As you will notice, the entire text from yesterday is being used again. From Colossians 3:
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (3:1) Set you minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. (3:2-4)
Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things - anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all! (3:5-11)
Take advantage of whose you are! Take advantage of the fact that in Christ there is no need to live as though you must be the center of the world or that you must tear down others simply to exist. We are dressed in new clothes. We are identified by the one who is the new age come to life. We are identified by our baptism and we also look out at all people as though they too are new to us. No longer do we see in them what is not us. No longer do we live our lives having to make distinctions between "us" and "them" so that we separate ourselves from others. Now, we live by having our life renewed by our God who also renews in us a life shaped by God's love. When that is the reality in which we live, the presence of the Christ is with us and we engage ourselves in a new way with all who are around us. The death and resurrection of Jesus covers us all - all...for all time. We are graciously invited to see all things through that blessed reality. Rather than trying to be the center of the world (and we do that in both active and passive ways), we can live as though we are already a part of the ongoing creation of God's Reign. That is quite a gift to us. That gift sets us within that blessed Reign of life.
Connection: Christ is all and in all! What a way to look at this day as we go through this day. It is the reality that we have been told is ours.
Blessed are you, O God of Grace, for you help us see our world with new eyes and therefore we are able to engage it anew everyday. Though we continue to try and lived turned-in-on lives, you continue to pull us into the vision of life that you give us for all times. Praise to you, O Lord. Amen.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Thursday 1 February 2007
Today we continue in Colossians and include the previous two days of text from chapter 3.
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (3:1) Set you minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. (3:2-4)
Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things - anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all! (3:5-11)
As Christ is our life - that is as Christ has made us a new people by freely giving us new life - all the other excuses for life can be let go. The first list of what is "earthly" really has to do with how we work for ourselves and try to make life for ourselves. The center of the universe is me or my own. In that kind of existence we will do anything and be anything in order to secure life and to make something of life for me and my own alone. This is sin. This is that turned-in-on-self that makes us work so hard to put a life together - or - an illusion of life. This first list is a list of our own doing. It is our life when we do not take hold of the life that the Spirit hands us in Christ. The wrath of God becomes the life that keeps walking away from the truth of the Good News and keeps attempting to make life happen. I like to say that God never, ever leaves us...but we do a great job of walking off on our own - thinking we can really make a new life on our own. This self-centered life...is idolatry and we all take part in this back-turning life. When we turn from our God and face the life we try to create - a kind of hell (absence of God) along the way - our desperate lives will do anything to stay alive and come out as a winner over others. And...with this...the brokenness becomes deeper and we move farther from the one who promises to hand us a gracious abundance of life. Remember that this text really needs to be viewed as a lesson about what we are missing - what life - what a gift - what a freedom-ringing existence for all. Do get caught up in what sound frightening...get caught up in that the promise brings.
Connection: The day is handed to us for life - life that comes when God's love and grace has a power to change all things. There will be many times when we will convince ourselves that this power is not good enough and we can come up with a better way to get through the day. Prayerfully...think again.
By your mercy, O God, you do not let our ways and our manners and our self-centered agendas rule us. You keep breaking in. You continue to bring the power of your Spirit upon us to rattle us and save us. You tickle us with the unbelievable and yet real power of your love. Praise to you, O Love of our Lives. Amen.
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (3:1) Set you minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. (3:2-4)
Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things - anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all! (3:5-11)
As Christ is our life - that is as Christ has made us a new people by freely giving us new life - all the other excuses for life can be let go. The first list of what is "earthly" really has to do with how we work for ourselves and try to make life for ourselves. The center of the universe is me or my own. In that kind of existence we will do anything and be anything in order to secure life and to make something of life for me and my own alone. This is sin. This is that turned-in-on-self that makes us work so hard to put a life together - or - an illusion of life. This first list is a list of our own doing. It is our life when we do not take hold of the life that the Spirit hands us in Christ. The wrath of God becomes the life that keeps walking away from the truth of the Good News and keeps attempting to make life happen. I like to say that God never, ever leaves us...but we do a great job of walking off on our own - thinking we can really make a new life on our own. This self-centered life...is idolatry and we all take part in this back-turning life. When we turn from our God and face the life we try to create - a kind of hell (absence of God) along the way - our desperate lives will do anything to stay alive and come out as a winner over others. And...with this...the brokenness becomes deeper and we move farther from the one who promises to hand us a gracious abundance of life. Remember that this text really needs to be viewed as a lesson about what we are missing - what life - what a gift - what a freedom-ringing existence for all. Do get caught up in what sound frightening...get caught up in that the promise brings.
Connection: The day is handed to us for life - life that comes when God's love and grace has a power to change all things. There will be many times when we will convince ourselves that this power is not good enough and we can come up with a better way to get through the day. Prayerfully...think again.
By your mercy, O God, you do not let our ways and our manners and our self-centered agendas rule us. You keep breaking in. You continue to bring the power of your Spirit upon us to rattle us and save us. You tickle us with the unbelievable and yet real power of your love. Praise to you, O Love of our Lives. Amen.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Wednesday 31 January 2007
We continue to move into chapter three in the letter to the Colossians.
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (3:1) Set you minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. (3:2-4)
This is not a spatial focus. It is a living focus. Live within the power of the one who sits at the right hand of God. Set your minds on life that is shaped in the way of Jesus and not in the way the powers of the earth would run things. In baptism we have been put to death. We have been brought into a community in which the the day-to-day operations of daily life are set with free from any power that tries to own us and control us. Our life - our status - comes from the Christ who claims us and will never leave us behind. That cannot be seen. It is not noted by how we dress or rules of eating or rules of worship. Rather, our status before God is hidden in a promise that is the Christ of God whose death and resurrection becomes the power for life that stands with us and for us. The world and others and even we ourselves may have plenty of conditions what makes us a blessed child of God in Christ. Then again, we are these children not because of what we think and want and expect. We are a part of this blessed community because it is the life in which our God wants us to rest and live. What a glorious life to have available to us.
Connection: Our life must continue to stay focused on the one who liberates and sets us free and stands for us in all times - Christ, Jesus. In that way, anything that attempts to overtake us or subdue us or bully us or claim us will have no power as this day unfolds.
Lord of Glory, we long for the courage and faith to walk within your glorious promises. At times we see the glory and yet we turn and long for our own glory and promise. Guide us, O Lord of Love, and bring us into that glorious Reign with all the saints. Amen.
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (3:1) Set you minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. (3:2-4)
This is not a spatial focus. It is a living focus. Live within the power of the one who sits at the right hand of God. Set your minds on life that is shaped in the way of Jesus and not in the way the powers of the earth would run things. In baptism we have been put to death. We have been brought into a community in which the the day-to-day operations of daily life are set with free from any power that tries to own us and control us. Our life - our status - comes from the Christ who claims us and will never leave us behind. That cannot be seen. It is not noted by how we dress or rules of eating or rules of worship. Rather, our status before God is hidden in a promise that is the Christ of God whose death and resurrection becomes the power for life that stands with us and for us. The world and others and even we ourselves may have plenty of conditions what makes us a blessed child of God in Christ. Then again, we are these children not because of what we think and want and expect. We are a part of this blessed community because it is the life in which our God wants us to rest and live. What a glorious life to have available to us.
Connection: Our life must continue to stay focused on the one who liberates and sets us free and stands for us in all times - Christ, Jesus. In that way, anything that attempts to overtake us or subdue us or bully us or claim us will have no power as this day unfolds.
Lord of Glory, we long for the courage and faith to walk within your glorious promises. At times we see the glory and yet we turn and long for our own glory and promise. Guide us, O Lord of Love, and bring us into that glorious Reign with all the saints. Amen.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Tuesday 30 January 2007
Today we move into chapter 3 in the letter to the Colossians.
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (3:1)
I was going to go farther than this one verse but I want to make a point that I think has everything to do with how we see Christ and how we are raise with Christ. Last week I listened to a speaker talk about the theology of the cross. In the context of that lecture he made reference to the second article of the Apostles' Creed "he (Jesus) is seated at the right hand of the Father." This is after Jesus has suffered the disgraceful death on the cross and then he is raised by God from the dead as an eternal word about what life is life within the Reign of God - it is Jesus life. After that "raising" he sits at the "right hand of God." The right hand is the side of power. Therefore, we can easily conclude that Jesus is the power of God - a power that is visible through the incarnation...in human form...as that humanity becomes Jesus, the Christ of God. Well, in the context of that lecture it occurred to me (excuse me for sometimes I am quite slow) that the power of God is not power as is usually demonstrated by "right hand people in authority." Rather it is power through vulnerability. It is power through life in which the power of the right hand is given over to power as God is powerful - in love - in peace - in solidarity with all (even outcasts) - in forgiveness not revenge - in sacrificial love - in bold disagreement with the powers as they stand no matter what will come of this resistance. After the lecture I shared my odd perception with the speaker and suggested that in the middle of the Creed we are listening to a joke. We hear "right hand of the Father" and many take that to be a power that will overcome all powers by way of the same kind of power of the world. And yet, the joke is on us. The power is as Robert Farrar Capon would put it - left-handed power. The power of the Reign of God. When we are raised with Christ through our baptism, we are brought into the story of power that is vulnerable for the sake of the transformation of all things. It will be the way we love that becomes the way of a new power - a risen power - a life-saving power. Whenever we wonder how we are to be among other - strangers, outcasts, enemies, neighbors - we are urged to seek things above...that is...carry the vision of Christ at the right hand of God - the power that cannot be overwhelmed or defeated by any power of the world. Remember, the power of the world (even religious power) lives by threatening, frightening, abusing the integrity of each person. The power of the right hand of God lives in the world by way of a love that lets no one go - no one. The religious and secular powers of the world do not want to hear such things. They want right-hand power and all the ways it tries to control all things.
Connection: If you hear someone speak words of threat and try to offer it as "Christian," tell them you will pray for them so that they can let go of trying to control the love of God that is eternally available to all - no conditions.
Come, Lord of all Power and Might, for you reveal yourselves in the common and ordinary so that we do not have to raise ourselves up to try to be like you. We give you thanks for risking to come down to us and be with us and promise to never leave us behind. Today, inspire to see you powerful Reign in, with, and under the opportunities of this day. Amen.
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (3:1)
I was going to go farther than this one verse but I want to make a point that I think has everything to do with how we see Christ and how we are raise with Christ. Last week I listened to a speaker talk about the theology of the cross. In the context of that lecture he made reference to the second article of the Apostles' Creed "he (Jesus) is seated at the right hand of the Father." This is after Jesus has suffered the disgraceful death on the cross and then he is raised by God from the dead as an eternal word about what life is life within the Reign of God - it is Jesus life. After that "raising" he sits at the "right hand of God." The right hand is the side of power. Therefore, we can easily conclude that Jesus is the power of God - a power that is visible through the incarnation...in human form...as that humanity becomes Jesus, the Christ of God. Well, in the context of that lecture it occurred to me (excuse me for sometimes I am quite slow) that the power of God is not power as is usually demonstrated by "right hand people in authority." Rather it is power through vulnerability. It is power through life in which the power of the right hand is given over to power as God is powerful - in love - in peace - in solidarity with all (even outcasts) - in forgiveness not revenge - in sacrificial love - in bold disagreement with the powers as they stand no matter what will come of this resistance. After the lecture I shared my odd perception with the speaker and suggested that in the middle of the Creed we are listening to a joke. We hear "right hand of the Father" and many take that to be a power that will overcome all powers by way of the same kind of power of the world. And yet, the joke is on us. The power is as Robert Farrar Capon would put it - left-handed power. The power of the Reign of God. When we are raised with Christ through our baptism, we are brought into the story of power that is vulnerable for the sake of the transformation of all things. It will be the way we love that becomes the way of a new power - a risen power - a life-saving power. Whenever we wonder how we are to be among other - strangers, outcasts, enemies, neighbors - we are urged to seek things above...that is...carry the vision of Christ at the right hand of God - the power that cannot be overwhelmed or defeated by any power of the world. Remember, the power of the world (even religious power) lives by threatening, frightening, abusing the integrity of each person. The power of the right hand of God lives in the world by way of a love that lets no one go - no one. The religious and secular powers of the world do not want to hear such things. They want right-hand power and all the ways it tries to control all things.
Connection: If you hear someone speak words of threat and try to offer it as "Christian," tell them you will pray for them so that they can let go of trying to control the love of God that is eternally available to all - no conditions.
Come, Lord of all Power and Might, for you reveal yourselves in the common and ordinary so that we do not have to raise ourselves up to try to be like you. We give you thanks for risking to come down to us and be with us and promise to never leave us behind. Today, inspire to see you powerful Reign in, with, and under the opportunities of this day. Amen.
Monday 29 January 2007
In the letter to the Colossians we turn this week into a section often considered one containing "ethical" material.
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch?" All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings. These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence. (2:20-23)
This is more of a statement of fact - we have died with Christ...and we are brought into new life. That is the reality in which we live. Now...that being the case, why do we listen to any other word about us? The place in which we live is one that is shaped and nurtured by the new life of our baptism in Christ, Jesus. No other power has power among us. And yet, it is very easy for all of us to listen to other voices and let those voices control us. These "powers" attempt to tell us how we can get along in this world. They try to tell us how we gain worth or how we can qualify for various degrees of living. But these voices/powers really cannot rule us - that is the baptismal promise. We are named and claimed by the God who tells us about God's love for us even as we and others may not love us. It is meant to be a reality that has no end...and has not conditions stapled onto it. Unfortunately, even with this truth of God's claim on us and our place before God through baptism, there are too many times when we try to live according to other news and other notes of qualification. For example: the simple question we have all heard (or said) when something goes really wrong in our lives, "What did I do to make God do this to me"...or..."Why is God doing this to me?" This all adds up to the stinking-thinking of the "elemental powers." They cannot and will not let go of the control they claim to have over us or want to give us. Rather than face the reality of our days (good & bad) within the blessed assurance that God is for us in and through all things, we - at times - want to figure out something else. We are not content to hear the Good News. We want to hear news that fits our own thinking and acting.
Connection: All that matters - you are blessed and beloved of God. That is the news of the day that helps us to be shaped for life within God's Reign today.
It is by your word alone, O God, that we entertain the great truth of the love of your Reign. In each of our days guide us as we prayerfully consider how your love shapes us in all things. Amen.
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch?" All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings. These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence. (2:20-23)
This is more of a statement of fact - we have died with Christ...and we are brought into new life. That is the reality in which we live. Now...that being the case, why do we listen to any other word about us? The place in which we live is one that is shaped and nurtured by the new life of our baptism in Christ, Jesus. No other power has power among us. And yet, it is very easy for all of us to listen to other voices and let those voices control us. These "powers" attempt to tell us how we can get along in this world. They try to tell us how we gain worth or how we can qualify for various degrees of living. But these voices/powers really cannot rule us - that is the baptismal promise. We are named and claimed by the God who tells us about God's love for us even as we and others may not love us. It is meant to be a reality that has no end...and has not conditions stapled onto it. Unfortunately, even with this truth of God's claim on us and our place before God through baptism, there are too many times when we try to live according to other news and other notes of qualification. For example: the simple question we have all heard (or said) when something goes really wrong in our lives, "What did I do to make God do this to me"...or..."Why is God doing this to me?" This all adds up to the stinking-thinking of the "elemental powers." They cannot and will not let go of the control they claim to have over us or want to give us. Rather than face the reality of our days (good & bad) within the blessed assurance that God is for us in and through all things, we - at times - want to figure out something else. We are not content to hear the Good News. We want to hear news that fits our own thinking and acting.
Connection: All that matters - you are blessed and beloved of God. That is the news of the day that helps us to be shaped for life within God's Reign today.
It is by your word alone, O God, that we entertain the great truth of the love of your Reign. In each of our days guide us as we prayerfully consider how your love shapes us in all things. Amen.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Friday 26 January 2007
After a number of passages dealing with the life we have in Christ, we end the week with a "therefore"...again, from Colossians.
Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matter of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Do not let anyone disqualify you insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels dwelling on visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking, and not holding fast to the head from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God. (2:16-19)
Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matter of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Do not let anyone disqualify you insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels dwelling on visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking, and not holding fast to the head from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God. (2:16-19)
Let nothing get in the way and weigh you down! The work of Christ has been done and it is everlasting and needs no augmentation...no additions. For many people, the Good News is too good to trust. The unending and unconditional love of God that covers us and makes us God's beloved for no other reason than that is what God wants - even at the great sacrifice of his beloved, Jesus - is complete. Therefore, nothing can threaten that gift. There will be some who will live afraid of everything though. There will be some who will say you cannot drink wine...you must speak in tongues...you cannot celebrate festivals within the culture...you must watch what you eat. In other words, there will be many people who will try to add words and to the one Word of Good News. Another great example of this is the whole focus of the "last days" by many people who claim to follow Jesus. They put so much emphasis on that - on what will happen when you if you're not ready....have you "accepted Jesus" in a certain way...will you be left behind...will you go to hell or heaven, that they forget the unending love of God. Or, could it be this. The love of God takes a back seat to the many ways people try to sow fear into the story. Therefore, the graciousness of the God's Reign of Hope is let go for a message of fear that can grow into hate and into a word that attempts to grab us by threat rather than love. Such a "religion" as this only loves control over other and a illusion of self-control.
Connection: Because we are ruled by the "head" - Christ, Jesus - we are within the realm of the peace of God. That is all we need to see us through this day. This essential word of love will be our guide and our strength and our encouragement. Don't let anyone take that Good News from you.
From the beginning to the end, your gracious Reign holds us and gives us new life within the grasp of your love. Remind us that we are covered by your love, O God, and that this love is the power to knock down all the hellish images that attempt to lure us into lives filled with fear and threats that attempt to make us slaves rather than free in you love. Amen.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Thursday 25 January 2007
Today we are still looking at what it is to be a part of this life in Christ - from Colossians.
And when you were dead in trespasses and uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it. (2:13-15)
When we were completely dependent on what we could do and how we have been marked in the world - might be another way to look at this text. When our way was the way that lead to nothing but life as it is or life that depends on whether or not we have gone through the proper rite, God acts and makes things new. It is so important for us to remember that God acted and God acts and God is the one who sets us up into new life. It is a gift. It is as real as the life of the Christ - Jesus. It is a gracious gift that demands nothing but the fact that all things have been covered for us by our God...all things! Any news that is less than this announcement of God's unconditional action that sets the stage and the way for our lives is not news about the God who can and does rescue/redeemer all people. The powers of this world (secular and religious) want to maintain authority and power over us. They want to have a say as to who we are and what will be our life. In the execution of Jesus and then God's action that raises him from the dead demonstrates to all the powers that they are impotent to the power of God to redeem/rescue all things. It is so sad to hear even religious voices clinging to ways to control or make people conform rather than letting God's gracious action act among us - bringing us into new life - bridging the gap for us - making us alive when we have been trying to live along the pathways of the powers of death.
Connection: Erase the record! That is not only the action of our God. We are invited to live as though it has happened and will always happen as our God continues to have the Spirit transform us from day to day.
We give you thanks, O God, for as you forgive us and point us into the life you have already made rich with your love, we are being liberated daily so that we may play in the fields of your blessed Reign. Guide us in the day of renewal and hope. Amen.
And when you were dead in trespasses and uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it. (2:13-15)
When we were completely dependent on what we could do and how we have been marked in the world - might be another way to look at this text. When our way was the way that lead to nothing but life as it is or life that depends on whether or not we have gone through the proper rite, God acts and makes things new. It is so important for us to remember that God acted and God acts and God is the one who sets us up into new life. It is a gift. It is as real as the life of the Christ - Jesus. It is a gracious gift that demands nothing but the fact that all things have been covered for us by our God...all things! Any news that is less than this announcement of God's unconditional action that sets the stage and the way for our lives is not news about the God who can and does rescue/redeemer all people. The powers of this world (secular and religious) want to maintain authority and power over us. They want to have a say as to who we are and what will be our life. In the execution of Jesus and then God's action that raises him from the dead demonstrates to all the powers that they are impotent to the power of God to redeem/rescue all things. It is so sad to hear even religious voices clinging to ways to control or make people conform rather than letting God's gracious action act among us - bringing us into new life - bridging the gap for us - making us alive when we have been trying to live along the pathways of the powers of death.
Connection: Erase the record! That is not only the action of our God. We are invited to live as though it has happened and will always happen as our God continues to have the Spirit transform us from day to day.
We give you thanks, O God, for as you forgive us and point us into the life you have already made rich with your love, we are being liberated daily so that we may play in the fields of your blessed Reign. Guide us in the day of renewal and hope. Amen.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Wednesday, 24 January, 2007
Adding on to yesterday's (accidentally sent late in the day) text from Colossians.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to the Christ. (2:8)
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised you from the dead. (2:9-12)
We are a part of the whole body...this incarnation of the God...this dwelling...this God with us. It is a gift that sets us on a new way. The use of the circumcision is actually a good one as he tries to give us a bit of an idea of who we are and how we are marked. We are not marked by a physical cutting of our flesh, we are marked by a physical - a real - life. We put off trusting in the the powers and ways of the world that are so easy to follow and try to promise so much - but can never fulfill those promises. What we now have, is a life that is daily new through our baptism. What we have now is a way to walk and a way to live that goes along the way of Jesus. A spiritual circumcision is not something "other worldly," it is rather something very concrete. The center of our lives are now defined and identified by the Lord who bring a new life. Therefore, we are always invited to look back at the Christ and see the life that marks us. It is a life that comes out of the font and washes us into a fresh existence with a fresh vision that cannot be taken or removed from us.
Connection: Who we are today is marked by the life of the Christ. So...how does that mark show itself as we fumble along in all the things we do?
Lord of New Life and Spirit of renewal, though we are marked with the cross of Christ forever, we continue to wander through these days wondering about how that mark is to manifest itself among us. Continue to inspire us that we may see the life that comes to us through the water of our baptism. Amen.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to the Christ. (2:8)
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised you from the dead. (2:9-12)
We are a part of the whole body...this incarnation of the God...this dwelling...this God with us. It is a gift that sets us on a new way. The use of the circumcision is actually a good one as he tries to give us a bit of an idea of who we are and how we are marked. We are not marked by a physical cutting of our flesh, we are marked by a physical - a real - life. We put off trusting in the the powers and ways of the world that are so easy to follow and try to promise so much - but can never fulfill those promises. What we now have, is a life that is daily new through our baptism. What we have now is a way to walk and a way to live that goes along the way of Jesus. A spiritual circumcision is not something "other worldly," it is rather something very concrete. The center of our lives are now defined and identified by the Lord who bring a new life. Therefore, we are always invited to look back at the Christ and see the life that marks us. It is a life that comes out of the font and washes us into a fresh existence with a fresh vision that cannot be taken or removed from us.
Connection: Who we are today is marked by the life of the Christ. So...how does that mark show itself as we fumble along in all the things we do?
Lord of New Life and Spirit of renewal, though we are marked with the cross of Christ forever, we continue to wander through these days wondering about how that mark is to manifest itself among us. Continue to inspire us that we may see the life that comes to us through the water of our baptism. Amen.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Tuesday, 23 January, 2007
Today we continue to move along this life in Christ we hear in the letter to the Colossians.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to the Christ. (2:8)
I may work slowly through these verses and simply tag on onto another as it all unfolds.
Don't buy what is in the headlines! Don't buy into what the powers of the world say we must do in order to have life! We can look at history and see that it takes us and brings us and leaves us in the same place - war, poverty, distrust, anger, fear, hatred....and then again. Just look at what we were told about the need to go to war in Iraq. O, great wisdom - wasn't it! When fear drives our lives - we will fight for life no matter how we think we can secure it. But it fails...over time it is revealed again and again...and yet, we keep buying the rules and protocols and procedures of a spirit of life that only knows how to be master of death. See to it that no one takes you captive... through all the promises that bring winners and losing - but mostly make us all losers. Paul does not what those who will read this letter to get sucked into powers that are really quite real. Not only are they real, they will make great sense and will have their arguments presented in well thought out ways that are able to convince all of us - at times. We, on the other hand are to resist this worldly wisdom that keeps us living the same broken story over and over again without experiencing the promise of God's gracious mystery that will make all things new. Sometimes I look at the middle east and, as a follower of Jesus, wonder why we don't speak up and say this warring madness does not come close to revealing the grace of God. We let ourselves be ruled by spirits that keep us living at levels of life that bring no hope and allow for no renewing forgiveness and grace.
Connection: So...how do we not let ourselves be taken captive by the spirit of the day and the powers that try to promise much but always fall short at the expense of all of us? Maybe we need to say to ourselves and one another, "Don't let it grab you! Don't let it convince you!"
We know that we are easily swayed to follow what the powers of the world feed us and yet, O God, we long for more even when we are so unable to resist. Be the strength of this day and enable us to grasp onto the promise of life that no power can hand us or share with us. Amen.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to the Christ. (2:8)
I may work slowly through these verses and simply tag on onto another as it all unfolds.
Don't buy what is in the headlines! Don't buy into what the powers of the world say we must do in order to have life! We can look at history and see that it takes us and brings us and leaves us in the same place - war, poverty, distrust, anger, fear, hatred....and then again. Just look at what we were told about the need to go to war in Iraq. O, great wisdom - wasn't it! When fear drives our lives - we will fight for life no matter how we think we can secure it. But it fails...over time it is revealed again and again...and yet, we keep buying the rules and protocols and procedures of a spirit of life that only knows how to be master of death. See to it that no one takes you captive... through all the promises that bring winners and losing - but mostly make us all losers. Paul does not what those who will read this letter to get sucked into powers that are really quite real. Not only are they real, they will make great sense and will have their arguments presented in well thought out ways that are able to convince all of us - at times. We, on the other hand are to resist this worldly wisdom that keeps us living the same broken story over and over again without experiencing the promise of God's gracious mystery that will make all things new. Sometimes I look at the middle east and, as a follower of Jesus, wonder why we don't speak up and say this warring madness does not come close to revealing the grace of God. We let ourselves be ruled by spirits that keep us living at levels of life that bring no hope and allow for no renewing forgiveness and grace.
Connection: So...how do we not let ourselves be taken captive by the spirit of the day and the powers that try to promise much but always fall short at the expense of all of us? Maybe we need to say to ourselves and one another, "Don't let it grab you! Don't let it convince you!"
We know that we are easily swayed to follow what the powers of the world feed us and yet, O God, we long for more even when we are so unable to resist. Be the strength of this day and enable us to grasp onto the promise of life that no power can hand us or share with us. Amen.
Monday, 22 January, 2007
Due to "technical difficulties," last week we were not able to send the devotions for Wed., Thurs., or Friday. Therefore, I'm attempting to do it again beginning with Monday 1/22. We continue with Colossians.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (2:6-7)
Remember this is a receiving that is free...since you have been handed the Christ, Jesus,...since you have had the grace of God freely poured over you...since you have been embraced and will never be let go...never...ever - continue to live as though it is the truth of this day. Another way to look at continue to live your lives is to simply go along with the alternate reading that many bibles show in the footnotes - continue to walk... This has an active sense to it. I read it as that active...along the way to understand and make real what has been handed to us. During the Rite of Healing, I often use in some prayers words that draw upon the image of standing on a foundation of love and peace and the power that is available in such a position. We are a people who are rooted even when we feel or look or are treated as though we are nothing. We are rooted. We have been placed on a foundation that does not crumble and will not be pulled out from under us. What are we to do knowing such a truth - trust it...believe it...and now take a walk within it as though no other attempts at truth-telling will ever overwhelm this gift in Christ, Jesus. Once again, I think the radical notion of this walk is that it is quite at odds with what is so easily accepted as the truth for the day. This walk is and must be a walk with and alongside others so that we are not left to ourselves so that we can be blown away by any power or threat or temptation that attempts to trip us.
Connection: Remember how rooted you are in this love that will not let you go. That is a wonderful way to experience the day and whatever will come among us.
O God of Grace, it is you will that we shall not be uprooted by any power in any time. You have given us one another so that we can be side by side holding onto the truth of your presence and the promise of life that abounds. As we walk within the Reign of your Christ, encourage us to live in thanksgiving and joy. Amen.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (2:6-7)
Remember this is a receiving that is free...since you have been handed the Christ, Jesus,...since you have had the grace of God freely poured over you...since you have been embraced and will never be let go...never...ever - continue to live as though it is the truth of this day. Another way to look at continue to live your lives is to simply go along with the alternate reading that many bibles show in the footnotes - continue to walk... This has an active sense to it. I read it as that active...along the way to understand and make real what has been handed to us. During the Rite of Healing, I often use in some prayers words that draw upon the image of standing on a foundation of love and peace and the power that is available in such a position. We are a people who are rooted even when we feel or look or are treated as though we are nothing. We are rooted. We have been placed on a foundation that does not crumble and will not be pulled out from under us. What are we to do knowing such a truth - trust it...believe it...and now take a walk within it as though no other attempts at truth-telling will ever overwhelm this gift in Christ, Jesus. Once again, I think the radical notion of this walk is that it is quite at odds with what is so easily accepted as the truth for the day. This walk is and must be a walk with and alongside others so that we are not left to ourselves so that we can be blown away by any power or threat or temptation that attempts to trip us.
Connection: Remember how rooted you are in this love that will not let you go. That is a wonderful way to experience the day and whatever will come among us.
O God of Grace, it is you will that we shall not be uprooted by any power in any time. You have given us one another so that we can be side by side holding onto the truth of your presence and the promise of life that abounds. As we walk within the Reign of your Christ, encourage us to live in thanksgiving and joy. Amen.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
19 January 2007
Adding on to yesterday's (accidentally sent late in the day) text from Colossians.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to the Christ. (2:8)
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised you from the dead. (2:9-12)
We are a part of the whole body...this incarnation of the God...this dwelling...this God with us. It is a gift that sets us on a new way. The use of the circumcision is actually a good one as he tries to give us a bit of an idea of who we are and how we are marked. We are not marked by a physical cutting of our flesh, we are marked by a physical - a real - life. We put off trusting in the the powers and ways of the world that are so easy to follow and try to promise so much - but can never fulfill those promises. What we now have, is a life that is daily new through our baptism. What we have now is a way to walk and a way to live that goes along the way of Jesus. A spiritual circumcision is not something "other worldly," it is rather something very concrete. The center of our lives are now defined and identified by the Lord who bring a new life. Therefore, we are always invited to look back at the Christ and see the life that marks us. It is a life that comes out of the font and washes us into a fresh existence with a fresh vision that cannot be taken or removed from us.
Connection: Who we are today is marked by the life of the Christ. So...how does that mark show itself as we fumble along in all the things we do?
Lord of New Life and Spirit of renewal, though we are marked with the cross of Christ forever, we continue to wander through these days wondering about how that mark is to manifest itself among us. Continue to inspire us that we may see the life that comes to us through the water of our baptism. Amen.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to the Christ. (2:8)
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised you from the dead. (2:9-12)
We are a part of the whole body...this incarnation of the God...this dwelling...this God with us. It is a gift that sets us on a new way. The use of the circumcision is actually a good one as he tries to give us a bit of an idea of who we are and how we are marked. We are not marked by a physical cutting of our flesh, we are marked by a physical - a real - life. We put off trusting in the the powers and ways of the world that are so easy to follow and try to promise so much - but can never fulfill those promises. What we now have, is a life that is daily new through our baptism. What we have now is a way to walk and a way to live that goes along the way of Jesus. A spiritual circumcision is not something "other worldly," it is rather something very concrete. The center of our lives are now defined and identified by the Lord who bring a new life. Therefore, we are always invited to look back at the Christ and see the life that marks us. It is a life that comes out of the font and washes us into a fresh existence with a fresh vision that cannot be taken or removed from us.
Connection: Who we are today is marked by the life of the Christ. So...how does that mark show itself as we fumble along in all the things we do?
Lord of New Life and Spirit of renewal, though we are marked with the cross of Christ forever, we continue to wander through these days wondering about how that mark is to manifest itself among us. Continue to inspire us that we may see the life that comes to us through the water of our baptism. Amen.
Monday, January 15, 2007
18 January 2007
Today we continue to move along this life in Christ we hear in the letter to the Colossians.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to the Christ. (2:8)
I may work slowly through these verses and simply tag on onto another as it all unfolds.
Don't buy what is in the headlines! Don't buy into what the powers of the world say we must do in order to have life! We can look at history and see that it takes us and brings us and leaves us in the same place - war, poverty, distrust, anger, fear, hatred....and then again. Just look at what we were told about the need to go to war in Iraq. O, great wisdom - wasn't it! When fear drives our lives - we will fight for life no matter how we think we can secure it. But it fails...over time it is revealed again and again...and yet, we keep buying the rules and protocols and procedures of a spirit of life that only knows how to be master of death. See to it that no one takes you captive... through all the promises that bring winners and losing - but mostly make us all losers. Paul does not what those who will read this letter to get sucked into powers that are really quite real. Not only are they real, they will make great sense and will have their arguments presented in well thought out ways that are able to convince all of us - at times. We, on the other hand are to resist this worldly wisdom that keeps us living the same broken story over and over again without experiencing the promise of God's gracious mystery that will make all things new. Sometimes I look at the middle east and, as a follower of Jesus, wonder why we don't speak up and say this warring madness does not come close to revealing the grace of God. We let ourselves be ruled by spirits that keep us living at levels of life that bring no hope and allow for no renewing forgiveness and grace.
Connection: So...how do we not let ourselves be taken captive by the spirit of the day and the powers that try to promise much but always fall short at the expense of all of us? Maybe we need to say to ourselves and one another, "Don't let it grab you! Don't let it convince you!"
We know that we are easily swayed to follow what the powers of the world feed us and yet, O God, we long for more even when we are so unable to resist. Be the strength of this day and enable us to grasp onto the promise of life that no power can hand us or share with us. Amen.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to the Christ. (2:8)
I may work slowly through these verses and simply tag on onto another as it all unfolds.
Don't buy what is in the headlines! Don't buy into what the powers of the world say we must do in order to have life! We can look at history and see that it takes us and brings us and leaves us in the same place - war, poverty, distrust, anger, fear, hatred....and then again. Just look at what we were told about the need to go to war in Iraq. O, great wisdom - wasn't it! When fear drives our lives - we will fight for life no matter how we think we can secure it. But it fails...over time it is revealed again and again...and yet, we keep buying the rules and protocols and procedures of a spirit of life that only knows how to be master of death. See to it that no one takes you captive... through all the promises that bring winners and losing - but mostly make us all losers. Paul does not what those who will read this letter to get sucked into powers that are really quite real. Not only are they real, they will make great sense and will have their arguments presented in well thought out ways that are able to convince all of us - at times. We, on the other hand are to resist this worldly wisdom that keeps us living the same broken story over and over again without experiencing the promise of God's gracious mystery that will make all things new. Sometimes I look at the middle east and, as a follower of Jesus, wonder why we don't speak up and say this warring madness does not come close to revealing the grace of God. We let ourselves be ruled by spirits that keep us living at levels of life that bring no hope and allow for no renewing forgiveness and grace.
Connection: So...how do we not let ourselves be taken captive by the spirit of the day and the powers that try to promise much but always fall short at the expense of all of us? Maybe we need to say to ourselves and one another, "Don't let it grab you! Don't let it convince you!"
We know that we are easily swayed to follow what the powers of the world feed us and yet, O God, we long for more even when we are so unable to resist. Be the strength of this day and enable us to grasp onto the promise of life that no power can hand us or share with us. Amen.
22 January 2007
Due to "technical difficulties," last week we were not able to send the devotions for Wed., Thurs., or Friday. Therefore, I'm attempting to do it again beginning with Monday 1/22. We continue with Colossians.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (2:6-7)
Remember this is a receiving that is free...since you have been handed the Christ, Jesus,...since you have had the grace of God freely poured over you...since you have been embraced and will never be let go...never...ever - continue to live as though it is the truth of this day. Another way to look at continue to live your lives is to simply go along with the alternate reading that many bibles show in the footnotes - continue to walk... This has an active sense to it. I read it as that active...along the way to understand and make real what has been handed to us. During the Rite of Healing, I often use in some prayers words that draw upon the image of standing on a foundation of love and peace and the power that is available in such a position. We are a people who are rooted even when we feel or look or are treated as though we are nothing. We are rooted. We have been placed on a foundation that does not crumble and will not be pulled out from under us. What are we to do knowing such a truth - trust it...believe it...and now take a walk within it as though no other attempts at truth-telling will ever overwhelm this gift in Christ, Jesus. Once again, I think the radical notion of this walk is that it is quite at odds with what is so easily accepted as the truth for the day. This walk is and must be a walk with and alongside others so that we are not left to ourselves so that we can be blown away by any power or threat or temptation that attempts to trip us.
Connection: Remember how rooted you are in this love that will not let you go. That is a wonderful way to experience the day and whatever will come among us.
O God of Grace, it is you will that we shall not be uprooted by any power in any time. You have given us one another so that we can be side by side holding onto the truth of your presence and the promise of life that abounds. As we walk within the Reign of your Christ, encourage us to live in thanksgiving and joy. Amen.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (2:6-7)
Remember this is a receiving that is free...since you have been handed the Christ, Jesus,...since you have had the grace of God freely poured over you...since you have been embraced and will never be let go...never...ever - continue to live as though it is the truth of this day. Another way to look at continue to live your lives is to simply go along with the alternate reading that many bibles show in the footnotes - continue to walk... This has an active sense to it. I read it as that active...along the way to understand and make real what has been handed to us. During the Rite of Healing, I often use in some prayers words that draw upon the image of standing on a foundation of love and peace and the power that is available in such a position. We are a people who are rooted even when we feel or look or are treated as though we are nothing. We are rooted. We have been placed on a foundation that does not crumble and will not be pulled out from under us. What are we to do knowing such a truth - trust it...believe it...and now take a walk within it as though no other attempts at truth-telling will ever overwhelm this gift in Christ, Jesus. Once again, I think the radical notion of this walk is that it is quite at odds with what is so easily accepted as the truth for the day. This walk is and must be a walk with and alongside others so that we are not left to ourselves so that we can be blown away by any power or threat or temptation that attempts to trip us.
Connection: Remember how rooted you are in this love that will not let you go. That is a wonderful way to experience the day and whatever will come among us.
O God of Grace, it is you will that we shall not be uprooted by any power in any time. You have given us one another so that we can be side by side holding onto the truth of your presence and the promise of life that abounds. As we walk within the Reign of your Christ, encourage us to live in thanksgiving and joy. Amen.
16 January 2007
Though we continue within the same stream of thought as yesterday, Paul's message becomes a bit more expanded as we enter Chapter two of this letter to the Collosians.
For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for all how have not seen me face to face. I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ himself, in wisdom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit and I rejoice to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ. (2:1-5)
In a world like ours, we must be willing to go a long way to bring this mystery of God - Christ himself - to those around us. Why? It is easy to dismiss it. Grace and the expansive love of God is easy to turn into a limited message...and the limited message - the half truth (which is no truth at all) must be resisted by the unveiling of the mystery of how God's love redeems all people despite our ability to keep on rejecting it. It does not take much wisdom at all to live and operate the world operates. In fact, we have all heard any number of people make very good argument for a limited grace that brings in a limited and exclusive reign...that is not the Reign of God. And yet, since this limited grace is just like the life of the world, it is no mystery and people therefore cling to it quite easily. Paul is struggling because he is offering a word of life that is no plausible - it is radical and outlandish. It is the grace of God fully extended - fully handed over - fully available. This will grab some and other (maybe even most) will not let it take hold. The life that we are offered in Christ doesn't taste good when our tastes are stuck on what we have been fed all along by a world that cannot live by grace and will not participate in the realm of forgiveness and reconciliation that comes when the mystery of God's love is revealed in simple human terms...day to day.
Connection: Today we will all taste the stuff of this world that goes over so well with everyone. It will sound right...it will make good sense. But...hold off and then hold it up alongside the graciousness of our God as we see it in Jesus. That may be one way to see just how hard it is to persist with this word of love and hope.
Be for us, O God, the light that shines to open up the way of your gracious Reign as it begins, even now, to break in around us. It is so easy to fall in line with the world, and yet, we know that we are always being called out into a new way of living right in the middle of the ordinary and routine. Amen.
For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for all how have not seen me face to face. I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ himself, in wisdom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit and I rejoice to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ. (2:1-5)
In a world like ours, we must be willing to go a long way to bring this mystery of God - Christ himself - to those around us. Why? It is easy to dismiss it. Grace and the expansive love of God is easy to turn into a limited message...and the limited message - the half truth (which is no truth at all) must be resisted by the unveiling of the mystery of how God's love redeems all people despite our ability to keep on rejecting it. It does not take much wisdom at all to live and operate the world operates. In fact, we have all heard any number of people make very good argument for a limited grace that brings in a limited and exclusive reign...that is not the Reign of God. And yet, since this limited grace is just like the life of the world, it is no mystery and people therefore cling to it quite easily. Paul is struggling because he is offering a word of life that is no plausible - it is radical and outlandish. It is the grace of God fully extended - fully handed over - fully available. This will grab some and other (maybe even most) will not let it take hold. The life that we are offered in Christ doesn't taste good when our tastes are stuck on what we have been fed all along by a world that cannot live by grace and will not participate in the realm of forgiveness and reconciliation that comes when the mystery of God's love is revealed in simple human terms...day to day.
Connection: Today we will all taste the stuff of this world that goes over so well with everyone. It will sound right...it will make good sense. But...hold off and then hold it up alongside the graciousness of our God as we see it in Jesus. That may be one way to see just how hard it is to persist with this word of love and hope.
Be for us, O God, the light that shines to open up the way of your gracious Reign as it begins, even now, to break in around us. It is so easy to fall in line with the world, and yet, we know that we are always being called out into a new way of living right in the middle of the ordinary and routine. Amen.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
15 January 2007
We begin the week by continuing with our walk through the Letter to the Colossians.
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me. (1:24-29)
The rejoicing comes because he sees evidence that the Collossians have tasted and now know the mystery. They have received a life transforming gift that comes in the package of the living word within the story of how God’s acts through Jesus on behalf of all people. Paul might be suffering under afflictions, but it is all worth it because of what he has seen. It is a powerful boost and encouragement to one’s life when we are witnesses to the outrageous grace of God when it helps to shake up and make up a community of saints. When the Good News grabs us and offers a whole new way of viewing all things, it can seem like an isolated place to be. The wide-open grace of God – available without restraint – is an alien way of life…even when we are completely sold on its truth. This vision of the God’s Reign as known in the life of Jesus is labeled a mystery because it does not fit into the patterns of the way the world seems to work. Rejoicing comes whenever the followers of Jesus know of others who have been wrapped up in the gracious mystery and appear to be living according to its strangeness. Paul has put everything into the sharing of the vision…and he gives thanks to see others picking it up and going along within their lives as though it is a mystery revealed.
Connection: When we see and hear people who have caught a glimpse of the way in which the peaceable Reign of God comes to life, it is worth celebrating – even if it is simply within our own hearts. Then again, connecting with such people is a source of encouragement to everyone.
When you hold us up, O God, you give us an opportunity to stop and see how your love unfolds and your grace becomes the foundation upon which we may take on all things. Continue to reveal this grand mystery that becomes the very fiber of our lives. Amen.
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me. (1:24-29)
The rejoicing comes because he sees evidence that the Collossians have tasted and now know the mystery. They have received a life transforming gift that comes in the package of the living word within the story of how God’s acts through Jesus on behalf of all people. Paul might be suffering under afflictions, but it is all worth it because of what he has seen. It is a powerful boost and encouragement to one’s life when we are witnesses to the outrageous grace of God when it helps to shake up and make up a community of saints. When the Good News grabs us and offers a whole new way of viewing all things, it can seem like an isolated place to be. The wide-open grace of God – available without restraint – is an alien way of life…even when we are completely sold on its truth. This vision of the God’s Reign as known in the life of Jesus is labeled a mystery because it does not fit into the patterns of the way the world seems to work. Rejoicing comes whenever the followers of Jesus know of others who have been wrapped up in the gracious mystery and appear to be living according to its strangeness. Paul has put everything into the sharing of the vision…and he gives thanks to see others picking it up and going along within their lives as though it is a mystery revealed.
Connection: When we see and hear people who have caught a glimpse of the way in which the peaceable Reign of God comes to life, it is worth celebrating – even if it is simply within our own hearts. Then again, connecting with such people is a source of encouragement to everyone.
When you hold us up, O God, you give us an opportunity to stop and see how your love unfolds and your grace becomes the foundation upon which we may take on all things. Continue to reveal this grand mystery that becomes the very fiber of our lives. Amen.
Friday, January 12, 2007
12 January 2007
We will end the week as we continue to look at who we are under the Reign of Christ.
And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him - provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. (Colossians 1:21-23)
I want to quickly note that this text may sound like it has a conditional note to it. It does...but it is not like any of the conditional notes we sometimes hear from religious folks today. It is not a condition that included punishment or forced exclusion if we don't "get in line." Let me attempt to deal with how I am reading this text today.
First, through Christ, we are reconciled to God - completely. We are "holy and blameless and irreproachable before him." That is the foundation. That rock cannot be washed away. That is the truth even when others and we ourselves try to say it is not.
Then, we have something that sounds a bit conditional. After Paul has noted what Christ has done for us we hear: "provided you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard." The condition is that we trust the foundation beneath our feet - the love of God in Christ, Jesus, that is eternally (that means without end...no matter what) with us. We are not doing something exceptional and this gift to us is not pulled away due to how we act. Rather, it is ours and it will be the power for life in and through all times. There is no other foundation - trust this. If we go off trusting in other gods - who are less than God - we will be stuck with them...and they will ultimately fail us. Our God gives us a great gift of undeniable power and life...but we are also given the freedom to turn to other powers. And yet, even as we turn and go away - turn away and shift from the home promised, here will be our God as promised. Not only that, the Holy Spirit serves as the power to keep wooing us back to this gift that is ours - a gift without end. Paul ends this note by simply saying: I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. This is not simple a preacher talking about good news, this is a preacher who has lived it among them - that is why they kept his letters. It is a word about life when other words lack life.
Connection: Yesterday at Church Church council I asked everyone on the new council to introduce themselves with their name and then "I am blessed by God." It is true. It is what will guide us all as we continue to say it and trust in the hope it offers to us.
Come, O Lord who is our hope and strength in all our days, come and whisper to us again that promise for we so often find ways to forget and then we turn to listen to other voices and powers that never give life as you give it. We give you thanks for the refreshing word of grace that washes over us as hope for the day we enter. Amen.
And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him - provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. (Colossians 1:21-23)
I want to quickly note that this text may sound like it has a conditional note to it. It does...but it is not like any of the conditional notes we sometimes hear from religious folks today. It is not a condition that included punishment or forced exclusion if we don't "get in line." Let me attempt to deal with how I am reading this text today.
First, through Christ, we are reconciled to God - completely. We are "holy and blameless and irreproachable before him." That is the foundation. That rock cannot be washed away. That is the truth even when others and we ourselves try to say it is not.
Then, we have something that sounds a bit conditional. After Paul has noted what Christ has done for us we hear: "provided you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard." The condition is that we trust the foundation beneath our feet - the love of God in Christ, Jesus, that is eternally (that means without end...no matter what) with us. We are not doing something exceptional and this gift to us is not pulled away due to how we act. Rather, it is ours and it will be the power for life in and through all times. There is no other foundation - trust this. If we go off trusting in other gods - who are less than God - we will be stuck with them...and they will ultimately fail us. Our God gives us a great gift of undeniable power and life...but we are also given the freedom to turn to other powers. And yet, even as we turn and go away - turn away and shift from the home promised, here will be our God as promised. Not only that, the Holy Spirit serves as the power to keep wooing us back to this gift that is ours - a gift without end. Paul ends this note by simply saying: I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. This is not simple a preacher talking about good news, this is a preacher who has lived it among them - that is why they kept his letters. It is a word about life when other words lack life.
Connection: Yesterday at Church Church council I asked everyone on the new council to introduce themselves with their name and then "I am blessed by God." It is true. It is what will guide us all as we continue to say it and trust in the hope it offers to us.
Come, O Lord who is our hope and strength in all our days, come and whisper to us again that promise for we so often find ways to forget and then we turn to listen to other voices and powers that never give life as you give it. We give you thanks for the refreshing word of grace that washes over us as hope for the day we enter. Amen.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
11 January 2007
Today we move along in this first chapter of Colossians.
He (Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers - all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him god was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. (1:15-20)
Right before this passage, it says that 'we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins' in Christ. Now we have this long piece about who this Christ is. Being the "image of the invisible God" says enough for me...but it goes on. After rereading this several times I started to laugh because it is quite like two little kids bragging about one of their parents. "Oh yeh...well my dad can..." "Oh yeh...well my mom can...." This is all about who is for us and with and and alongside us. In other words, we are being told that no power and no time and nothing that has ever been created can top who is on our side...our hope and our strength for the day. "He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together." What a line! To which we are drawn to say, "Thanks be to God." No matter what force or power that tries to tie us up or tie us down, we are to be reminded of this odd and yet dynamic reference to the Christ of God...the invisible made visible for us. I would think that these are the strange kind of images that help to build the Spirit of resistance among faithful people during times of overwhelming persecution, oppression, and the need to defy the powers that make such situations like this. "Take my house, my kids, my spouse...Oh yeh...well, I'm still going to defy you...because you are not the last word...or the first word...or able to be born again out of death...or...or...or...!
Connection: Some days can feel and look a bit overwhelming. We are told that in the middle of such reality, there is also this stunning reality of God's presence with and for us.
Come, Lord of the Day, and help us through all that will arrive in front of us. We may not be sure of what to do or if we are able to do anything - and yet, by your gracious presence, we are given strength to carry on. Praise be you! Amen.
He (Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers - all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him god was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. (1:15-20)
Right before this passage, it says that 'we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins' in Christ. Now we have this long piece about who this Christ is. Being the "image of the invisible God" says enough for me...but it goes on. After rereading this several times I started to laugh because it is quite like two little kids bragging about one of their parents. "Oh yeh...well my dad can..." "Oh yeh...well my mom can...." This is all about who is for us and with and and alongside us. In other words, we are being told that no power and no time and nothing that has ever been created can top who is on our side...our hope and our strength for the day. "He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together." What a line! To which we are drawn to say, "Thanks be to God." No matter what force or power that tries to tie us up or tie us down, we are to be reminded of this odd and yet dynamic reference to the Christ of God...the invisible made visible for us. I would think that these are the strange kind of images that help to build the Spirit of resistance among faithful people during times of overwhelming persecution, oppression, and the need to defy the powers that make such situations like this. "Take my house, my kids, my spouse...Oh yeh...well, I'm still going to defy you...because you are not the last word...or the first word...or able to be born again out of death...or...or...or...!
Connection: Some days can feel and look a bit overwhelming. We are told that in the middle of such reality, there is also this stunning reality of God's presence with and for us.
Come, Lord of the Day, and help us through all that will arrive in front of us. We may not be sure of what to do or if we are able to do anything - and yet, by your gracious presence, we are given strength to carry on. Praise be you! Amen.
10b January 2007
We continue with the first chapter of Colossians after hearing a great word of thanks for who the people have been as they live in the community of faith.
FYI - once again, this post has had trouble getting out to you today - hopefully this arrives.
For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (1:9-14)
As they continue to live in hope - which is a grand and miraculous way to embrace the day - Paul says he is continuing to pray for this community faith. It is important to remember that this life of hope and faith that takes on the face of love is not a momentary event. It is the life given to us. The most appropriate way to remain in that life is to have others who hold us up in prayer. The prayer is that this life will be deepened and consistent. It is not easy to remain as people of hope in a world that tries to frighten us into ways of of living without hope - ways that cling to power, deception, war, and status. When that creeps into our life together, the face of our God among us becomes darkened. This prayer is really one for all of us. It is filled with vision. It is a reminder of the one who has already defeated the powers that try to undo us and trick us into forgetting how beloved we are and what that love can and does do to real people in real communities. So often these kinds of passages make it seem as though the followers of Jesus are a bunch of "holy-rollers" who do nothing but pray. Well - we do pray...and we do pray for one another...but we do not need to do it in such a way that we lose our sense of being quite real and down to earth. I say that because the love and hope of the Colossians is noted because it is so real...so life giving...that it really does make life something new. So often, simple forgiveness is the active way we take part in the blessed community life. Connection: When we see those who appear to live in the midst of a love for others that demonstrates a vision of hopefulness, we would do well to pray that those folks grow in their faithfulness. It has an impact on all of us and we need to live with and alongside such people.
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom and Loving Kindness, come, and lead us again into all the routines and patterns of this day so that we will see all things new. Your newness is the hope of our day. Amen.
FYI - once again, this post has had trouble getting out to you today - hopefully this arrives.
For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (1:9-14)
As they continue to live in hope - which is a grand and miraculous way to embrace the day - Paul says he is continuing to pray for this community faith. It is important to remember that this life of hope and faith that takes on the face of love is not a momentary event. It is the life given to us. The most appropriate way to remain in that life is to have others who hold us up in prayer. The prayer is that this life will be deepened and consistent. It is not easy to remain as people of hope in a world that tries to frighten us into ways of of living without hope - ways that cling to power, deception, war, and status. When that creeps into our life together, the face of our God among us becomes darkened. This prayer is really one for all of us. It is filled with vision. It is a reminder of the one who has already defeated the powers that try to undo us and trick us into forgetting how beloved we are and what that love can and does do to real people in real communities. So often these kinds of passages make it seem as though the followers of Jesus are a bunch of "holy-rollers" who do nothing but pray. Well - we do pray...and we do pray for one another...but we do not need to do it in such a way that we lose our sense of being quite real and down to earth. I say that because the love and hope of the Colossians is noted because it is so real...so life giving...that it really does make life something new. So often, simple forgiveness is the active way we take part in the blessed community life. Connection: When we see those who appear to live in the midst of a love for others that demonstrates a vision of hopefulness, we would do well to pray that those folks grow in their faithfulness. It has an impact on all of us and we need to live with and alongside such people.
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom and Loving Kindness, come, and lead us again into all the routines and patterns of this day so that we will see all things new. Your newness is the hope of our day. Amen.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
9b January 2007
Today the text from yesterday is being repeated because - as is often the case - there is more than enough material on which to reflect.
FYI: out of much frustration, this has been sent several times today without making through. Please be patient with us as we find out why this posting did not go out again.
In our prayer for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on you behalf, and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:3-8)
That word of hope...or should I continue saying that life of hope...is the story of God made flesh. It is the visibility of God in the form of humankind so that humanity would be able to see a picture of hope alive...hope full of hope. We go back to the story of Jesus to glimpse this faithful hopefulness that is often seen as this enduring love that goes all the way with us. We have all heard this word of truth and we say that we have seen it in the middle of the storytelling of the Christ...but also in glimpses of that hopefulness in the life of the saints who are the body of Christ living according to a love that can only spring from the faith that has been given to us by the Spirit of God. The gospel has come to us and we say that as part of the way the Spirit now nudges us to follow in the way of this good news for all. As that word of truth comes alive among us, the embodiment of God's love is not merely a theoretical concept. It is a love given to and for all. That broad stroke of love is not based on a reward...it is based on a truth that is already ours. Therefore, when we love, it is without condition and it is available to all. Love like this demands nothing at all. It is a gift that - like the love of Christ - is the power for life beyond our own power. Odd, isn't it, that so many people demand conditions of life before this love is given out?!? Connection: When conditions come before love is extended to others, what good is the love? When love is extended outside of our conditional world - it is strange...odd...and the power to transform everyone. Today is an opportunity to live outside of our world and yet begin to be a part of the transformation of all things.
Come, Lord of Life, come and take us by the hand so that our love will bring life to a world afraid to trust what it cannot yet see. Amen.
FYI: out of much frustration, this has been sent several times today without making through. Please be patient with us as we find out why this posting did not go out again.
In our prayer for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on you behalf, and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:3-8)
That word of hope...or should I continue saying that life of hope...is the story of God made flesh. It is the visibility of God in the form of humankind so that humanity would be able to see a picture of hope alive...hope full of hope. We go back to the story of Jesus to glimpse this faithful hopefulness that is often seen as this enduring love that goes all the way with us. We have all heard this word of truth and we say that we have seen it in the middle of the storytelling of the Christ...but also in glimpses of that hopefulness in the life of the saints who are the body of Christ living according to a love that can only spring from the faith that has been given to us by the Spirit of God. The gospel has come to us and we say that as part of the way the Spirit now nudges us to follow in the way of this good news for all. As that word of truth comes alive among us, the embodiment of God's love is not merely a theoretical concept. It is a love given to and for all. That broad stroke of love is not based on a reward...it is based on a truth that is already ours. Therefore, when we love, it is without condition and it is available to all. Love like this demands nothing at all. It is a gift that - like the love of Christ - is the power for life beyond our own power. Odd, isn't it, that so many people demand conditions of life before this love is given out?!? Connection: When conditions come before love is extended to others, what good is the love? When love is extended outside of our conditional world - it is strange...odd...and the power to transform everyone. Today is an opportunity to live outside of our world and yet begin to be a part of the transformation of all things.
Come, Lord of Life, come and take us by the hand so that our love will bring life to a world afraid to trust what it cannot yet see. Amen.
Monday, January 8, 2007
10 January 2007
We continue with the first chapter of Colossians after hearing a great word of thanks for who the people have been as they live in the community of faith.
For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (1:9-14)
As they continue to live in hope - which is a grand and miraculous way to embrace the day - Paul says he is continuing to pray for this community faith. It is important to remember that this life of hope and faith that takes on the face of love is not a momentary event. It is the life given to us. The most appropriate way to remain in that life is to have others who hold us up in prayer. The prayer is that this life will be deepened and consistent. It is not easy to remain as people of hope in a world that tries to frighten us into ways of of living without hope - ways that cling to power, deception, war, and status. When that creeps into our life together, the face of our God among us becomes darkened. This prayer is really one for all of us. It is filled with vision. It is a reminder of the one who has already defeated the powers that try to undo us and trick us into forgetting how beloved we are and what that love can and does do to real people in real communities. So often these kinds of passages make it seem as though the followers of Jesus are a bunch of "holy-rollers" who do nothing but pray. Well - we do pray...and we do pray for one another...but we do not need to do it in such a way that we lose our sense of being quite real and down to earth. I say that because the love and hope of the Colossians is noted because it is so real...so life giving...that it really does make life something new. So often, simple forgiveness is the active way we take part in the blessed community life.
Connection: When we see those who appear to live in the midst of a love for others that demonstrates a vision of hopefulness, we would do well to pray that those folks grow in their faithfulness. It has an impact on all of us and we need to live with and alongside such people.
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom and Loving Kindness, come, and lead us again into all the routines and patterns of this day so that we will see all things new. Your newness is the hope of our day. Amen.
For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (1:9-14)
As they continue to live in hope - which is a grand and miraculous way to embrace the day - Paul says he is continuing to pray for this community faith. It is important to remember that this life of hope and faith that takes on the face of love is not a momentary event. It is the life given to us. The most appropriate way to remain in that life is to have others who hold us up in prayer. The prayer is that this life will be deepened and consistent. It is not easy to remain as people of hope in a world that tries to frighten us into ways of of living without hope - ways that cling to power, deception, war, and status. When that creeps into our life together, the face of our God among us becomes darkened. This prayer is really one for all of us. It is filled with vision. It is a reminder of the one who has already defeated the powers that try to undo us and trick us into forgetting how beloved we are and what that love can and does do to real people in real communities. So often these kinds of passages make it seem as though the followers of Jesus are a bunch of "holy-rollers" who do nothing but pray. Well - we do pray...and we do pray for one another...but we do not need to do it in such a way that we lose our sense of being quite real and down to earth. I say that because the love and hope of the Colossians is noted because it is so real...so life giving...that it really does make life something new. So often, simple forgiveness is the active way we take part in the blessed community life.
Connection: When we see those who appear to live in the midst of a love for others that demonstrates a vision of hopefulness, we would do well to pray that those folks grow in their faithfulness. It has an impact on all of us and we need to live with and alongside such people.
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom and Loving Kindness, come, and lead us again into all the routines and patterns of this day so that we will see all things new. Your newness is the hope of our day. Amen.
Friday, January 5, 2007
9 January 2007
Today the text from yesterday is being repeated because - as is often the case - there is more than enough material on which to reflect.
In our prayer for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on you behalf, and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:3-8)
That word of hope...or should I continue saying that life of hope...is the story of God made flesh. It is the visibility of God in the form of humankind so that humanity would be able to see a picture of hope alive...hope full of hope. We go back to the story of Jesus to glimpse this faithful hopefulness that is often seen as this enduring love that goes all the way with us. We have all heard this word of truth and we say that we have seen it in the middle of the storytelling of the Christ...but also in glimpses of that hopefulness in the life of the saints who are the body of Christ living according to a love that can only spring from the faith that has been given to us by the Spirit of God. The gospel has come to us and we say that as part of the way the Spirit now nudges us to follow in the way of this good news for all. As that word of truth comes alive among us, the embodiment of God's love is not merely a theoretical concept. It is a love given to and for all. That broad stroke of love is not based on a reward...it is based on a truth that is already ours. Therefore, when we love, it is without condition and it is available to all. Love like this demands nothing at all. It is a gift that - like the love of Christ - is the power for life beyond our own power. Odd, isn't it, that so many people demand conditions of life before this love is given out?!?
Connection: When conditions come before love is extended to others, what good is the love? When love is extended outside of our conditional world - it is strange...odd...and the power to transform everyone. Today is an opportunity to live outside of our world and yet begin to be a part of the transformation of all things.
Come, Lord of Life, come and take us by the hand so that our love will bring life to a world afraid to trust what it cannot yet see. Amen.
In our prayer for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on you behalf, and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:3-8)
That word of hope...or should I continue saying that life of hope...is the story of God made flesh. It is the visibility of God in the form of humankind so that humanity would be able to see a picture of hope alive...hope full of hope. We go back to the story of Jesus to glimpse this faithful hopefulness that is often seen as this enduring love that goes all the way with us. We have all heard this word of truth and we say that we have seen it in the middle of the storytelling of the Christ...but also in glimpses of that hopefulness in the life of the saints who are the body of Christ living according to a love that can only spring from the faith that has been given to us by the Spirit of God. The gospel has come to us and we say that as part of the way the Spirit now nudges us to follow in the way of this good news for all. As that word of truth comes alive among us, the embodiment of God's love is not merely a theoretical concept. It is a love given to and for all. That broad stroke of love is not based on a reward...it is based on a truth that is already ours. Therefore, when we love, it is without condition and it is available to all. Love like this demands nothing at all. It is a gift that - like the love of Christ - is the power for life beyond our own power. Odd, isn't it, that so many people demand conditions of life before this love is given out?!?
Connection: When conditions come before love is extended to others, what good is the love? When love is extended outside of our conditional world - it is strange...odd...and the power to transform everyone. Today is an opportunity to live outside of our world and yet begin to be a part of the transformation of all things.
Come, Lord of Life, come and take us by the hand so that our love will bring life to a world afraid to trust what it cannot yet see. Amen.
8 January 2007
The upcoming series will be new for 2007 and it is based on the Letter to the Colossians.
In our prayer for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on you behalf, and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:3-8)
We must be able to see that the life of the faithful community is about life. It is not a mere intellectual agreement with a bunch of propositions about God. It is meant to be about life. I was not going to start with this section of Colossians but when I re-read the piece it was so life-filled, I had to do it. When I say life filled I want to pull us all from the word faith through the word love and into the word hope. I want to do that by saying that these must be seen as a part of the reality of the life of the community. These folk are considered to be people of faith because there is a life among them that demonstrates a foundation that is made flesh through the love that they have among them. Their love for one another - something that must have also been demonstrated by this guy Epaphras - points to something more than the usual kind of love that is seen in the world. This loving life points to their trust in the one who they were told - is on their side in all things...all things! The emphasis can be added here because the faith is in what is promised - what stands in front of us...pulling us...assuring us...bringing peace because of what will be. Hope pulls a community through the fumblings and stumblings of any community and does not let anyone stay stuck in the quagmire of despair over what can be seen. This love happens because of a faith in what is outside of our reality and our greatest expectation - hope. When a community is a witness to such a reality - a life - it is noticed and it becomes a witness that is greater than any words...and even becomes the living translation of such words of faith.
Connection: The mire of today can become thick and unforgiving. And yet, we are invited to lift up our eyes to that which is a part of our lives - no matter what...God's eternal "yes" for us...a "yes" in the face of every "no" that may try to tackle us.
By your love, O God, we find space to experience the fullness of life that is available to us and thus becomes available to others. We give you thanks for what you make of us. Amen.
In our prayer for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on you behalf, and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:3-8)
We must be able to see that the life of the faithful community is about life. It is not a mere intellectual agreement with a bunch of propositions about God. It is meant to be about life. I was not going to start with this section of Colossians but when I re-read the piece it was so life-filled, I had to do it. When I say life filled I want to pull us all from the word faith through the word love and into the word hope. I want to do that by saying that these must be seen as a part of the reality of the life of the community. These folk are considered to be people of faith because there is a life among them that demonstrates a foundation that is made flesh through the love that they have among them. Their love for one another - something that must have also been demonstrated by this guy Epaphras - points to something more than the usual kind of love that is seen in the world. This loving life points to their trust in the one who they were told - is on their side in all things...all things! The emphasis can be added here because the faith is in what is promised - what stands in front of us...pulling us...assuring us...bringing peace because of what will be. Hope pulls a community through the fumblings and stumblings of any community and does not let anyone stay stuck in the quagmire of despair over what can be seen. This love happens because of a faith in what is outside of our reality and our greatest expectation - hope. When a community is a witness to such a reality - a life - it is noticed and it becomes a witness that is greater than any words...and even becomes the living translation of such words of faith.
Connection: The mire of today can become thick and unforgiving. And yet, we are invited to lift up our eyes to that which is a part of our lives - no matter what...God's eternal "yes" for us...a "yes" in the face of every "no" that may try to tackle us.
By your love, O God, we find space to experience the fullness of life that is available to us and thus becomes available to others. We give you thanks for what you make of us. Amen.
Friday, 5 January, 2007
Text: James 3:1-5b
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they arfe so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of Great exploits.
The rudder, the bit for a horse can make great things happen - though they are very small instruments in the task they perform. In our daily lives, we can be people of hopefulness and joy. Unfortunately, though we have such potential given to us, we can with the mere "slip of the tongue" let loose of such potential for life. Therefore, if we are not "perfect" in our speech, it is best that we watch ourselves for with our tongues we stir up life...and that may not always be as creative and peaceful as we would hope. In many ways, we are all teachers. As parents, colleagues, members of a congregation, friends, we are gifts to one another and what we do and what we say often becomes a teaching moment. How important it is that we take a good look at the life to which we give a witness in our speaking. Wow. Just think about a blessing and a word of love. Those words - the use of our tongue to bring that message to another - can be life giving and empower those around us to trust our God. They can literally steer people onto the way of a blessed journey in their day. Then again - and we will see this more tomorrow - we can speak words that destroy and belittle life. What a powerful vehicle for good and bad.
Connection: Is it worth saying? Will it help reform and change and bring life? OR....will it simply cut down, betray, continue untruth, and break relationships? What will be the witness we present in our speaking as this day moves us closer to the end of day? How we speak in this day and what we say becomes a part of the vision of a peaceable Reign of God or part of another vision that may not bring peace at all. How will you speak!?
Precious Lord, you call forth from us the sounds and lives of your blessed Reign. May the sounds of our lips lift up the life that you so gracefully place in our hearts. Let you word be our word and by that call for joy within our world. Amen.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they arfe so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of Great exploits.
The rudder, the bit for a horse can make great things happen - though they are very small instruments in the task they perform. In our daily lives, we can be people of hopefulness and joy. Unfortunately, though we have such potential given to us, we can with the mere "slip of the tongue" let loose of such potential for life. Therefore, if we are not "perfect" in our speech, it is best that we watch ourselves for with our tongues we stir up life...and that may not always be as creative and peaceful as we would hope. In many ways, we are all teachers. As parents, colleagues, members of a congregation, friends, we are gifts to one another and what we do and what we say often becomes a teaching moment. How important it is that we take a good look at the life to which we give a witness in our speaking. Wow. Just think about a blessing and a word of love. Those words - the use of our tongue to bring that message to another - can be life giving and empower those around us to trust our God. They can literally steer people onto the way of a blessed journey in their day. Then again - and we will see this more tomorrow - we can speak words that destroy and belittle life. What a powerful vehicle for good and bad.
Connection: Is it worth saying? Will it help reform and change and bring life? OR....will it simply cut down, betray, continue untruth, and break relationships? What will be the witness we present in our speaking as this day moves us closer to the end of day? How we speak in this day and what we say becomes a part of the vision of a peaceable Reign of God or part of another vision that may not bring peace at all. How will you speak!?
Precious Lord, you call forth from us the sounds and lives of your blessed Reign. May the sounds of our lips lift up the life that you so gracefully place in our hearts. Let you word be our word and by that call for joy within our world. Amen.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Thursday, 4 January, 2007
Text: James 18:18-20
But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. EVen the demons believe - and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is barren?
But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. EVen the demons believe - and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is barren?
Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his work, and faith was brought to completion by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Likewise, was no Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.
Think faith-life. Ours is not an intellectual faith. Ours is not an emotional faith. We believe that Jesus brings life! Do not be afraid to call forth in your prayers...life. Each of us is empowered by the Holy Spirit to make the liberating Good News into the living word that becomes a witness to the world through our living. The expression of the that faith-life will be as diverse as there are people who are inspired to live within the domain of God's Reign. The particular expression is not at issue here. What is at issue is that we come away from the Word and the Faith we say we profess and we express it...in life. To simply say I have faith and it is a private affair that doesn't have an impact on the world is to be left with a shallow gift. The Good News is an invitation to open up the gift fully and see how it fits in, with, and under our lives. Does this mean we have to make a big "to do" list? Not at all. That's one of the problems we come to in a discussion of faith and works. Right away we can become sucked into the notion that "works" are being demanding as though we must be stacking them up like "acheivement medals." LIfe-faith acts. I earn nothing by living out my faith. Faith is for life. It is the gift I am offered by God...and it changes everything about my life.
Connection: Stay close to the Word of God. "Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for you, and is risen from the dead..." A simple Word for the beginning of each moment. We are given the day as a time to live freely as God's beloved. Imagine what this day would be like as we take on this faith-life as we move through the events that will make up our lives in the next hours.
O God of endless promise and love, bless our day with your never-failing grace so we may be so filled by your presence among us that your love will spill over from us - your vessels of love in this day. Amen.
Think faith-life. Ours is not an intellectual faith. Ours is not an emotional faith. We believe that Jesus brings life! Do not be afraid to call forth in your prayers...life. Each of us is empowered by the Holy Spirit to make the liberating Good News into the living word that becomes a witness to the world through our living. The expression of the that faith-life will be as diverse as there are people who are inspired to live within the domain of God's Reign. The particular expression is not at issue here. What is at issue is that we come away from the Word and the Faith we say we profess and we express it...in life. To simply say I have faith and it is a private affair that doesn't have an impact on the world is to be left with a shallow gift. The Good News is an invitation to open up the gift fully and see how it fits in, with, and under our lives. Does this mean we have to make a big "to do" list? Not at all. That's one of the problems we come to in a discussion of faith and works. Right away we can become sucked into the notion that "works" are being demanding as though we must be stacking them up like "acheivement medals." LIfe-faith acts. I earn nothing by living out my faith. Faith is for life. It is the gift I am offered by God...and it changes everything about my life.
Connection: Stay close to the Word of God. "Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for you, and is risen from the dead..." A simple Word for the beginning of each moment. We are given the day as a time to live freely as God's beloved. Imagine what this day would be like as we take on this faith-life as we move through the events that will make up our lives in the next hours.
O God of endless promise and love, bless our day with your never-failing grace so we may be so filled by your presence among us that your love will spill over from us - your vessels of love in this day. Amen.
Wednesday, 3 January, 2007
Text: James 2:14-17
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
One commentator makes a good remark about the first statement of this text. It does not say if a brother or sister has faith. Rather, it says if a brother or sister says s/he has faith. What a wonderful distinction! For if we have faith, from my perspective, there is life. That is important to remember. We can argue and talk and debate about faith and works and keep the fire burning on that topic - just like the chicken and the egg debate. It does us no good. Faith is life. It is not abstract. It is not a "yes" answer to a question like, "Do you have faith in Jesus?" Faith is life. Life reflects that in which we placed our trust...our faith. Does that mean our lives must have a certain look to them - in general yes....loving! But after that, we become the interpreters of that love within our own lives. Faith does not place within our hearts a sense of guilt over what we do not do. Faith, trusting Jesus, places within our hearts the longing for love in life that brings into our living just such love - action - works...you name it as you want to name it. If we merely are going to talk about faith...I would guess that we merely will talk about acts of love - works. At the same time, communal talk about faith and loving life is vital to all of our lives. We need each other to keep embers of faithfulness burning within our hearts and warming up our acts of loving kindness in life.
Connection: Be alive within the love of God for us - have faith. There's no way to "test" whether we have faith. We can simply pray that the Holy Spirit inspire our trust and shape our lives that stand upon the one we trust, our God in Christ Jesus. When we remember the one who brings us life - all of life - in that remembering, we will bring to life...service, mercy, love, justice...we will!
Abiding Lord your presence at our side is enough to call us into lives of hopefulness. When the day grows heavy and we are overwhelmed by the load we carry, remind us of your promise to be with us and to walk alongside so that we may, like you, walk with those around us - for we know what it is to be burdened...and we know by your presence what it is to have another with us along the way. Amen
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
One commentator makes a good remark about the first statement of this text. It does not say if a brother or sister has faith. Rather, it says if a brother or sister says s/he has faith. What a wonderful distinction! For if we have faith, from my perspective, there is life. That is important to remember. We can argue and talk and debate about faith and works and keep the fire burning on that topic - just like the chicken and the egg debate. It does us no good. Faith is life. It is not abstract. It is not a "yes" answer to a question like, "Do you have faith in Jesus?" Faith is life. Life reflects that in which we placed our trust...our faith. Does that mean our lives must have a certain look to them - in general yes....loving! But after that, we become the interpreters of that love within our own lives. Faith does not place within our hearts a sense of guilt over what we do not do. Faith, trusting Jesus, places within our hearts the longing for love in life that brings into our living just such love - action - works...you name it as you want to name it. If we merely are going to talk about faith...I would guess that we merely will talk about acts of love - works. At the same time, communal talk about faith and loving life is vital to all of our lives. We need each other to keep embers of faithfulness burning within our hearts and warming up our acts of loving kindness in life.
Connection: Be alive within the love of God for us - have faith. There's no way to "test" whether we have faith. We can simply pray that the Holy Spirit inspire our trust and shape our lives that stand upon the one we trust, our God in Christ Jesus. When we remember the one who brings us life - all of life - in that remembering, we will bring to life...service, mercy, love, justice...we will!
Abiding Lord your presence at our side is enough to call us into lives of hopefulness. When the day grows heavy and we are overwhelmed by the load we carry, remind us of your promise to be with us and to walk alongside so that we may, like you, walk with those around us - for we know what it is to be burdened...and we know by your presence what it is to have another with us along the way. Amen
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Tuesday, 2 January, 2007
This week's devotions will be from the devotion archives. New devotions will begin again next Monday.
Text: James 2: 8-13
You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law of transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fail in one point has become accountable for all of it. For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy, mercy triumphs over judgement.
The ending of these verses brought me to a favorite quote I have in the front of my day planner. I don't remember who said it but it goes like this: " If at the Last Judgment the crucified One himself is the judge, the justice that will prevail is her merciful and justifying righteousness and none other." We are called to follow that Lord - merciful and loving all the days of our lives. In many ways, the way we show love to our neighbors will be in the way we are able to show mercy. For anything short of mercy will move us into the games of the law in which there is no escape for we will always be able to find others and ourselves falling short of the fulfillment of the whole law. We count on the grace of God to hold us up each day - it is the least we can extend to others that they may also be held up.
Connection: Try mercy - experience love.
Forgiving Lord of life, we give you thanks that your love for us means that we are mercifully welcome into your presence in all the days of our lives. When we act, remind us of your love so that we may live as sons and daughters of mercy. Amen
Text: James 2: 8-13
You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law of transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fail in one point has become accountable for all of it. For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy, mercy triumphs over judgement.
The ending of these verses brought me to a favorite quote I have in the front of my day planner. I don't remember who said it but it goes like this: " If at the Last Judgment the crucified One himself is the judge, the justice that will prevail is her merciful and justifying righteousness and none other." We are called to follow that Lord - merciful and loving all the days of our lives. In many ways, the way we show love to our neighbors will be in the way we are able to show mercy. For anything short of mercy will move us into the games of the law in which there is no escape for we will always be able to find others and ourselves falling short of the fulfillment of the whole law. We count on the grace of God to hold us up each day - it is the least we can extend to others that they may also be held up.
Connection: Try mercy - experience love.
Forgiving Lord of life, we give you thanks that your love for us means that we are mercifully welcome into your presence in all the days of our lives. When we act, remind us of your love so that we may live as sons and daughters of mercy. Amen
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