Daily Devotionals
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Hallie Hottle |
November 28
Daniel 2: 20-23
Daniel said: “Blessed be the name of God from age to age, for wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons, deposes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him. To you, O God of my ancestors, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and power, and have now revealed to me what we asked of you, for you have revealed to us what the king ordered.”
We end this week with a strange book. Daniel is one of these books that seems really important as a child in Sunday School (that lion’s den and all), but seems to lose relevance in adulthood. It’s a wild, apocalyptic story. We lift up these verses today, which come from a prayer that Daniel offers after receiving a vision that will save his life, and the lives of his friends.
So often our gratitude lifts up tangible things. Daniel’s prayer is a little different. His gratitude is for the revealing of understanding. As we turn in this next week toward Advent, consider what has been “revealed” to you lately, perhaps for better or worse. As we move into this season of light shining in darkness, what are you seeing more clearly that you may have missed some weeks ago? What might warrant your thanks-giving?
Daniel 2: 20-23
Daniel said: “Blessed be the name of God from age to age, for wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons, deposes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him. To you, O God of my ancestors, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and power, and have now revealed to me what we asked of you, for you have revealed to us what the king ordered.”
We end this week with a strange book. Daniel is one of these books that seems really important as a child in Sunday School (that lion’s den and all), but seems to lose relevance in adulthood. It’s a wild, apocalyptic story. We lift up these verses today, which come from a prayer that Daniel offers after receiving a vision that will save his life, and the lives of his friends.
So often our gratitude lifts up tangible things. Daniel’s prayer is a little different. His gratitude is for the revealing of understanding. As we turn in this next week toward Advent, consider what has been “revealed” to you lately, perhaps for better or worse. As we move into this season of light shining in darkness, what are you seeing more clearly that you may have missed some weeks ago? What might warrant your thanks-giving?
November 27
Lamentations 3: 22-24
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in God.”
This is a strange, hopeful verse to come from the book of Lament. But that’s usually where the deepest hope emerges, right? There is much to lament in this year. And I suspect, that in days to come we’ll more clearly see how God’s mercies and faithfulness abounded here. It’s always easier to see the glimmer of hope in hindsight.
Whether you are lamenting or feeling hopeful today, take some time to account for how God is being faithful here and now. It is true that God’s love never ceases. Look for it, right where you are, and offer your thanks.
Lamentations 3: 22-24
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in God.”
This is a strange, hopeful verse to come from the book of Lament. But that’s usually where the deepest hope emerges, right? There is much to lament in this year. And I suspect, that in days to come we’ll more clearly see how God’s mercies and faithfulness abounded here. It’s always easier to see the glimmer of hope in hindsight.
Whether you are lamenting or feeling hopeful today, take some time to account for how God is being faithful here and now. It is true that God’s love never ceases. Look for it, right where you are, and offer your thanks.
November 26
Philippians 1:3
I thank my God every time I remember you…
A short verse for this holy, unusual, holiday. Thanksgiving is typically a day we imagine being around a table with friends and family. While our tables look different this year and so much is unusual, I pray that one of the things that is different is our depth of gratitude for one another.
Take some time today to remember those you love, and offer a prayer of thanks for each of them. If you’re able, be specific about what it is you’re grateful for. And know, that we, your church, are saying prayers of gratitude for you.
Philippians 1:3
I thank my God every time I remember you…
A short verse for this holy, unusual, holiday. Thanksgiving is typically a day we imagine being around a table with friends and family. While our tables look different this year and so much is unusual, I pray that one of the things that is different is our depth of gratitude for one another.
Take some time today to remember those you love, and offer a prayer of thanks for each of them. If you’re able, be specific about what it is you’re grateful for. And know, that we, your church, are saying prayers of gratitude for you.
November 25
Philippians 4: 6-7
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Your preparation for tomorrow likely looks different for you this year. It certainly does for me. We’ll be at home, FaceTiming with family during dinner that definitely won’t be as good as what my grandma usually makes. Technology is great, but screens don’t quite do justice to the smells of this day.
We ground our preparation for this unusual holiday in this verse from Paul, instructing us not to worry. Stay with me here. I have to say - worry is warranted in these days. Worry is even the thing that has kept us from following through with our usual plans, staying home in order to keep others safe. But Paul had plenty to worry about too, and I’m not so sure what Paul is saying here can be reduced to a simple, “Don’t worry.” Perhaps a better translation of what Paul is saying, is let your worry take you to prayer. Let your worry drive you to speak with God, and let your asking be covered with thanksgiving.
Along with my worry, I’m doing an awful lot of praying in these days. And as I do, it’s often easier to find the thanks. Whatever your worries are about this day, find some time and space to offer them up to God. I don’t believe God makes them go away, but I do believe that God hears, and peace is never far from holy conversation.
Philippians 4: 6-7
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Your preparation for tomorrow likely looks different for you this year. It certainly does for me. We’ll be at home, FaceTiming with family during dinner that definitely won’t be as good as what my grandma usually makes. Technology is great, but screens don’t quite do justice to the smells of this day.
We ground our preparation for this unusual holiday in this verse from Paul, instructing us not to worry. Stay with me here. I have to say - worry is warranted in these days. Worry is even the thing that has kept us from following through with our usual plans, staying home in order to keep others safe. But Paul had plenty to worry about too, and I’m not so sure what Paul is saying here can be reduced to a simple, “Don’t worry.” Perhaps a better translation of what Paul is saying, is let your worry take you to prayer. Let your worry drive you to speak with God, and let your asking be covered with thanksgiving.
Along with my worry, I’m doing an awful lot of praying in these days. And as I do, it’s often easier to find the thanks. Whatever your worries are about this day, find some time and space to offer them up to God. I don’t believe God makes them go away, but I do believe that God hears, and peace is never far from holy conversation.
November 24
Exodus 15: 20-21
Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them:“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”
These short sentences don’t contain the word “thanks,” but that’s what Prophet Miriam is doing here. Her gratitude streams forth as praise, singing and dancing. Spontaneous singing and dancing isn’t exactly part of our culture here, and yet, I suspect we’ve all had a moment of gratitude so great, that singing and dancing felt possible.
Practice some hindsight gratitude today. Think back through moments of incredible gratitude you’ve experienced. What has brought you close to singing and dancing? Where might you have missed the awesomeness of God in the moment, and need to offer some thanks now? Examine all of these, and give thanks.
Exodus 15: 20-21
Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them:“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”
These short sentences don’t contain the word “thanks,” but that’s what Prophet Miriam is doing here. Her gratitude streams forth as praise, singing and dancing. Spontaneous singing and dancing isn’t exactly part of our culture here, and yet, I suspect we’ve all had a moment of gratitude so great, that singing and dancing felt possible.
Practice some hindsight gratitude today. Think back through moments of incredible gratitude you’ve experienced. What has brought you close to singing and dancing? Where might you have missed the awesomeness of God in the moment, and need to offer some thanks now? Examine all of these, and give thanks.
November 23
This Thanksgiving week, we’ll root ourselves in meditating on scripture about giving thanks. This is a strange year in every way. For most of us, our holiday rituals have been upended. And yet, the practice of gratitude is quite possibly more important here than ever before. A practice of giving thanks to God can help us find some steadiness in the chaos, some grounding in the midst of changing days. No matter what your plans are (or aren’t) this week, let’s commit to a daily thanks-giving.
Psalm 9:1
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.
Consider what it means to be “whole hearted.” When you consider your heart, who and what comes to mind? Offer up some prayers of gratitude for all your heart contains this day.
This Thanksgiving week, we’ll root ourselves in meditating on scripture about giving thanks. This is a strange year in every way. For most of us, our holiday rituals have been upended. And yet, the practice of gratitude is quite possibly more important here than ever before. A practice of giving thanks to God can help us find some steadiness in the chaos, some grounding in the midst of changing days. No matter what your plans are (or aren’t) this week, let’s commit to a daily thanks-giving.
Psalm 9:1
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.
Consider what it means to be “whole hearted.” When you consider your heart, who and what comes to mind? Offer up some prayers of gratitude for all your heart contains this day.
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Sally Wright |
November 21
Final day of prayer practices. Today my family will show you how we use bubbles to practice prayers. The video shows you a simple way to turn fun with bubbles into a prayer time. One variation on this practice could be to name a sadness or a lament with each bubble and then watch God take it away. It has been fun to practice-- fun, sometimes, lively ways to pray with my family. This week has also reminded me that God does not care that are prayers are perfect or poetic. God is interested in the relationship with each of us.
As we have practiced many times this week, let us close with the prayer we have been incorporating into our souls: Seek the Lord’s strength; Seek God’s presence continually. Remember the wonderful works God has done. Amen.
As we have practiced many times this week, let us close with the prayer we have been incorporating into our souls: Seek the Lord’s strength; Seek God’s presence continually. Remember the wonderful works God has done. Amen.
November 20
Shh. Don’t tell anyone, but today’s prayer practice is my favorite. We will practice M&M prayers. The idea is that each color of M&M is meant for a different type of prayer, e.g., the blue M&Ms are for prayers about creation. As you eat each M&M, say a prayer. My family uses the teeny tiny baking M&Ms for this prayer practice. Although, I heard a rumor that if you eat M&Ms as a form of prayer, Jesus takes away the calories.
Today is Day 5 of practicing Psalm 105:4-5. I will give any one of you bonus points if you can call my office number and recite the verse to my voicemail (913-671-2347). Jesus will know if you cheat. Keep going! Say Psalm 105:4-5 until it becomes part of your soul.
Today is Day 5 of practicing Psalm 105:4-5. I will give any one of you bonus points if you can call my office number and recite the verse to my voicemail (913-671-2347). Jesus will know if you cheat. Keep going! Say Psalm 105:4-5 until it becomes part of your soul.
November 19
When we are at church, we sometimes place prayers in a basket or the offering plate. We can do the same at our home with our family. The older ones can write prayer requests and the younger ones can draw or scribble and get placed in the basket. Either way, this is a time to gather up the prayers of the family and lift them up to God. Also, this is a good time to learn what others are thinking and praying about. Do you or your family have a regular prayer practice? I would love to hear more about ways that you work prayer into your daily lives.
Keep saying, reading, writing Psalm 105:4-5.
Keep saying, reading, writing Psalm 105:4-5.
November 18
Committing scripture to memory is a form of weaving scripture into your daily life (Deut 6:6-9). The ultimate goal is for God’s Word to become so deeply woven into you that acting upon God’s Word feels innate. Has Psalm 105:4-5 begun to feel part of you yet? How? Try writing Psalm 105:4-5 down 5 times on a piece of paper.
Another form of prayer is the notion of keeping your hands busy to free your mind. Today, we do this kid-style by using simple beads and string. In some versions, you can add a particular meaning to each color. Or, like me, you can keep it simple and simply string beads and say prayers aloud.
Another form of prayer is the notion of keeping your hands busy to free your mind. Today, we do this kid-style by using simple beads and string. In some versions, you can add a particular meaning to each color. Or, like me, you can keep it simple and simply string beads and say prayers aloud.
November 17
Psalm 105: 4-5
Again, bonus prayer practice first. Committing Psalm 105:4-5 to memory. Again, say this scripture 10 times today in a different room than yesterday.
Today, I made up a prayer practice to fit the affinities of my child. You will see that my son loves to play football. In using something he already loves and adding a spiritual component, we modeled ways to engage with prayer, even in fun ways.
Email me (sally.wright@villagepres.org) to let me know how it is going, what is working, or to share practices that you and your family already have.
Again, bonus prayer practice first. Committing Psalm 105:4-5 to memory. Again, say this scripture 10 times today in a different room than yesterday.
Today, I made up a prayer practice to fit the affinities of my child. You will see that my son loves to play football. In using something he already loves and adding a spiritual component, we modeled ways to engage with prayer, even in fun ways.
Email me (sally.wright@villagepres.org) to let me know how it is going, what is working, or to share practices that you and your family already have.
November 16
This week we will be practicing seven prayer practices, many of them aimed at praying with your family, especially with young ones. We will practice one each day and also have a bonus.
We will start the series off with the bonus practice – a memory verse. This week we are going to memorize a verse of scripture (Psalm 105:4-5). This is not for us to show off to our friends; it is meant to help us incorporate scripture into our lives. I have found that scriptures that I have memorized, usually through hymns, pop into my head at the most opportune moments.
For today, say Psalm 105:4-5, 10 times, out loud.
Seek the Lord’s strength;
Seek God’s presence continually.
Remember the wonderful works God has done.
Additionally, today, we are going to set the stage with a super easy prayer practice that you can easily do alone or with family. You will simply call God into the space with the lighting of a candle. Watch me attempt this with my children.
We will start the series off with the bonus practice – a memory verse. This week we are going to memorize a verse of scripture (Psalm 105:4-5). This is not for us to show off to our friends; it is meant to help us incorporate scripture into our lives. I have found that scriptures that I have memorized, usually through hymns, pop into my head at the most opportune moments.
For today, say Psalm 105:4-5, 10 times, out loud.
Seek the Lord’s strength;
Seek God’s presence continually.
Remember the wonderful works God has done.
Additionally, today, we are going to set the stage with a super easy prayer practice that you can easily do alone or with family. You will simply call God into the space with the lighting of a candle. Watch me attempt this with my children.
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Tom Are |
November 14
My mother claimed to have “eyes in the back of her head.” That’s how she seemed to know everything about my siblings and me, even when we tried to keep things hidden. When she made such a claim, I didn’t really believe her, but I would also be confused as to how she knew that I had tossed my pinto beans in the trash rather than eating them, or how she knew I had colored under the kitchen table (she was too tall to see all the way down there). I didn’t like that I was so pitiful at keeping things hidden.
But I’ve changed. It’s a comfort to think someone is watching over us. When we are sleeping or when we are beginning our day, we are known. When we are focused or when we are distracted, there is someone who is not distracted,but pays attention to us.
Psalm 139 says, O Lord you have searched me and known me. I know, to be fully known is a bit scary. I suppose that’s why I wanted to keep some things hidden, even as a kid. But Psalm 139 declares that the God who knows us not only loves us, delights in us, but is the God to whom we belong.
Where can I go from your spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
If I make my bed in sheol, you are there;
If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall lead me.
I come to the end, I am still with you.
You are known, and loved with a love that calls you by name and will never let you go. Rest in that.
My mother claimed to have “eyes in the back of her head.” That’s how she seemed to know everything about my siblings and me, even when we tried to keep things hidden. When she made such a claim, I didn’t really believe her, but I would also be confused as to how she knew that I had tossed my pinto beans in the trash rather than eating them, or how she knew I had colored under the kitchen table (she was too tall to see all the way down there). I didn’t like that I was so pitiful at keeping things hidden.
But I’ve changed. It’s a comfort to think someone is watching over us. When we are sleeping or when we are beginning our day, we are known. When we are focused or when we are distracted, there is someone who is not distracted,but pays attention to us.
Psalm 139 says, O Lord you have searched me and known me. I know, to be fully known is a bit scary. I suppose that’s why I wanted to keep some things hidden, even as a kid. But Psalm 139 declares that the God who knows us not only loves us, delights in us, but is the God to whom we belong.
Where can I go from your spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
If I make my bed in sheol, you are there;
If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall lead me.
I come to the end, I am still with you.
You are known, and loved with a love that calls you by name and will never let you go. Rest in that.
November 13
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come into his presence with singing.
Psalm 100 is a hymn of praise. The psalmist knows that coming into the presence of God, recognizing that we are in the presence of God evokes praise from God’s children. The most consistent form of praise is to sing. That’s why we sing, Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord God Almighty! Some of my favorite hymns of praise are When Morning Gilds the skies, and Come, Christians, Join to sing. I also love to sing Praise, my soul, the God of heaven and From all that dwell below the skies. There is A Mighty Fortress, Immortal Invisible, God the sculptor, Joyful Joyful, O For a Thousand Tongues, Morning has Broken, Praise Ye the Lord the Almighty, and one of my favorites that Becky and Nathan Bliss sing in the Gathering is I need thee. And of course, there is
All people that on earth do dwell
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice
Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell,
Come ye, before him and rejoice.
This hymn is taken from psalm 100 and the tune is called Old Hundredth.
Find a moment today simply to praise. Sing your favorite song of faith and know that it pleases God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come into his presence with singing.
Psalm 100 is a hymn of praise. The psalmist knows that coming into the presence of God, recognizing that we are in the presence of God evokes praise from God’s children. The most consistent form of praise is to sing. That’s why we sing, Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord God Almighty! Some of my favorite hymns of praise are When Morning Gilds the skies, and Come, Christians, Join to sing. I also love to sing Praise, my soul, the God of heaven and From all that dwell below the skies. There is A Mighty Fortress, Immortal Invisible, God the sculptor, Joyful Joyful, O For a Thousand Tongues, Morning has Broken, Praise Ye the Lord the Almighty, and one of my favorites that Becky and Nathan Bliss sing in the Gathering is I need thee. And of course, there is
All people that on earth do dwell
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice
Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell,
Come ye, before him and rejoice.
This hymn is taken from psalm 100 and the tune is called Old Hundredth.
Find a moment today simply to praise. Sing your favorite song of faith and know that it pleases God.
November 12
Create in me a clean heart, O God and put a new and right spirit within me.
Psalm 51 is a psalm of confession. In confession, we name the truth of ourselves, and the truth is not always good. You won’t need this psalm everyday, but on that day that you need it, it’s a good one to know. The day you need it is the day you realize there is something in your life, or something in your heart that you can’t fix. It’s not that you haven’t tried. It’s that the brokenness or injury feels too big. Like it has a power of its own. Even when you try your best, the train jumps the rails or unintended consequences result. Even when we think we see things clearly, we have blind spots, and we are so blind to them, we don’t even know we have them.
Now, if you think confession like this is a downer, well, I have not written clearly. This is good news. The promise of Psalm 51 is that we are not defined by the worst in us and by the grace of God, tomorrow can be a new day, not just yesterday lived all over again.
So, you won’t need this psalm everyday, but on the days that you do, pray this prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God.
The link below is not a very good recording, and the second half of this link is another song altogether, but when I was in college, back in the day, I would sing along with this arrangement of Psalm 51. You might enjoy it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcXkqc06vhs
Create in me a clean heart, O God and put a new and right spirit within me.
Psalm 51 is a psalm of confession. In confession, we name the truth of ourselves, and the truth is not always good. You won’t need this psalm everyday, but on that day that you need it, it’s a good one to know. The day you need it is the day you realize there is something in your life, or something in your heart that you can’t fix. It’s not that you haven’t tried. It’s that the brokenness or injury feels too big. Like it has a power of its own. Even when you try your best, the train jumps the rails or unintended consequences result. Even when we think we see things clearly, we have blind spots, and we are so blind to them, we don’t even know we have them.
Now, if you think confession like this is a downer, well, I have not written clearly. This is good news. The promise of Psalm 51 is that we are not defined by the worst in us and by the grace of God, tomorrow can be a new day, not just yesterday lived all over again.
So, you won’t need this psalm everyday, but on the days that you do, pray this prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God.
The link below is not a very good recording, and the second half of this link is another song altogether, but when I was in college, back in the day, I would sing along with this arrangement of Psalm 51. You might enjoy it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcXkqc06vhs
November 11
Fools say in their hearts, there is no God! This is the opening verse of Psalm 14 (it is repeated in Psalm 53, as well). There are a lot of people, and many of them are quite smart, who say there is no God. Atheism is common. But when the psalmist wrote all those generations ago, atheism was imaginable. The question of the ancients was not, “Does God exist?” but rather, “How many gods are there? And which ones are in our neighborhood?” A former teacher of mine said, this psalm would be better translated “Fools say in their hearts, there is no God near.” It’s easy to feel that God has abandoned us and that we are on our own. The counsel of the psalm is to reset our eyeglasses and look for the good.
A few weeks ago I (foolishly) sang a song as part of my sermon. This psalm reminds me of the teaching of this psalm to look for the good in times of trouble. John Craigie writes:
So, when the candle flickers, when the days get dark
They call them first world problems, but they still break your heart.
The universe feels like it's against you.
Just take a minute to realize, all it took to make you.
Your parents had to meet, as random as that was
And hang out long enough, at least, to fall in love and have a baby
And give it your name,
And ALL your ancestors had to do the same exponentially backwards
To the start of life.
So much had to happen, just exactly right.
Sparks had to catch, oceans had to freeze,
Billions of cells had to survive, Endless disease,
Civilizations had to crumble, wars had to be fought,
Bad presidents had to get elected,
Good presidents had to get shot,
People had to leave, hearts had to get broken,
People had to die, Just so your eyes could open.
The Universe is not against you,
The Universe is not against you,
it went through a lot Just to give you a chance,
it must have wanted you, Pretty bad
No pressure though, no pressure though,
The Universe went through a lot but no pressure bro.
You don't gotta be perfect, you don't gotta be a saint
Just don't waste it, this was not a mistake.
The world is a mess; and sometimes we are a mess. But we are! We have been given a day and friendships and a holy promise that your life matters. Don’t waste it. That is the thing that would be foolish.
Fools say in their hearts, there is no God! This is the opening verse of Psalm 14 (it is repeated in Psalm 53, as well). There are a lot of people, and many of them are quite smart, who say there is no God. Atheism is common. But when the psalmist wrote all those generations ago, atheism was imaginable. The question of the ancients was not, “Does God exist?” but rather, “How many gods are there? And which ones are in our neighborhood?” A former teacher of mine said, this psalm would be better translated “Fools say in their hearts, there is no God near.” It’s easy to feel that God has abandoned us and that we are on our own. The counsel of the psalm is to reset our eyeglasses and look for the good.
A few weeks ago I (foolishly) sang a song as part of my sermon. This psalm reminds me of the teaching of this psalm to look for the good in times of trouble. John Craigie writes:
So, when the candle flickers, when the days get dark
They call them first world problems, but they still break your heart.
The universe feels like it's against you.
Just take a minute to realize, all it took to make you.
Your parents had to meet, as random as that was
And hang out long enough, at least, to fall in love and have a baby
And give it your name,
And ALL your ancestors had to do the same exponentially backwards
To the start of life.
So much had to happen, just exactly right.
Sparks had to catch, oceans had to freeze,
Billions of cells had to survive, Endless disease,
Civilizations had to crumble, wars had to be fought,
Bad presidents had to get elected,
Good presidents had to get shot,
People had to leave, hearts had to get broken,
People had to die, Just so your eyes could open.
The Universe is not against you,
The Universe is not against you,
it went through a lot Just to give you a chance,
it must have wanted you, Pretty bad
No pressure though, no pressure though,
The Universe went through a lot but no pressure bro.
You don't gotta be perfect, you don't gotta be a saint
Just don't waste it, this was not a mistake.
The world is a mess; and sometimes we are a mess. But we are! We have been given a day and friendships and a holy promise that your life matters. Don’t waste it. That is the thing that would be foolish.
November 10
There was a moment in the life of Jesus when his disciples asked him to teach them to pray. He gave them the Lord’s Prayer. Our Father, who art in heaven. He could have reminded them of Psalm 13, which is a sung prayer I would commend to you.
How Long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? I don’t know the specific reason or reasons for the psalmist’s lament, but I don’t need to know. Sooner or later, trouble finds everyone. Sooner or later, suffering will call your name. It is not uncommon to feel that the world has turned against you. I was in a small village in Nicaragua during the 1980’s. I attended a funeral for a young man my age at the time (24). He was a coffee farmer and like many others, he stepped on a land mine that had been planted in the coffee fields to prohibit his harvesting his own coffee. At his funeral his mother read Psalm 13. How long, O Lord? But she read the whole psalm. It concludes, But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. From a place of brokenness, she offered praise to God. Not because life was good. Not because her pain had passed. Not because the circumstance had changed. She offered praise to God because God is God and God heard her. Almost as an act of defiance against the powers that erode human flourishing, even from a place of heartbreak, she sang praise to God.
If you want to know how to pray, pray like that.
There was a moment in the life of Jesus when his disciples asked him to teach them to pray. He gave them the Lord’s Prayer. Our Father, who art in heaven. He could have reminded them of Psalm 13, which is a sung prayer I would commend to you.
How Long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? I don’t know the specific reason or reasons for the psalmist’s lament, but I don’t need to know. Sooner or later, trouble finds everyone. Sooner or later, suffering will call your name. It is not uncommon to feel that the world has turned against you. I was in a small village in Nicaragua during the 1980’s. I attended a funeral for a young man my age at the time (24). He was a coffee farmer and like many others, he stepped on a land mine that had been planted in the coffee fields to prohibit his harvesting his own coffee. At his funeral his mother read Psalm 13. How long, O Lord? But she read the whole psalm. It concludes, But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. From a place of brokenness, she offered praise to God. Not because life was good. Not because her pain had passed. Not because the circumstance had changed. She offered praise to God because God is God and God heard her. Almost as an act of defiance against the powers that erode human flourishing, even from a place of heartbreak, she sang praise to God.
If you want to know how to pray, pray like that.
November 9
For these devotions this week I will reflect on a few psalms. The psalms were the ancient hymns of the church. When it comes to hymns, I have my favorites. I love Be Thou My Vision and Abide With Me. I love Love Divine, All Loves Excelling and For Everyone Born, for example. Like hymns, I also have some favorite psalms. Psalm 8 is a favorite of mine. The psalmist writes, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?”
You have probably had one of those experiences where you could escape the lights of the city and see the night sky. The expanse of the universe is mind-boggling. The Psalmist could not possibly know that there are millions of galaxies, or that the light of some stars comes from so far away that we see light from a star that has already died and no longer shines, but the light still travels. But you don’t need to know all of that to be humbled by the night sky and to wonder, how is it that God can find me, for in the face of the universe, I am so small. But that’s the point. The love of God reaches through the vastness of the universe to call you by name. That’s a love that’s worth singing about. Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down. Or maybe, Jesus loves me this I know.
For these devotions this week I will reflect on a few psalms. The psalms were the ancient hymns of the church. When it comes to hymns, I have my favorites. I love Be Thou My Vision and Abide With Me. I love Love Divine, All Loves Excelling and For Everyone Born, for example. Like hymns, I also have some favorite psalms. Psalm 8 is a favorite of mine. The psalmist writes, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?”
You have probably had one of those experiences where you could escape the lights of the city and see the night sky. The expanse of the universe is mind-boggling. The Psalmist could not possibly know that there are millions of galaxies, or that the light of some stars comes from so far away that we see light from a star that has already died and no longer shines, but the light still travels. But you don’t need to know all of that to be humbled by the night sky and to wonder, how is it that God can find me, for in the face of the universe, I am so small. But that’s the point. The love of God reaches through the vastness of the universe to call you by name. That’s a love that’s worth singing about. Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down. Or maybe, Jesus loves me this I know.
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Melanie Hardison |
November 7
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12
In this last beatitude, Jesus turns his attention away from categories of people (“the meek,” “the peacemakers”), and shifts his attention to those who are sitting across from him: the disciples. In the first eight beatitudes, he teaches them in a somewhat theoretical way who will be blessed and how, but in the ninth beatitude, Jesus tells them that they themselves will be blessed. He knew his disciples were at risk for attack and persecution, and he seems to want to reassure them that even when those attacks come, there will still be reason for rejoicing. What do you think the disciples will rejoice about?
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12
In this last beatitude, Jesus turns his attention away from categories of people (“the meek,” “the peacemakers”), and shifts his attention to those who are sitting across from him: the disciples. In the first eight beatitudes, he teaches them in a somewhat theoretical way who will be blessed and how, but in the ninth beatitude, Jesus tells them that they themselves will be blessed. He knew his disciples were at risk for attack and persecution, and he seems to want to reassure them that even when those attacks come, there will still be reason for rejoicing. What do you think the disciples will rejoice about?
November 6
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5: 9-10
Why does Jesus say the peacemakers will be called children of God, when we are all children of God? This is a tough one. My hope is that it means we are all peacemakers in some way. Often we think of peacemakers as public figures who dedicate their lives to long-term peace and justice work. But many of us are peacemakers in more private, less acknowledged ways: we work amid conflictual situations to keep the peace in our families, or neighborhoods, or workplaces or organizations. We don’t have to be superheroes in the national or global spotlight. We can be peacemakers in lots of ways. How have you served as a peacemaker? Has anyone else been a peacemaker for you? If “peacemaker” is not a word you would use to describe yourself, are there situations in your life where you could be working to bring more peace?
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5: 9-10
Why does Jesus say the peacemakers will be called children of God, when we are all children of God? This is a tough one. My hope is that it means we are all peacemakers in some way. Often we think of peacemakers as public figures who dedicate their lives to long-term peace and justice work. But many of us are peacemakers in more private, less acknowledged ways: we work amid conflictual situations to keep the peace in our families, or neighborhoods, or workplaces or organizations. We don’t have to be superheroes in the national or global spotlight. We can be peacemakers in lots of ways. How have you served as a peacemaker? Has anyone else been a peacemaker for you? If “peacemaker” is not a word you would use to describe yourself, are there situations in your life where you could be working to bring more peace?
November 5
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:7-8
Verse 7 is plain and simple: Those who show mercy to others will have mercy shown to them. And in verse 8, I love the concept of being “pure in heart.” But what does that mean exactly? I think of “pure in heart” as meaning that we keep ourselves from being cluttered with distractions. Something that is pure is not mixed--there is nothing else cluttering it. When it comes to our hearts, perhaps it means the desires of our hearts are focused on and aligned with God’s hearts. But how easy is it for our hearts to be aligned with God’s hearts? Not always so easy. What are the things that distract you or get mixed in or that clutter your ability to maintain a pure heart? How might you give those to God and align yourself more with God’s heart?
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:7-8
Verse 7 is plain and simple: Those who show mercy to others will have mercy shown to them. And in verse 8, I love the concept of being “pure in heart.” But what does that mean exactly? I think of “pure in heart” as meaning that we keep ourselves from being cluttered with distractions. Something that is pure is not mixed--there is nothing else cluttering it. When it comes to our hearts, perhaps it means the desires of our hearts are focused on and aligned with God’s hearts. But how easy is it for our hearts to be aligned with God’s hearts? Not always so easy. What are the things that distract you or get mixed in or that clutter your ability to maintain a pure heart? How might you give those to God and align yourself more with God’s heart?
November 4
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:5-6
In these two beatitudes, focused on meekness and thirsting, Jesus assures us with the promise of abundance. When I literally drew out of a basket the word “meekness” as a spiritual concept to work with a couple of years ago, I recoiled. I had previously thought of meekness as being weak and submissive. But what I came to realize is that the quality of meekness indicates a certain kind of openness--a flexibility and acknowledgement that one doesn’t have it all figured out. We need to be open in order for God’s Spirit to move in our lives. In this way, to be meek is actually a strength, not a weakness! And those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are not passive either; theirs is an active stance of strength and hope. For what do you hunger and thirst? Pray about the ways that God’s abundance might be perceived--and received.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:5-6
In these two beatitudes, focused on meekness and thirsting, Jesus assures us with the promise of abundance. When I literally drew out of a basket the word “meekness” as a spiritual concept to work with a couple of years ago, I recoiled. I had previously thought of meekness as being weak and submissive. But what I came to realize is that the quality of meekness indicates a certain kind of openness--a flexibility and acknowledgement that one doesn’t have it all figured out. We need to be open in order for God’s Spirit to move in our lives. In this way, to be meek is actually a strength, not a weakness! And those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are not passive either; theirs is an active stance of strength and hope. For what do you hunger and thirst? Pray about the ways that God’s abundance might be perceived--and received.
November 3
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4
I’m currently teaching the Growing Through Grief class at Village, and we explored the difference between grief and mourning. Grief is the inward thoughts and feelings we have related to loss (such as sadness and anger), whereas mourning is the outward expression of those thoughts and feelings (such as crying and tears). Often we talk about grief and mourning related to death, but we also grieve and mourn other losses - such as jobs, places, relationships, and abilities. This year we have lost the ability to gather as we used to for worship, family gatherings, public events, and more. Are you letting yourself grieve and mourn in these days? In what ways do you feel comforted--by someone else, by yourself, by God? If you haven’t felt the comfort of a hug in a while, try wrapping your arms around yourself so that each of your hands clasps the opposite shoulder. Hold that hug for a while, and remember that God is holding you.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4
I’m currently teaching the Growing Through Grief class at Village, and we explored the difference between grief and mourning. Grief is the inward thoughts and feelings we have related to loss (such as sadness and anger), whereas mourning is the outward expression of those thoughts and feelings (such as crying and tears). Often we talk about grief and mourning related to death, but we also grieve and mourn other losses - such as jobs, places, relationships, and abilities. This year we have lost the ability to gather as we used to for worship, family gatherings, public events, and more. Are you letting yourself grieve and mourn in these days? In what ways do you feel comforted--by someone else, by yourself, by God? If you haven’t felt the comfort of a hug in a while, try wrapping your arms around yourself so that each of your hands clasps the opposite shoulder. Hold that hug for a while, and remember that God is holding you.
November 2
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…” Matthew 5:1-3
This week’s devotions focus on The Beatitudes, the famous teachings of Jesus recorded in Matthew 5. Jesus often went up to the mountain to pray. Here he sits down, and the disciples come to him and receive the teachings we now call The Beatitudes. It seems significant that the first Beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” addresses the spiritual life--people who feel poor in spirit. What do you think it means to be poor in spirit? Have you ever felt poor in spirit? Maybe you feel poor in spirit during this Covid season when it seems there is no end in sight. I know I do sometimes. Does it help to remember that we are blessed anyway, even when we feel poor in spirit?
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…” Matthew 5:1-3
This week’s devotions focus on The Beatitudes, the famous teachings of Jesus recorded in Matthew 5. Jesus often went up to the mountain to pray. Here he sits down, and the disciples come to him and receive the teachings we now call The Beatitudes. It seems significant that the first Beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” addresses the spiritual life--people who feel poor in spirit. What do you think it means to be poor in spirit? Have you ever felt poor in spirit? Maybe you feel poor in spirit during this Covid season when it seems there is no end in sight. I know I do sometimes. Does it help to remember that we are blessed anyway, even when we feel poor in spirit?
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka |
October 31
As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Paul is writing to his beloved apprentice Timothy and as Paul anticipates the end of his ministry, he tells Timothy that he believes there is reserved for him a “crown of righteousness” that God will give to him when he dies. This is Halloween or All Hallow’s Eve. This is the day before All Saints’ Day when we remember and celebrate the faithfulness of those faithful believers who have died and, like Paul, have received their crown of righteousness. One way for Village to be Village is to give thanks for all the faithful who have joined the faithful in heaven and are now with Jesus Christ in that great cloud of witnesses. We remember them, miss them, and give thanks for them for they have fought the good fight, finished the race, and have kept the faith. So we sing with joy the first verse from the great hymn, “For all the saints who from their labors rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed, thy name O Jesus be forever blest, Alleluia! Alleluia!
As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Paul is writing to his beloved apprentice Timothy and as Paul anticipates the end of his ministry, he tells Timothy that he believes there is reserved for him a “crown of righteousness” that God will give to him when he dies. This is Halloween or All Hallow’s Eve. This is the day before All Saints’ Day when we remember and celebrate the faithfulness of those faithful believers who have died and, like Paul, have received their crown of righteousness. One way for Village to be Village is to give thanks for all the faithful who have joined the faithful in heaven and are now with Jesus Christ in that great cloud of witnesses. We remember them, miss them, and give thanks for them for they have fought the good fight, finished the race, and have kept the faith. So we sing with joy the first verse from the great hymn, “For all the saints who from their labors rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed, thy name O Jesus be forever blest, Alleluia! Alleluia!
October 30
All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Acts 2:44-47
One of the practices that set the new Christian communities apart was that they gathered all kinds of people from all walks of life. There were Jews and Gentiles. There were slaves and slave owners. There were educated and non-educated. There were rich and poor. A remarkable practice among the early Christians was the pooling and sharing of their resources. In the early church, people gave whatever they could and when church members needed help, they were able to receive funds from the church.
At the beginning of the pandemic, we invited church members to contribute to a fund to help any church members or community members who needed financial help. You have been generous, and we have received several thousand dollars and as we have become aware of needs, we have helped. In this way, we are carrying on the practice of the early church. One way for Village to be Village is to continue to make a very real, tangible difference in people’s lives by sharing our time and talent with all those in need.
All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Acts 2:44-47
One of the practices that set the new Christian communities apart was that they gathered all kinds of people from all walks of life. There were Jews and Gentiles. There were slaves and slave owners. There were educated and non-educated. There were rich and poor. A remarkable practice among the early Christians was the pooling and sharing of their resources. In the early church, people gave whatever they could and when church members needed help, they were able to receive funds from the church.
At the beginning of the pandemic, we invited church members to contribute to a fund to help any church members or community members who needed financial help. You have been generous, and we have received several thousand dollars and as we have become aware of needs, we have helped. In this way, we are carrying on the practice of the early church. One way for Village to be Village is to continue to make a very real, tangible difference in people’s lives by sharing our time and talent with all those in need.
October 29
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42
Bible scholars describe these as the “three marks of the early church.” Throughout the New Testament, the gathered communities of followers of Jesus consistently and persistently do three things. First, they learn and grow together listening to and reflecting on the stories and sayings of Jesus of Nazareth. Second, they spend time with one another in fellowship – a word that describes a group that builds up one another. Third, they broke bread together. While eating together may seem somewhat mundane, think about how that act has taken on new significance for us now in the midst of this pandemic. First century society was also highly stratified. The upper classes of scholars, rulers, religious leaders, and soldiers did not socialize or eat with the middle classes of craftspersons and farmers and those middle class persons did not associate with merchants and servants and slaves. As we focus on Village being Village, the early church reminds us that we must learn and grow together, build one another up, and eat with one another.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42
Bible scholars describe these as the “three marks of the early church.” Throughout the New Testament, the gathered communities of followers of Jesus consistently and persistently do three things. First, they learn and grow together listening to and reflecting on the stories and sayings of Jesus of Nazareth. Second, they spend time with one another in fellowship – a word that describes a group that builds up one another. Third, they broke bread together. While eating together may seem somewhat mundane, think about how that act has taken on new significance for us now in the midst of this pandemic. First century society was also highly stratified. The upper classes of scholars, rulers, religious leaders, and soldiers did not socialize or eat with the middle classes of craftspersons and farmers and those middle class persons did not associate with merchants and servants and slaves. As we focus on Village being Village, the early church reminds us that we must learn and grow together, build one another up, and eat with one another.
October 28
Now when they heard this (Peter’s preaching), they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.”
Acts 2:37-39
On the day of Pentecost, the birthday of the church, when Peter preaches the good news of Jesus Christ, those gathered there are moved. They are so convicted they ask Peter what they should do. Peter’s answer is both compelling and instructive for us. To repent is to turn away from sin and sinfulness. The writer of Hebrews says sin is like a weight that holds us back and prevents us from running freely. In order for Village to be Village, we need to repent as a congregation for our sinfulness. Sometimes that sinfulness looks like preserving our comfort over taking risks for Jesus’ sake. Sometimes that sinfulness looks like focusing more on our self-preservation than the proclamation of the Gospel. Sometimes that sinfulness looks like not recognizing that we benefit from powers and principalities that perpetuate injustice and oppression. One way for Village to be Village is to repent for our sinfulness so we may run with bold courage!
Now when they heard this (Peter’s preaching), they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.”
Acts 2:37-39
On the day of Pentecost, the birthday of the church, when Peter preaches the good news of Jesus Christ, those gathered there are moved. They are so convicted they ask Peter what they should do. Peter’s answer is both compelling and instructive for us. To repent is to turn away from sin and sinfulness. The writer of Hebrews says sin is like a weight that holds us back and prevents us from running freely. In order for Village to be Village, we need to repent as a congregation for our sinfulness. Sometimes that sinfulness looks like preserving our comfort over taking risks for Jesus’ sake. Sometimes that sinfulness looks like focusing more on our self-preservation than the proclamation of the Gospel. Sometimes that sinfulness looks like not recognizing that we benefit from powers and principalities that perpetuate injustice and oppression. One way for Village to be Village is to repent for our sinfulness so we may run with bold courage!
October 27
‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. Acts 2:22-24
On the day of the Jewish Pentecost festival in Jerusalem, the day the Holy Spirit came to the disciples and started the church, Peter is preaching. Theologian Maria Harris says these three verses encapsulate the whole gospel story. Jesus lived. Jesus died. Jesus rose. She says the gospel is three words: living, dying, rising. As we focus our attention on what it means for Village to be Village, we would do well to remember that we as the body of Christ are called to be living, dying and rising. We are living as we continue being faithful followers of Jesus every moment of every day. We are dying as we turn away from sin and that which does not honor God. We are rising as we are bold to do new things and risk new ventures inspired by the Holy Spirit. One way for Village to be Village is to be known as living, dying, and rising people!
‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. Acts 2:22-24
On the day of the Jewish Pentecost festival in Jerusalem, the day the Holy Spirit came to the disciples and started the church, Peter is preaching. Theologian Maria Harris says these three verses encapsulate the whole gospel story. Jesus lived. Jesus died. Jesus rose. She says the gospel is three words: living, dying, rising. As we focus our attention on what it means for Village to be Village, we would do well to remember that we as the body of Christ are called to be living, dying and rising. We are living as we continue being faithful followers of Jesus every moment of every day. We are dying as we turn away from sin and that which does not honor God. We are rising as we are bold to do new things and risk new ventures inspired by the Holy Spirit. One way for Village to be Village is to be known as living, dying, and rising people!
October 26
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ John 13:34-35
According to John’s Gospel, Jesus says these words to his disciples on the last night he is with them, just after he washes their feet. He is trying to prepare them for what is to come. Yesterday in worship, our Senior Pastor Tom Are began a new sermon series on “Village being Village.” He reminded us all that Jesus gave his followers this commandment – to love one another.
I am the second of four sons. I remember one day when my brothers were being problems (it had nothing to do with me, of course), and we were fighting. Mom called me downstairs and sat me down in the kitchen. She told me that she frequently heard from others outside the family about how polite and kind I was. Then she looked at me clearly and said, “I am glad to know that you are kind to people outside this house, Rodger. But if you cannot be kind to your brothers here in the house, then you are not the kind person that other people think you are. If it doesn’t work at home, it doesn’t work at all.”
Jesus knew that. He taught his followers that other people will notice how you treat one another so you must love one another. Jesus told them, “This is how people will know who I am – by how you treat one another.” One way for Village to be Village is for us to love one another so generously that others take notice.
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ John 13:34-35
According to John’s Gospel, Jesus says these words to his disciples on the last night he is with them, just after he washes their feet. He is trying to prepare them for what is to come. Yesterday in worship, our Senior Pastor Tom Are began a new sermon series on “Village being Village.” He reminded us all that Jesus gave his followers this commandment – to love one another.
I am the second of four sons. I remember one day when my brothers were being problems (it had nothing to do with me, of course), and we were fighting. Mom called me downstairs and sat me down in the kitchen. She told me that she frequently heard from others outside the family about how polite and kind I was. Then she looked at me clearly and said, “I am glad to know that you are kind to people outside this house, Rodger. But if you cannot be kind to your brothers here in the house, then you are not the kind person that other people think you are. If it doesn’t work at home, it doesn’t work at all.”
Jesus knew that. He taught his followers that other people will notice how you treat one another so you must love one another. Jesus told them, “This is how people will know who I am – by how you treat one another.” One way for Village to be Village is for us to love one another so generously that others take notice.
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Zach Walker |
October 24
Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whose right hand I have grasped
to subdue nations before him
and strip kings of their robes,
to open doors before him--
and the gates shall not be closed:
I will go before you
and level the mountains,
I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
and cut through the bars of iron,
I will give you the treasures of darkness
and riches hidden in secret places,
so that you may know that it is I, the Lord,
the God of Israel, who call you by your name.
For the sake of my servant Jacob,
and Israel my chosen,
I call you by your name,
I surname you, though you do not know me.
I am the Lord, and there is no other;
besides me there is no god.
I arm you, though you do not know me,
so that they may know, from the rising of the sun
and from the west, that there is no one besides me;
I am the Lord, and there is no other.
I form light and create darkness,
I make weal and create woe;
I the Lord do all these things. Isaiah 45:1-7
“I arm you, though you do not know me….” This is one of those reminders that God is so much bigger than we know. Can we ever truly know God? We make our best attempts to worship and praise, and we make faithful efforts to explain and speak for God. But in the end these verses, among other things, remind us that God does what God does; there is no God but God. And in the face of that we stand in awe as the recipients of God’s actions. We can only cling to the hope of God’s promises and trust the one who forms light and creates darkness is also the one who chooses and loves us. Our actions are lived in light of that reality and that promise.
Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whose right hand I have grasped
to subdue nations before him
and strip kings of their robes,
to open doors before him--
and the gates shall not be closed:
I will go before you
and level the mountains,
I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
and cut through the bars of iron,
I will give you the treasures of darkness
and riches hidden in secret places,
so that you may know that it is I, the Lord,
the God of Israel, who call you by your name.
For the sake of my servant Jacob,
and Israel my chosen,
I call you by your name,
I surname you, though you do not know me.
I am the Lord, and there is no other;
besides me there is no god.
I arm you, though you do not know me,
so that they may know, from the rising of the sun
and from the west, that there is no one besides me;
I am the Lord, and there is no other.
I form light and create darkness,
I make weal and create woe;
I the Lord do all these things. Isaiah 45:1-7
“I arm you, though you do not know me….” This is one of those reminders that God is so much bigger than we know. Can we ever truly know God? We make our best attempts to worship and praise, and we make faithful efforts to explain and speak for God. But in the end these verses, among other things, remind us that God does what God does; there is no God but God. And in the face of that we stand in awe as the recipients of God’s actions. We can only cling to the hope of God’s promises and trust the one who forms light and creates darkness is also the one who chooses and loves us. Our actions are lived in light of that reality and that promise.
October 23
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. Matthew 22:15-22
The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus; they asked a question that, whether he answered yes or no, he would be wrong in their minds. Jesus, in typical Jesus fashion, didn’t think in yes or no binary terms and gave a third kind of answer, slipping through their trap. If I’m honest, I do this to Jesus all the time. Life is tricky and I often catch myself presenting a situation to Jesus as though no matter what I was to do, it wouldn’t be great. As a result I do what I want to do and justify my own thought process. But this story reminds me to seek answers beyond the binary, to search for explanations that avoid simple affirmatives and denials. In doing so we are much more likely to find not only the nuance and complexity of life, but I think we are also more likely to meet Jesus where he is.
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. Matthew 22:15-22
The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus; they asked a question that, whether he answered yes or no, he would be wrong in their minds. Jesus, in typical Jesus fashion, didn’t think in yes or no binary terms and gave a third kind of answer, slipping through their trap. If I’m honest, I do this to Jesus all the time. Life is tricky and I often catch myself presenting a situation to Jesus as though no matter what I was to do, it wouldn’t be great. As a result I do what I want to do and justify my own thought process. But this story reminds me to seek answers beyond the binary, to search for explanations that avoid simple affirmatives and denials. In doing so we are much more likely to find not only the nuance and complexity of life, but I think we are also more likely to meet Jesus where he is.
October 22
October 21
O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvellous works among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Honour and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Worship the Lord in holy splendour;
tremble before him, all the earth. Psalm 96: 1-9
What a wonderful psalm of praise! How often do I aim praise like this at God without some other kind of agenda? How often do I offer praise without any addendums? How often do I celebrate God for being God? Perhaps today is a good day to offer praise of this sort – the kind of praise that pours forth from the simple joy of being alive and belonging to God.
O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvellous works among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Honour and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Worship the Lord in holy splendour;
tremble before him, all the earth. Psalm 96: 1-9
What a wonderful psalm of praise! How often do I aim praise like this at God without some other kind of agenda? How often do I offer praise without any addendums? How often do I celebrate God for being God? Perhaps today is a good day to offer praise of this sort – the kind of praise that pours forth from the simple joy of being alive and belonging to God.
October 20
October 19
Moses said to the Lord, ‘See, you have said to me, “Bring up this people”; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, “I know you by name, and you have also found favour in my sight.”Now if I have found favour in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favour in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.’ He said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ And he said to him, ‘If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.’
The Lord said to Moses, ‘I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name.’ Moses said, ‘Show me your glory, I pray.’ And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, “The Lord”; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But’, he said, ‘you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.’ And the Lord continued, ‘See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.’
Exodus 33:12-23
In this story we have the account of God “passing by” Moses – the result of a request that he would be able to see God in order to know who God is and be assured that God would go with the people of Israel. How many times have I made the appeal to God – the appeal to “just let me see who you are,” or “let me know you are with me”? And in response God both does and doesn’t give Moses what he asked for. He essentially says, “You’ll see me, but not in the way you think.” God has this uncanny way of being both known and mysterious, familiar and unfamiliar to us. I try to remember that contradiction, and the reality that as much as I claim to know God or be familiar with God, I am in many ways unfamiliar with the mystery that is God. In that way, we see God all the time, and yet are constantly surprised by God – if we are looking.
Moses said to the Lord, ‘See, you have said to me, “Bring up this people”; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, “I know you by name, and you have also found favour in my sight.”Now if I have found favour in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favour in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.’ He said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ And he said to him, ‘If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.’
The Lord said to Moses, ‘I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name.’ Moses said, ‘Show me your glory, I pray.’ And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, “The Lord”; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But’, he said, ‘you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.’ And the Lord continued, ‘See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.’
Exodus 33:12-23
In this story we have the account of God “passing by” Moses – the result of a request that he would be able to see God in order to know who God is and be assured that God would go with the people of Israel. How many times have I made the appeal to God – the appeal to “just let me see who you are,” or “let me know you are with me”? And in response God both does and doesn’t give Moses what he asked for. He essentially says, “You’ll see me, but not in the way you think.” God has this uncanny way of being both known and mysterious, familiar and unfamiliar to us. I try to remember that contradiction, and the reality that as much as I claim to know God or be familiar with God, I am in many ways unfamiliar with the mystery that is God. In that way, we see God all the time, and yet are constantly surprised by God – if we are looking.
October 19
Moses said to the Lord, ‘See, you have said to me, “Bring up this people”; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, “I know you by name, and you have also found favour in my sight.”Now if I have found favour in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favour in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.’ He said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ And he said to him, ‘If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.’
The Lord said to Moses, ‘I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name.’ Moses said, ‘Show me your glory, I pray.’ And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, “The Lord”; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But’, he said, ‘you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.’ And the Lord continued, ‘See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.’
Exodus 33:12-23
In this story we have the account of God “passing by” Moses – the result of a request that he would be able to see God in order to know who God is and be assured that God would go with the people of Israel. How many times have I made the appeal to God – the appeal to “just let me see who you are,” or “let me know you are with me”? And in response God both does and doesn’t give Moses what he asked for. He essentially says, “You’ll see me, but not in the way you think.” God has this uncanny way of being both known and mysterious, familiar and unfamiliar to us. I try to remember that contradiction, and the reality that as much as I claim to know God or be familiar with God, I am in many ways unfamiliar with the mystery that is God. In that way, we see God all the time, and yet are constantly surprised by God – if we are looking.
Moses said to the Lord, ‘See, you have said to me, “Bring up this people”; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, “I know you by name, and you have also found favour in my sight.”Now if I have found favour in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favour in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.’ He said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ And he said to him, ‘If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.’
The Lord said to Moses, ‘I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name.’ Moses said, ‘Show me your glory, I pray.’ And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, “The Lord”; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But’, he said, ‘you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.’ And the Lord continued, ‘See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.’
Exodus 33:12-23
In this story we have the account of God “passing by” Moses – the result of a request that he would be able to see God in order to know who God is and be assured that God would go with the people of Israel. How many times have I made the appeal to God – the appeal to “just let me see who you are,” or “let me know you are with me”? And in response God both does and doesn’t give Moses what he asked for. He essentially says, “You’ll see me, but not in the way you think.” God has this uncanny way of being both known and mysterious, familiar and unfamiliar to us. I try to remember that contradiction, and the reality that as much as I claim to know God or be familiar with God, I am in many ways unfamiliar with the mystery that is God. In that way, we see God all the time, and yet are constantly surprised by God – if we are looking.
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka |
October 17
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘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 the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28: 16-20
This is how the ministry of Jesus Christ ends in Matthew’s gospel. After Jesus is raised from the dead and appears once more to the disciples in Galilee, he gives them their last instructions. These verses are called the “Great Commission.” To give a commission is to give an instruction or a command. It is not only a mission, it is a CO-mission because Christ sends the disciples out into the world not individually but together as a group of people.
For their road trip, the disciples are sent together out into the whole world. They cannot stay together on that mountaintop and worship the risen Lord. They are to go to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all peoples. It is the same for us. Our road trip is to go and be active and present in the world witnessing to the grace and love of God. The good news is that we go together as God’s people. Enjoy the road trip as we travel with one another called and sustained by the Holy Spirit!
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘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 the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28: 16-20
This is how the ministry of Jesus Christ ends in Matthew’s gospel. After Jesus is raised from the dead and appears once more to the disciples in Galilee, he gives them their last instructions. These verses are called the “Great Commission.” To give a commission is to give an instruction or a command. It is not only a mission, it is a CO-mission because Christ sends the disciples out into the world not individually but together as a group of people.
For their road trip, the disciples are sent together out into the whole world. They cannot stay together on that mountaintop and worship the risen Lord. They are to go to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all peoples. It is the same for us. Our road trip is to go and be active and present in the world witnessing to the grace and love of God. The good news is that we go together as God’s people. Enjoy the road trip as we travel with one another called and sustained by the Holy Spirit!
October 16
In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there for about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons or her husband.
Then she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had had consideration for his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, ‘Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband.’ Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud.They said to her, ‘No, we will return with you to your people.’ But Naomi said, ‘Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.’Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.
So she said, ‘See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.’ But Ruth said,
‘Do not press me to leave you
or to turn back from following you!
Where you go, I will go;
where you lodge, I will lodge;
your people shall be my people,
and your God my God.
Where you die, I will die--
there will I be buried.
May the Lord do thus and so to me,
and more as well,
if even death parts me from you!’ Ruth 1: 1-17
It is a remarkable pledge. Ruth, the Moabite daughter-in-law of Naomi, pledges to remain with Naomi and travel with her back to Naomi’s homeland. Tragically, Elimilech, Naomi’s husband and Ruth’s father-in-law had died. Even more tragically, Naomi’s son and Ruth’s husband also died. The two women are left with no status and no support. So Naomi decides to travel back to her homeland in the hope that her family will welcome her. She sends Ruth to go back to her own birth family but so loyal and loving is Ruth to her mother-in-law she refuses and instead chooses to accompany Naomi on this road trip as a stranger in a new land.
Sometimes road trips are like that. When my father received a call to serve as pastor for the Makiki Christian Church in Honolulu, he and my mom, his new bride, left her family in California. My mother loved her father and mother and sister and brother. She had never been away from them and was heartbroken to leave them. Dad remembers feeling terrible as everyone broke down in tears before they boarded the flight to Hawaii. Yet when we talked about it years later, my Mom was clear that her place now was with her husband and soon with her sons. Road trips are not always easy and not always what we desire but God’s call is always to faithfulness and God’s promise is always that God will be with us.
In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there for about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons or her husband.
Then she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had had consideration for his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, ‘Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband.’ Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud.They said to her, ‘No, we will return with you to your people.’ But Naomi said, ‘Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.’Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.
So she said, ‘See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.’ But Ruth said,
‘Do not press me to leave you
or to turn back from following you!
Where you go, I will go;
where you lodge, I will lodge;
your people shall be my people,
and your God my God.
Where you die, I will die--
there will I be buried.
May the Lord do thus and so to me,
and more as well,
if even death parts me from you!’ Ruth 1: 1-17
It is a remarkable pledge. Ruth, the Moabite daughter-in-law of Naomi, pledges to remain with Naomi and travel with her back to Naomi’s homeland. Tragically, Elimilech, Naomi’s husband and Ruth’s father-in-law had died. Even more tragically, Naomi’s son and Ruth’s husband also died. The two women are left with no status and no support. So Naomi decides to travel back to her homeland in the hope that her family will welcome her. She sends Ruth to go back to her own birth family but so loyal and loving is Ruth to her mother-in-law she refuses and instead chooses to accompany Naomi on this road trip as a stranger in a new land.
Sometimes road trips are like that. When my father received a call to serve as pastor for the Makiki Christian Church in Honolulu, he and my mom, his new bride, left her family in California. My mother loved her father and mother and sister and brother. She had never been away from them and was heartbroken to leave them. Dad remembers feeling terrible as everyone broke down in tears before they boarded the flight to Hawaii. Yet when we talked about it years later, my Mom was clear that her place now was with her husband and soon with her sons. Road trips are not always easy and not always what we desire but God’s call is always to faithfulness and God’s promise is always that God will be with us.
October 15
Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there.
But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the Lordcame a second time, touched him, and said, ‘Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.’ He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food for forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’
He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lordis about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lordwas not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lordwas not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ 1 Kings 19: 1-13
The prophet Elijah is in trouble. By the power of God, he has destroyed an altar to the idol Baal and killed all the priests of Baal. Queen Jezebel is furious and swears to kill Elijah so he flees. Elijah’s road trip is running away to save his life. He runs into the wilderness alone and waits to die. God has other plans and sends an angel to visit Elijah and feed him. Then God decides to visit Elijah. God tells Elijah to stand on a mountaintop. A great wind comes. Then an earthquake, and then a fire and while Elijah expects God to be in each of these, God is not. Then there is nothing but silence and that is when God appears.
In the midst of the road trip, God will appear but likely not when and in ways that we expect. Our faith calls us to trust that God will see us through wind, earthquake, fire, disease, illness, broken relationships, grief, and even despair. Listen for God’s voice even in the silence and trust that God is near.
Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there.
But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the Lordcame a second time, touched him, and said, ‘Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.’ He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food for forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’
He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lordis about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lordwas not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lordwas not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ 1 Kings 19: 1-13
The prophet Elijah is in trouble. By the power of God, he has destroyed an altar to the idol Baal and killed all the priests of Baal. Queen Jezebel is furious and swears to kill Elijah so he flees. Elijah’s road trip is running away to save his life. He runs into the wilderness alone and waits to die. God has other plans and sends an angel to visit Elijah and feed him. Then God decides to visit Elijah. God tells Elijah to stand on a mountaintop. A great wind comes. Then an earthquake, and then a fire and while Elijah expects God to be in each of these, God is not. Then there is nothing but silence and that is when God appears.
In the midst of the road trip, God will appear but likely not when and in ways that we expect. Our faith calls us to trust that God will see us through wind, earthquake, fire, disease, illness, broken relationships, grief, and even despair. Listen for God’s voice even in the silence and trust that God is near.
October 14
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. Mark 1: 16-20
All four of the gospels tell their own version of how Jesus calls the first disciples. Mark’s story is very straight forward. Jesus is walking along the shore and sees Simon and Andrew fishing and calls them to drop their nets and follow him and they do. Then he sees James and John who were mending their nets and calls them and they drop their nets and leave their father and join him. Mark likes to use the word “immediately” and he does so twice here. The lesson for us? When Jesus invites you on a road trip, you go…immediately. The other lesson for us? Even Jesus Christ, son of God, knew that he could not embark on his public ministry alone. Just as in Genesis 2:18, it is not good even for Jesus to be alone, so he calls companions to join him.
American cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead wrote, “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” According to Mark, the first thing Jesus did to begin his public ministry was to call a small group of people to journey with him. And together, this small group of committed people changed the whole world.
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. Mark 1: 16-20
All four of the gospels tell their own version of how Jesus calls the first disciples. Mark’s story is very straight forward. Jesus is walking along the shore and sees Simon and Andrew fishing and calls them to drop their nets and follow him and they do. Then he sees James and John who were mending their nets and calls them and they drop their nets and leave their father and join him. Mark likes to use the word “immediately” and he does so twice here. The lesson for us? When Jesus invites you on a road trip, you go…immediately. The other lesson for us? Even Jesus Christ, son of God, knew that he could not embark on his public ministry alone. Just as in Genesis 2:18, it is not good even for Jesus to be alone, so he calls companions to join him.
American cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead wrote, “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” According to Mark, the first thing Jesus did to begin his public ministry was to call a small group of people to journey with him. And together, this small group of committed people changed the whole world.
October 13
Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lordappeared to Abram, and said, ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’ So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord. And Abram journeyed on by stages towards the Negeb. Genesis 12: 1-9
After I graduated from seminary, I already had a job so I knew where I was going. For one of my fellow graduates, though, he had no immediate plans, so he decided to empty out his meager savings and head to South America. He had always wanted to hike around the Andes, the largest mountain range in the world. When I asked him about his plans, he said he only had his back pack and a one-way ticket to Peru. That was it. He was going to see where God led him. I admired his faith and spontaneity. It turns out that he traveled through seven countries over the next five months excited to see what would happen the next day. Along the way, he made many new friends.
For most of us when we head out on a road trip, we have a destination in mind. Not so for my friend and not so for Abram. When God called Abram to faithfulness, God simply told Abram to go. So Abram packed up everything including his family and just went and eventually God led Abram to Canaan. I marvel at the trust of Abram to simply get up and go because God called. Sometimes road trips are like that. You know God is calling you to leave but you do not know where. It turns out that from Abram’s faithfulness, the Hebrew people are born. Trust that in your journeys, God is leading and guiding you, too!
Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lordappeared to Abram, and said, ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’ So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord. And Abram journeyed on by stages towards the Negeb. Genesis 12: 1-9
After I graduated from seminary, I already had a job so I knew where I was going. For one of my fellow graduates, though, he had no immediate plans, so he decided to empty out his meager savings and head to South America. He had always wanted to hike around the Andes, the largest mountain range in the world. When I asked him about his plans, he said he only had his back pack and a one-way ticket to Peru. That was it. He was going to see where God led him. I admired his faith and spontaneity. It turns out that he traveled through seven countries over the next five months excited to see what would happen the next day. Along the way, he made many new friends.
For most of us when we head out on a road trip, we have a destination in mind. Not so for my friend and not so for Abram. When God called Abram to faithfulness, God simply told Abram to go. So Abram packed up everything including his family and just went and eventually God led Abram to Canaan. I marvel at the trust of Abram to simply get up and go because God called. Sometimes road trips are like that. You know God is calling you to leave but you do not know where. It turns out that from Abram’s faithfulness, the Hebrew people are born. Trust that in your journeys, God is leading and guiding you, too!
October 12
These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground— then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
A river flows out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it divides and becomes four branches. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; and the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’
Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.’ So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said,
‘This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called Woman,
for out of Man this one was taken.’
Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed. Genesis 2: 4-25
As we continue on our “Road Trip” sermon series, our Senior Pastor Tom Are reminded us yesterday that road trips are better with a companion. In this second creation story in Genesis, God explicitly states this. The writer tells us how God created the first human then created all the plants and the great rivers that brought life to the creation. Then in verse 18 God says, “It is not good that the man should be alone…” From the beginning of creation, human beings were made to be in relationship not only with God but also with one another because God said we needed to be with one another.
If nothing else, this global pandemic has demonstrated to us the need to be with others. Now in the eighth month of social distancing, stories abound of loneliness and isolation. Staying safe and healthy is important, but we were created to be with others because God knew it was bad for us to be isolated. So, in whatever ways that are safe, reach out through a phone call or text or email or handwritten note. Let others know you are with them even though you are not able to be physically with them. Your companionship will make this long journey easier to bear.
These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground— then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
A river flows out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it divides and becomes four branches. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; and the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’
Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.’ So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said,
‘This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called Woman,
for out of Man this one was taken.’
Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed. Genesis 2: 4-25
As we continue on our “Road Trip” sermon series, our Senior Pastor Tom Are reminded us yesterday that road trips are better with a companion. In this second creation story in Genesis, God explicitly states this. The writer tells us how God created the first human then created all the plants and the great rivers that brought life to the creation. Then in verse 18 God says, “It is not good that the man should be alone…” From the beginning of creation, human beings were made to be in relationship not only with God but also with one another because God said we needed to be with one another.
If nothing else, this global pandemic has demonstrated to us the need to be with others. Now in the eighth month of social distancing, stories abound of loneliness and isolation. Staying safe and healthy is important, but we were created to be with others because God knew it was bad for us to be isolated. So, in whatever ways that are safe, reach out through a phone call or text or email or handwritten note. Let others know you are with them even though you are not able to be physically with them. Your companionship will make this long journey easier to bear.
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Hallie Hottle |
October 10
When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. John 21: 9-14
Prepare: Prepare some food you can eat outside
We end this week with one of my favorite eating stories in scripture. We can imagine the scene. The disciples are back in their boat, fishing, because they’re fishermen. They’re not having a good fishing day. But then this guy on the shore tells them to just toss the net over the other side of their boat. I have to imagine, they’ve already tried that. I have to imagine, they’re weary, tired, disgruntled from an unsuccessful day. Maybe they’re even a little annoyed, that after the call of a lifetime, they’re right back where they started. But they’re not, are they? They pull in way more fish than would have been possible without a miracle. And just like that, Jesus has reminded them - oh no, you’re not done here. There is so much more for you to catch.
Jesus is just there, on the beach, making a little fire. They sit down together in the sand, wiping their hands on their salt-stained clothes, the smell of smoke surrounding them. And their resurrected Lord cooks for them, as they all feast. So take some food today, and go outside. Find a place where you can feel the air, hear the sounds, and just eat. Slowly. Intentionally. Pay attention to how your body feels there, touched by the wind and held by the ground. Don’t speak to God as you eat. Just feel, eat, listen, and let God care for you here, for there is so much more for you to receive.
When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. John 21: 9-14
Prepare: Prepare some food you can eat outside
We end this week with one of my favorite eating stories in scripture. We can imagine the scene. The disciples are back in their boat, fishing, because they’re fishermen. They’re not having a good fishing day. But then this guy on the shore tells them to just toss the net over the other side of their boat. I have to imagine, they’ve already tried that. I have to imagine, they’re weary, tired, disgruntled from an unsuccessful day. Maybe they’re even a little annoyed, that after the call of a lifetime, they’re right back where they started. But they’re not, are they? They pull in way more fish than would have been possible without a miracle. And just like that, Jesus has reminded them - oh no, you’re not done here. There is so much more for you to catch.
Jesus is just there, on the beach, making a little fire. They sit down together in the sand, wiping their hands on their salt-stained clothes, the smell of smoke surrounding them. And their resurrected Lord cooks for them, as they all feast. So take some food today, and go outside. Find a place where you can feel the air, hear the sounds, and just eat. Slowly. Intentionally. Pay attention to how your body feels there, touched by the wind and held by the ground. Don’t speak to God as you eat. Just feel, eat, listen, and let God care for you here, for there is so much more for you to receive.
October 9
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14: 13-21
Prepare: Take stock of any leftovers you currently have
This is one of our most well-known miraculous eating stories. The crowd following Jesus and his disciples is big. Night has come. The people will be hungry, and there’s some tension between Jesus and his disciples as to what to do about it. The disciples are tired, and they want to send everyone home. It makes sense. But instead, Jesus tells them to feed the people. We can imagine the eye-rolls exchanged among the exhausted disciples. As the story goes, they take the few rations found in the crowd, and Jesus multiplies the food so everyone can eat. It’s the last couple of lines I want us to notice today. When everyone is done, there are twelve baskets of food left over. Twelve - the exact number needed for the disciples to eat.
For me, this story is a reminder that when we think we don’t have enough - food, energy, etc. - if we’re following God’s call, there is always, miraculously enough. There’s enough, not just for everyone else, but for you too. So today, prepare a meal from whatever you already have. Don’t buy any new food. Make what you’ve got work. If you’ve recently stocked up, save this one for a time when you don’t think you have what you need, and then let yourself be creative and surprised. As you eat your possibly weird meal, talk to God about where you might be called to keep working in these days, and ask for the clarity of mind to remember that no season lasts forever, and there’s always enough for you too.
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14: 13-21
Prepare: Take stock of any leftovers you currently have
This is one of our most well-known miraculous eating stories. The crowd following Jesus and his disciples is big. Night has come. The people will be hungry, and there’s some tension between Jesus and his disciples as to what to do about it. The disciples are tired, and they want to send everyone home. It makes sense. But instead, Jesus tells them to feed the people. We can imagine the eye-rolls exchanged among the exhausted disciples. As the story goes, they take the few rations found in the crowd, and Jesus multiplies the food so everyone can eat. It’s the last couple of lines I want us to notice today. When everyone is done, there are twelve baskets of food left over. Twelve - the exact number needed for the disciples to eat.
For me, this story is a reminder that when we think we don’t have enough - food, energy, etc. - if we’re following God’s call, there is always, miraculously enough. There’s enough, not just for everyone else, but for you too. So today, prepare a meal from whatever you already have. Don’t buy any new food. Make what you’ve got work. If you’ve recently stocked up, save this one for a time when you don’t think you have what you need, and then let yourself be creative and surprised. As you eat your possibly weird meal, talk to God about where you might be called to keep working in these days, and ask for the clarity of mind to remember that no season lasts forever, and there’s always enough for you too.
October 8
Jesus went out again beside the lake; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax-collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax-collectors, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ Mark 2: 13-17
Prepare: Have a pen and paper with you at your table
Today’s story isn’t about what’s on our table, but who sits at it with us. Jesus calls Levi to follow him, and he has dinner at Levi’s house that night. The religious folks are concerned about the tax collectors and sinners who ate there with Jesus. It’s a consistent theme in the gospels. Jesus seems to be concerned with ideas and people that run contrary to the religious establishment’s priorities. Over and over again Jesus teaches - the family is bigger than we know, the table longer than we think, the priority always on the lived experience of love, not the rules.
One of the interesting things I think we easily miss in stories like this, is that Jesus was never the host of the party. He was invited, welcomed, fed by others. Being the guest and not the host is a different kind of exercise in hospitality. In these pandemic days, our dinner parties are (hopefully) on hold. So today, we exercise our remembering. As you eat a meal today, consider all the tables you have been invited to. Where and when do you remember being a guest? Write down who you can remember inviting you in, the meals you remember partaking in, the stories and experiences that come to mind - good, bad, or otherwise. Have you ever declined an invite, and later wished you hadn’t? Remember, write, and offer prayers of thanksgiving and confession.
Jesus went out again beside the lake; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax-collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax-collectors, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ Mark 2: 13-17
Prepare: Have a pen and paper with you at your table
Today’s story isn’t about what’s on our table, but who sits at it with us. Jesus calls Levi to follow him, and he has dinner at Levi’s house that night. The religious folks are concerned about the tax collectors and sinners who ate there with Jesus. It’s a consistent theme in the gospels. Jesus seems to be concerned with ideas and people that run contrary to the religious establishment’s priorities. Over and over again Jesus teaches - the family is bigger than we know, the table longer than we think, the priority always on the lived experience of love, not the rules.
One of the interesting things I think we easily miss in stories like this, is that Jesus was never the host of the party. He was invited, welcomed, fed by others. Being the guest and not the host is a different kind of exercise in hospitality. In these pandemic days, our dinner parties are (hopefully) on hold. So today, we exercise our remembering. As you eat a meal today, consider all the tables you have been invited to. Where and when do you remember being a guest? Write down who you can remember inviting you in, the meals you remember partaking in, the stories and experiences that come to mind - good, bad, or otherwise. Have you ever declined an invite, and later wished you hadn’t? Remember, write, and offer prayers of thanksgiving and confession.
October 7
When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19: 9-10
Prepare: Make some time to go to a grocery store today
Our faith history is filled with stories and rules about eating. But, it wasn’t just about teaching us how to consume. Our oldest rule books were considered with how we fed others, too. In Leviticus we hear this rule, repeated and practiced through the Old Testament. When fields were harvested, some food would intentionally be left behind. Our modern farming standards wouldn’t understand. It’s not economically sensible to leave some harvest behind. Unless, of course, the concern is not just for self-profit, but for community-care. There would be some who didn’t have fields to harvest, and couldn’t afford the market’s prices. These would be allowed to go into the fields and collect what was left behind, so that they too could eat. We read later the story of Ruth. She and Naomi wouldn’t have survived in their new home, without this provision.
Outside of fields that can be gleaned, it’s up to us to ensure our community has what they need to eat. And in these days, those needs are higher than they’ve ever been. So today, our invitation isn’t to eat, but to give. Our Village on Antioch pop-up food pantry continues to serve more and more families in our community. Check out the list of needs at VillageAntioch.org, and pick up what you’re able at the store. Get it down to Village on Antioch sometime this week. As you do, offer a prayer for those who hunger, and consider what it might look like to make the giving of food a common part of your weekly practice. (If getting out isn’t possible for you right now, consider giving a small donation to the church, marked with “Food Pantry,” and we’ll be sure it gets to one or both of our food pantry ministries!)
When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19: 9-10
Prepare: Make some time to go to a grocery store today
Our faith history is filled with stories and rules about eating. But, it wasn’t just about teaching us how to consume. Our oldest rule books were considered with how we fed others, too. In Leviticus we hear this rule, repeated and practiced through the Old Testament. When fields were harvested, some food would intentionally be left behind. Our modern farming standards wouldn’t understand. It’s not economically sensible to leave some harvest behind. Unless, of course, the concern is not just for self-profit, but for community-care. There would be some who didn’t have fields to harvest, and couldn’t afford the market’s prices. These would be allowed to go into the fields and collect what was left behind, so that they too could eat. We read later the story of Ruth. She and Naomi wouldn’t have survived in their new home, without this provision.
Outside of fields that can be gleaned, it’s up to us to ensure our community has what they need to eat. And in these days, those needs are higher than they’ve ever been. So today, our invitation isn’t to eat, but to give. Our Village on Antioch pop-up food pantry continues to serve more and more families in our community. Check out the list of needs at VillageAntioch.org, and pick up what you’re able at the store. Get it down to Village on Antioch sometime this week. As you do, offer a prayer for those who hunger, and consider what it might look like to make the giving of food a common part of your weekly practice. (If getting out isn’t possible for you right now, consider giving a small donation to the church, marked with “Food Pantry,” and we’ll be sure it gets to one or both of our food pantry ministries!)
October 6
The whole congregation of the Israelites set out from Elim; and Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’
Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.’ So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, ‘In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?’ And Moses said, ‘When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.’
Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, “Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.” ’And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.” ’
In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: “Gather as much of it as each of you needs, an omer to a person according to the number of persons, all providing for those in their own tents.” ’ The Israelites did so, some gathering more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed. And Moses said to them, ‘Let no one leave any of it over until morning.’ But they did not listen to Moses; some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul. And Moses was angry with them. Morning by morning they gathered it, as much as each needed; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.
On the sixth day they gathered twice as much food, two omers apiece. When all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, he said to them, ‘This is what the Lord has commanded: “Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord; bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil, and all that is left over put aside to be kept until morning.” ’ So they put it aside until morning, as Moses commanded them; and it did not become foul, and there were no worms in it. Moses said, ‘Eat it today, for today is a sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. For six days you shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is a sabbath, there will be none.’
On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, and they found none. The Lord said to Moses, ‘How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and instructions? See! The Lord has given you the sabbath, therefore on the sixth day he gives you food for two days; each of you stay where you are; do not leave your place on the seventh day.’So the people rested on the seventh day.
The house of Israel called it manna; it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. Moses said, ‘This is what the Lord has commanded: “Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, in order that they may see the food with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.” ’ And Moses said to Aaron, ‘Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord, to be kept throughout your generations.’ As the Lordcommanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the covenant, for safe-keeping. The Israelites ate manna for forty years, until they came to a habitable land; they ate manna, until they came to the border of the land of Canaan. An omer is a tenth of an ephah. Exodus 16
Prepare: Find some bread or crackers and honey
This story is too good not to read the entire thing. The Israelites have been liberated from Egypt’s slavery. They’ve watched their oppressors be washed away in the sea. And still, they’re cranky. Apparently hunger is not appeased by any amount of miracles. This is where God begins to feed the Israelites, with quail in the evenings, and bread in the mornings. Verse 31 explains that they called the bread “manna,” which literally translated means something like “what is it?” This strange substance that appeared on the ground and tasted like crackers and honey sustained them for 40 years.
Today, prepare some crackers or bread with some honey. As you eat, consider a time in your life when you hungered - maybe for food, or for other things - security, relationship, connection. How did God meet you in those hungers? What are you hungering for now? Eat slowly, and talk to God while you do. God finds a way to meet our hungers, even if we’re asking “what is it?” the entire time. As you eat, imagine God is still raining down manna in your midst.
The whole congregation of the Israelites set out from Elim; and Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’
Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.’ So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, ‘In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?’ And Moses said, ‘When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.’
Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, “Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.” ’And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.” ’
In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: “Gather as much of it as each of you needs, an omer to a person according to the number of persons, all providing for those in their own tents.” ’ The Israelites did so, some gathering more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed. And Moses said to them, ‘Let no one leave any of it over until morning.’ But they did not listen to Moses; some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul. And Moses was angry with them. Morning by morning they gathered it, as much as each needed; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.
On the sixth day they gathered twice as much food, two omers apiece. When all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, he said to them, ‘This is what the Lord has commanded: “Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord; bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil, and all that is left over put aside to be kept until morning.” ’ So they put it aside until morning, as Moses commanded them; and it did not become foul, and there were no worms in it. Moses said, ‘Eat it today, for today is a sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. For six days you shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is a sabbath, there will be none.’
On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, and they found none. The Lord said to Moses, ‘How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and instructions? See! The Lord has given you the sabbath, therefore on the sixth day he gives you food for two days; each of you stay where you are; do not leave your place on the seventh day.’So the people rested on the seventh day.
The house of Israel called it manna; it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. Moses said, ‘This is what the Lord has commanded: “Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, in order that they may see the food with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.” ’ And Moses said to Aaron, ‘Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord, to be kept throughout your generations.’ As the Lordcommanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the covenant, for safe-keeping. The Israelites ate manna for forty years, until they came to a habitable land; they ate manna, until they came to the border of the land of Canaan. An omer is a tenth of an ephah. Exodus 16
Prepare: Find some bread or crackers and honey
This story is too good not to read the entire thing. The Israelites have been liberated from Egypt’s slavery. They’ve watched their oppressors be washed away in the sea. And still, they’re cranky. Apparently hunger is not appeased by any amount of miracles. This is where God begins to feed the Israelites, with quail in the evenings, and bread in the mornings. Verse 31 explains that they called the bread “manna,” which literally translated means something like “what is it?” This strange substance that appeared on the ground and tasted like crackers and honey sustained them for 40 years.
Today, prepare some crackers or bread with some honey. As you eat, consider a time in your life when you hungered - maybe for food, or for other things - security, relationship, connection. How did God meet you in those hungers? What are you hungering for now? Eat slowly, and talk to God while you do. God finds a way to meet our hungers, even if we’re asking “what is it?” the entire time. As you eat, imagine God is still raining down manna in your midst.
October 5
God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so.God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. Genesis 1:29 - 2:1
Find: Green vegetables and/or fruits
We begin in the beginning. The “rules” about what can be eaten evolve through our Biblical text, but here, in this first account of creation, it is the “green things” that God has created for the other creatures to eat. So much of our consuming these days is done for the sake of convenience and ease. But today, find something green to eat (no, not a green frosted cookie!). Prepare some fruits or vegetables, and eat them slowly. Uncomfortably slowly. Do you know where they came from? Do you know who harvested them? How they got to your table? Or are they from your own garden, and have you paused lately to marvel at what you’ve grown? Remembering such things helps us remain mindful of this interconnected world, without which we would be hungry. As you eat, pray for the ground that produced this food, and for all those who helped get it to your table. Read the story again. Give thanks to our God, who created in such a way that we might eat, and that all would be good.
God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so.God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. Genesis 1:29 - 2:1
Find: Green vegetables and/or fruits
We begin in the beginning. The “rules” about what can be eaten evolve through our Biblical text, but here, in this first account of creation, it is the “green things” that God has created for the other creatures to eat. So much of our consuming these days is done for the sake of convenience and ease. But today, find something green to eat (no, not a green frosted cookie!). Prepare some fruits or vegetables, and eat them slowly. Uncomfortably slowly. Do you know where they came from? Do you know who harvested them? How they got to your table? Or are they from your own garden, and have you paused lately to marvel at what you’ve grown? Remembering such things helps us remain mindful of this interconnected world, without which we would be hungry. As you eat, pray for the ground that produced this food, and for all those who helped get it to your table. Read the story again. Give thanks to our God, who created in such a way that we might eat, and that all would be good.
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Zach Walker |
October 3
‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. Matthew 21: 28-32
This parable, on the surface, diminishes the importance of what we say. Make no mistake, our words are important. The context of this parable is Jesus responding to leaders in the church who were very good with their words, but not so good at living out the meaning of those words. So Jesus poses a scenario: is it better to do the will of the father even if you say you won’t, or do nothing even though you said you would? In these days it makes me look at the world around us and wonder, who is demonstrating God’s love regardless of the labels we put on them, or even regardless of the labels they put on themselves? Seeing others in that light, and better yet living in light of that ourselves, we can focusing on the doing of love and worry about the words later.
‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. Matthew 21: 28-32
This parable, on the surface, diminishes the importance of what we say. Make no mistake, our words are important. The context of this parable is Jesus responding to leaders in the church who were very good with their words, but not so good at living out the meaning of those words. So Jesus poses a scenario: is it better to do the will of the father even if you say you won’t, or do nothing even though you said you would? In these days it makes me look at the world around us and wonder, who is demonstrating God’s love regardless of the labels we put on them, or even regardless of the labels they put on themselves? Seeing others in that light, and better yet living in light of that ourselves, we can focusing on the doing of love and worry about the words later.
October 2
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death--
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2: 1-13
In the beginning of these verses Paul writes to “be of the same mind.” This phrase bothered me for a long time. Isn’t there value in having diverse opinions and differing perspectives? It turns out, Paul is not telling the Philippians to all think the same, so much as he is telling them to honor each other. The opposite of the “same mind,” in the way Paul writes, is a selfish mind. Paul is encouraging them remember others’ needs and experiences rather than place one’s own’s needs as central. For you and I to “be of the same mind” requires you and I to have a relationship; it requires us to think about and respect each other as we live our lives. Read the rest of the verses with this interpretation in mind and see what come to light for you. Where are you in need of deeper relationship in order to “be of the same mind” with others in the way Paul call us to?
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death--
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2: 1-13
In the beginning of these verses Paul writes to “be of the same mind.” This phrase bothered me for a long time. Isn’t there value in having diverse opinions and differing perspectives? It turns out, Paul is not telling the Philippians to all think the same, so much as he is telling them to honor each other. The opposite of the “same mind,” in the way Paul writes, is a selfish mind. Paul is encouraging them remember others’ needs and experiences rather than place one’s own’s needs as central. For you and I to “be of the same mind” requires you and I to have a relationship; it requires us to think about and respect each other as we live our lives. Read the rest of the verses with this interpretation in mind and see what come to light for you. Where are you in need of deeper relationship in order to “be of the same mind” with others in the way Paul call us to?
October 1
September 30
A Maskil of Asaph.
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our ancestors have told us.
We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.
He established a decree in Jacob,
and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach to their children;
that the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and rise up and tell them to their children,
so that they should set their hope in God,
and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments;
and that they should not be like their ancestors,
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
whose spirit was not faithful to God.
The Ephraimites, armed with the bow,
turned back on the day of battle.
They did not keep God’s covenant,
but refused to walk according to his law.
They forgot what he had done,
and the miracles that he had shown them.
In the sight of their ancestors he worked marvels
in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.
He divided the sea and let them pass through it,
and made the waters stand like a heap.
In the daytime he led them with a cloud,
and all night long with a fiery light.
He split rocks open in the wilderness,
and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.
He made streams come out of the rock,
and caused waters to flow down like rivers.
Yet they sinned still more against him,
rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
They tested God in their heart
by demanding the food they craved.
They spoke against God, saying,
‘Can God spread a table in the wilderness?
Even though he struck the rock so that water gushed out
and torrents overflowed,
can he also give bread,
or provide meat for his people?’
Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of rage;
a fire was kindled against Jacob,
his anger mounted against Israel,
because they had no faith in God,
and did not trust his saving power.
Yet he commanded the skies above,
and opened the doors of heaven;
he rained down on them manna to eat,
and gave them the grain of heaven.
Mortals ate of the bread of angels;
he sent them food in abundance.
He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
and by his power he led out the south wind;
he rained flesh upon them like dust,
winged birds like the sand of the seas;
he let them fall within their camp,
all around their dwellings.
And they ate and were well filled,
for he gave them what they craved.
But before they had satisfied their craving,
while the food was still in their mouths,
the anger of God rose against them
and he killed the strongest of them,
and laid low the flower of Israel.
In spite of all this they still sinned;
they did not believe in his wonders.
So he made their days vanish like a breath,
and their years in terror.
When he killed them, they sought for him;
they repented and sought God earnestly.
They remembered that God was their rock,
the Most High God their redeemer.
But they flattered him with their mouths;
they lied to him with their tongues.
Their heart was not steadfast towards him;
they were not true to his covenant.
Yet he, being compassionate,
forgave their iniquity,
and did not destroy them;
often he restrained his anger,
and did not stir up all his wrath.
He remembered that they were but flesh,
a wind that passes and does not come again.
How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness
and grieved him in the desert!
They tested God again and again,
and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
They did not keep in mind his power,
or the day when he redeemed them from the foe;
when he displayed his signs in Egypt,
and his miracles in the fields of Zoan.
He turned their rivers to blood,
so that they could not drink of their streams.
He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them,
and frogs, which destroyed them.
He gave their crops to the caterpillar,
and the fruit of their labour to the locust.
He destroyed their vines with hail,
and their sycomores with frost.
He gave over their cattle to the hail,
and their flocks to thunderbolts.
He let loose on them his fierce anger,
wrath, indignation, and distress,
a company of destroying angels.
He made a path for his anger;
he did not spare them from death,
but gave their lives over to the plague.
He struck all the firstborn in Egypt,
the first issue of their strength in the tents of Ham.
Then he led out his people like sheep,
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid;
but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
And he brought them to his holy hill,
to the mountain that his right hand had won.
He drove out nations before them;
he apportioned them for a possession
and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.
Yet they tested the Most High God,
and rebelled against him.
They did not observe his decrees,
but turned away and were faithless like their ancestors;
they twisted like a treacherous bow.
For they provoked him to anger with their high places;
they moved him to jealousy with their idols.
When God heard, he was full of wrath,
and he utterly rejected Israel.
He abandoned his dwelling at Shiloh,
the tent where he dwelt among mortals,
and delivered his power to captivity,
his glory to the hand of the foe.
He gave his people to the sword,
and vented his wrath on his heritage.
Fire devoured their young men,
and their girls had no marriage song.
Their priests fell by the sword,
and their widows made no lamentation.
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
like a warrior shouting because of wine.
He put his adversaries to rout;
he put them to everlasting disgrace.
He rejected the tent of Joseph,
he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;
but he chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion, which he loves.
He built his sanctuary like the high heavens,
like the earth, which he has founded for ever.
He chose his servant David,
and took him from the sheepfolds;
from tending the nursing ewes he brought him
to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,
of Israel, his inheritance.
With upright heart he tended them,
and guided them with skilful hand. Psalm 78
On Sunday Tom preached about the Story of the Bible. This psalm is a version of that. It begins with the psalmist insisting on the importance of telling future generations the important stories of history. Sometimes I feel like we live in the “United States of I Forgot.” I was never hugely interested in history when I was younger, but the older I get the more important I realize it is to remember not only the stories of our history, but the meanings and lessons of those events. What do you point to as meaningful stories we shouldn’t forget in our nation’s history? What about more recent history? What about the in the history of your life and experiences?
A Maskil of Asaph.
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our ancestors have told us.
We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.
He established a decree in Jacob,
and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach to their children;
that the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and rise up and tell them to their children,
so that they should set their hope in God,
and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments;
and that they should not be like their ancestors,
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
whose spirit was not faithful to God.
The Ephraimites, armed with the bow,
turned back on the day of battle.
They did not keep God’s covenant,
but refused to walk according to his law.
They forgot what he had done,
and the miracles that he had shown them.
In the sight of their ancestors he worked marvels
in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.
He divided the sea and let them pass through it,
and made the waters stand like a heap.
In the daytime he led them with a cloud,
and all night long with a fiery light.
He split rocks open in the wilderness,
and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.
He made streams come out of the rock,
and caused waters to flow down like rivers.
Yet they sinned still more against him,
rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
They tested God in their heart
by demanding the food they craved.
They spoke against God, saying,
‘Can God spread a table in the wilderness?
Even though he struck the rock so that water gushed out
and torrents overflowed,
can he also give bread,
or provide meat for his people?’
Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of rage;
a fire was kindled against Jacob,
his anger mounted against Israel,
because they had no faith in God,
and did not trust his saving power.
Yet he commanded the skies above,
and opened the doors of heaven;
he rained down on them manna to eat,
and gave them the grain of heaven.
Mortals ate of the bread of angels;
he sent them food in abundance.
He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
and by his power he led out the south wind;
he rained flesh upon them like dust,
winged birds like the sand of the seas;
he let them fall within their camp,
all around their dwellings.
And they ate and were well filled,
for he gave them what they craved.
But before they had satisfied their craving,
while the food was still in their mouths,
the anger of God rose against them
and he killed the strongest of them,
and laid low the flower of Israel.
In spite of all this they still sinned;
they did not believe in his wonders.
So he made their days vanish like a breath,
and their years in terror.
When he killed them, they sought for him;
they repented and sought God earnestly.
They remembered that God was their rock,
the Most High God their redeemer.
But they flattered him with their mouths;
they lied to him with their tongues.
Their heart was not steadfast towards him;
they were not true to his covenant.
Yet he, being compassionate,
forgave their iniquity,
and did not destroy them;
often he restrained his anger,
and did not stir up all his wrath.
He remembered that they were but flesh,
a wind that passes and does not come again.
How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness
and grieved him in the desert!
They tested God again and again,
and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
They did not keep in mind his power,
or the day when he redeemed them from the foe;
when he displayed his signs in Egypt,
and his miracles in the fields of Zoan.
He turned their rivers to blood,
so that they could not drink of their streams.
He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them,
and frogs, which destroyed them.
He gave their crops to the caterpillar,
and the fruit of their labour to the locust.
He destroyed their vines with hail,
and their sycomores with frost.
He gave over their cattle to the hail,
and their flocks to thunderbolts.
He let loose on them his fierce anger,
wrath, indignation, and distress,
a company of destroying angels.
He made a path for his anger;
he did not spare them from death,
but gave their lives over to the plague.
He struck all the firstborn in Egypt,
the first issue of their strength in the tents of Ham.
Then he led out his people like sheep,
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid;
but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
And he brought them to his holy hill,
to the mountain that his right hand had won.
He drove out nations before them;
he apportioned them for a possession
and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.
Yet they tested the Most High God,
and rebelled against him.
They did not observe his decrees,
but turned away and were faithless like their ancestors;
they twisted like a treacherous bow.
For they provoked him to anger with their high places;
they moved him to jealousy with their idols.
When God heard, he was full of wrath,
and he utterly rejected Israel.
He abandoned his dwelling at Shiloh,
the tent where he dwelt among mortals,
and delivered his power to captivity,
his glory to the hand of the foe.
He gave his people to the sword,
and vented his wrath on his heritage.
Fire devoured their young men,
and their girls had no marriage song.
Their priests fell by the sword,
and their widows made no lamentation.
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
like a warrior shouting because of wine.
He put his adversaries to rout;
he put them to everlasting disgrace.
He rejected the tent of Joseph,
he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;
but he chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion, which he loves.
He built his sanctuary like the high heavens,
like the earth, which he has founded for ever.
He chose his servant David,
and took him from the sheepfolds;
from tending the nursing ewes he brought him
to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,
of Israel, his inheritance.
With upright heart he tended them,
and guided them with skilful hand. Psalm 78
On Sunday Tom preached about the Story of the Bible. This psalm is a version of that. It begins with the psalmist insisting on the importance of telling future generations the important stories of history. Sometimes I feel like we live in the “United States of I Forgot.” I was never hugely interested in history when I was younger, but the older I get the more important I realize it is to remember not only the stories of our history, but the meanings and lessons of those events. What do you point to as meaningful stories we shouldn’t forget in our nation’s history? What about more recent history? What about the in the history of your life and experiences?
September 29
September 28
From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarrelled with Moses, and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?’ But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?’ So Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.’ The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.’ Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarrelled and tested the Lord, saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’ Exodus 17: 1-7
When I read these verses I get the distinct impression that he doesn’t feel entirely prepared for all that will be demanded of him. He gets everyone out of slavery, and they turn around, in the middle of the dessert, and say, “We need some water or we’ll die!” Here’s the thing: they aren’t wrong. They aren’t making an unreasonable demand. I just think Moses wasn’t fully prepared for the leadership he would need after getting away from Pharaoh. We are all, in a way, experiencing a bit of that right now. All of a sudden the things being asked of us are new, and even the basics can feel like they are newly challenging.
Moses had some frustration (we are allowed to be frustrated!), and he also went to God as he sought out what to do. That’s not a bad road map for us, as well: in the face of frustration we seek out God and, with some patience, find our way in community to a helpful response.
From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarrelled with Moses, and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?’ But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?’ So Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.’ The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.’ Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarrelled and tested the Lord, saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’ Exodus 17: 1-7
When I read these verses I get the distinct impression that he doesn’t feel entirely prepared for all that will be demanded of him. He gets everyone out of slavery, and they turn around, in the middle of the dessert, and say, “We need some water or we’ll die!” Here’s the thing: they aren’t wrong. They aren’t making an unreasonable demand. I just think Moses wasn’t fully prepared for the leadership he would need after getting away from Pharaoh. We are all, in a way, experiencing a bit of that right now. All of a sudden the things being asked of us are new, and even the basics can feel like they are newly challenging.
Moses had some frustration (we are allowed to be frustrated!), and he also went to God as he sought out what to do. That’s not a bad road map for us, as well: in the face of frustration we seek out God and, with some patience, find our way in community to a helpful response.
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Dr. Brandon Frick |
September 26
He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’ Matthew 13: 31-32
What are some of ways in which you see a mustard-seed-sized or growing Kingdom of heaven breaking into the world? What are some ways we can tend to that plant and help it grow?
He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’ Matthew 13: 31-32
What are some of ways in which you see a mustard-seed-sized or growing Kingdom of heaven breaking into the world? What are some ways we can tend to that plant and help it grow?
September 25
He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” He answered, “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ Matthew 13: 24-30
Our spiritual forefather, John Calvin, described the church as containing both wheat and weeds, i.e., the elect and the reprobate, whom God would sort at the end of days. But is it possible that every person has both wheat and weeds within them? How would that change the tone and meaning of the parable?
He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” He answered, “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ Matthew 13: 24-30
Our spiritual forefather, John Calvin, described the church as containing both wheat and weeds, i.e., the elect and the reprobate, whom God would sort at the end of days. But is it possible that every person has both wheat and weeds within them? How would that change the tone and meaning of the parable?
September 24
‘Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’ Matthew 13: 18-23
If “the sower” in this parable was a farmer, do you think he’d be overly successful casting seed this way and that? This parable challenges many of our notions of a “good investment of time and resources.” Is there anything or anyone you’ve deemed a “waste” of your efforts that maybe deserves reconsideration?
‘Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’ Matthew 13: 18-23
If “the sower” in this parable was a farmer, do you think he’d be overly successful casting seed this way and that? This parable challenges many of our notions of a “good investment of time and resources.” Is there anything or anyone you’ve deemed a “waste” of your efforts that maybe deserves reconsideration?
September 23
Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.
‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” ’ Luke 15: 11-32
The “Parable of the Prodigal Son” is arguably the most inaccurate name for any of the parables. Maybe it’d be better to call it the “Parable of the Dutiful Son”? The “Parable of the Loving Father”? What other titles could we give this to encapsulate the lessons of this parable?
Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.
‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” ’ Luke 15: 11-32
The “Parable of the Prodigal Son” is arguably the most inaccurate name for any of the parables. Maybe it’d be better to call it the “Parable of the Dutiful Son”? The “Parable of the Loving Father”? What other titles could we give this to encapsulate the lessons of this parable?
September 22
‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’ Luke 15: 8-10
Certain commentaries suggest that the cost of throwing a party for the neighborhood far exceeds the value of the one drachma this diligent woman finds. What does this tell us about God’s motivation for finding unrepentant sinners?
‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’ Luke 15: 8-10
Certain commentaries suggest that the cost of throwing a party for the neighborhood far exceeds the value of the one drachma this diligent woman finds. What does this tell us about God’s motivation for finding unrepentant sinners?
September 21
Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’
So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. Luke 15: 1-7
What does it mean to be “good” at your job? Does it mean being productive at all costs? Protective of the company’s resources? Practical, and never emotional, in your decision making? If so, the Great Shepherd may not be a very good one.
Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’
So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. Luke 15: 1-7
What does it mean to be “good” at your job? Does it mean being productive at all costs? Protective of the company’s resources? Practical, and never emotional, in your decision making? If so, the Great Shepherd may not be a very good one.
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Becky Chamberlain |
September 19
Last week, via Zoom, I heard a presentation on “Thomas Merton and Black Lives Matter” presented by Professor Daniel Horan, from Catholic Theological Union. Thomas Merton, Trappist monk, theologian and social activist, died in 1968, but Horan said that Merton was ahead of his time in calling out the reality of systemic racism and white privilege during the Civil Rights Movement. Merton can be a model for us all, Horan said. Merton models “discomfort” and a spirituality of “ongoing conversion,” as we work to understand the persuasiveness of racism and work for racial justice. Merton models turning “the lens back on oneself” and “being open to the ways things are for other people.”
Further, Merton said that for churches that are predominantly white, it is time to “talk less and listen more.” He cautions us to take the lead from black Christians by learning and listening and examining the ways in which our efforts to help are inhibiting. What are our interior motives? This requires a deep discernment of how we move in the world. Am I willing to do this work? Am I open to what God is trying to teach me through the stories of others, particularly those of people of color?
Last week, via Zoom, I heard a presentation on “Thomas Merton and Black Lives Matter” presented by Professor Daniel Horan, from Catholic Theological Union. Thomas Merton, Trappist monk, theologian and social activist, died in 1968, but Horan said that Merton was ahead of his time in calling out the reality of systemic racism and white privilege during the Civil Rights Movement. Merton can be a model for us all, Horan said. Merton models “discomfort” and a spirituality of “ongoing conversion,” as we work to understand the persuasiveness of racism and work for racial justice. Merton models turning “the lens back on oneself” and “being open to the ways things are for other people.”
Further, Merton said that for churches that are predominantly white, it is time to “talk less and listen more.” He cautions us to take the lead from black Christians by learning and listening and examining the ways in which our efforts to help are inhibiting. What are our interior motives? This requires a deep discernment of how we move in the world. Am I willing to do this work? Am I open to what God is trying to teach me through the stories of others, particularly those of people of color?
September 18
The Spirit of the Lord is on me.
He has anointed me
to announce the good news to poor people.
He has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners.
He has sent me so that the blind will see again.
He wants me to set free those who are treated badly.
And he has sent me to announce the year when he will set his people free. Luke 4:18-19
There is so much I continue to be clueless about. I had never even heard of redlining until a few years ago, after moving to Kansas City. Or how the creation of wealth through home ownership hugely benefited whites and disenfranchised blacks. I hadn’t heard of blockbusting either. Or racial covenants. But I want to learn how our laws continue to oppress some and privilege others. I want to acknowledge my complicity in racism. I want to acknowledge that my/our prosperity is rooted in injustice and sin. I want to take action for change. I believe it is what Christ is calling me to, as an individual and as part of the body of Christ.
The Spirit of the Lord is on me.
He has anointed me
to announce the good news to poor people.
He has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners.
He has sent me so that the blind will see again.
He wants me to set free those who are treated badly.
And he has sent me to announce the year when he will set his people free. Luke 4:18-19
There is so much I continue to be clueless about. I had never even heard of redlining until a few years ago, after moving to Kansas City. Or how the creation of wealth through home ownership hugely benefited whites and disenfranchised blacks. I hadn’t heard of blockbusting either. Or racial covenants. But I want to learn how our laws continue to oppress some and privilege others. I want to acknowledge my complicity in racism. I want to acknowledge that my/our prosperity is rooted in injustice and sin. I want to take action for change. I believe it is what Christ is calling me to, as an individual and as part of the body of Christ.
September 17
My favorite among the six painted murals was the one on 31st and Troost. There were names embedded into the design; sometimes you had to look sideways to find them; some were entire, like “Angelou;” others were just part of the name, like “Armst”. Some “names” were more subtle. My friend pointed out that each letter of “Black Lives Matter” had a red line painted horizontally through the middle. I didn’t see it at first, but there it was. A red line painted in the middle of Troost to name “redlining,” just one of the ways that systemic injustice has oppressed and continues to oppress black Americans.
Redlining came about out after the Great Depression. The federal government, under Roosevelt, established the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to issue loans and subsidies for home ownership based on a 4-tiered classification of neighborhoods. All white neighborhoods had the highest rating; black neighborhoods, the lowest, color-coded as red on maps. The result was that blacks could not get loans, either from the federal government or private lending institutions because of “redlining.” After WWII, the GI Bill gave low-interest, zero percentage loans to all returning servicemen, but these loans were subject to the same restrictions. Because of racial covenants, black veterans could only use their housing vouchers in all-black areas; even with the GI Bill, many were denied loans. In his book, Some of My Best Friends Are Black (2012), Tanner Colby writes, “FHA backed mortgages for 77,000 homes in the KC area; less than 1% of those loans went to blacks.”
My favorite among the six painted murals was the one on 31st and Troost. There were names embedded into the design; sometimes you had to look sideways to find them; some were entire, like “Angelou;” others were just part of the name, like “Armst”. Some “names” were more subtle. My friend pointed out that each letter of “Black Lives Matter” had a red line painted horizontally through the middle. I didn’t see it at first, but there it was. A red line painted in the middle of Troost to name “redlining,” just one of the ways that systemic injustice has oppressed and continues to oppress black Americans.
Redlining came about out after the Great Depression. The federal government, under Roosevelt, established the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to issue loans and subsidies for home ownership based on a 4-tiered classification of neighborhoods. All white neighborhoods had the highest rating; black neighborhoods, the lowest, color-coded as red on maps. The result was that blacks could not get loans, either from the federal government or private lending institutions because of “redlining.” After WWII, the GI Bill gave low-interest, zero percentage loans to all returning servicemen, but these loans were subject to the same restrictions. Because of racial covenants, black veterans could only use their housing vouchers in all-black areas; even with the GI Bill, many were denied loans. In his book, Some of My Best Friends Are Black (2012), Tanner Colby writes, “FHA backed mortgages for 77,000 homes in the KC area; less than 1% of those loans went to blacks.”
September 16
God, create a pure heart in me.
Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you. Psalm 51:10
On Labor Day, a friend and I visited the six locations in Kansas City where “Black Lives Matter” murals were freshly painted on street pavements. At each site, we got out of the car and spent time paying attention to names named and symbols shown in the bright colors of the paint. Thankfully, the street sections were closed to traffic, so we and others could walk among the letters and think our own thoughts. The mood at each location was thoughtful, quiet, and almost prayerful, it seemed to me. Ordinary pavement had become sacred ground.
At one location, 18th and Vine, two African American women engaged us in conversation. They, too, were on a road trip to see each mural. “What is your favorite so far?” they wanted to know. “Why?” Our conversation challenged me. And made me ask myself the question, “Am I open to see and hear the way things are for other people?”
God, create a pure heart in me.
Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you. Psalm 51:10
On Labor Day, a friend and I visited the six locations in Kansas City where “Black Lives Matter” murals were freshly painted on street pavements. At each site, we got out of the car and spent time paying attention to names named and symbols shown in the bright colors of the paint. Thankfully, the street sections were closed to traffic, so we and others could walk among the letters and think our own thoughts. The mood at each location was thoughtful, quiet, and almost prayerful, it seemed to me. Ordinary pavement had become sacred ground.
At one location, 18th and Vine, two African American women engaged us in conversation. They, too, were on a road trip to see each mural. “What is your favorite so far?” they wanted to know. “Why?” Our conversation challenged me. And made me ask myself the question, “Am I open to see and hear the way things are for other people?”
September 15
I grew up in a white bubble. My community, just south of Chicago, grew in population because of “white flight,” when Chicagoans fled to the suburbs because of African Americans moving into formerly white neighborhoods. My community was small, totally homogenized, and particularly, Dutch. There was a nearby neighborhood where black people lived, but our paths never crossed. When my older brother attended an integrated high school, he came home and asked my parents about inviting a black friend for dinner. My father, the epitome of kindness, said, “No. We have to live in this neighborhood. It wouldn’t be a good idea.”
Years later, when I moved to downtown Chicago and began working at the Social Service Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, I realized that my childhood community and religious training did not prepare me for the wider world and its diversity. Rather, I learned fear of “the other” and breathed in biases that would take hard work to overcome. I am a work in progress. At times, it is painful. What is your story?
I grew up in a white bubble. My community, just south of Chicago, grew in population because of “white flight,” when Chicagoans fled to the suburbs because of African Americans moving into formerly white neighborhoods. My community was small, totally homogenized, and particularly, Dutch. There was a nearby neighborhood where black people lived, but our paths never crossed. When my older brother attended an integrated high school, he came home and asked my parents about inviting a black friend for dinner. My father, the epitome of kindness, said, “No. We have to live in this neighborhood. It wouldn’t be a good idea.”
Years later, when I moved to downtown Chicago and began working at the Social Service Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, I realized that my childhood community and religious training did not prepare me for the wider world and its diversity. Rather, I learned fear of “the other” and breathed in biases that would take hard work to overcome. I am a work in progress. At times, it is painful. What is your story?
September 14
I have been thinking about signage. Some signs say, “All lives matter.” Others say, “Black lives matter.” Lately, these signs have become a way to define opposing sides. Both perspectives are true for me. The Bible affirms the sacredness and dignity of all life. But, I believe that Christians must support “Black Lives Matter” in such a time as this, because God is always on the side of the oppressed. To say that Black Lives Matter is not to say that Black Lives Matter more, but rather to draw attention to the hypocrisy of what we say, that “all are created equal,” the reality is so far from the truth, and has been for over 400 years.
I wonder if we could paraphrase Exodus 3 for the present day? It would read, in Chapter 3, beginning with verse 7, “I have observed the misery of my people who live in the United States, I have heard their cries on account of systemic racism. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from an unjust system that oppresses them daily in obvious and not-so-obvious ways.” Am I open to realizing my part in all this? Am I willing to learn?
I have been thinking about signage. Some signs say, “All lives matter.” Others say, “Black lives matter.” Lately, these signs have become a way to define opposing sides. Both perspectives are true for me. The Bible affirms the sacredness and dignity of all life. But, I believe that Christians must support “Black Lives Matter” in such a time as this, because God is always on the side of the oppressed. To say that Black Lives Matter is not to say that Black Lives Matter more, but rather to draw attention to the hypocrisy of what we say, that “all are created equal,” the reality is so far from the truth, and has been for over 400 years.
I wonder if we could paraphrase Exodus 3 for the present day? It would read, in Chapter 3, beginning with verse 7, “I have observed the misery of my people who live in the United States, I have heard their cries on account of systemic racism. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from an unjust system that oppresses them daily in obvious and not-so-obvious ways.” Am I open to realizing my part in all this? Am I willing to learn?
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Melanie Hardison |
September 12
September 11
September 10
I recently visited a Nature Center which featured a cross-section of a tree that began its life in the year 1815. I’ve always been fascinated to see the rings of a tree, and to think of all the tree saw in its long life.
In 1870, this particular tree experienced either a lightning strike or fire, which is evident in the photo as a scar. The area outside the scar shows rings around the scar! As the tree continued on in its life, year after year, the tree wrapped itself around the scar as new growth, until the scar was covered. Eventually the scar was no longer visible on the trunk. It is only by seeing the inside, over 100 years later, that we know this tree sustained damage by fire.
We are like that, aren’t we? We sustain difficulties in our lifetimes, or even damage, yet we keep on going, and we keep on growing, just like the tree. Our scars may not be evident to the outside world, but they are there--reminders of the healing that has taken place, markers of our growth, evidence of God’s love which sustains and heals us, even in our inmost parts. Thanks be to God.
I recently visited a Nature Center which featured a cross-section of a tree that began its life in the year 1815. I’ve always been fascinated to see the rings of a tree, and to think of all the tree saw in its long life.
In 1870, this particular tree experienced either a lightning strike or fire, which is evident in the photo as a scar. The area outside the scar shows rings around the scar! As the tree continued on in its life, year after year, the tree wrapped itself around the scar as new growth, until the scar was covered. Eventually the scar was no longer visible on the trunk. It is only by seeing the inside, over 100 years later, that we know this tree sustained damage by fire.
We are like that, aren’t we? We sustain difficulties in our lifetimes, or even damage, yet we keep on going, and we keep on growing, just like the tree. Our scars may not be evident to the outside world, but they are there--reminders of the healing that has taken place, markers of our growth, evidence of God’s love which sustains and heals us, even in our inmost parts. Thanks be to God.
September 9
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to observe your righteous ordinances.
I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O Lord, according to your word.
Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord,
and teach me your ordinances.
I hold my life in my hand continually,
but I do not forget your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but I do not stray from your precepts.
Your decrees are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, to the end. Psalm 119: 105-112
I’ve had a song stuck in my head the last few days: Amy Grant’s 1990 release, “Thy Word.” The lyrics are based on Psalm 119:105, which reads, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
I remember attending an Amy Grant concert in an outdoor amphitheatre in Atlanta, soon after “Thy Word” came out, and my friend Jennifer and I sang our hearts out. I learned to play the song on the piano, and played it over and over until I knew it by heart. Both the words and the music gave me comfort and assurance.
But have you ever read the whole psalm from which this line comes? It’s a really long psalm--179 verses, in fact! And some of the imagery is beautiful. I invite you to meditate on this psalm today. What does it mean for God’s word to be a “lamp to your feet and a light to your path” (v. 105)? How might God’s word be “your heritage forever” and the “joy of your heart” (v.112)? Perhaps you can be in prayer about these things today.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to observe your righteous ordinances.
I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O Lord, according to your word.
Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord,
and teach me your ordinances.
I hold my life in my hand continually,
but I do not forget your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but I do not stray from your precepts.
Your decrees are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, to the end. Psalm 119: 105-112
I’ve had a song stuck in my head the last few days: Amy Grant’s 1990 release, “Thy Word.” The lyrics are based on Psalm 119:105, which reads, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
I remember attending an Amy Grant concert in an outdoor amphitheatre in Atlanta, soon after “Thy Word” came out, and my friend Jennifer and I sang our hearts out. I learned to play the song on the piano, and played it over and over until I knew it by heart. Both the words and the music gave me comfort and assurance.
But have you ever read the whole psalm from which this line comes? It’s a really long psalm--179 verses, in fact! And some of the imagery is beautiful. I invite you to meditate on this psalm today. What does it mean for God’s word to be a “lamp to your feet and a light to your path” (v. 105)? How might God’s word be “your heritage forever” and the “joy of your heart” (v.112)? Perhaps you can be in prayer about these things today.
September 8
September 7
But anyone who drinks the water I give them will never be thirsty. In fact, the water I give them will become a spring of water in them. It will flow up into eternal life. John 4:14
But anyone who drinks the water I give them will never be thirsty. In fact, the water I give them will become a spring of water in them. It will flow up into eternal life. John 4:14
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Sally Wright |
September 5
God spoke: “Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind:
cattle and reptiles and wild animals—all kinds.”
And there it was:
wild animals of every kind,
Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug.
God saw that it was good.
God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
Then God said, “I’ve given you
every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth
And every kind of fruit-bearing tree,
given them to you for food.
To all animals and all birds,
everything that moves and breathes,
I give whatever grows out of the ground for food.”
And there it was.
God looked over everything he had made;
it was so good, so very good!
It was evening, it was morning--
Day Six.
Heaven and Earth were finished,
down to the last detail.
God spoke: “Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind:
cattle and reptiles and wild animals—all kinds.”
And there it was:
wild animals of every kind,
Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug.
God saw that it was good.
God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
Then God said, “I’ve given you
every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth
And every kind of fruit-bearing tree,
given them to you for food.
To all animals and all birds,
everything that moves and breathes,
I give whatever grows out of the ground for food.”
And there it was.
God looked over everything he had made;
it was so good, so very good!
It was evening, it was morning--
Day Six.
Heaven and Earth were finished,
down to the last detail.
September 4
God spoke: “Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life!
Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!”
God created the huge whales,
all the swarm of life in the waters,
And every kind and species of flying birds.
God saw that it was good.
God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Ocean!
Birds, reproduce on Earth!”
It was evening, it was morning--
Day Five.
God spoke: “Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life!
Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!”
God created the huge whales,
all the swarm of life in the waters,
And every kind and species of flying birds.
God saw that it was good.
God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Ocean!
Birds, reproduce on Earth!”
It was evening, it was morning--
Day Five.
September 3
God spoke: “Lights! Come out!
Shine in Heaven’s sky!
Separate Day from Night.
Mark seasons and days and years,
Lights in Heaven’s sky to give light to Earth.”
And there it was.
God made two big lights, the larger
to take charge of Day,
The smaller to be in charge of Night;
and he made the stars.
God placed them in the heavenly sky
to light up Earth
And oversee Day and Night,
to separate light and dark.
God saw that it was good.
It was evening, it was morning--
Day Four.
God spoke: “Lights! Come out!
Shine in Heaven’s sky!
Separate Day from Night.
Mark seasons and days and years,
Lights in Heaven’s sky to give light to Earth.”
And there it was.
God made two big lights, the larger
to take charge of Day,
The smaller to be in charge of Night;
and he made the stars.
God placed them in the heavenly sky
to light up Earth
And oversee Day and Night,
to separate light and dark.
God saw that it was good.
It was evening, it was morning--
Day Four.
September 2
God spoke: “Separate!
Water-beneath-Heaven, gather into one place;
Land, appear!”
And there it was.
God named the land Earth.
He named the pooled water Ocean.
God saw that it was good.
God spoke: “Earth, green up! Grow all varieties
of seed-bearing plants,
Every sort of fruit-bearing tree.”
And there it was.
Earth produced green seed-bearing plants,
all varieties,
And fruit-bearing trees of all sorts.
God saw that it was good.
It was evening, it was morning--
Day Three.
God spoke: “Separate!
Water-beneath-Heaven, gather into one place;
Land, appear!”
And there it was.
God named the land Earth.
He named the pooled water Ocean.
God saw that it was good.
God spoke: “Earth, green up! Grow all varieties
of seed-bearing plants,
Every sort of fruit-bearing tree.”
And there it was.
Earth produced green seed-bearing plants,
all varieties,
And fruit-bearing trees of all sorts.
God saw that it was good.
It was evening, it was morning--
Day Three.
September 1
God spoke: “Sky! In the middle of the waters;
separate water from water!”
God made sky.
He separated the water under sky
from the water above sky.
And there it was:
he named sky the Heavens;
It was evening, it was morning--
Day Two.
God spoke: “Sky! In the middle of the waters;
separate water from water!”
God made sky.
He separated the water under sky
from the water above sky.
And there it was:
he named sky the Heavens;
It was evening, it was morning--
Day Two.
August 31
First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don’t see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.
God spoke: “Light!”
And light appeared.
God saw that light was good
and separated light from dark.
God named the light Day,
he named the dark Night.
It was evening, it was morning--
Day One. Gen 1:1-5
First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don’t see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.
God spoke: “Light!”
And light appeared.
God saw that light was good
and separated light from dark.
God named the light Day,
he named the dark Night.
It was evening, it was morning--
Day One. Gen 1:1-5
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Hallie Hottle |
August 29
I am seeing hope everywhere in these days. I sense, as many do, that we’re living in a moment of Kairos time, where the Spirit is moving about in new and terrifying ways. To live with the hope of Jesus is to recognize the deep collective suffering of this moment is steeped in holiness. No one wants for the cross. But as obstacles have confronted us that we simply can’t jump away from, the cross reminds us that we are not alone here. This season, like all seasons, will end. But knowing that ending is coming doesn’t give us relief while we’re in it. The practice of hope then, becomes all more important in days like these.
If we’re willing to follow Christ all that more closely, we’ll begin to notice the glimmers, not in spite of, but because they’re easier to see in darkness. We can trust the “not yet” is always on the horizon, and not run for it while neglecting what is ours to do here and now, because we don’t fear it’s vanishing. We can sacrifice the peace we have, because we know the treasure isn’t attainable while others continue to suffer.
This kind of hope doesn’t make the hard parts easier. But perhaps, ease is not the point. This kind of hope makes it possible to survive, to find meaning, and maybe - if done with community - it can even make us to dance. We end the week the poet and practitioner of hard-learned hope, Alice Walker. She writes as the introduction to her 2010 book:
“…I have learned to dance… It struck me one day, while dancing, that the marvelous moves African Americans are famous for on the dance floor came about because the dancers, especially in the old days, were contorting away various knots of stress. Some of the lower-back movements handed down to us that have seemed merely sensual were no doubt created after a day’s work bending over a plow or hoe on a slave driver’s plantation. Wishing to honor the role of dance in the healing of families, communities, and nations, I hired a local hall and a local band and invited friends and family from near and far to come together…to dance our sorrows away, or at least to integrate them more smoothly into our daily existence… [We] created a spirited line dance that assured me that, though we have all encountered our share of grief and troubles, we can still hold the line of beauty, form, beat - no small accomplishment in a world as challenging as this one. Hard times require furious dancing. Each of us is the proof.”
I am seeing hope everywhere in these days. I sense, as many do, that we’re living in a moment of Kairos time, where the Spirit is moving about in new and terrifying ways. To live with the hope of Jesus is to recognize the deep collective suffering of this moment is steeped in holiness. No one wants for the cross. But as obstacles have confronted us that we simply can’t jump away from, the cross reminds us that we are not alone here. This season, like all seasons, will end. But knowing that ending is coming doesn’t give us relief while we’re in it. The practice of hope then, becomes all more important in days like these.
If we’re willing to follow Christ all that more closely, we’ll begin to notice the glimmers, not in spite of, but because they’re easier to see in darkness. We can trust the “not yet” is always on the horizon, and not run for it while neglecting what is ours to do here and now, because we don’t fear it’s vanishing. We can sacrifice the peace we have, because we know the treasure isn’t attainable while others continue to suffer.
This kind of hope doesn’t make the hard parts easier. But perhaps, ease is not the point. This kind of hope makes it possible to survive, to find meaning, and maybe - if done with community - it can even make us to dance. We end the week the poet and practitioner of hard-learned hope, Alice Walker. She writes as the introduction to her 2010 book:
“…I have learned to dance… It struck me one day, while dancing, that the marvelous moves African Americans are famous for on the dance floor came about because the dancers, especially in the old days, were contorting away various knots of stress. Some of the lower-back movements handed down to us that have seemed merely sensual were no doubt created after a day’s work bending over a plow or hoe on a slave driver’s plantation. Wishing to honor the role of dance in the healing of families, communities, and nations, I hired a local hall and a local band and invited friends and family from near and far to come together…to dance our sorrows away, or at least to integrate them more smoothly into our daily existence… [We] created a spirited line dance that assured me that, though we have all encountered our share of grief and troubles, we can still hold the line of beauty, form, beat - no small accomplishment in a world as challenging as this one. Hard times require furious dancing. Each of us is the proof.”
August 28
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 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. Mark 10:17-22
Recognizing a hope that is “already” and “not yet,” formed and founded in the suffering of the cross, we must ask who this hope is for. So much of our cultural optimism is tied to our notions of individualism. It’s the common refrains we hear and say… “You can do anything!” “Just think happy thoughts!” “Just work harder and you’ll get there!”
Jesus-rooted hope doesn’t sound much like that. Jesus’s way of being is never about “you,” not completely. When the rich young man says he’s followed all the commandments, Jesus gives him another instruction. In my interpretation, I think that instruction is less about money, and more about how this guy is interacting with the community. You’ve followed all the old commandments? Cool. Now go love others enough that you’re willing to give them all you have.
Jesus’s hope is always communal. It’s experienced and lifted up in a community of witnesses. And this, honestly, is a real bummer. It means that we’re not just called to look for hope, or be content with finding it in our own corners. It means that we actually have to “be” the hope for one another. It’s great for us to be content with our good vibes, feeling like we’ve seized the day. But if we’re in touch with Jesus, he’s going to tell us to sell those good vibes for the energy required to be with those who are suffering. The treasure is in the togetherness.
So where are you seeing hope in your community? And, is there a chance Jesus is calling you to be that hope for others?
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 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. Mark 10:17-22
Recognizing a hope that is “already” and “not yet,” formed and founded in the suffering of the cross, we must ask who this hope is for. So much of our cultural optimism is tied to our notions of individualism. It’s the common refrains we hear and say… “You can do anything!” “Just think happy thoughts!” “Just work harder and you’ll get there!”
Jesus-rooted hope doesn’t sound much like that. Jesus’s way of being is never about “you,” not completely. When the rich young man says he’s followed all the commandments, Jesus gives him another instruction. In my interpretation, I think that instruction is less about money, and more about how this guy is interacting with the community. You’ve followed all the old commandments? Cool. Now go love others enough that you’re willing to give them all you have.
Jesus’s hope is always communal. It’s experienced and lifted up in a community of witnesses. And this, honestly, is a real bummer. It means that we’re not just called to look for hope, or be content with finding it in our own corners. It means that we actually have to “be” the hope for one another. It’s great for us to be content with our good vibes, feeling like we’ve seized the day. But if we’re in touch with Jesus, he’s going to tell us to sell those good vibes for the energy required to be with those who are suffering. The treasure is in the togetherness.
So where are you seeing hope in your community? And, is there a chance Jesus is calling you to be that hope for others?
August 27
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. Galatians 2:19-21
We’ve come to the hardest part of hope - the cross. We don’t like to hang out with the cross, and we shouldn’t. It’s the worst part of the story. But the thing that most separates our Christian “hope” from optimism or fleeting happiness is precisely that that.
I always find myself troubled in Catholic churches when I see Jesus on the cross. As protestants, we display the cross as it would have been on Sunday - empty. The “empty cross” is a testimony to the resurrection. Our Catholic friends display the full crucifix, the cross as it would have been on Friday, with Jesus still up there. I wouldn’t advocate we start doing that, but there is something to learn about being willing to sit in the discomfort of Friday.
Our hope is not in the empty cross. It’s in realizing we don’t suffer alone. There’s no darkness our God hasn’t already experienced, hasn’t already endured in flesh just like ours. It’s in hard days that this hope often comes into sharper, more determined focus. If we can’t see it, it might be because we’re looking for a “hope” that helps us escape the hard stuff, and the hope of Jesus is not one of escape, but one that is only found through the cross.
Meditate on an image of the cross today. What crosses are you bearing right now? Can you pray to the one who walks with you there?
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. Galatians 2:19-21
We’ve come to the hardest part of hope - the cross. We don’t like to hang out with the cross, and we shouldn’t. It’s the worst part of the story. But the thing that most separates our Christian “hope” from optimism or fleeting happiness is precisely that that.
I always find myself troubled in Catholic churches when I see Jesus on the cross. As protestants, we display the cross as it would have been on Sunday - empty. The “empty cross” is a testimony to the resurrection. Our Catholic friends display the full crucifix, the cross as it would have been on Friday, with Jesus still up there. I wouldn’t advocate we start doing that, but there is something to learn about being willing to sit in the discomfort of Friday.
Our hope is not in the empty cross. It’s in realizing we don’t suffer alone. There’s no darkness our God hasn’t already experienced, hasn’t already endured in flesh just like ours. It’s in hard days that this hope often comes into sharper, more determined focus. If we can’t see it, it might be because we’re looking for a “hope” that helps us escape the hard stuff, and the hope of Jesus is not one of escape, but one that is only found through the cross.
Meditate on an image of the cross today. What crosses are you bearing right now? Can you pray to the one who walks with you there?
August 26
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:1-2
Time matters, because the hope of our faith is always tied to “eschatology.” This strange word just means the “end of things,” our theology of the last days. Our theology of hope is always tied to our theology of last days because ultimately, we believe there will come a time when Jesus returns, and all that is broken will be made whole in the Kingdom of God.
The eschatology of my generation has been badly bruised by fear. You can find it in that “Left Behind” book series that I, and everyone I knew, read in high school. It’s propagated through the idea that the “end” is coming, and punishment and wrath are in order for those of us who don’t fulfill some human-set list of perfection standards. Combined with the reality of our dying planet and nuclear proliferation, it’s no wonder we’ve come to fear the “end of days.”
This fear is false. The attempt to scare folks (especially young people) into our pews may have seemed effective once, but it ripped the hope right out of the gospel in such a way we’re still struggling to put it back. Perhaps because of our fear of the end, we’re been forced to seek a hope “here and now.” And often, that seeking comes up shallow and short.
A truer eschatology will lead us to a hope that is both “already” and “not yet.” It’s always future-oriented, looking towards the end of days, filled not with wrath but the restoration of all things. And, it’s connected to what is real and happening now. We are called to live into the reality that God has already made Herself known, living enfleshed as Jesus Christ, and that God continues to be known through the workings of the Spirit, and that God will once again be known and experienced by all of us, in that day when all tears will be wiped away.
Only with this mix of “already” and “not yet” do we come to find a hope that is strong enough to endure any hard day. So what images come to mind when you consider the “last days?” If any of those are fear-filled, can you begin to re-imagine? What does restoration and relationship to the divine look like for you? Can you see glimmers of that around you now?
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:1-2
Time matters, because the hope of our faith is always tied to “eschatology.” This strange word just means the “end of things,” our theology of the last days. Our theology of hope is always tied to our theology of last days because ultimately, we believe there will come a time when Jesus returns, and all that is broken will be made whole in the Kingdom of God.
The eschatology of my generation has been badly bruised by fear. You can find it in that “Left Behind” book series that I, and everyone I knew, read in high school. It’s propagated through the idea that the “end” is coming, and punishment and wrath are in order for those of us who don’t fulfill some human-set list of perfection standards. Combined with the reality of our dying planet and nuclear proliferation, it’s no wonder we’ve come to fear the “end of days.”
This fear is false. The attempt to scare folks (especially young people) into our pews may have seemed effective once, but it ripped the hope right out of the gospel in such a way we’re still struggling to put it back. Perhaps because of our fear of the end, we’re been forced to seek a hope “here and now.” And often, that seeking comes up shallow and short.
A truer eschatology will lead us to a hope that is both “already” and “not yet.” It’s always future-oriented, looking towards the end of days, filled not with wrath but the restoration of all things. And, it’s connected to what is real and happening now. We are called to live into the reality that God has already made Herself known, living enfleshed as Jesus Christ, and that God continues to be known through the workings of the Spirit, and that God will once again be known and experienced by all of us, in that day when all tears will be wiped away.
Only with this mix of “already” and “not yet” do we come to find a hope that is strong enough to endure any hard day. So what images come to mind when you consider the “last days?” If any of those are fear-filled, can you begin to re-imagine? What does restoration and relationship to the divine look like for you? Can you see glimmers of that around you now?
August 25
But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Matthew 24:36
To understand “hope” through the lens of our faith in Jesus, we have to know something about “time.” We might be living in days when “time” is an easier thing to wrestle with. Having our typical patterns and routines disrupted has led many of us to miss meetings and have to check twice as to what day it is (just me?).
Our faith speaks of time in terms of “Chronos” or “Kairos.” “Chronos” refers to what we typically understand as time - the chronological order of things. “Kairos” instead refers to an opportune season, a moment of importance. We could say that Kairos is the time-keeping of the Spirit. It doesn’t fit on our calendars, and doesn’t make sense to our sequence-seeking minds.
“Hope” and “time” are connected for us as Christians, because we are to have an expectant faith. We believe there is always something more ahead, something bigger unfolding around us. So think about “time” today. If you had to trace your life through spiritual seasons, what would they be? Where has the Holy shown up for you, perhaps in ways that disrupted your “chronos” planning? Can you remember how you held hope in those past seasons?
But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Matthew 24:36
To understand “hope” through the lens of our faith in Jesus, we have to know something about “time.” We might be living in days when “time” is an easier thing to wrestle with. Having our typical patterns and routines disrupted has led many of us to miss meetings and have to check twice as to what day it is (just me?).
Our faith speaks of time in terms of “Chronos” or “Kairos.” “Chronos” refers to what we typically understand as time - the chronological order of things. “Kairos” instead refers to an opportune season, a moment of importance. We could say that Kairos is the time-keeping of the Spirit. It doesn’t fit on our calendars, and doesn’t make sense to our sequence-seeking minds.
“Hope” and “time” are connected for us as Christians, because we are to have an expectant faith. We believe there is always something more ahead, something bigger unfolding around us. So think about “time” today. If you had to trace your life through spiritual seasons, what would they be? Where has the Holy shown up for you, perhaps in ways that disrupted your “chronos” planning? Can you remember how you held hope in those past seasons?
August 24
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
I’ve been preparing this week for a series on “hope” our young adults will journey through this fall. I’ve been a little preoccupied with the idea of “hope” in these days. We’re hearing the word muttered all around us, spoken into a variety of different contexts. We’re “hoping” that our current state of pandemic will end soon. We’re “hoping” that the political division present in our nation doesn’t completely engulf our ability to be decent with each other over these next 71 days. We’re holding the “hope” that our protests might give way to some kind of change in our systems of injustices.
In the midst of all the “hoping,” I’ve also been asked this question more frequently than usual. “Where is the hope?” I understand the question, and the inclination to ask it. I even find it to be a faithful question in the midst of hard days. Our work as Jesus-followers is to tell the “good news,” to point out the hope to one another.
And yet, I’ve become suspicious of this question in these days. I can’t help but to wonder if we’re really looking for hope, or if we’re reaching for something more like optimism. If the “hope” we’re seeking is that which removes us from our discomfort, we’re not going to find it. Or rather, we’re not going to find it in Jesus.
So I invite you this week, to meditate on “hope.” Start today by asking yourself, how do you define hope? How is it different than optimism or happiness? Where are you seeing hope in this particular day?
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
I’ve been preparing this week for a series on “hope” our young adults will journey through this fall. I’ve been a little preoccupied with the idea of “hope” in these days. We’re hearing the word muttered all around us, spoken into a variety of different contexts. We’re “hoping” that our current state of pandemic will end soon. We’re “hoping” that the political division present in our nation doesn’t completely engulf our ability to be decent with each other over these next 71 days. We’re holding the “hope” that our protests might give way to some kind of change in our systems of injustices.
In the midst of all the “hoping,” I’ve also been asked this question more frequently than usual. “Where is the hope?” I understand the question, and the inclination to ask it. I even find it to be a faithful question in the midst of hard days. Our work as Jesus-followers is to tell the “good news,” to point out the hope to one another.
And yet, I’ve become suspicious of this question in these days. I can’t help but to wonder if we’re really looking for hope, or if we’re reaching for something more like optimism. If the “hope” we’re seeking is that which removes us from our discomfort, we’re not going to find it. Or rather, we’re not going to find it in Jesus.
So I invite you this week, to meditate on “hope.” Start today by asking yourself, how do you define hope? How is it different than optimism or happiness? Where are you seeing hope in this particular day?
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Zach Walker |
August 22
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. Romans 12:1-8
Paul encourages us to “be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” The older I get, the more challenging this is. I get set in my ways. What were once lightly held opinions seems to have solidified into firm beliefs. Paul says we should strive for this renewal because that is how we will discern the will of God. Those are some high stakes!
It makes me wonder if my stubborn outlook, or my entrenched attitudes, have prevented me from being able to truly discern God’s desires in my life. I want to commit to a little more humility in this regard. It will help me consider and respect others’ opinions, and it might help me better receive God’s Word.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. Romans 12:1-8
Paul encourages us to “be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” The older I get, the more challenging this is. I get set in my ways. What were once lightly held opinions seems to have solidified into firm beliefs. Paul says we should strive for this renewal because that is how we will discern the will of God. Those are some high stakes!
It makes me wonder if my stubborn outlook, or my entrenched attitudes, have prevented me from being able to truly discern God’s desires in my life. I want to commit to a little more humility in this regard. It will help me consider and respect others’ opinions, and it might help me better receive God’s Word.
August 21
Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. He said to his people, ‘Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.’ Exodus 1:8-10
There’s a lot happening in just these few verses. Joseph had been put in charge of managing the famine in Egypt and his family came to settle there. But over time, Joseph’s legacy and impact had faded; his people went from being perceived as a blessing to a threat. History, or the forgetting of history, often changes the fortunes of people. In this case, it threatened the lives and livelihoods of the Israelites.
We are still struggling as a nation with some of our own history. No matter where you might fall on this issue, it is worth wondering how it is that we as individuals, and as institutions within our country, are faring at valuing all people in our country and their integral histories.
Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. He said to his people, ‘Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.’ Exodus 1:8-10
There’s a lot happening in just these few verses. Joseph had been put in charge of managing the famine in Egypt and his family came to settle there. But over time, Joseph’s legacy and impact had faded; his people went from being perceived as a blessing to a threat. History, or the forgetting of history, often changes the fortunes of people. In this case, it threatened the lives and livelihoods of the Israelites.
We are still struggling as a nation with some of our own history. No matter where you might fall on this issue, it is worth wondering how it is that we as individuals, and as institutions within our country, are faring at valuing all people in our country and their integral histories.
August 20
August 19
Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding,
for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold.
She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Proverbs 3:13-15
This proverb notes the value of wisdom over more tangible treasures. There are a lot of things in life that aren’t tangible, and yet carry great value. The question is, do you value them appropriately? I’m certain I don’t do as good a job as I should with that. What are some ‘intangibles’ in life that you could value better than you do?
Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding,
for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold.
She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Proverbs 3:13-15
This proverb notes the value of wisdom over more tangible treasures. There are a lot of things in life that aren’t tangible, and yet carry great value. The question is, do you value them appropriately? I’m certain I don’t do as good a job as I should with that. What are some ‘intangibles’ in life that you could value better than you do?
August 18
August 17
looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Rodger spoke yesterday of treasure in clay pots. How much was that true in Jesus Christ? What we see in Jesus is the very idea that God would become a ‘clay pot’ in becoming human. Yet humanity refused to see the treasure within and rejected Christ.
There are certainly moments in my life where I only see the clay jar without looking for the treasure within. It happens because I don’t take the time to get to know someone. Or because I can be quick to judge. When are some moments in your own life when you have failed to see the treasure in a clay pot?
looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Rodger spoke yesterday of treasure in clay pots. How much was that true in Jesus Christ? What we see in Jesus is the very idea that God would become a ‘clay pot’ in becoming human. Yet humanity refused to see the treasure within and rejected Christ.
There are certainly moments in my life where I only see the clay jar without looking for the treasure within. It happens because I don’t take the time to get to know someone. Or because I can be quick to judge. When are some moments in your own life when you have failed to see the treasure in a clay pot?
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Dr. Brandon Frick |
August 15
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place; he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1:1-3
You didn’t think I’d leave out the book of Revelation (Apokalupsis) did you? After all, this is the book that controls how we think about Apocalypse in the modern world. It’s a book that describes rampant war, famine, disease and death that build up to an unexpectedly peaceful and poetic conclusion to the “end days” (If you don’t believe me, read chapters 21-22). But, in this time of global pandemic and political unrest, I think that it’s the chaotic forces – not the peaceful ending – that have led some to describe this time as “apocalyptic.”
But looking at our text for today and all the others we’ve surveyed in the New Testament, violence and suffering are not necessarily hallmarks of apokalupsis, or revelation. How would you describe it? Have you ever had a revelatory moment, one in which God has revealed something important to you? what was revealed to you? Where did it occur? How did it come about? How did it make you feel? Maybe you’ve only heard about such experiences; how did others describe them? Remember the answers to those questions, so the next time you, or someone else, describes this moment as apocalyptic, you can think about what God may be trying to reveal to you, or maybe all of us.
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place; he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1:1-3
You didn’t think I’d leave out the book of Revelation (Apokalupsis) did you? After all, this is the book that controls how we think about Apocalypse in the modern world. It’s a book that describes rampant war, famine, disease and death that build up to an unexpectedly peaceful and poetic conclusion to the “end days” (If you don’t believe me, read chapters 21-22). But, in this time of global pandemic and political unrest, I think that it’s the chaotic forces – not the peaceful ending – that have led some to describe this time as “apocalyptic.”
But looking at our text for today and all the others we’ve surveyed in the New Testament, violence and suffering are not necessarily hallmarks of apokalupsis, or revelation. How would you describe it? Have you ever had a revelatory moment, one in which God has revealed something important to you? what was revealed to you? Where did it occur? How did it come about? How did it make you feel? Maybe you’ve only heard about such experiences; how did others describe them? Remember the answers to those questions, so the next time you, or someone else, describes this moment as apocalyptic, you can think about what God may be trying to reveal to you, or maybe all of us.
August 14
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:15-23
Often, we try to compartmentalize various aspects of the Christian faith. Bible reading over here. Prayer over there. Worship up here. Outreach down there. But, Paul blurs some of those lines.
In the opening to his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul shares the content of his prayers for them. He writes, “I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation (apokalupsis) as you come to know him.” How does that revelation affect Christians? In what ways does it help us grow in the faith? What does it help us “know,” not merely as a fact, but as a claim that transforms us? How are these various facets related to each other? Maybe try to draw it out and see where you stand!
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:15-23
Often, we try to compartmentalize various aspects of the Christian faith. Bible reading over here. Prayer over there. Worship up here. Outreach down there. But, Paul blurs some of those lines.
In the opening to his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul shares the content of his prayers for them. He writes, “I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation (apokalupsis) as you come to know him.” How does that revelation affect Christians? In what ways does it help us grow in the faith? What does it help us “know,” not merely as a fact, but as a claim that transforms us? How are these various facets related to each other? Maybe try to draw it out and see where you stand!
August 13
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Acts 9:1-9
I’ve had people ask me before why I view scripture as authoritative. It’s messy, they say, bound by the time in which it was written, and even argues against itself at times. My answer: that’s exactly why I trust it. Only a messy, very human, very contradictory story could begin to encapsulate our relationships with each other and God.
I mean, take a look at Paul. His story could have been very easily cleaned up, but in Galatians 1:16, he admits to his persecution of the early church before Jesus was revealed (apokalupsis) to him. Read Acts 9:1-9 and its description of this revelation. What do you make of the fact that this revelation came with much fanfare – a voice from the heavens and light? Why do you think Paul, of all people, was chosen to receive this kind of revelation? Why could his fellow travelers hear the voice, but see nothing?
How does this revelation compare to the other texts we’ve looked at this week (Mt. 10:26; Mt.16:13-20; 1 Cor. 14:26-31)? Is the Acts text more of what you think of when you hear the word “revelation?” Why?
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Acts 9:1-9
I’ve had people ask me before why I view scripture as authoritative. It’s messy, they say, bound by the time in which it was written, and even argues against itself at times. My answer: that’s exactly why I trust it. Only a messy, very human, very contradictory story could begin to encapsulate our relationships with each other and God.
I mean, take a look at Paul. His story could have been very easily cleaned up, but in Galatians 1:16, he admits to his persecution of the early church before Jesus was revealed (apokalupsis) to him. Read Acts 9:1-9 and its description of this revelation. What do you make of the fact that this revelation came with much fanfare – a voice from the heavens and light? Why do you think Paul, of all people, was chosen to receive this kind of revelation? Why could his fellow travelers hear the voice, but see nothing?
How does this revelation compare to the other texts we’ve looked at this week (Mt. 10:26; Mt.16:13-20; 1 Cor. 14:26-31)? Is the Acts text more of what you think of when you hear the word “revelation?” Why?
August 12
What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let them be silent in church and speak to themselves and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to someone else sitting nearby, let the first person be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. 1 Corinthians 14:26-31
Presbyterians have always had an affinity for St. Paul and his affinity for orderly worship. Can you imagine the horror of opening worship with the Lord’s Prayer or [gulp] a Confession of Sin. You can thank St. Paul and John Calvin for “decently and in order worship.” Even revelations are set and structured parts of worship, along with hymns, lessons, speaking and interpreting tongues.
Now at first read, you might think the “revelation” (apokalupsis) is the sermon; indeed, there are preachers who would whole-heartedly agree with you that their sermons are always revelatory. But the “lesson” (didache, or teaching) Paul describes seems to refer to the sermon, while the revelation is the responsibility of one or more prophets. So, what would you expect the revelation to look like? Abstract or specific? A meditation on the present or a prediction of the future? It’s given “so that all may learn and all be encouraged,” so can you remember a revelatory moment in worship in which you’ve participated? Maybe in the liturgy, music, sacraments, or dare I say sermon?
What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let them be silent in church and speak to themselves and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to someone else sitting nearby, let the first person be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. 1 Corinthians 14:26-31
Presbyterians have always had an affinity for St. Paul and his affinity for orderly worship. Can you imagine the horror of opening worship with the Lord’s Prayer or [gulp] a Confession of Sin. You can thank St. Paul and John Calvin for “decently and in order worship.” Even revelations are set and structured parts of worship, along with hymns, lessons, speaking and interpreting tongues.
Now at first read, you might think the “revelation” (apokalupsis) is the sermon; indeed, there are preachers who would whole-heartedly agree with you that their sermons are always revelatory. But the “lesson” (didache, or teaching) Paul describes seems to refer to the sermon, while the revelation is the responsibility of one or more prophets. So, what would you expect the revelation to look like? Abstract or specific? A meditation on the present or a prediction of the future? It’s given “so that all may learn and all be encouraged,” so can you remember a revelatory moment in worship in which you’ve participated? Maybe in the liturgy, music, sacraments, or dare I say sermon?
August 11
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:13-20
Jesus asks the disciples what other people are saying about him in town. They tell him some say you are Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets. He then asks them who they – his disciples – say he is. Though it’s not written, I imagine a pregnant pause here; you don’t want to compare your rabbi to the wrong person. Finally, Peter speaks up, and says he is the Messiah. Jesus lauds him, and goes on to say that it is not “flesh and blood” that has revealed (apokalupsis) this to him, but “my Father in heaven.”
What does this mean that the one provided this revelation and not the other? How do you think his Father revealed this to Peter, and why would Peter’s claim make him suitable to be the “rock” upon which the church will be built?
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:13-20
Jesus asks the disciples what other people are saying about him in town. They tell him some say you are Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets. He then asks them who they – his disciples – say he is. Though it’s not written, I imagine a pregnant pause here; you don’t want to compare your rabbi to the wrong person. Finally, Peter speaks up, and says he is the Messiah. Jesus lauds him, and goes on to say that it is not “flesh and blood” that has revealed (apokalupsis) this to him, but “my Father in heaven.”
What does this mean that the one provided this revelation and not the other? How do you think his Father revealed this to Peter, and why would Peter’s claim make him suitable to be the “rock” upon which the church will be built?
I’ve heard the word “apocalypse” spoken more than once these last few months – sometimes accompanied with a smile, others with a look of concern. This week, we’re going to spend some time looking at apokalupsis, the Greek word translated as “apocalypse,” to get a better understanding of the word and our world.
August 10
‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Matthew 10:26
In Matthew 10, Jesus spells out what it will mean to be a disciple. They will be “sheep sent out amid wolves,” persecuted, and despised by the authorities in their day. (I’m guessing this chapter didn’t make the early church recruiting pamphlet). After laying out the difficulties of discipleship, Jesus tells them to not be afraid because “nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered (apokalupsis), and nothing secret that will not become known.” Or, as we might say it: the truth will come out.
We live in what some have called a “post-truth” age, a time in which whether something is truth or lie, fact or fiction, does not matter. But, Jesus seems to tell them that the uncovering (apokalupsis) is important. Given that the people he’s speaking to are about to undergo unspeakable suffering, why would this uncovered truth matter to them?
‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Matthew 10:26
In Matthew 10, Jesus spells out what it will mean to be a disciple. They will be “sheep sent out amid wolves,” persecuted, and despised by the authorities in their day. (I’m guessing this chapter didn’t make the early church recruiting pamphlet). After laying out the difficulties of discipleship, Jesus tells them to not be afraid because “nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered (apokalupsis), and nothing secret that will not become known.” Or, as we might say it: the truth will come out.
We live in what some have called a “post-truth” age, a time in which whether something is truth or lie, fact or fiction, does not matter. But, Jesus seems to tell them that the uncovering (apokalupsis) is important. Given that the people he’s speaking to are about to undergo unspeakable suffering, why would this uncovered truth matter to them?
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Daily Devotionals with Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka |
August 8
Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes. On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing. Ezekiel 47:9, 12
Water is life. The vision God gives to Ezekiel conveys this so beautifully. But here is what is so powerful. God shows Ezekiel a vision of this life-giving water flowing from the temple and filling the land with healing and life. The water is flowing not just from the temple but from the sanctuary; from the worship of God. That may feel more difficult in these days since we are not worshipping together in person. It may feel more challenging to let the healing and life-giving waters of God flow from our worship when we are sitting in our homes, but the worship of God is not bound by a physical space.
So, as we gather for worship tomorrow, envision the life-giving waters of God flowing from us, each of us, all of us. Envision the healing waters of God moving from us out into the world that is desperately in need of refreshing, renewing, water. Water is life. God is the creator of the water. God is life. That life lives in you and me not just for ourselves, but for nourishment of the whole world!
Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes. On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing. Ezekiel 47:9, 12
Water is life. The vision God gives to Ezekiel conveys this so beautifully. But here is what is so powerful. God shows Ezekiel a vision of this life-giving water flowing from the temple and filling the land with healing and life. The water is flowing not just from the temple but from the sanctuary; from the worship of God. That may feel more difficult in these days since we are not worshipping together in person. It may feel more challenging to let the healing and life-giving waters of God flow from our worship when we are sitting in our homes, but the worship of God is not bound by a physical space.
So, as we gather for worship tomorrow, envision the life-giving waters of God flowing from us, each of us, all of us. Envision the healing waters of God moving from us out into the world that is desperately in need of refreshing, renewing, water. Water is life. God is the creator of the water. God is life. That life lives in you and me not just for ourselves, but for nourishment of the whole world!
August 7
Then God said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God; I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.” Ezekiel 37:11-14
The Hebrew people have been scattered to many nations. Many of them feel cut off from one another and from the God of Israel. They believe that the Hebrews as a people no longer exist. They fear that God has abandoned them, and if this is true, then they are dead. Into this moment, God shows Ezekiel a vision of a valley of dry bones and when Ezekiel speaks God’s words to the dry bones, they come back to life.
We Americans are more divided now than at any time since our civil war. The global pandemic has dramatically changed our ways of life. We are protesting in the streets seeking justice and righteousness. American church membership continues to decline. We feel cut off from one another and wonder if God is still with us.
As Rev. Wright preached on Sunday, we wonder if these dry bones can possibly have any life in them. And into this moment, God speaks and the old, dry bones come to life! Remember that our lives are not our own—they belong to God. So when it feels like our world is coming apart or there cannot possibly be life in these old, dry bones, God is the one who promises that God will put the spirit back in us and we will live!
Then God said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God; I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.” Ezekiel 37:11-14
The Hebrew people have been scattered to many nations. Many of them feel cut off from one another and from the God of Israel. They believe that the Hebrews as a people no longer exist. They fear that God has abandoned them, and if this is true, then they are dead. Into this moment, God shows Ezekiel a vision of a valley of dry bones and when Ezekiel speaks God’s words to the dry bones, they come back to life.
We Americans are more divided now than at any time since our civil war. The global pandemic has dramatically changed our ways of life. We are protesting in the streets seeking justice and righteousness. American church membership continues to decline. We feel cut off from one another and wonder if God is still with us.
As Rev. Wright preached on Sunday, we wonder if these dry bones can possibly have any life in them. And into this moment, God speaks and the old, dry bones come to life! Remember that our lives are not our own—they belong to God. So when it feels like our world is coming apart or there cannot possibly be life in these old, dry bones, God is the one who promises that God will put the spirit back in us and we will live!
August 6
A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
To state the obvious, you cannot live with a heart of stone. A more common phrase in the Bible is a “hardened heart.” That phrase appears over 100 times and describes individuals and peoples who refuse to listen to or are stubborn or resistant to God. The “heart of stone” language means the same.
Several years ago when I was teaching at Columbia Seminary, one of our newer professors was up for promotion and tenure. I was on the faculty committee that conducted the evaluation. One of the professors in her area, to her surprise, sent a letter to the committee opposing her promotion and tenure. It hurt her deeply. When she tried to talk to him about it, he refused. Eventually, over his strident objections, our committee voted to recommend she be promoted and tenured. She was deeply hurt and he was very angry. About two years later, I saw them both walking across campus and talking and laughing. When I asked her about it later, she told me that she had decided she could not keep carrying this hurt and anger toward him any more so she began to pray for him. It changed her heart. And as she reached out to him, it seemed that his heart changed, too.
I think the Holy Spirit can do that. I think God can take a heart of stone, a hardened heart, and soften it. It does not make all the hurt go away. It does not make everything all right. But it does allow for us to live. If you are carrying around a stone heart or a hardened heart, I hope you will pray that the Spirit will soften you so that some steps to healing can happen.
A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
To state the obvious, you cannot live with a heart of stone. A more common phrase in the Bible is a “hardened heart.” That phrase appears over 100 times and describes individuals and peoples who refuse to listen to or are stubborn or resistant to God. The “heart of stone” language means the same.
Several years ago when I was teaching at Columbia Seminary, one of our newer professors was up for promotion and tenure. I was on the faculty committee that conducted the evaluation. One of the professors in her area, to her surprise, sent a letter to the committee opposing her promotion and tenure. It hurt her deeply. When she tried to talk to him about it, he refused. Eventually, over his strident objections, our committee voted to recommend she be promoted and tenured. She was deeply hurt and he was very angry. About two years later, I saw them both walking across campus and talking and laughing. When I asked her about it later, she told me that she had decided she could not keep carrying this hurt and anger toward him any more so she began to pray for him. It changed her heart. And as she reached out to him, it seemed that his heart changed, too.
I think the Holy Spirit can do that. I think God can take a heart of stone, a hardened heart, and soften it. It does not make all the hurt go away. It does not make everything all right. But it does allow for us to live. If you are carrying around a stone heart or a hardened heart, I hope you will pray that the Spirit will soften you so that some steps to healing can happen.
August 5
God said to me, O mortal, eat what is offered to you; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat. He said to me, Mortal, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it. Then I ate it; and in my mouth it was as sweet as honey. Ezekiel 3:1-3
One of my earliest abiding memories is of my Dad reading his Bible. As a little kid, I would wake up early in the morning and cross through the living room on my way to the bathroom and there would be Dad, sitting quietly by a lamp and reading his Bible. I would greet him and he would greet me and after using the bathroom, I would head back to bed. One day I remember asking, “Dad, are you what they call a ‘slow reader?’” He smiled and asked why I was asking. I told him because it seemed like he had been reading his Bible for years and shouldn’t he be done by now? That’s when Dad told me that he had finished it many times, but he read kept reading it over and over. My father loved the Bible.
I have no doubt that like Ezekiel, he would have eaten the scroll and enjoyed it. He would have said that it tasted like honey to him, too. Following my father’s lived example, I have read the Bible several times over now. And by the grace of God, each time I read these now familiar passages, the Holy Spirit gifts me with new insights, new questions, new discoveries, new wonders and wonderings. I love the Bible. I hope you do, too.
God said to me, O mortal, eat what is offered to you; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat. He said to me, Mortal, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it. Then I ate it; and in my mouth it was as sweet as honey. Ezekiel 3:1-3
One of my earliest abiding memories is of my Dad reading his Bible. As a little kid, I would wake up early in the morning and cross through the living room on my way to the bathroom and there would be Dad, sitting quietly by a lamp and reading his Bible. I would greet him and he would greet me and after using the bathroom, I would head back to bed. One day I remember asking, “Dad, are you what they call a ‘slow reader?’” He smiled and asked why I was asking. I told him because it seemed like he had been reading his Bible for years and shouldn’t he be done by now? That’s when Dad told me that he had finished it many times, but he read kept reading it over and over. My father loved the Bible.
I have no doubt that like Ezekiel, he would have eaten the scroll and enjoyed it. He would have said that it tasted like honey to him, too. Following my father’s lived example, I have read the Bible several times over now. And by the grace of God, each time I read these now familiar passages, the Holy Spirit gifts me with new insights, new questions, new discoveries, new wonders and wonderings. I love the Bible. I hope you do, too.
August 4
On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin), the word of the Lord came to the priest Ezekiel son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was on him there. Ezekiel 1:2-3
After four years in exile, Ezekiel receives a call from the Lord. The Bible says the “hand of the Lord was on him there.” That phrase is used often in the Bible when a person receives a calling from God or is sent to do a particular task.
In the New Testament especially, the laying on of hands happens when people are baptized and blessed and commissioned. The act of laying on of hands represents the hand of the Lord. We lay hands on others during ordinations of elders and deacons. We lay hands on others when we pray for them.
One of my pastor friends has an acute sense of the presence of God. She can name a number of times when she has felt the physical weight of the Lord’s hand on hers. One of them happened recently when she was visiting a woman who was dying. The woman was barely responsive but when my friend laid her hands on her to pray with her and for her, she felt the weight of hands on top of her own. She kept her eyes closed and told me she could tangibly feel the warmth of the hands pressing on her own. When she opened her eyes, she and the woman were the only two people in the room. I believe her. I believe the hands of the Lord were resting on her hands and together they prayed this lovely, faithful saint into heaven. Be attentive for the hand, for the presence of the Lord upon you!
On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin), the word of the Lord came to the priest Ezekiel son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was on him there. Ezekiel 1:2-3
After four years in exile, Ezekiel receives a call from the Lord. The Bible says the “hand of the Lord was on him there.” That phrase is used often in the Bible when a person receives a calling from God or is sent to do a particular task.
In the New Testament especially, the laying on of hands happens when people are baptized and blessed and commissioned. The act of laying on of hands represents the hand of the Lord. We lay hands on others during ordinations of elders and deacons. We lay hands on others when we pray for them.
One of my pastor friends has an acute sense of the presence of God. She can name a number of times when she has felt the physical weight of the Lord’s hand on hers. One of them happened recently when she was visiting a woman who was dying. The woman was barely responsive but when my friend laid her hands on her to pray with her and for her, she felt the weight of hands on top of her own. She kept her eyes closed and told me she could tangibly feel the warmth of the hands pressing on her own. When she opened her eyes, she and the woman were the only two people in the room. I believe her. I believe the hands of the Lord were resting on her hands and together they prayed this lovely, faithful saint into heaven. Be attentive for the hand, for the presence of the Lord upon you!
August 3
In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. Ezekiel 1:1
I will never understand what it means to be in exile. Sometimes, I have joked with family and friends that for all the years since I left Honolulu and then Seattle, the two places where I feel most at home, I have been living in exile but that’s not really true. In the Old Testament, you were taken and forced into exile. Ezekiel is living in exile in Babylon after the Babylonians conquered Judah. He was forced to leave his homeland, and he yearned to return. Some of the exiles ended up assimilating quickly to their new surroundings. They adopted the culture and the religion and language. But many, like Ezekiel tried to cling to their identity.
Some theologians argue that we Christians should view our lives in the same way. We should act as exiles because while we are here in our homes, we really do not ultimately belong here. Ultimately, we belong not to an earthly kingdom but to a heavenly one. Ezekiel lived in exile for 26 years. And during much of that time, he reminded the other Hebrews who they were and to whom they belonged. They were people of the living God and they belonged to God.
I want all of us to be safe and comfortable. But not too comfortable. I need to remember that while I am so grateful to be an American, my ultimate allegiance is not to my country but to the God whose grace is sufficient for us all.
In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. Ezekiel 1:1
I will never understand what it means to be in exile. Sometimes, I have joked with family and friends that for all the years since I left Honolulu and then Seattle, the two places where I feel most at home, I have been living in exile but that’s not really true. In the Old Testament, you were taken and forced into exile. Ezekiel is living in exile in Babylon after the Babylonians conquered Judah. He was forced to leave his homeland, and he yearned to return. Some of the exiles ended up assimilating quickly to their new surroundings. They adopted the culture and the religion and language. But many, like Ezekiel tried to cling to their identity.
Some theologians argue that we Christians should view our lives in the same way. We should act as exiles because while we are here in our homes, we really do not ultimately belong here. Ultimately, we belong not to an earthly kingdom but to a heavenly one. Ezekiel lived in exile for 26 years. And during much of that time, he reminded the other Hebrews who they were and to whom they belonged. They were people of the living God and they belonged to God.
I want all of us to be safe and comfortable. But not too comfortable. I need to remember that while I am so grateful to be an American, my ultimate allegiance is not to my country but to the God whose grace is sufficient for us all.
