE MYSELF
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DAY 22 - LESSON 22
GOD LOVES ME MORE THAN I LOVE MYSELF
Today I know that all of my experiences happen for a reason, and I choose to see each experience as part my function of healing. Because of this, I can give up control and let God lead the way. God knows what is best for me, far better than I do. Today I know that God loves me more than what I love myself.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 22
Listen for God's voice to guide you today. When you are making a decision, the voice will be clearest and strongest. Be still, and simply listen. God's voice always brings peace; Ego's voice only brings turmoil.
Affirmation: God's peace and mine are one.
Remember to keep your word today.
DAY 22 - LESSON 22
GOD LOVES ME MORE THAN I LOVE MYSELF
Today I know that all of my experiences happen for a reason, and I choose to see each experience as part my function of healing. Because of this, I can give up control and let God lead the way. God knows what is best for me, far better than I do. Today I know that God loves me more than what I love myself.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 22
Listen for God's voice to guide you today. When you are making a decision, the voice will be clearest and strongest. Be still, and simply listen. God's voice always brings peace; Ego's voice only brings turmoil.
Affirmation: God's peace and mine are one.
Remember to keep your word today.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Day 21 - GOD LOVES ME UNCONDITIONALLY
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DAY 21 - LESSON 21
GOD LOVES ME UNCONDITIONALLY
Today I feel peaceful. I am so comfortable that I have a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. I know that god is taking care of me. The power of the universe is with me, and it protects me from all harm; it even protects me from my own dark thoughts. As I allow all grievances, anger, fear, turmoil and other negativity to fall away, my perception is changed and I am open to the unconditional love that is always available to me. I am happy and peaceful knowing that God loves me unconditionally.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 21
Hold someone's hand and, without speaking aloud, let that person know that
you love him or her unconditionally.
Affirmation: I feel God's peace now.
Remember to keep your word today.
Courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com
DAY 21 - LESSON 21
GOD LOVES ME UNCONDITIONALLY
Today I feel peaceful. I am so comfortable that I have a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. I know that god is taking care of me. The power of the universe is with me, and it protects me from all harm; it even protects me from my own dark thoughts. As I allow all grievances, anger, fear, turmoil and other negativity to fall away, my perception is changed and I am open to the unconditional love that is always available to me. I am happy and peaceful knowing that God loves me unconditionally.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 21
Hold someone's hand and, without speaking aloud, let that person know that
you love him or her unconditionally.
Affirmation: I feel God's peace now.
Remember to keep your word today.
Courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Day 20 - ONLY LOVE EXISTS; FEAR IS AN ILLUSION
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DAY 20 - LESSON 20
ONLY LOVE EXISTS; FEAR IS AN ILLUSION
Today I know that only love exists, and fear is an illusion. Fear is lack of love, just as darkness is a lack of light. To remove the illusion of fear, I simply bring forth love; I then notice that fear has gone and Truth has returned. Only love exists; fear is an illusion.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 20
Tell one person that you love him or her. Be in the present, and have the words come from your heart. Notice the reaction; the person you tell will never forget the moment. Express the love until you connect - until you really feel it. Notice your reaction, as well.
Affirmation: Peace is within me.
Remember to keep your word today.
DAY 20 - LESSON 20
ONLY LOVE EXISTS; FEAR IS AN ILLUSION
Today I know that only love exists, and fear is an illusion. Fear is lack of love, just as darkness is a lack of light. To remove the illusion of fear, I simply bring forth love; I then notice that fear has gone and Truth has returned. Only love exists; fear is an illusion.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 20
Tell one person that you love him or her. Be in the present, and have the words come from your heart. Notice the reaction; the person you tell will never forget the moment. Express the love until you connect - until you really feel it. Notice your reaction, as well.
Affirmation: Peace is within me.
Remember to keep your word today.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Day 19 - I AM LOVING AND LOVABLE
Day 19
I AM LOVING AND LOVABLE
Today I constantly repeat to myself that I am loving and lovable. I feel loving toward all others, and I am worthy of their love, as well. I love myself, I love everyone, and everyone loves me. No matter what Ego tries to tell me, I know that I am worthy of love. Today I know that I am loving and lovable.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 19
Continue to stay in peace. Throughout the day, repeatedly say to yourself, "I am wonderful and kind, and so worthy and deserving of all God's gifts." Say "Thank you, God," "I love God," "God loves me," and "I love me."
Affirmation: God shine peace on me.
Remember to keep your word today.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Day 18 - I CHOOSE ONLY PEACE
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DAY 18 - LESSON 18
I CHOOSE ONLY PEACE
Today I choose peace over everything else; I choose peace all throughout the day. Every decision I make will be based on this. No matter what my options are, today I choose only peace.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 18
Spend the day in silence. Speak only if you must, and only to bring light and peace.
Affirmation: I love my peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
Courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com
DAY 18 - LESSON 18
I CHOOSE ONLY PEACE
Today I choose peace over everything else; I choose peace all throughout the day. Every decision I make will be based on this. No matter what my options are, today I choose only peace.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 18
Spend the day in silence. Speak only if you must, and only to bring light and peace.
Affirmation: I love my peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
Courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Weekly Meditation for Sept 20
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Weekly Meditation
Two Kinds of Wisdom
By Tom Robertsen
James 3: 13,17
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom...The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
If I were to add a more flippant title to this meditation, it would go something like "Leaving It Be." Despite the awkwardness of those words, they express a lot right now. Since last night I have been sitting here in the worst clutter and mental chaos imaginable. Everything which seemed neatly wrapped and under control looks like it has fallen apart or is at least very uncertain. I'm under very short time constraints. I'm nearly out of ideas. The whole thing has spooked me out.
Since I woke up so very early this morning thinking about it, I did what I should have done at the very beginning: I asked our heavenly Parent what I should do, but I didn't get an answer. And so, I asked again -- and again. The response I got was exactly the sub-title above: "Leave It Be!"
Instead of worrying, I've gradually turned away from it all -- not once, but repeatedly -- and tried to rely on some true wisdom from our divine Source. I'm trying to create a life that matters instead of just nodding my head in appreciation to the testimonials of others. The chips are down and it's time to be an authentic Christian.
I've stopped fretting and started focusing on doing things by trusting in "the humility that comes from wisdom". God's wisdom is not in the problem; it comes to us in the solutions which are a part of the divine mercy. I see now that there are people to help: My partner who is at home hundreds of miles away had some sound advice, as always. I realize also that there is ample time to make the course corrections which may be needed.
By turning away from all the confusion and disorder, and truly trusting in divine Love's constant and continuous provision for me I can focus on wisdom's peace, mercy and fruitful harvest. I can champion the real sincerity and unselfishness which come from true wisdom and Christ-like activity.
It is thought by many scholars that the writer of this short passage may have been the actual brother of Jesus. Perhaps, then, these very words were advice which came directly from the Master.
Weekly Meditation
Two Kinds of Wisdom
By Tom Robertsen
James 3: 13,17
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom...The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
If I were to add a more flippant title to this meditation, it would go something like "Leaving It Be." Despite the awkwardness of those words, they express a lot right now. Since last night I have been sitting here in the worst clutter and mental chaos imaginable. Everything which seemed neatly wrapped and under control looks like it has fallen apart or is at least very uncertain. I'm under very short time constraints. I'm nearly out of ideas. The whole thing has spooked me out.
Since I woke up so very early this morning thinking about it, I did what I should have done at the very beginning: I asked our heavenly Parent what I should do, but I didn't get an answer. And so, I asked again -- and again. The response I got was exactly the sub-title above: "Leave It Be!"
Instead of worrying, I've gradually turned away from it all -- not once, but repeatedly -- and tried to rely on some true wisdom from our divine Source. I'm trying to create a life that matters instead of just nodding my head in appreciation to the testimonials of others. The chips are down and it's time to be an authentic Christian.
I've stopped fretting and started focusing on doing things by trusting in "the humility that comes from wisdom". God's wisdom is not in the problem; it comes to us in the solutions which are a part of the divine mercy. I see now that there are people to help: My partner who is at home hundreds of miles away had some sound advice, as always. I realize also that there is ample time to make the course corrections which may be needed.
By turning away from all the confusion and disorder, and truly trusting in divine Love's constant and continuous provision for me I can focus on wisdom's peace, mercy and fruitful harvest. I can champion the real sincerity and unselfishness which come from true wisdom and Christ-like activity.
It is thought by many scholars that the writer of this short passage may have been the actual brother of Jesus. Perhaps, then, these very words were advice which came directly from the Master.
Day 17 - I AM OPEN TO RECEIVE MIRACLES
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DAY 17 - LESSON 17
I AM OPEN TO RECEIVE MIRACLES
Miracles are a natural part of my life, and my acknowledgement of them makes them real for me. Miracles are the expression of unconditional love. They are always available to me; they are my inheritance from God. Today I am open to receive miracles.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 17
Treat yourself special. Know that who you are inside deserves the best. Feel unconditionally loved. Give yourself anything you desire. Today you are a loving and lovable king or queen.
Affirmation: I see everyone peaceful.
Remember to keep your word today.
DAY 17 - LESSON 17
I AM OPEN TO RECEIVE MIRACLES
Miracles are a natural part of my life, and my acknowledgement of them makes them real for me. Miracles are the expression of unconditional love. They are always available to me; they are my inheritance from God. Today I am open to receive miracles.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 17
Treat yourself special. Know that who you are inside deserves the best. Feel unconditionally loved. Give yourself anything you desire. Today you are a loving and lovable king or queen.
Affirmation: I see everyone peaceful.
Remember to keep your word today.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Day 16 - I PAUSE BEFORE I REACT
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DAY 16 - LESSON 16
I PAUSE BEFORE I REACT
Because I know that Ego always jumps in first to react to occurrences in my life. I remember to pause and allow Spirit's love to come through me, so I may respond to any situation. When I respond from Spirit, a result is produced that is good for me and for everyone else. I pause, let go of my initial ego-oriented reaction, clear my mind, and ask for guidance. I receive guidance and act upon it. Today I pause before I react.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 16
Beginning with today, start being instead of doing. Expect a miracle - a big miracle!
Affirmation: I love peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
DAY 16 - LESSON 16
I PAUSE BEFORE I REACT
Because I know that Ego always jumps in first to react to occurrences in my life. I remember to pause and allow Spirit's love to come through me, so I may respond to any situation. When I respond from Spirit, a result is produced that is good for me and for everyone else. I pause, let go of my initial ego-oriented reaction, clear my mind, and ask for guidance. I receive guidance and act upon it. Today I pause before I react.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 16
Beginning with today, start being instead of doing. Expect a miracle - a big miracle!
Affirmation: I love peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Day 15 - I AM PATIENT
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DAY 15 - LESSON 15
I AM PATIENT
Today I am patient with myself and with everyone else, for I know that time exists only to facilitate healing and growing. I know the difference between patience and procrastination, understanding that patience comes from Spirit's love, while procrastination comes from Ego's fear. Today I move through all of my functions and activities effortlessly, with patience and love. Today I am patient.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 15
Thank someone who truly deserves thanking. Come from your heart. How does it feel?
Affirmation: Peace is forever
Remember to keep your word today.
Courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com
DAY 15 - LESSON 15
I AM PATIENT
Today I am patient with myself and with everyone else, for I know that time exists only to facilitate healing and growing. I know the difference between patience and procrastination, understanding that patience comes from Spirit's love, while procrastination comes from Ego's fear. Today I move through all of my functions and activities effortlessly, with patience and love. Today I am patient.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 15
Thank someone who truly deserves thanking. Come from your heart. How does it feel?
Affirmation: Peace is forever
Remember to keep your word today.
Courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com
Monday, September 14, 2009
DAY 14 - I REGOGNIZE MY OWN BEST INTEREST
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DAY 14 - LESSON 14
I REGOGNIZE MY OWN BEST INTEREST
I am aware that whatever I see is only a small part of the whole picture. Because I cannot see the whole picture, usually what I think is good for me is not, and what I think will hurt me is actually helpful. In opening myself to this knowledge, I finally understand that I can let go of taking a chance at being right or wrong, because my own best interest is what is always being served in my life. Today I give up resistance and recognize my own best interest.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 14
Hug someone you normally would not hug. This is to be a sincere hug, not a quick one. What goes through your mind and how do you feel about yourself as you hug this person?
Affirmation: Peace is all I deserve
Remember to keep your word today.
Courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com
DAY 14 - LESSON 14
I REGOGNIZE MY OWN BEST INTEREST
I am aware that whatever I see is only a small part of the whole picture. Because I cannot see the whole picture, usually what I think is good for me is not, and what I think will hurt me is actually helpful. In opening myself to this knowledge, I finally understand that I can let go of taking a chance at being right or wrong, because my own best interest is what is always being served in my life. Today I give up resistance and recognize my own best interest.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 14
Hug someone you normally would not hug. This is to be a sincere hug, not a quick one. What goes through your mind and how do you feel about yourself as you hug this person?
Affirmation: Peace is all I deserve
Remember to keep your word today.
Courtesy of: www.effortlessprosperity.com
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Day 13 - I OPEN MY MIND TO PEACE
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Day 13
I OPEN MY MIND TO PEACE
Today I open my mind to the realization that there is always another way to view any experience in life. Whenever an experience does not bring me peace, I look at it from a different perspective. By being aware of the possibility that there I another way of looking at the experience, I create the opportunity for a peaceful resolution. Today I open my mind to peace.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 13
Find a homeless person and give that person some money. When you do,
notice your judgment. That judgment is about you.
Affirmation: I open my life to peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
Day 13
I OPEN MY MIND TO PEACE
Today I open my mind to the realization that there is always another way to view any experience in life. Whenever an experience does not bring me peace, I look at it from a different perspective. By being aware of the possibility that there I another way of looking at the experience, I create the opportunity for a peaceful resolution. Today I open my mind to peace.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 13
Find a homeless person and give that person some money. When you do,
notice your judgment. That judgment is about you.
Affirmation: I open my life to peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Day 12 - I RELEASE ALL FEAR
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DAY 12 - LESSON 12
I RELEASE ALL FEAR
Today I let go of my fear of anything, and I trust God to take the fear away. The way that I let go is simply by knowing that fear does not exist. I truly know that fear is simply Ego's deluded perception that it is possible to experience a lack of love in my life. To release this deluded perception, I must know that I am always filled with, and surrounded by, unconditional love. Whenever I experience fear, I can bring forth this unconditional love, and immediately the fear will disappear. Today I release all fear.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 12
Write five to ten affirmations of joy and prosperity for yourself. Repeat them throughout the day.
Affirmation: I embrace only peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
DAY 12 - LESSON 12
I RELEASE ALL FEAR
Today I let go of my fear of anything, and I trust God to take the fear away. The way that I let go is simply by knowing that fear does not exist. I truly know that fear is simply Ego's deluded perception that it is possible to experience a lack of love in my life. To release this deluded perception, I must know that I am always filled with, and surrounded by, unconditional love. Whenever I experience fear, I can bring forth this unconditional love, and immediately the fear will disappear. Today I release all fear.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 12
Write five to ten affirmations of joy and prosperity for yourself. Repeat them throughout the day.
Affirmation: I embrace only peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Day 11 - I GIVE AS I RECEIVE
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DAY 11 - LESSON 11
I GIVE AS I RECEIVE
I know that giving and receiving are the same thing. It is just as joyous to give as it is to receive. It is just as joyous to receive as it is to give. When I give joyously, I am healed by doing my function of making a contribution to another. When I receive joyously, the giver is healed by doing his or her function of making a contribution to me. Today I give as I receive.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 11
See at least one person as a child of God. Show this person unconditional love.
You will feel honored to be in his or her presence.
Affirmation: I wish peace for everyone
Remember to keep your word today.
Courtesy of : http://www.effortlessprosperity.com/
DAY 11 - LESSON 11
I GIVE AS I RECEIVE
I know that giving and receiving are the same thing. It is just as joyous to give as it is to receive. It is just as joyous to receive as it is to give. When I give joyously, I am healed by doing my function of making a contribution to another. When I receive joyously, the giver is healed by doing his or her function of making a contribution to me. Today I give as I receive.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 11
See at least one person as a child of God. Show this person unconditional love.
You will feel honored to be in his or her presence.
Affirmation: I wish peace for everyone
Remember to keep your word today.
Courtesy of : http://www.effortlessprosperity.com/
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Weekly Meditation for Sept 13th
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Weekly Meditation
by Michael Desmond
James 3:1-12 (New International Version)
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he or she says, that person is perfect, able to keep his or her whole body in check.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by people, but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and God, and with it we curse men and women, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? My brothers and can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Words come from somewhere and not just from our mouths. Dictionaries for sure. Perhaps there are dictionaries of our hearts as well. Billions of individual dictionaries all expressing the persons speaking. So as persons we have the stuff of comfort or ridicule in our hearts. Of gossip or of God. How will we use our dictionaries?
Weekly Meditation
by Michael Desmond
James 3:1-12 (New International Version)
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he or she says, that person is perfect, able to keep his or her whole body in check.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by people, but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and God, and with it we curse men and women, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? My brothers and can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Words come from somewhere and not just from our mouths. Dictionaries for sure. Perhaps there are dictionaries of our hearts as well. Billions of individual dictionaries all expressing the persons speaking. So as persons we have the stuff of comfort or ridicule in our hearts. Of gossip or of God. How will we use our dictionaries?
Day 10 I AM OPEN TO RECEIVE ALL OF GOD'S GIFTS
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DAY 10 - LESSON 10
I AM OPEN TO RECEIVE ALL OF GOD'S GIFTS
Today - all day - I literally walk around with my hands open to receive. I am not surprised when I realize that I am receiving without having to do anything. When someone offers to contribute something to me, I accept graciously. Knowing that each gift is a gift from God, I experience profound thankfulness and gratitude within myself; God hears my thankfulness and gratitude, and responds with more gifts from many sources. Today I remember to keep saying to myself "I am open and receiving all of God's gifts."
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 10
Walk around all day with your hands open to receive. Imagine your
spiritual self walking around with hands open to receive.
Affirmation: I see world peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
DAY 10 - LESSON 10
I AM OPEN TO RECEIVE ALL OF GOD'S GIFTS
Today - all day - I literally walk around with my hands open to receive. I am not surprised when I realize that I am receiving without having to do anything. When someone offers to contribute something to me, I accept graciously. Knowing that each gift is a gift from God, I experience profound thankfulness and gratitude within myself; God hears my thankfulness and gratitude, and responds with more gifts from many sources. Today I remember to keep saying to myself "I am open and receiving all of God's gifts."
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 10
Walk around all day with your hands open to receive. Imagine your
spiritual self walking around with hands open to receive.
Affirmation: I see world peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Day 9 - I DESERVE PROSPERITY
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DAY 9 - LESSON 9
I DESERVE PROSPERITY
Today I know that because of who I am - a child of God - I deserve all of God's gifts. They are my inheritance. When I open my mind and heart, I see myself as a very wonderful person who deserves everything that is good. And when I say, "I deserve prosperity," meaning it with my whole heart, I allow prosperity to come forth, to complete and fulfill me. I deserve prosperity.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 9
Be dedicated to laugh. The more you laugh, the more that prosperity comes to you.
Laugh all day long. If people are with you, make them laugh, too.
Affirmation: My planet Earth deserves peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
courtesy of www.effortlessprosperity.com
DAY 9 - LESSON 9
I DESERVE PROSPERITY
Today I know that because of who I am - a child of God - I deserve all of God's gifts. They are my inheritance. When I open my mind and heart, I see myself as a very wonderful person who deserves everything that is good. And when I say, "I deserve prosperity," meaning it with my whole heart, I allow prosperity to come forth, to complete and fulfill me. I deserve prosperity.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 9
Be dedicated to laugh. The more you laugh, the more that prosperity comes to you.
Laugh all day long. If people are with you, make them laugh, too.
Affirmation: My planet Earth deserves peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
courtesy of www.effortlessprosperity.com
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Day 8 - EVERYONE WISHES TO CONTRIBUTE TO ME
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DAY 8 - LESSON 8
EVERYONE WISHES TO CONTRIBUTE TO ME
Today I realize that everyone is making a contribution to my life. Everyone wishes to assist me in creating everything I desire, not because of what I say or do, but because deep inside there is a knowing that I am prosperous, and at an even deeper level, there is a knowing that we are all prosperous. Everyone's joy, happiness and function are to contribute to me; I must only receive and accept this as a natural part of my being. Everyone wishes to contribute to me.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 8
Give up control with one person or one issue for the day. Look at the result and
reaction to it. The result will be what is best for you.
Affirmation: I see peace in everyone's actions.
Remember to keep your word today.
DAY 8 - LESSON 8
EVERYONE WISHES TO CONTRIBUTE TO ME
Today I realize that everyone is making a contribution to my life. Everyone wishes to assist me in creating everything I desire, not because of what I say or do, but because deep inside there is a knowing that I am prosperous, and at an even deeper level, there is a knowing that we are all prosperous. Everyone's joy, happiness and function are to contribute to me; I must only receive and accept this as a natural part of my being. Everyone wishes to contribute to me.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 8
Give up control with one person or one issue for the day. Look at the result and
reaction to it. The result will be what is best for you.
Affirmation: I see peace in everyone's actions.
Remember to keep your word today.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Day 7 - I AM VERY PROSPEROUS
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DAY 7 - LESSON 7
I AM VERY PROSPEROUS
Today I understand that I am not my ego or the name I was given at birth. In truth, I am who I really am - an extension of god and a very, very prosperous creator.
If Ego appears today and tells me I have too little money in the bank, I owe money to people, or my job does not pay me enough, I simply remember that none of this has anything to do with who I really am.
The moment I believe I am prosperous beyond a shadow of a doubt, everything around me will change to reflect this truth. My abundance is overwhelming and is only waiting to be received by me. I am very prosperous.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 7
When you get up in the morning, see yourself as a ball of light that is very powerful, like the sun. All day, walk around saying "I am the light", and shine upon everyone.
Affirmation: I am so peaceful.
Remember to keep your word today.
Courtesy: www.effortlessprosperity.com
DAY 7 - LESSON 7
I AM VERY PROSPEROUS
Today I understand that I am not my ego or the name I was given at birth. In truth, I am who I really am - an extension of god and a very, very prosperous creator.
If Ego appears today and tells me I have too little money in the bank, I owe money to people, or my job does not pay me enough, I simply remember that none of this has anything to do with who I really am.
The moment I believe I am prosperous beyond a shadow of a doubt, everything around me will change to reflect this truth. My abundance is overwhelming and is only waiting to be received by me. I am very prosperous.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 7
When you get up in the morning, see yourself as a ball of light that is very powerful, like the sun. All day, walk around saying "I am the light", and shine upon everyone.
Affirmation: I am so peaceful.
Remember to keep your word today.
Courtesy: www.effortlessprosperity.com
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Day 6 - I AM VIGILANT FOR THE LIGHT
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DAY 6 - LESSON 6
I AM VIGILANT FOR THE LIGHT
Today I am more aware of my thoughts, and I choose thoughts of the light rather than of darkness. Regardless of how attractive the thoughts of darkness may look - or how rewarding Ego says they will be - I know the difference between light and dark thoughts.
Today, I repeat the words "I am vigilant for the light" to myself as many times as possible. I choose light over darkness and love over fear. Today I am vigilant for the light, all day long.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 6
In the morning after reading the lesson, sit quietly and ask yourself whom you resent. The first person who comes to mind is the right person. Make an attempt to contact this person; talk face-to-face, call on the telephone, write, or meditate and clear the resentment.
Affirmation: I am vigilant for peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
DAY 6 - LESSON 6
I AM VIGILANT FOR THE LIGHT
Today I am more aware of my thoughts, and I choose thoughts of the light rather than of darkness. Regardless of how attractive the thoughts of darkness may look - or how rewarding Ego says they will be - I know the difference between light and dark thoughts.
Today, I repeat the words "I am vigilant for the light" to myself as many times as possible. I choose light over darkness and love over fear. Today I am vigilant for the light, all day long.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 6
In the morning after reading the lesson, sit quietly and ask yourself whom you resent. The first person who comes to mind is the right person. Make an attempt to contact this person; talk face-to-face, call on the telephone, write, or meditate and clear the resentment.
Affirmation: I am vigilant for peace.
Remember to keep your word today.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
DAY 5 - I AM WILLING TO SEE THE LIGHT
DAY 5 - LESSON 5
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
I AM WILLING TO SEE THE LIGHT
Today I am willing to see the light, which is always available to me; I allow it to come in and brighten up my day. I see it even in the darkest situations. By opening my eyes and my mind to the light, I experience joy, love, happiness, prosperity and abundance. I am open for miracles to happen. I am willing to see the light, every hour of this day.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 5
Do something special for someone special - in action, or in a kind word.
Affirmation: I know only peace inside.
Remember to keep your word today.
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
I AM WILLING TO SEE THE LIGHT
Today I am willing to see the light, which is always available to me; I allow it to come in and brighten up my day. I see it even in the darkest situations. By opening my eyes and my mind to the light, I experience joy, love, happiness, prosperity and abundance. I am open for miracles to happen. I am willing to see the light, every hour of this day.
ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 5
Do something special for someone special - in action, or in a kind word.
Affirmation: I know only peace inside.
Remember to keep your word today.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Weekly Meditation for September 6th
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Weekly Meditation
by Christine White
Mark 7:24-37
From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin.
She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, 'Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs.' But she answered him, 'Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.' Then he said to her, 'For saying that, you may go-the demon has left your daughter.' So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue.
Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, 'Ephphatha', that is, 'Be opened.' And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, 'He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.'
The story of Jesus and the Gentile woman whose child needed healing has always filled me with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I'm offended by Jesus' initial conduct. He treats the non-Jewish woman with a severity that he has not shown to any of the others who have sought healing. On the other hand, I am filled with pride both for the woman who was able to engage the challenge posed by Jesus' saying and for Jesus who acknowledges the woman's word has overthrown his own word and has the humility to learn from her.
The socioeconomic situation that existed in the world of Jesus was that those who produced the food, Jewish peasant farmers, saw their work consumed by others. This probably caused the resentment on the part of those from Jewish villages producing goods for wealthy cities which we can see in Jesus' original reply. The use of the term "dog" was usually an insult intended to degrade those about whom it was used.
For me, the most amazing part of the story is the woman's ability to respond to Jesus' saying about dogs with a saying of equal power. Her response uses the ambiguity surrounding the term dog (she uses it to refer to a dog who is a pet and companion) to turn the demeaning metaphor to her advantage.
While it would be wrong to feed the dogs food that the children need, everyone knows that the dogs are permitted to eat what the children drop under the table. Jesus who usually overwhelms his opponents by using the ambiguity of their words against them allows a Gentile woman to do the same to him. The real miracle of this story is the overcoming of prejudice and boundaries that separate persons.
The discomfort caused by this story challenges us as a Church to examine how we treat the "other," a person who is different from us, one who comes from outside our social or ethnic group. Do we offer the same welcome to a homeless person that we do to a visiting elder?
Do we treat the poor and undereducated with the same deference that we give our pastors? I saw evidence at the 10:30 service on August 23 that some in our congregation have learned the lesson that this story offers. As she was walking from downtown with her three children trying to find our Church, a mother from the projects called the office.
Danny Gladden answered the phone and learned the family's dire straits and desire to worship with us. He asked Kathy Wallace if she would be willing to go find them and drive them to our building. Kathy did this willingly. When she came back, she asked Vickie Stricklin to help the family get settled.
Vickie served the family something to eat and drink, and then brought the mother into the sanctuary for the service and took the children to Children's Church. Danny, Kathy and Vickie have set the standard for how we are to receive visitors, not by allowing them to eat the crumbs from the ground, but rather by giving them the best of ourselves.
The challenge for you and for me is to live up to the standard set for us by Danny, Kathy and Vickie.
Weekly Meditation
by Christine White
Mark 7:24-37
From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin.
She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, 'Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs.' But she answered him, 'Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.' Then he said to her, 'For saying that, you may go-the demon has left your daughter.' So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue.
Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, 'Ephphatha', that is, 'Be opened.' And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, 'He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.'
The story of Jesus and the Gentile woman whose child needed healing has always filled me with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I'm offended by Jesus' initial conduct. He treats the non-Jewish woman with a severity that he has not shown to any of the others who have sought healing. On the other hand, I am filled with pride both for the woman who was able to engage the challenge posed by Jesus' saying and for Jesus who acknowledges the woman's word has overthrown his own word and has the humility to learn from her.
The socioeconomic situation that existed in the world of Jesus was that those who produced the food, Jewish peasant farmers, saw their work consumed by others. This probably caused the resentment on the part of those from Jewish villages producing goods for wealthy cities which we can see in Jesus' original reply. The use of the term "dog" was usually an insult intended to degrade those about whom it was used.
For me, the most amazing part of the story is the woman's ability to respond to Jesus' saying about dogs with a saying of equal power. Her response uses the ambiguity surrounding the term dog (she uses it to refer to a dog who is a pet and companion) to turn the demeaning metaphor to her advantage.
While it would be wrong to feed the dogs food that the children need, everyone knows that the dogs are permitted to eat what the children drop under the table. Jesus who usually overwhelms his opponents by using the ambiguity of their words against them allows a Gentile woman to do the same to him. The real miracle of this story is the overcoming of prejudice and boundaries that separate persons.
The discomfort caused by this story challenges us as a Church to examine how we treat the "other," a person who is different from us, one who comes from outside our social or ethnic group. Do we offer the same welcome to a homeless person that we do to a visiting elder?
Do we treat the poor and undereducated with the same deference that we give our pastors? I saw evidence at the 10:30 service on August 23 that some in our congregation have learned the lesson that this story offers. As she was walking from downtown with her three children trying to find our Church, a mother from the projects called the office.
Danny Gladden answered the phone and learned the family's dire straits and desire to worship with us. He asked Kathy Wallace if she would be willing to go find them and drive them to our building. Kathy did this willingly. When she came back, she asked Vickie Stricklin to help the family get settled.
Vickie served the family something to eat and drink, and then brought the mother into the sanctuary for the service and took the children to Children's Church. Danny, Kathy and Vickie have set the standard for how we are to receive visitors, not by allowing them to eat the crumbs from the ground, but rather by giving them the best of ourselves.
The challenge for you and for me is to live up to the standard set for us by Danny, Kathy and Vickie.
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