It is amazing to me how God's spirit works. There have been so many people who have talked to me about what appears to be just random occurrences that have been in their lives and those times were what they needed to get through a particular problem or life situation. I firmly believe that the Holy Spirit is at work in all of our lives. I have been using a devotional that I have shared some on this blog. Tomorrow I will be preaching on the character of Noah and what he has to teach us. As I was completing my sermon, I was reading in my devotional this scripture from 1 Timothy 6:6-21. I want to quote some of it for you.
"Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness... Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
I know that this is a long quotation of selected verses. I would encourage you to read the entire passage. What struck me was the concerns of being rich and what it really means. Being rich is more than the amount of money one has. Paul is not stating that being rich is evil but it is the love of money that begins to corrupt a person. Money becomes their god as far as accumulating more and keeping what they have. Paul reminds us that when we are able to share what we have that this becomes more of what true life is about. This is also difficult to do in a society that emphasizes wealth and spending for ourselves. Often times of trouble, we are encouraged as a society not to reflect on what has happened but to continue to build personal debt and to consume more rather than share. Such was the case with the incentive checks. We were encouraged to spend those for new material items rather than spending down debt or to give to charity.
Noah reminds us that we have choices as Paul and Jesus say also. Do we conform to the world or do we seek to do what God wants us to do?
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Children
I don't about you but there have been so many times I have heard from parents that they do not want to force their children into making decisions about church and religion. One of the scriptures for today in my devotions was from Proverbs 21:6. "Start the children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
I often think about parenting and the difficulty that we have. I believe it is common sense that parents are responsible for teaching their children about ways of keeping themselves healthy, what is nutritional, how to treat others, and about faith. We need to be set quidelines for our children rather than take a passive role. As a therapist, I often saw children who had problems adjusting to others or who would continually make poor decisions because their parents refused to be parents and wanted more to be their friend. There is a time when our children reach a certain age that they are capable of making decisions about how they live their life and even about church. But if they have no experience about church or life in general how can they make a good choice.
There are parents who grew up in abusive and neglectful families of origin who struggle as to how to relate to their children. They have not experienced a parent who cared for them and helped teach and guide them. The same is true about faith. If we want to have our children have a relationship with God, they need some experience in learning the scripture and being part of a community of faith. A parent cannot ignore their responsibility for raising their children and providing some teachings that there is more to life than just what is good for me. This is true regardless of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddha, Hindu. It transcends the individual and begins to focus on seeing beyond ourselves and working to a common good.
I often think about parenting and the difficulty that we have. I believe it is common sense that parents are responsible for teaching their children about ways of keeping themselves healthy, what is nutritional, how to treat others, and about faith. We need to be set quidelines for our children rather than take a passive role. As a therapist, I often saw children who had problems adjusting to others or who would continually make poor decisions because their parents refused to be parents and wanted more to be their friend. There is a time when our children reach a certain age that they are capable of making decisions about how they live their life and even about church. But if they have no experience about church or life in general how can they make a good choice.
There are parents who grew up in abusive and neglectful families of origin who struggle as to how to relate to their children. They have not experienced a parent who cared for them and helped teach and guide them. The same is true about faith. If we want to have our children have a relationship with God, they need some experience in learning the scripture and being part of a community of faith. A parent cannot ignore their responsibility for raising their children and providing some teachings that there is more to life than just what is good for me. This is true regardless of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddha, Hindu. It transcends the individual and begins to focus on seeing beyond ourselves and working to a common good.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Holy
I was reflecting on what I was going to talk about this evening at our communion service. I had read in my devotion on May 25th about what it means to be holy. Laurence Stookey in "This Day" p 84 talked about the biblical meaning of being holy. After studying Leviticus and the holy laws in class we discussed the reason for the laws especially the food laws of Israel. In fact the entire Torah speaks to the fact of trying to create a holy people. In looking at that holiness did not mean perfection. It was assumed that the people would be holy and if they were life would go bettter for them. In fact in Leviticus is the statement that "You are to be holy as your God is holy." Lev. 19:2. We are not gods but we are expected to be holy.
Holy in this context means to be set apart. Much like Sabbath is a time to set apart from our everyday activities, so is our life to be set apart from the accustomed standards of this world. We are to provide an alternative to what the world says is good and to concentrate on what God says is good. Lev. 20:26 goes into this by stating "You are to be holy to me, because I the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."
The concerns about living to this is the cost of being set apart. A question we would have to answer is how willing are we to be out of step with society in order to be holy? Are you willing to be called odd? Stookey states, "We are called to be a holy church, not a club to whatever is currently popular." I believe this is particularly difficult to live this day even as it was difficult for Israel to live this out. The pressure to conform is great and if one does not conform one is excluded from participation in many of the social benefits of our culture. Think about people you know and maybe even judge as somewhat eccentric who do not own a television, do not use a computer, do not own a car, who choose to live a green life and not use extensively non-renewable resources, and who do not use credit cards to purchase items. I know that I have difficulty with the idea of conformity to societal expectations and yet desire to not be so caught up in them that they become my gods.
It is not just in economic areas that conformation occurs but also in the political and even the religious areas of our life as well. We continue to hear the mantra of both political parties that seem to become nothing more the rhetoric with no substance. This occurs with both parties. The concern I have is that there are churches that also offer a lot of rhetoric with no substance. When Jesus confronted the Pharisees it was often based on this very issue. That somewhere the church became coopted by the society and began to conform to society rather than be an instrument to transform society. Paul in Romans 12:2 states "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Jesus sends us out to be evangelists to those in the world. One may think that one person cannot change and I quoted Margaret Mead yesterday. Today I want to share a statement made by Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. "This hour in history needs a dedicated circle of transformed nonconformists. The saving of our world from pending doom will come not from a conforming majority but from the creative maladjustment of a transformed minority (Wallis, The Great Awakening 2008 p66)."
I wonder what the church would be like if we believed in being transformed by the Spirit of God and to set ourselves apart not away from society. The early church did that and did transform an empire.
Holy in this context means to be set apart. Much like Sabbath is a time to set apart from our everyday activities, so is our life to be set apart from the accustomed standards of this world. We are to provide an alternative to what the world says is good and to concentrate on what God says is good. Lev. 20:26 goes into this by stating "You are to be holy to me, because I the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."
The concerns about living to this is the cost of being set apart. A question we would have to answer is how willing are we to be out of step with society in order to be holy? Are you willing to be called odd? Stookey states, "We are called to be a holy church, not a club to whatever is currently popular." I believe this is particularly difficult to live this day even as it was difficult for Israel to live this out. The pressure to conform is great and if one does not conform one is excluded from participation in many of the social benefits of our culture. Think about people you know and maybe even judge as somewhat eccentric who do not own a television, do not use a computer, do not own a car, who choose to live a green life and not use extensively non-renewable resources, and who do not use credit cards to purchase items. I know that I have difficulty with the idea of conformity to societal expectations and yet desire to not be so caught up in them that they become my gods.
It is not just in economic areas that conformation occurs but also in the political and even the religious areas of our life as well. We continue to hear the mantra of both political parties that seem to become nothing more the rhetoric with no substance. This occurs with both parties. The concern I have is that there are churches that also offer a lot of rhetoric with no substance. When Jesus confronted the Pharisees it was often based on this very issue. That somewhere the church became coopted by the society and began to conform to society rather than be an instrument to transform society. Paul in Romans 12:2 states "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Jesus sends us out to be evangelists to those in the world. One may think that one person cannot change and I quoted Margaret Mead yesterday. Today I want to share a statement made by Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. "This hour in history needs a dedicated circle of transformed nonconformists. The saving of our world from pending doom will come not from a conforming majority but from the creative maladjustment of a transformed minority (Wallis, The Great Awakening 2008 p66)."
I wonder what the church would be like if we believed in being transformed by the Spirit of God and to set ourselves apart not away from society. The early church did that and did transform an empire.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Choices
I have begun to do a series of sermons based on the lectionary reading from Genesis. Last Sunday began the series as I took the opening poem of creation Gen 1:1-2:4. I discussed that the entire poem showed that inter-relationship of God with creation and our responsibility toward being stewards of what God has created. I talked about what our choices might be if we took seriously the idea that we are stewards of creation and are to support not exploit it. I brought about the number of people complaining about the current gasoline prices. In the 1970's, we experienced our first gas shortage that raised concerns about our dependence on non-renewable resources. From the 1970's to today 30 years later, no one has done anything about it. We often would like to blame presidents, congresses, oil companies, OPEC, and others for the problem without taking any responsibility for our own choices. The auto makers have lobbied hard to prevent congress from enacting rules that would require changes in gas mileage stating that it would be too costly. They continue to try to stall such legislation but they do not do anything to date voluntarily. It is interesting that Ford and GM are now beginning to decrease production of SUV's and pick-ups not out of concern about building more efficient vehicles but as a response to consumer demand.
Europe and Japan have been producing vehicles that are more gas efficient for some time again as a response to $8 a liter gasoline. There are more foreign cars that get 30 mpg than there are domestic. If changes are going to come about and a true effort be made to find renewable resources we cannot depend on government or business to lead the way. Yet, one may doubt whether one person can do anything that would make a change. Margaret Mead once stated, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has (as found in the book The Great Awakening by Jim Wallis pg 65.)." Such was true of the early church and such is true today. I proposed that each week one would choose one day to take a Sabbath from driving except in emergencies. On that day if one had to go somewhere, one would use public transportation if available, walk, or ride a bicycle.
The choice is ours to make. Rather than to complain, let us do something to provide an alternative to the status quo.
Europe and Japan have been producing vehicles that are more gas efficient for some time again as a response to $8 a liter gasoline. There are more foreign cars that get 30 mpg than there are domestic. If changes are going to come about and a true effort be made to find renewable resources we cannot depend on government or business to lead the way. Yet, one may doubt whether one person can do anything that would make a change. Margaret Mead once stated, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has (as found in the book The Great Awakening by Jim Wallis pg 65.)." Such was true of the early church and such is true today. I proposed that each week one would choose one day to take a Sabbath from driving except in emergencies. On that day if one had to go somewhere, one would use public transportation if available, walk, or ride a bicycle.
The choice is ours to make. Rather than to complain, let us do something to provide an alternative to the status quo.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Saturday May 25th
Today I have been working on the church service for Sunday. We are in the process of changing worship times for the summer and as in any change there will be an adjustment period. This is also Memorial Weekend where we remember those who have given of their lives for our country. Too often we may take for granted those who are willing to lay down their lives for what we have in our nation. The start of this holiday dates back to the Civil War and was a time to remember soldiers of both sides fighting for what they believed to be valuable. Throughout history and many wars that followed there have always been those who are willing to offer the ultimate sacrifice for their beliefs. What is interesting to me is that after the Civil War the fallen of both sides were honored. Rarely do we do that today. The struggle is how can we honor those of our country and yet pray for our enemies as Jesus commanded us to do. I greatly appreciate those who have given of their lives, their jobs, often suffering life long disabilities. I pray for them and their families and feel that we as a nation do not do enough for them in caring for their loved ones, their on-going health care, and to support them following their discharge.
At the same time I continue to pray for a world where there is peace with justice. This Sunday we will be discussing the creation story. What God did was to take chaos and bring order. How God was able to do that is open to much discussion though the original poem was not to be taken--in my opinion--literally. Rather the important aspect of Genesis 1:1-2:4 was that God was the one responsible. That it was through God's intention and word that it happened. Also of importance was that God declared it good and very good.
So the question arises where did it go so wrong. I find it difficult to say it was because of Adam and Eve that we have wars, genocide, pollution of our land and water, misuse of the earth's resources, exploitation of others for economic and political gain. In each generation, we bear responsibility of how we live our lives. I cannot blame those who have gone before me for the choices that I make today. It is a convienent excuse to absolve myself of my sins. We are influenced by our heritage but are not condemned to repeat it. Prior to the flood story in Genesis, God saw how great was man's wickedness on the earth, and how every plan devised by His mind was nothing but evil all the time (Gen 6:5 Jewish Study Bible). There was no justice and no peace.
So what can we do. In my last blog entry I talked about relationship. It is God's intention that creation and humankind be good. Jesus in the gospel of Matthew shortly after proclaiming to repent for the Kingdom of God is among us talks about ways of living our lives in relationship to God's intention for the creation. I believe that we are called to make a conscious, committed choice to follow Jesus and to continue to grow into God's intention. This could mean to realize that we are all connected to one another as God's spirit is found in all created animals, plants, resources, and in all people. It would mean rather than complaining about something that we would work to change the world. I know that we cannot by ourselves change the world but we can make changes in the way we live our lives and if we would see ourselves connected in this web of creation we may influence the web in ways that we may never know.
At the same time I continue to pray for a world where there is peace with justice. This Sunday we will be discussing the creation story. What God did was to take chaos and bring order. How God was able to do that is open to much discussion though the original poem was not to be taken--in my opinion--literally. Rather the important aspect of Genesis 1:1-2:4 was that God was the one responsible. That it was through God's intention and word that it happened. Also of importance was that God declared it good and very good.
So the question arises where did it go so wrong. I find it difficult to say it was because of Adam and Eve that we have wars, genocide, pollution of our land and water, misuse of the earth's resources, exploitation of others for economic and political gain. In each generation, we bear responsibility of how we live our lives. I cannot blame those who have gone before me for the choices that I make today. It is a convienent excuse to absolve myself of my sins. We are influenced by our heritage but are not condemned to repeat it. Prior to the flood story in Genesis, God saw how great was man's wickedness on the earth, and how every plan devised by His mind was nothing but evil all the time (Gen 6:5 Jewish Study Bible). There was no justice and no peace.
So what can we do. In my last blog entry I talked about relationship. It is God's intention that creation and humankind be good. Jesus in the gospel of Matthew shortly after proclaiming to repent for the Kingdom of God is among us talks about ways of living our lives in relationship to God's intention for the creation. I believe that we are called to make a conscious, committed choice to follow Jesus and to continue to grow into God's intention. This could mean to realize that we are all connected to one another as God's spirit is found in all created animals, plants, resources, and in all people. It would mean rather than complaining about something that we would work to change the world. I know that we cannot by ourselves change the world but we can make changes in the way we live our lives and if we would see ourselves connected in this web of creation we may influence the web in ways that we may never know.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Just when does relationship begin
Today, Wednesday May 21, I was meeting with my covenant group made up of 6 other pastors. When we gather at a local restaurant, we often spend time talking about what has been our celebrations and our concerns. It is a time also to discuss various issues and ideas about the church and how we can become more effective in how we minister to those around us. This day we began to talk about weddings. We are approaching the time of year that we all have numerous weddings to perform. As we discussed some of the more humorous times that we all had, we began to talk about relationship. One of the members asked the question, just when does marriage or relationship begin? Does it happen only when the couple says before witnesses I do? Or does it happen earlier?
As we began to reflect on marriage as well as relationship, we discussed that is relationship dictated by some sort of outward acknowledgement of something that is already present. I stated that somehow for me it was not the "show" that started the marriage but when the two people made a committed decision to place the other as someone that they value, care about, and want to do what they can to build them up. That the marriage ritual was more of a public action that celebrated--we hope-- this committed decision. In fact for me, the marriage ceremony is more a secular institution today than a religious one. I know that is not true for everyone. I also know that for many people the idea of a conscious committed decision is also not present when a couple marries. The entire group agreed that in too many times that is true and unless the couple matures in their love they may end up in a miserable marriage or divorce. Somehow we need to help those who are wanting to commit themselves to each other to recognize that this commitment is vital and that love is a choice.
This afternoon as I continued to reflect on this discussion I began to think about my relationship with God. God has made the committed choice to be in relationship to me. We in our tradition talk about previenent grace. God has chosen me long before I may be aware of this unmerited grace that is extended to me. God holds me of value even if I don't, cares about me even if I am unaware, and continues to offer me ways of building myself up. This is the covenant that God has written not only on my heart but on the hearts of all creation. The question becomes do I have a relationship with God? Do I hold God of value in my life, do I care what God wants of me, and do I witness to this grace to others to participate in the Kingdom? There are times that I feel more assured and times that I feel that I need to continue to work on this relationship. God is steadfast even when I may not be.
So how can I work on this relationship and how can you? Study, pray, share, continue to grow in your faith, and most of all to thank God for the grace that is extended to you without merit. So to answer the question when does a relationship begin, it began at the very moment of creation and continues in God's creation of each of us.
As we began to reflect on marriage as well as relationship, we discussed that is relationship dictated by some sort of outward acknowledgement of something that is already present. I stated that somehow for me it was not the "show" that started the marriage but when the two people made a committed decision to place the other as someone that they value, care about, and want to do what they can to build them up. That the marriage ritual was more of a public action that celebrated--we hope-- this committed decision. In fact for me, the marriage ceremony is more a secular institution today than a religious one. I know that is not true for everyone. I also know that for many people the idea of a conscious committed decision is also not present when a couple marries. The entire group agreed that in too many times that is true and unless the couple matures in their love they may end up in a miserable marriage or divorce. Somehow we need to help those who are wanting to commit themselves to each other to recognize that this commitment is vital and that love is a choice.
This afternoon as I continued to reflect on this discussion I began to think about my relationship with God. God has made the committed choice to be in relationship to me. We in our tradition talk about previenent grace. God has chosen me long before I may be aware of this unmerited grace that is extended to me. God holds me of value even if I don't, cares about me even if I am unaware, and continues to offer me ways of building myself up. This is the covenant that God has written not only on my heart but on the hearts of all creation. The question becomes do I have a relationship with God? Do I hold God of value in my life, do I care what God wants of me, and do I witness to this grace to others to participate in the Kingdom? There are times that I feel more assured and times that I feel that I need to continue to work on this relationship. God is steadfast even when I may not be.
So how can I work on this relationship and how can you? Study, pray, share, continue to grow in your faith, and most of all to thank God for the grace that is extended to you without merit. So to answer the question when does a relationship begin, it began at the very moment of creation and continues in God's creation of each of us.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The Power of Woo
As I am preparing my sermon for Sunday which is Pentecost, Mother's Day, and Graduation day, I am caught in that dilemma of what is speaking to me. I will be preaching on Pentecost and what it means to be so caught up in the fire and wind of the Holy Spirit that one would go out into the world to talk about the good news of Christ. I have been influenced by several things that have been happening over the last few weeks that has made me reflect on what would it be like today to talk about Jesus in the world that we live. It seems that so many Christians spend more time talking about exclusiveness, hatred, divisiveness, and I hear very little from supposed Christian leaders about Jesus. Certainly this is not new. In Acts at the time of Pentecost, Peter in his sermon also says harsh things about the people who crucified Jesus. Yet he ends up talking about the love Jesus had and how that love triumphs over evil, hatred, and sin.
I struggle with the polemical point of view. I understand that there exists differences in opinions, traditions, and even in dogma and doctrine. I also understand that for many these differences are important for their faith whether Christian (Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox) or any other faith such as Judaism, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or any other faith. What concerns me is often the lack of willingness to respect and hear someone who has a different point of view. In Christian Century this week, there were many articles that discussed the various points of view of pastors, denominations and how these have led not to unity in Christ but have led to splits and anger among people. One instance was an Episcopal church in the Chicago area that has split over 5 times based on people's anger about decisions about ordination of women, homosexuals, and often over the sense that they didn't get their way.
I wonder what Jesus would say about some of the actions that his followers have chosen and the way they have treated one another.
That is why this Sunday I will be focusing on evangelism using the power of woo. Some of the ideas have come from a book titled "The Art of Woo" by G. Richard Shell and Mario Moussa written in 2007. They present ways of approaching others without coercion. In an article in Homiletics Magazine, they also talked about using some of these ideas to evangelize without coercion (Homiletics May-June 2008, p 9). What struck me about both the book and the article as it pairs with some of the inflammatory statements that have been widely published, is the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of wooing others. On that day of Pentecost the disicples in unity, prayer, and anticipation were blessed with the Spirit. They went out and began to speak to others not in tongues but in the language of the others to convey their experiences of Christ in their lives. Not to condemn but reaching out to encourage. I am quite willing as I said last blog to allow God to be the "righteous judge" and to speak to others about my experiences with God in my life.
I struggle with the polemical point of view. I understand that there exists differences in opinions, traditions, and even in dogma and doctrine. I also understand that for many these differences are important for their faith whether Christian (Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox) or any other faith such as Judaism, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or any other faith. What concerns me is often the lack of willingness to respect and hear someone who has a different point of view. In Christian Century this week, there were many articles that discussed the various points of view of pastors, denominations and how these have led not to unity in Christ but have led to splits and anger among people. One instance was an Episcopal church in the Chicago area that has split over 5 times based on people's anger about decisions about ordination of women, homosexuals, and often over the sense that they didn't get their way.
I wonder what Jesus would say about some of the actions that his followers have chosen and the way they have treated one another.
That is why this Sunday I will be focusing on evangelism using the power of woo. Some of the ideas have come from a book titled "The Art of Woo" by G. Richard Shell and Mario Moussa written in 2007. They present ways of approaching others without coercion. In an article in Homiletics Magazine, they also talked about using some of these ideas to evangelize without coercion (Homiletics May-June 2008, p 9). What struck me about both the book and the article as it pairs with some of the inflammatory statements that have been widely published, is the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of wooing others. On that day of Pentecost the disicples in unity, prayer, and anticipation were blessed with the Spirit. They went out and began to speak to others not in tongues but in the language of the others to convey their experiences of Christ in their lives. Not to condemn but reaching out to encourage. I am quite willing as I said last blog to allow God to be the "righteous judge" and to speak to others about my experiences with God in my life.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Reflections on Micah 6:8
As we come closer to Pentecost and the birth of the church, I was reading in my devotional the words of Micah. "What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." The reflection discussed that justice and mercy cannot be separated, at least as God defines them. Justice without mercy is harshly legalistic, even cruel. Mercy without justice sacrifices fairness on the altar of sentimentality. Is God just or is God kind? He is both. What seems to be three things are in reality one thing. So the author of the reflection poses these questions for us:
If I seek justice for myself, can I understand when others extend mercy to those who have hurt me? Can I myself show mercy?
If I am merciful to others, can I understand why those who have been hurt think I have no concern for fairness?
Since God alone knows in what proportions justice and mercy must be mixed in any given circumstance, can I learn that walking humbly with God not only means that I seek to emulate God?
It also means I cannot fully do so, since God alone is the righteous Judge.
How do I, with my noble aspirations, strive to emulate God and yet confront my limitations of understanding and action?
How does all of this relate to Christian teaching about forgiving others in love, as a loving God has forgiven me? (This Day: A Wesleyan Way of Prayer, Laurence Stookey, 2004, 39-40.)
What struck me was the way of understanding how we are to convey God's mercy that has been extended to all of creation. In Bible study of Deuteronomy, we also discussed in chapter 29 that God's covenant is intended for all people. Too often we spend time trying to figure out who should be in the covenant and who is not. Maybe if we spent more time caring for others and allowing God to be the "righteous Judge" more people will hear the Word of God. This Sunday on Pentecost I will be using a book titled, " The Art of Woo." This talks about how to approach others. Though it was written for business, some of the principles are applicable to our creating an inviting environment and to convey the good news.
I would invite you to spend time reflecting on the words of Micah as we continue our faith path together.
If I seek justice for myself, can I understand when others extend mercy to those who have hurt me? Can I myself show mercy?
If I am merciful to others, can I understand why those who have been hurt think I have no concern for fairness?
Since God alone knows in what proportions justice and mercy must be mixed in any given circumstance, can I learn that walking humbly with God not only means that I seek to emulate God?
It also means I cannot fully do so, since God alone is the righteous Judge.
How do I, with my noble aspirations, strive to emulate God and yet confront my limitations of understanding and action?
How does all of this relate to Christian teaching about forgiving others in love, as a loving God has forgiven me? (This Day: A Wesleyan Way of Prayer, Laurence Stookey, 2004, 39-40.)
What struck me was the way of understanding how we are to convey God's mercy that has been extended to all of creation. In Bible study of Deuteronomy, we also discussed in chapter 29 that God's covenant is intended for all people. Too often we spend time trying to figure out who should be in the covenant and who is not. Maybe if we spent more time caring for others and allowing God to be the "righteous Judge" more people will hear the Word of God. This Sunday on Pentecost I will be using a book titled, " The Art of Woo." This talks about how to approach others. Though it was written for business, some of the principles are applicable to our creating an inviting environment and to convey the good news.
I would invite you to spend time reflecting on the words of Micah as we continue our faith path together.
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