After skipping a brief section about elders, we move into today's text. This will be the final devotion from 1 Peter.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of sufferings. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
We are never out of the range of our God who is present to swoop us up even though we are experiencing the worst of time. The call to faithfulness is one that is not determined by what is going on around us. That is, we are called to remain faithful no matter what is happening around us. It is so easy to be pulled away from the path of grace. In fact, the 'roaring lion' is not simply frightening. Rather, it often has its way with us - to has the ability to control us simply by its roar. When that is the condition of our lives, we become convinced that the way of our Lord, Jesus, is not really the way for us. Therefore, we turn and live according to the roars of the world. Here we are simply being told to resist such a voice - a threat - a beast as this. In the middle of all things we are told of this God who will make things new and bring us life - just as is promised. This is the strength of our days.
Connection: There can be quite a bit of roaring going on in our world. It often does a good job at limiting our lives. Remember, today we are encouraged to go on living along the way of our Lord even when the room rumbles with threat.
We give you thanks, gracious Lord, for being alongside us through all things. It can be so easy to trust other power and other sounds of greatness - but you alone love us and remain with us in and through all things. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
28 December 2006
Today we will continue in chapter four of 1 Peter.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? (4:12-17)
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? (4:12-17)
It is quite important to make sure we are dealing with the right reason for the suffering that may come. It is because we follow the way of Jesus. It is because the vision of the Reign of God become flesh among us. It is because we risk loving beyond any barrier - no matter where we find a basis for the barrier. Today in our country, it doesn't take long to hear Christians talking about the suffering they must undergo. Unfortunately, it is what I would call middle-class comfort suffering. It takes place when someone at a department store doesn't say 'Merry Christmas' but rather substitutes 'Happy Holidays.' It is when a song is pulled off of a choral program list at a public school. It is when no time is offered for teacher led prayers or there can be no posting of the ten commandments in public buildings. None of this is the suffer referred to in this letter. In fact, if we think it is suffering, that thinking may be one of the greatest threats to the faith - trivialization! Today's text considers what might happen if the Christians followed the way of Jesus. It might not fly. It may be rejected. Those who would be persecuting would do so because of an intolerance for the way we demonstrate the life within God's Reign - already.
Connection: Some people try not to get caught up in the holiday rush of things. It would be just as good to not get caught up in the 'poor us' mentality that too often is heard from Christians today.
Lord, remind us of your loving ways and how we are each invited to take that love as the foundation upon which we can live and then to live from that love as though we are the ones who demonstrate this love in the world today. As you have promised, be with us when this love is not a welcome guest in the places we seek to stay. Amen.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
27 December 2006
With the Christmas weekend over and an extra day for a break, we go back into 1 Peter and pick up in the fourth chapter.
The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (4:7-11)
Back in the days of the writer, folks probably thought the end was near. Yes, there were notions of Jesus coming back within the early life of the church. But then again, the end of life is always just moments away - who knows. To live as though we trust that the Lord will be with us and it is near to the end, is not to be a position of fear. It is an opportunity to live without fear. In fact, we are invited to live within the unending hospitality of the one we follow - now! This is not in order to get a reward nor is it in order to forgo some punishment. Rather, it is a reminder of what we have now and what kind of opportunity we are given for life that is usually forgotten or ignored. If we are near the end of all things, it is quite appropriate for stewards of the grace of the God to let the graciousness of the Reign of the Christ show through us. I would suggest that we are at the end of all things....every day. With that in mind - and just as much in our heart - the life that was demonstrated by Jesus is ours to share for it has been handed over to us and for us. Of course it isn't something we readily take on into this day. but this life of grace is there and...the serving...the love...the conversations of hope and care...the support for others...the strength to go beyond the limits we put on ourselves, awaits our participation. Do not fear!! Live!
Connection: The babble about end times that so often does nothing within our culture but cause fear...put lots of money in a few preachers pockets...turn mediocre writers into the writers of many books...and make people view others as mere things to conquer with faith. Well, it is the end of time with the special intent that we each become free form such lies and free for one another in an arena of love that has no conditions. What a way to go...what a way to begin.
This is your day, O God, you take our hands and you walk with us into the unknown and yet it is that which we face even now. Be our encouragement so that as we step off into your eternal Reign, it will already be the source of new life and hope. Amen.
The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (4:7-11)
Back in the days of the writer, folks probably thought the end was near. Yes, there were notions of Jesus coming back within the early life of the church. But then again, the end of life is always just moments away - who knows. To live as though we trust that the Lord will be with us and it is near to the end, is not to be a position of fear. It is an opportunity to live without fear. In fact, we are invited to live within the unending hospitality of the one we follow - now! This is not in order to get a reward nor is it in order to forgo some punishment. Rather, it is a reminder of what we have now and what kind of opportunity we are given for life that is usually forgotten or ignored. If we are near the end of all things, it is quite appropriate for stewards of the grace of the God to let the graciousness of the Reign of the Christ show through us. I would suggest that we are at the end of all things....every day. With that in mind - and just as much in our heart - the life that was demonstrated by Jesus is ours to share for it has been handed over to us and for us. Of course it isn't something we readily take on into this day. but this life of grace is there and...the serving...the love...the conversations of hope and care...the support for others...the strength to go beyond the limits we put on ourselves, awaits our participation. Do not fear!! Live!
Connection: The babble about end times that so often does nothing within our culture but cause fear...put lots of money in a few preachers pockets...turn mediocre writers into the writers of many books...and make people view others as mere things to conquer with faith. Well, it is the end of time with the special intent that we each become free form such lies and free for one another in an arena of love that has no conditions. What a way to go...what a way to begin.
This is your day, O God, you take our hands and you walk with us into the unknown and yet it is that which we face even now. Be our encouragement so that as we step off into your eternal Reign, it will already be the source of new life and hope. Amen.
Friday, December 22, 2006
22 December 2006
The week ends with more from 1 Peter.
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God. You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. But they will have to given an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does.
This is one of the passages I thought I would skip over. Alas, here we are. There is much about conduct here and some of it is directed to the separation that is being urged from what was the pattern of life that was once the Christian's and is still around them. Some of that had to do with the various guilds and clubs and the banquets and feasts associated with them. One thing is clear, there seems to be a separation from that kind of lifestyle and the Christians are going about things differently in life. But...I want to comment about that. Today, a number of Christians are trying to separate themselves from the general population by setting up systems of alternate education and social groups. It is as though there is a need for some today to live in a world of the "clean" and the "unclean" so as to protect themselves. One of my concerns about this is that they buy into the huge materialistic aspect of the culture and yet think nothing of that. Listen some time to the very "well known" preachers of the day. Very often, it is all about money. Yes, there are words about Jesus and the grace of God, but the lead message is how trusting God will make your rich...will give you all that you ask for in your life. That...is just as much the blaspheme as is that life that is addressed in the text. But today, thrown into the hopper is how Jesus wills riches for us. This is a delusion. Wealth has nothing to do with the Reign of God...unless it is all used for the welfare of others. You won't hear that today. Too many churches fall into the same "me first" spirituality that makes feel people good...but it produces the same values as the culture.
Connection: Yes, there is a life that is contrary to the way of the world. And yet, it is much more broad than what we sometimes want to accept.
Come, Lord God, and strengthen us for the life of love and mercy and hope that turns us to one another and make us a community unlike any other - one ruled by your grace. Amen.
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God. You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. But they will have to given an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does.
This is one of the passages I thought I would skip over. Alas, here we are. There is much about conduct here and some of it is directed to the separation that is being urged from what was the pattern of life that was once the Christian's and is still around them. Some of that had to do with the various guilds and clubs and the banquets and feasts associated with them. One thing is clear, there seems to be a separation from that kind of lifestyle and the Christians are going about things differently in life. But...I want to comment about that. Today, a number of Christians are trying to separate themselves from the general population by setting up systems of alternate education and social groups. It is as though there is a need for some today to live in a world of the "clean" and the "unclean" so as to protect themselves. One of my concerns about this is that they buy into the huge materialistic aspect of the culture and yet think nothing of that. Listen some time to the very "well known" preachers of the day. Very often, it is all about money. Yes, there are words about Jesus and the grace of God, but the lead message is how trusting God will make your rich...will give you all that you ask for in your life. That...is just as much the blaspheme as is that life that is addressed in the text. But today, thrown into the hopper is how Jesus wills riches for us. This is a delusion. Wealth has nothing to do with the Reign of God...unless it is all used for the welfare of others. You won't hear that today. Too many churches fall into the same "me first" spirituality that makes feel people good...but it produces the same values as the culture.
Connection: Yes, there is a life that is contrary to the way of the world. And yet, it is much more broad than what we sometimes want to accept.
Come, Lord God, and strengthen us for the life of love and mercy and hope that turns us to one another and make us a community unlike any other - one ruled by your grace. Amen.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
21 December 2006
Yesterday 1 Peter worked on our suffering, today we pick up with Christ's suffering.
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which is prefigured, now saves you - not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him. (3:18-22)
So suffering for someone who we would never think we should suffer - one of them...one of the bad ones...one of the dirty ones...one of the unrighteous. What a dynamic picture to remember. Once and for all. In that movement of suffering, we hear a whole new story for the world. It is not all about me or us or my people or a chosen few...it is about all. Baptism doesn't safe guard us and it doesn't make us clean. Baptism brings new life that has its beginning and end in the way of Jesus - suffering for all and nothing less. We are brought into the new light and this new way of taking part in the life of the world. We announce -with the living of our lives- what God has done through Jesus and now continues to do through us. This is not so much about story telling as it is about story living...and the living...the standing with and for all of "those"...tells the story as it unfolds in ordinary lives in to the way of Jesus. We now live within the domain of the one who has lived contrary to the patterns of life and suffered for do that. That domain is not able to be controlled by any power and so we go on following our Lord through water and into new life.
Connection: This saving story is not all about me or you...it is about all. And yet, this means it is most definitely about me...and you - all. Assured by such a word, how does that begin to shape things?!?
By your power, O Lord, you entered into our suffering humanity and endured all things as you unveiled your living Reign of Peace among us and for us. With the simple trickle of water, we are reminded of our welcome into this walk with you. Thanks be to God. Amen.
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which is prefigured, now saves you - not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him. (3:18-22)
So suffering for someone who we would never think we should suffer - one of them...one of the bad ones...one of the dirty ones...one of the unrighteous. What a dynamic picture to remember. Once and for all. In that movement of suffering, we hear a whole new story for the world. It is not all about me or us or my people or a chosen few...it is about all. Baptism doesn't safe guard us and it doesn't make us clean. Baptism brings new life that has its beginning and end in the way of Jesus - suffering for all and nothing less. We are brought into the new light and this new way of taking part in the life of the world. We announce -with the living of our lives- what God has done through Jesus and now continues to do through us. This is not so much about story telling as it is about story living...and the living...the standing with and for all of "those"...tells the story as it unfolds in ordinary lives in to the way of Jesus. We now live within the domain of the one who has lived contrary to the patterns of life and suffered for do that. That domain is not able to be controlled by any power and so we go on following our Lord through water and into new life.
Connection: This saving story is not all about me or you...it is about all. And yet, this means it is most definitely about me...and you - all. Assured by such a word, how does that begin to shape things?!?
By your power, O Lord, you entered into our suffering humanity and endured all things as you unveiled your living Reign of Peace among us and for us. With the simple trickle of water, we are reminded of our welcome into this walk with you. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
20 December 2006
Today we will continue with the theme of suffering in 1 Peter.
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that , when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil. (3:13-15)
We do what we are called to do - be the beloved of God as we know that life as it is made holy before our eyes in the life of Jesus. In knowing that life and being baptized into that life and then walking into that life - we will not always be greeted with open arms. Following our Lord does not mean that we will be spared suffering. Doing "what is good" - or living with the holy ways of our Lord, does not mean that we are trying to earn something. Rather, doing what is good is what happens when we prayerfully consider the way of Jesus. I'm amused by the phrase "an accounting for the hope that is in you." The hope of our God that comes to life already among us is a life that is not always appreciated. Remember justice and mercy and loving kindness and peace are not qualities that are always accepted and warmly greeted. It is actually quite the contrary in our world. But when we are rejected for loving beyond the bounds of what is considered acceptable we need only stay focused on the promise - on the hope of what can be done and will be done by our God. The hope that is in us is the story of promise. The story of promise pulls us into a life that will witness to the one who calls us and it will be the life that will get us into hot water whenever it is not a part of the status quo within our day.
Connection: Know that this day is filled with hope. In the middle of this hope, live as though it is a foundational piece to all that you do. Not many people live according to hope...they want the money...or something concrete or something immediate. But...go ahead and live within the promise.
Lord of Life, there are so many times when we hesitate or do not act within the domain of your blessed Reign. Instead we hold back and become anxious about how we might be received. In this day, encourage us so that we step along your way and follow again. Amen.
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that , when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil. (3:13-15)
We do what we are called to do - be the beloved of God as we know that life as it is made holy before our eyes in the life of Jesus. In knowing that life and being baptized into that life and then walking into that life - we will not always be greeted with open arms. Following our Lord does not mean that we will be spared suffering. Doing "what is good" - or living with the holy ways of our Lord, does not mean that we are trying to earn something. Rather, doing what is good is what happens when we prayerfully consider the way of Jesus. I'm amused by the phrase "an accounting for the hope that is in you." The hope of our God that comes to life already among us is a life that is not always appreciated. Remember justice and mercy and loving kindness and peace are not qualities that are always accepted and warmly greeted. It is actually quite the contrary in our world. But when we are rejected for loving beyond the bounds of what is considered acceptable we need only stay focused on the promise - on the hope of what can be done and will be done by our God. The hope that is in us is the story of promise. The story of promise pulls us into a life that will witness to the one who calls us and it will be the life that will get us into hot water whenever it is not a part of the status quo within our day.
Connection: Know that this day is filled with hope. In the middle of this hope, live as though it is a foundational piece to all that you do. Not many people live according to hope...they want the money...or something concrete or something immediate. But...go ahead and live within the promise.
Lord of Life, there are so many times when we hesitate or do not act within the domain of your blessed Reign. Instead we hold back and become anxious about how we might be received. In this day, encourage us so that we step along your way and follow again. Amen.
Monday, December 18, 2006
19 December 2006
More direction for life from 1 Peter.
Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called - that you might inherit a blessing. (3:8-9)
This is what makes us the transformative community of the followers of Jesus. Above all else, we repay with a blessing. That is the revolutionary word. That is the word that is hard to swallow. That is the word that separates us from all who would want to repay with violence and retribution and war. And yet...it is hard to swallow because it is a hard word. We are called into such a contrary life that we do not fit into its dressing. That is why the Holy Spirit is continually called upon to shape us and lead us and equip us for the journey of life that is quite beyond what everyone in the world expects. How can we be a blessing to others if our lives are not filled with that sense of blessing in all we do? We become a light to all by being the light. I think this was the call presented to Israel and it is the same one presented to us. In Christ, Jesus, we are not given a magic wand...we are given a life that is concrete and demonstrated by the one we call Lord.
Connection: This hard word is hard because we are invited into its life everyday - everyday...and with everyone - everyone. It takes devotion...daily devotion.
You have called us into a life full of the grace of your Reign, O God. Within that life, we entertain one another with with love and compassion, humility and loving kindness. Inspire us to live in the light of your Christ in all of our days. Amen
Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called - that you might inherit a blessing. (3:8-9)
This is what makes us the transformative community of the followers of Jesus. Above all else, we repay with a blessing. That is the revolutionary word. That is the word that is hard to swallow. That is the word that separates us from all who would want to repay with violence and retribution and war. And yet...it is hard to swallow because it is a hard word. We are called into such a contrary life that we do not fit into its dressing. That is why the Holy Spirit is continually called upon to shape us and lead us and equip us for the journey of life that is quite beyond what everyone in the world expects. How can we be a blessing to others if our lives are not filled with that sense of blessing in all we do? We become a light to all by being the light. I think this was the call presented to Israel and it is the same one presented to us. In Christ, Jesus, we are not given a magic wand...we are given a life that is concrete and demonstrated by the one we call Lord.
Connection: This hard word is hard because we are invited into its life everyday - everyday...and with everyone - everyone. It takes devotion...daily devotion.
You have called us into a life full of the grace of your Reign, O God. Within that life, we entertain one another with with love and compassion, humility and loving kindness. Inspire us to live in the light of your Christ in all of our days. Amen
Sunday, December 17, 2006
18 December 2006
After spending two days dealing with a text about slaves (1 Peter 2:18-25), today it is a must that we move into the text that flows out of that one - even though I find both painful to read.
Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; rather let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God's sight. It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by accepting the authority of their husbands. thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughter as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you.
Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman as the weaker sex, since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life - so that nothing may hinder your prayers.
This makes me want to be a bit like Thomas Jefferson and begin cutting out of scripture things I don't find helpful. From these two segments to wives and husbands, I would only want to keep a few part of sentences. The rest has no place in our conversation about the faith and the role of husbands and wives. Yes, we could go into the historical context of these passages and what was expected of people in marital relationships of that day...but it would bring us no good news. Some of the social pattern of another day must stay in another day. Some of the ways relationships were viewed need to be dismantled. This doesn't mean we dismantle the relationship of a husband and an wife, rather we make more of them now but within the context of our world. For example, in the first line to the husbands it says "show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman." I'd stop it right there. Don't continue with the rest for when we do, I think we lose the good news. We don't honor our wives because they are a "weaker sex." We honor them because they are whole people with gifts, talents, and the like. We honor them because they are simply there with us. No reason needed. We hold them as beloved - just as our God holds us. We treat them with the love we are asked to treat all neighbors...and more. As for the role of women, I would include the same advice to them about their husbands. Honor them as your partner...as gifted ones. We could do well to advise all of us to take care of our inner selves as a way of both partners revealing the beauty of personality that is a part of our whole being. Again, I would cut and paste here. Unfortunately, many people today are trying to make this kind of marital image the one that one must follow. Quite frankly, it honors no one.
Connection: We honor others because of the worth they already have in the eyes of God. Relationships grow when we see in the other their potential and help them reach into that reality.
Too many rules are placed into our way, O God, and we find ourselves unable to become people who see the beauty in the other person simply as a person you have created. Remind us how special it is to be in relationship and how our partners are to be honored and loved and we can expect to be held in just such a way. Bring us together in your love, O Lord. Amen.
Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; rather let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God's sight. It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by accepting the authority of their husbands. thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughter as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you.
Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman as the weaker sex, since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life - so that nothing may hinder your prayers.
This makes me want to be a bit like Thomas Jefferson and begin cutting out of scripture things I don't find helpful. From these two segments to wives and husbands, I would only want to keep a few part of sentences. The rest has no place in our conversation about the faith and the role of husbands and wives. Yes, we could go into the historical context of these passages and what was expected of people in marital relationships of that day...but it would bring us no good news. Some of the social pattern of another day must stay in another day. Some of the ways relationships were viewed need to be dismantled. This doesn't mean we dismantle the relationship of a husband and an wife, rather we make more of them now but within the context of our world. For example, in the first line to the husbands it says "show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman." I'd stop it right there. Don't continue with the rest for when we do, I think we lose the good news. We don't honor our wives because they are a "weaker sex." We honor them because they are whole people with gifts, talents, and the like. We honor them because they are simply there with us. No reason needed. We hold them as beloved - just as our God holds us. We treat them with the love we are asked to treat all neighbors...and more. As for the role of women, I would include the same advice to them about their husbands. Honor them as your partner...as gifted ones. We could do well to advise all of us to take care of our inner selves as a way of both partners revealing the beauty of personality that is a part of our whole being. Again, I would cut and paste here. Unfortunately, many people today are trying to make this kind of marital image the one that one must follow. Quite frankly, it honors no one.
Connection: We honor others because of the worth they already have in the eyes of God. Relationships grow when we see in the other their potential and help them reach into that reality.
Too many rules are placed into our way, O God, and we find ourselves unable to become people who see the beauty in the other person simply as a person you have created. Remind us how special it is to be in relationship and how our partners are to be honored and loved and we can expect to be held in just such a way. Bring us together in your love, O Lord. Amen.
Friday, December 15, 2006
15 December 2006
Today we will once again go at yesterday's text from 1 Peter.
Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. (2:18-21)
With a text like this, it is no wonder that slavery was considered a God-given part of our world. In time, though, enough people were able to say no to this kind of world view. It was not to be like this anymore. There could be no reason for the followers of Jesus to support slavery within our societies. We would reject any attempt to justify slavery based on the view of Jesus suffering for others. This passage truly is something we must reconsider...and we must say that reconsidering such a world view is much more in line with the expansiveness of God's gracious Reign in which justice and loving kindness and mercy will prevail over any "order" or hierarchy of peoples. We have "reconsidered" these words and decided to announce that they are antithetical to the good news in our world. World views change and the good news stays constant. I find nothing of good news in this passage except the announcement of what Jesus has done. That announcement is good for all in all times. Therefore, the argument for slavery is lies outside what is acceptable for us. All in Christ have new life. The owners of slaves are the ones who need to be addressed and they may need to hear that following Jesus may mean they suffer for the welfare of those who are being used as objects for the benefit of a few.
Connection: When we follow Christ in this day, we follow along his way. We do not seek ways to have him "work for us." Rather, we pray that Christ will work through us for all.
Come, O Lord Most High, and bring all your people within the great embrace of your grace. And then, help us to turn around and meet and greet and treat all of them as though they are the brothers and sisters you have given to us in Christ, Jesus. Amen.
Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. (2:18-21)
With a text like this, it is no wonder that slavery was considered a God-given part of our world. In time, though, enough people were able to say no to this kind of world view. It was not to be like this anymore. There could be no reason for the followers of Jesus to support slavery within our societies. We would reject any attempt to justify slavery based on the view of Jesus suffering for others. This passage truly is something we must reconsider...and we must say that reconsidering such a world view is much more in line with the expansiveness of God's gracious Reign in which justice and loving kindness and mercy will prevail over any "order" or hierarchy of peoples. We have "reconsidered" these words and decided to announce that they are antithetical to the good news in our world. World views change and the good news stays constant. I find nothing of good news in this passage except the announcement of what Jesus has done. That announcement is good for all in all times. Therefore, the argument for slavery is lies outside what is acceptable for us. All in Christ have new life. The owners of slaves are the ones who need to be addressed and they may need to hear that following Jesus may mean they suffer for the welfare of those who are being used as objects for the benefit of a few.
Connection: When we follow Christ in this day, we follow along his way. We do not seek ways to have him "work for us." Rather, we pray that Christ will work through us for all.
Come, O Lord Most High, and bring all your people within the great embrace of your grace. And then, help us to turn around and meet and greet and treat all of them as though they are the brothers and sisters you have given to us in Christ, Jesus. Amen.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
14 December 2006
Today we continue in 1 Peter by moving into a troubling passage as to how Christians are to live within the society.
Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. (2:18-21)
This is the kind of passage I would encourage our children to say "Baloney." I was not going to use it in this devotional run through 1 Peter but then knew I had to use it. I think it is an inappropriate text for our day and that day. Even though the context of slaves was much more broad then, these words are built on a false premise. It is the last sentence. "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you and example, so that you should follow in his steps." Christ suffered for others...in slavery, slaves suffer for no one. They suffer because of the socio-political-cultural rules of the day. They suffer because others want to use them for their own convenience and wealth. The suffer because people are not seen as being one. They suffer because some people are considered expendable. A Christian is called to suffer for the slaves who are being broken down. Christ would suffer for these slaves...just as the church should suffer for them by resisting such treatment of others. By doing that - by not participating in slave ownership - the Church would have truly been a contrary community - aliens in the most basic way. More tomorrow.
Connection: This is the kind of passage from scripture that needs to be ignored or else brought into the context of today. Even so, we must battle any use of scripture like this to create an argument for slavery or any form of treating one as less than others.
O Lord, let your living word of grace take us through the many ways we abuse one another. Remind us that when others suffer at our hands, there is little chance that we are walking within the domain of your love. Amen.
Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. (2:18-21)
This is the kind of passage I would encourage our children to say "Baloney." I was not going to use it in this devotional run through 1 Peter but then knew I had to use it. I think it is an inappropriate text for our day and that day. Even though the context of slaves was much more broad then, these words are built on a false premise. It is the last sentence. "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you and example, so that you should follow in his steps." Christ suffered for others...in slavery, slaves suffer for no one. They suffer because of the socio-political-cultural rules of the day. They suffer because others want to use them for their own convenience and wealth. The suffer because people are not seen as being one. They suffer because some people are considered expendable. A Christian is called to suffer for the slaves who are being broken down. Christ would suffer for these slaves...just as the church should suffer for them by resisting such treatment of others. By doing that - by not participating in slave ownership - the Church would have truly been a contrary community - aliens in the most basic way. More tomorrow.
Connection: This is the kind of passage from scripture that needs to be ignored or else brought into the context of today. Even so, we must battle any use of scripture like this to create an argument for slavery or any form of treating one as less than others.
O Lord, let your living word of grace take us through the many ways we abuse one another. Remind us that when others suffer at our hands, there is little chance that we are walking within the domain of your love. Amen.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
13 December 2006
We continue in 1 Peter.
For the Lord's sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, or the governors, as sent by him to punish who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. As servants of God live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
We need to remember that this is being written to people who are to consider themselves aliens and exiles. So the existing system is not to be disturbed. And yet, the existing system will be disturbed by actions within the "family of believers" that is quite contrary to the ways of the authorities of the land. Now is this being said because this community in this age was being portrayed as being a problem? Remember that as we look at our own country today, we will see people who have been coming from Mexico and farther south for years. But now, to some people they are causing "problems" within the institutions of the U.S. When that happens, crack downs begin in order to cease their actions. In this text, it is not hard to appreciate the remarks by the writer if it is intended to nurture in the community of faith a way of upholding their alien life without pressing it upon others. Then again, if the system of authorities is unjust and we are to be a people whose alien nature is defined by a call to justice, do we simply go along with what is taking place. Or...do we become an alien community that embraces those who are unjustly treated by the governing powers. In that way, I can see the image of the Christ coming to life.
Connection: Sometimes we can do nothing about the powers of the day. And yet, we can always be a power that takes on our own agenda for life and begin to create something new.
Give us eyes to see the way of your Blessed Reign in this day. Even when we must act contrary to the world, help us to build up others rather than tear down. Amen.
For the Lord's sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, or the governors, as sent by him to punish who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. As servants of God live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
We need to remember that this is being written to people who are to consider themselves aliens and exiles. So the existing system is not to be disturbed. And yet, the existing system will be disturbed by actions within the "family of believers" that is quite contrary to the ways of the authorities of the land. Now is this being said because this community in this age was being portrayed as being a problem? Remember that as we look at our own country today, we will see people who have been coming from Mexico and farther south for years. But now, to some people they are causing "problems" within the institutions of the U.S. When that happens, crack downs begin in order to cease their actions. In this text, it is not hard to appreciate the remarks by the writer if it is intended to nurture in the community of faith a way of upholding their alien life without pressing it upon others. Then again, if the system of authorities is unjust and we are to be a people whose alien nature is defined by a call to justice, do we simply go along with what is taking place. Or...do we become an alien community that embraces those who are unjustly treated by the governing powers. In that way, I can see the image of the Christ coming to life.
Connection: Sometimes we can do nothing about the powers of the day. And yet, we can always be a power that takes on our own agenda for life and begin to create something new.
Give us eyes to see the way of your Blessed Reign in this day. Even when we must act contrary to the world, help us to build up others rather than tear down. Amen.
Monday, December 11, 2006
12 December 2006
We continue in 1 Peter.
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul.. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. (2:11-12)
Now we are talking about style. How is it that aliens will live within their society? We will live as ones blessed and called God's people. We will live under the gracious Reign of God as we have seen it put to life in Jesus. That grace will be a part of our encounters with others and that may make people look twice at us. They will look once because this love of God in Christ, Jesus, is an alien way of life. They will look at us again because it will either draw their attention and they will want to be a part of such a life - or - they will not want such a living form of grace to be alive within their communities. When we take this gracious alien life out into the streets of our lives, do not be fooled. It is not something that the world likes. The way of Jesus, that is alien to the world, is one that is often held off at arms length or rejected. Just think about all the ways the good news has invited people to welcome the outsider. Every time we move to welcome, the world and even elements of the church that want nothing to do with real grace will not want us to continue.
Connection: We are being urged to be those aliens right within the daily routine that can look so much like everyone else but we have been invited to share another journey through the day. Yes, it will be greeted and it will be rejected. We will never know how the way of Jesus will be greeted therefore we are those aliens who simply go about the life we know - no matter what.
Come, O God of Grace, and shape us again with your loving presence. It can be so easy to turn and walk along another way but it is your grace that has sustained us this far so we ask that your Spirit of encouragement continue to pull us within the life of your Reign. Amen.
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul.. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. (2:11-12)
Now we are talking about style. How is it that aliens will live within their society? We will live as ones blessed and called God's people. We will live under the gracious Reign of God as we have seen it put to life in Jesus. That grace will be a part of our encounters with others and that may make people look twice at us. They will look once because this love of God in Christ, Jesus, is an alien way of life. They will look at us again because it will either draw their attention and they will want to be a part of such a life - or - they will not want such a living form of grace to be alive within their communities. When we take this gracious alien life out into the streets of our lives, do not be fooled. It is not something that the world likes. The way of Jesus, that is alien to the world, is one that is often held off at arms length or rejected. Just think about all the ways the good news has invited people to welcome the outsider. Every time we move to welcome, the world and even elements of the church that want nothing to do with real grace will not want us to continue.
Connection: We are being urged to be those aliens right within the daily routine that can look so much like everyone else but we have been invited to share another journey through the day. Yes, it will be greeted and it will be rejected. We will never know how the way of Jesus will be greeted therefore we are those aliens who simply go about the life we know - no matter what.
Come, O God of Grace, and shape us again with your loving presence. It can be so easy to turn and walk along another way but it is your grace that has sustained us this far so we ask that your Spirit of encouragement continue to pull us within the life of your Reign. Amen.
11 December 2006
Today we continue to hear how the writer of 1 Peter continues to shape the identity and life of the community.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people;
once you had not received mercy, but now your have received mercy. (2:9-10)
In the face of all others, this is what we must remember. In the face of any power that attempts to pull us down, this is what we must remember. In addition, no matter how little we think of ourselves, this is what we must remember. I must also remind us that this is not merely a passage to make sure individuals are reminded of such a action by our God that brings about a new identity. The text talks about the community - the followers of Jesus - the whole body. We - are God's people and we have received mercy. This becomes our identity. We are being called into it. We are given the opportunity to witness through our lives to the one who places us within such a chosen place. The mercy extended to us...becomes the mercy we share. In that sharing, our lives become just what God intended - a holy people.
Connection: Once you were not a people - but now you are a people. This is a statement that describes us before we even act today. Now, we are invited to step into that identity that is our by grace.
O Lord, the gifting of Christmas has not begun and already your Word brings news of the gift of life you give to each of us. Sometimes it is enough to bring us peace and sometimes it is merely enough to help us remember just whose we are and in that remembering, the day does change around us. We give you thanks for calling us and claiming us as your own. Amen.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people;
once you had not received mercy, but now your have received mercy. (2:9-10)
In the face of all others, this is what we must remember. In the face of any power that attempts to pull us down, this is what we must remember. In addition, no matter how little we think of ourselves, this is what we must remember. I must also remind us that this is not merely a passage to make sure individuals are reminded of such a action by our God that brings about a new identity. The text talks about the community - the followers of Jesus - the whole body. We - are God's people and we have received mercy. This becomes our identity. We are being called into it. We are given the opportunity to witness through our lives to the one who places us within such a chosen place. The mercy extended to us...becomes the mercy we share. In that sharing, our lives become just what God intended - a holy people.
Connection: Once you were not a people - but now you are a people. This is a statement that describes us before we even act today. Now, we are invited to step into that identity that is our by grace.
O Lord, the gifting of Christmas has not begun and already your Word brings news of the gift of life you give to each of us. Sometimes it is enough to bring us peace and sometimes it is merely enough to help us remember just whose we are and in that remembering, the day does change around us. We give you thanks for calling us and claiming us as your own. Amen.
Friday, December 8, 2006
8 December 2006
Today we follow up yesterday's reading in chapter two of 1 Peter.
Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:
"See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,
"The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the the corner,"
and
"A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall."
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
Like the images of the living body that were used several weeks ago when we were using pieces written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, here we have the image of a building going up. It is made up of all those who follow Jesus - who is the cornerstone. Like that first stone, we are called to match up...to look like...to fit in line...to be a part of the whole life of faithfulness. In this building, it is important to know that this cornerstone is one that was not accepted. It was not going up in the fashion that was known by those who had much to say about how life was to be holy. It was rejected. And yet, we are being told that this cornerstone is the beginning of something new. In Christ, we are given a word of grace that makes us living stones to be used in the witness to the new age of God's grace alive among us. The invitation is not merely a simply yes or no - it is a life. The life is one that may be met the same way as the one we follow, Jesus...and that is rejection. But we are told that this way of new life will be a part of the pattern of life that will make a statement to the world of what is to come and is already at hand.
Connection: We are never left out there within this day alone. Living faithfully means that we live as people reminded of how we are connected to the one who has promised a new life within a new community. We need only begin living there.
Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and with our lives make a community in which the presence of our God will be available to all people. When we are about to stumble, bring forward those around us who will be there as your Spirit's strength and love and guidance. Amen.
Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:
"See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,
"The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the the corner,"
and
"A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall."
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
Like the images of the living body that were used several weeks ago when we were using pieces written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, here we have the image of a building going up. It is made up of all those who follow Jesus - who is the cornerstone. Like that first stone, we are called to match up...to look like...to fit in line...to be a part of the whole life of faithfulness. In this building, it is important to know that this cornerstone is one that was not accepted. It was not going up in the fashion that was known by those who had much to say about how life was to be holy. It was rejected. And yet, we are being told that this cornerstone is the beginning of something new. In Christ, we are given a word of grace that makes us living stones to be used in the witness to the new age of God's grace alive among us. The invitation is not merely a simply yes or no - it is a life. The life is one that may be met the same way as the one we follow, Jesus...and that is rejection. But we are told that this way of new life will be a part of the pattern of life that will make a statement to the world of what is to come and is already at hand.
Connection: We are never left out there within this day alone. Living faithfully means that we live as people reminded of how we are connected to the one who has promised a new life within a new community. We need only begin living there.
Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and with our lives make a community in which the presence of our God will be available to all people. When we are about to stumble, bring forward those around us who will be there as your Spirit's strength and love and guidance. Amen.
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
7 December 2006
Today we move into the second chapter of 1 Peter.
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation - if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. (2:1-3)
We are all invited to join in this turning. It is brought about from being fed with the grace of God as we know it in Christ, Jesus. The invitation to turn comes from having a taste of the vision of the Lord. If there was not already in place the promise and the call and the vision into which we are able to walk, there would be no turning. Why turn when the ways of the world seem to work...and if they don't, we are told that they will. Simply try harder - pull up your bootstraps - whatever!?! But if we work in the ways of the world, we will be folded into all the stuff in our lives of which we are to rid ourselves. When we are turned-in-on-ourselves (much like the world in all its brokenness), there will be the growing of envy and lust for more and bad talk toward others and insincere living and...a whole boat load of living examples of a life broken and full of the evidence of our sinfulness. I always like the image of the "tasting" of the Lord. It is like the hymn "taste and see." We are invited to become so much a part of this story of life that we can taste it and in that we begin to see how real it is and how real it becomes a part of our own lives.
Connection: We have so many things in our day that taste foul. Sometimes, we are the ones that cook them up. So, what are we to do? Find ways to return to that "milk" that nourishes us and brings about a fullness of life that we so often miss.
Blessed Lord, in your coming you invite us to follow and as we follow you encourage us to trust in your promises so that as we move through this day we will find a richness in our lives that keeps us filled to the brim with your life of hope and freedom. Help us to settle into that place within your promise. Amen.
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation - if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. (2:1-3)
We are all invited to join in this turning. It is brought about from being fed with the grace of God as we know it in Christ, Jesus. The invitation to turn comes from having a taste of the vision of the Lord. If there was not already in place the promise and the call and the vision into which we are able to walk, there would be no turning. Why turn when the ways of the world seem to work...and if they don't, we are told that they will. Simply try harder - pull up your bootstraps - whatever!?! But if we work in the ways of the world, we will be folded into all the stuff in our lives of which we are to rid ourselves. When we are turned-in-on-ourselves (much like the world in all its brokenness), there will be the growing of envy and lust for more and bad talk toward others and insincere living and...a whole boat load of living examples of a life broken and full of the evidence of our sinfulness. I always like the image of the "tasting" of the Lord. It is like the hymn "taste and see." We are invited to become so much a part of this story of life that we can taste it and in that we begin to see how real it is and how real it becomes a part of our own lives.
Connection: We have so many things in our day that taste foul. Sometimes, we are the ones that cook them up. So, what are we to do? Find ways to return to that "milk" that nourishes us and brings about a fullness of life that we so often miss.
Blessed Lord, in your coming you invite us to follow and as we follow you encourage us to trust in your promises so that as we move through this day we will find a richness in our lives that keeps us filled to the brim with your life of hope and freedom. Help us to settle into that place within your promise. Amen.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
6 December 2006
Pressing on in 1 Peter
Now you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. For "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower fails, but the word of the Lord endures forever." The word is the good news announced to you. (1:22-25)
What God has said and done in Christ, Jesus, is for the welfare of the community. Now that we are born anew we are brought into this truth about life that is meant to be the truth about our life together. We love one another! Now that we are claimed by this word of truth...this everlasting word...this word that will not perish or fail, we are being instructed to live according to what has been done and said. Obedience to the truth may simply mean that when people see us they see the word alive and when we are a living witness to this love, it will be something that will turn heads because it is out of the ordinary kind of self-centered love.
Connection: Years ago Wendy's made a commercial with the elderly woman who looked at pitiful hamburger and yelled, "Where the beef!" Well, as we look out and see and then listen to the word being offered by the communities of Jesus' followers, be sure to ask "where's the love."
Come, O Lord of Love, and stir up in our hearts the blessed life of your Reign. For when you make your word known to us, we are shaken up to look again at who we are to be as your sons and daughter. Amen.
Now you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. For "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower fails, but the word of the Lord endures forever." The word is the good news announced to you. (1:22-25)
What God has said and done in Christ, Jesus, is for the welfare of the community. Now that we are born anew we are brought into this truth about life that is meant to be the truth about our life together. We love one another! Now that we are claimed by this word of truth...this everlasting word...this word that will not perish or fail, we are being instructed to live according to what has been done and said. Obedience to the truth may simply mean that when people see us they see the word alive and when we are a living witness to this love, it will be something that will turn heads because it is out of the ordinary kind of self-centered love.
Connection: Years ago Wendy's made a commercial with the elderly woman who looked at pitiful hamburger and yelled, "Where the beef!" Well, as we look out and see and then listen to the word being offered by the communities of Jesus' followers, be sure to ask "where's the love."
Come, O Lord of Love, and stir up in our hearts the blessed life of your Reign. For when you make your word known to us, we are shaken up to look again at who we are to be as your sons and daughter. Amen.
5 December 2006
Today we continue in 1 Peter.
If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. (1:17-21)
Once again, it is possible to move through this reading and come out thinking that our favor before God is due to what we do. But in the context of this entire piece, remember that everything is grounded on the action of God in Christ, Jesus. That action (the ransom) takes us out of the domain of the world and its power and its way of working and places us into another life that has been handed to us freely. This new life is a life. That is why the recipients of this letter are considered aliens and exiles - living on the edge of what is the acceptable norm of the world. The lives we live - that which we do - is done not in the face of fear (as in, you better watch it or you'll get it!) - but in the face of the one whose loving sacrifice produces utter awe (fear) when we are grasped by it. I often wonder why we continue to translate such a powerful word as awe as "fear." For the most part, fear doesn't move in my mind quickly to awe when I first see it. We stand in awe of what God has done and continues to do among us - what a gracious gift. We are drawn to that gift and it begins to transform us.
Connection: What will this God whose love is abundant and eternal cause to spring up within your life today?
By your grace, O God, you not only seek us out and claim us, you hold us and shape us and then send us out as your beloved who are able to gift the world around us with the living presence of that love. In this season of Advent, we long for your coming again and again so as to help us make this love available to all. Amen.
If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. (1:17-21)
Once again, it is possible to move through this reading and come out thinking that our favor before God is due to what we do. But in the context of this entire piece, remember that everything is grounded on the action of God in Christ, Jesus. That action (the ransom) takes us out of the domain of the world and its power and its way of working and places us into another life that has been handed to us freely. This new life is a life. That is why the recipients of this letter are considered aliens and exiles - living on the edge of what is the acceptable norm of the world. The lives we live - that which we do - is done not in the face of fear (as in, you better watch it or you'll get it!) - but in the face of the one whose loving sacrifice produces utter awe (fear) when we are grasped by it. I often wonder why we continue to translate such a powerful word as awe as "fear." For the most part, fear doesn't move in my mind quickly to awe when I first see it. We stand in awe of what God has done and continues to do among us - what a gracious gift. We are drawn to that gift and it begins to transform us.
Connection: What will this God whose love is abundant and eternal cause to spring up within your life today?
By your grace, O God, you not only seek us out and claim us, you hold us and shape us and then send us out as your beloved who are able to gift the world around us with the living presence of that love. In this season of Advent, we long for your coming again and again so as to help us make this love available to all. Amen.
Monday, December 4, 2006
4 December 2006
Today we continue in 1 Peter in chapter one.
Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy. " (1:14-16)
Remember, we have been hearing about being an alien people who live as though we are under the rule of the one we call Jesus, the Christ. Well, like any aliens there are things that distinguish them among the crowd. Sometimes it is their language or their food or their community traditions. Well, for the followers of Jesus, we are being reminded that our "differences" are one that are taken on. It is a discipline that begins to shape how we interact within our own congregations but it is also one that can be noticed by others as we live in the world around us. The notion of being "holy" should not frighten us off because it sounds "better than thou." It does not mean that. It is probably better to see it as being a people who are guided - who have the Lord of Life holding our hand and showing us the way of life that is shaped by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. That kind of life will be different from the standard mode of operation of our world. We are invited to go along this way of Jesus - this set apart way - this unconformist way.
Connection: There are so many opportunities within one day to not conform to the way things are done around us. With that being the case, that means that there are many ways to walk into the domain of holiness. Think mercy, justice, loving kindness, forgiveness, reconciliation, self-sacrifice...because all of these are alien terms.
Blessed are you, O God, and holy is your name. Within the ordinary events of our lives, you call us to follow you alone. It is not always easy and it often means we must indeed live as aliens. When that is difficult for us, we ask that your Spirit of Life nurture us and sustain us in your ways. Amen.
Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy. " (1:14-16)
Remember, we have been hearing about being an alien people who live as though we are under the rule of the one we call Jesus, the Christ. Well, like any aliens there are things that distinguish them among the crowd. Sometimes it is their language or their food or their community traditions. Well, for the followers of Jesus, we are being reminded that our "differences" are one that are taken on. It is a discipline that begins to shape how we interact within our own congregations but it is also one that can be noticed by others as we live in the world around us. The notion of being "holy" should not frighten us off because it sounds "better than thou." It does not mean that. It is probably better to see it as being a people who are guided - who have the Lord of Life holding our hand and showing us the way of life that is shaped by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. That kind of life will be different from the standard mode of operation of our world. We are invited to go along this way of Jesus - this set apart way - this unconformist way.
Connection: There are so many opportunities within one day to not conform to the way things are done around us. With that being the case, that means that there are many ways to walk into the domain of holiness. Think mercy, justice, loving kindness, forgiveness, reconciliation, self-sacrifice...because all of these are alien terms.
Blessed are you, O God, and holy is your name. Within the ordinary events of our lives, you call us to follow you alone. It is not always easy and it often means we must indeed live as aliens. When that is difficult for us, we ask that your Spirit of Life nurture us and sustain us in your ways. Amen.
Friday, December 1, 2006
Again from 1 Peter:
Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.
Since there is this living hope and we have been showered with the good news by the Holy Spirit - a news to which the prophets testified - there is no need to turn to any other power or news in order to live our lives. The grace that is our through Jesus is the reality we are invited to turn to in all things. But it takes discipline. We live in the midst of so many voices that attempt to win our hearts or simply use us for a while. These are voices that can easily persuade us and seem to never stop their chatter. Therefore, we must be ready for what will happen everyday and we must be ready with the promise in hand. Here we are in the first day of December and just a few days from the the season of Advent and we just happen to be given a short piece of scripture that calls us forth to be ready to live within a promise that has been handed down to us so that we can experience the power of the living word as we know it in Jesus. This is to be an everyday experience and one to which we must give our attention. We do not simply wait for the coming of the Lord, we take what has been revealed and we wait within it - full of new life - full of anticipation - full of the vision that brings all things into focus.
Connection: Within the clutter of seasonal expectations, it can be difficult to keep our minds on the one whose gift to us is a promise for life. And yet, when we do that - when we stay focused - the promise does continue to unfold around us.
By your Spirit, O God, sustain us by your grace and remind us of the way you have been the source of new life for those who have gone before us. Remind us that even in this day, we are encouraged to trust in you and to become a living witness to your abundant life. Amen.
Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.
Since there is this living hope and we have been showered with the good news by the Holy Spirit - a news to which the prophets testified - there is no need to turn to any other power or news in order to live our lives. The grace that is our through Jesus is the reality we are invited to turn to in all things. But it takes discipline. We live in the midst of so many voices that attempt to win our hearts or simply use us for a while. These are voices that can easily persuade us and seem to never stop their chatter. Therefore, we must be ready for what will happen everyday and we must be ready with the promise in hand. Here we are in the first day of December and just a few days from the the season of Advent and we just happen to be given a short piece of scripture that calls us forth to be ready to live within a promise that has been handed down to us so that we can experience the power of the living word as we know it in Jesus. This is to be an everyday experience and one to which we must give our attention. We do not simply wait for the coming of the Lord, we take what has been revealed and we wait within it - full of new life - full of anticipation - full of the vision that brings all things into focus.
Connection: Within the clutter of seasonal expectations, it can be difficult to keep our minds on the one whose gift to us is a promise for life. And yet, when we do that - when we stay focused - the promise does continue to unfold around us.
By your Spirit, O God, sustain us by your grace and remind us of the way you have been the source of new life for those who have gone before us. Remind us that even in this day, we are encouraged to trust in you and to become a living witness to your abundant life. Amen.
1 December 2006
Again from 1 Peter:
Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.
Since there is this living hope and we have been showered with the good news by the Holy Spirit - a news to which the prophets testified - there is no need to turn to any other power or news in order to live our lives. The grace that is our through Jesus is the reality we are invited to turn to in all things. But it takes discipline. We live in the midst of so many voices that attempt to win our hearts or simply use us for a while. These are voices that can easily persuade us and seem to never stop their chatter. Therefore, we must be ready for what will happen everyday and we must be ready with the promise in hand. Here we are in the first day of December and just a few days from the the season of Advent and we just happen to be given a short piece of scripture that calls us forth to be ready to live within a promise that has been handed down to us so that we can experience the power of the living word as we know it in Jesus. This is to be an everyday experience and one to which we must give our attention. We do not simply wait for the coming of the Lord, we take what has been revealed and we wait within it - full of new life - full of anticipation - full of the vision that brings all things into focus.
Connection: Within the clutter of seasonal expectations, it can be difficult to keep our minds on the one whose gift to us is a promise for life. And yet, when we do that - when we stay focused - the promise does continue to unfold around us.
By your Spirit, O God, sustain us by your grace and remind us of the way you have been the source of new life for those who have gone before us. Remind us that even in this day, we are encouraged to trust in you and to become a living witness to your abundant life. Amen.
Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.
Since there is this living hope and we have been showered with the good news by the Holy Spirit - a news to which the prophets testified - there is no need to turn to any other power or news in order to live our lives. The grace that is our through Jesus is the reality we are invited to turn to in all things. But it takes discipline. We live in the midst of so many voices that attempt to win our hearts or simply use us for a while. These are voices that can easily persuade us and seem to never stop their chatter. Therefore, we must be ready for what will happen everyday and we must be ready with the promise in hand. Here we are in the first day of December and just a few days from the the season of Advent and we just happen to be given a short piece of scripture that calls us forth to be ready to live within a promise that has been handed down to us so that we can experience the power of the living word as we know it in Jesus. This is to be an everyday experience and one to which we must give our attention. We do not simply wait for the coming of the Lord, we take what has been revealed and we wait within it - full of new life - full of anticipation - full of the vision that brings all things into focus.
Connection: Within the clutter of seasonal expectations, it can be difficult to keep our minds on the one whose gift to us is a promise for life. And yet, when we do that - when we stay focused - the promise does continue to unfold around us.
By your Spirit, O God, sustain us by your grace and remind us of the way you have been the source of new life for those who have gone before us. Remind us that even in this day, we are encouraged to trust in you and to become a living witness to your abundant life. Amen.
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