God as Light
God as light shines out into that which is not yet - that which is coming at us
- that into which we are approaching in many and various ways. I remember driving
from Detroit to Cleveland in a fog that was so dense I could not see. I did not
even want to pull off the freeway because I was sure I would be hit by an oncoming
car. Then, within the dense fog there were taillights - a truck. It wasn't much
of a light but I kept my eyes on those red dots and kept moving forward. It was
probably the dumbest thing I have ever done in a car - but I didn't know how to
face the dense fog without this bit of help even as I was 'flying' through the fog.
I suppose this is how those mass car wrecks happen.
Sometimes, I find that God pulls me out into and through darkness - like those small
lights on that truck. I'm ready to ditch and pull off the road - but I am draw to
continue. God as light leading the way may bring some comfort but it is also risky
to go out beyond our sight. The light of God's Reign may be just enough to pull
us out of ourselves and move along the way of the Christ of God - but it is simultaneously
a journey that keeps us on the edge of our seats for we cannot be sure what is next
- just that light.
Eventually, the truck pulled off and up an exit ramp - I followed - there was coffee
and community of stuck people who ended up waiting for more light. I keep thinking
that I could have been killed out there. Yes, there is that part of moving out into
the dark - it may be the end of all things - or the beginning of something we cannot
see - yet.
O God of love and new life, lead on for we know not how to move through the darkness
alone. Amen.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 30, 2013
God as Light
God as Light is the beginning of the healing of all things. For in that light nothing
is hidden - no longer can some people be put away or hidden - no longer is injustice
able to play its games - no longer can the Lord's of death claim to be the truth.
In other words, when there is this light of God shining among us, all the cards
are on the table and nothing is 'up my sleeve' waiting to trump or overpower another.
When we are willing to live as people whose lives are so available, there is always
the potential for greater illumination. I think that means there will be more and
more truthfulness.
We all know that more and more truthfulness is not always pleasant. It is vital
for our life within God's peaceable Reign, but it is not always a pleasant experience.
So - I suppose - God as light enables us to see the wounds we all carry. Most often
those wounds are hidden - we don't let them out to anyone. And yet, God as Light
opens up those wounds for healing and not for the sake of taking advantage of the
wounded. Truthfulness call for us to understand that the light must be used as a
healing balm - lest some be blinded by the light. As someone who suffers from a
type of seizure disorder, some kinds of light can trigger hell for me. Other light
allows me to 'come to life' in a way that is safe. Truthfulness can be accomplished
with light that brings about healing - maybe soft light - maybe very bright light
- but always light that enables new life to grow.
O God of love and new life, be for us the light of this day that will bring healing
and renewal and truth. Amen.
God as Light is the beginning of the healing of all things. For in that light nothing
is hidden - no longer can some people be put away or hidden - no longer is injustice
able to play its games - no longer can the Lord's of death claim to be the truth.
In other words, when there is this light of God shining among us, all the cards
are on the table and nothing is 'up my sleeve' waiting to trump or overpower another.
When we are willing to live as people whose lives are so available, there is always
the potential for greater illumination. I think that means there will be more and
more truthfulness.
We all know that more and more truthfulness is not always pleasant. It is vital
for our life within God's peaceable Reign, but it is not always a pleasant experience.
So - I suppose - God as light enables us to see the wounds we all carry. Most often
those wounds are hidden - we don't let them out to anyone. And yet, God as Light
opens up those wounds for healing and not for the sake of taking advantage of the
wounded. Truthfulness call for us to understand that the light must be used as a
healing balm - lest some be blinded by the light. As someone who suffers from a
type of seizure disorder, some kinds of light can trigger hell for me. Other light
allows me to 'come to life' in a way that is safe. Truthfulness can be accomplished
with light that brings about healing - maybe soft light - maybe very bright light
- but always light that enables new life to grow.
O God of love and new life, be for us the light of this day that will bring healing
and renewal and truth. Amen.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 29, 2013
God as Light
Moving from here to there yesterday I realized that light and darkness are not opposites.
Rather, they are always in close relationship. Within the dark days of our lives
- in those moments when we feel as though we are not able to see anything more
in life - God as Light allows us to see what is there in the darkness. It is not
as though light creates something new. It is more like light allows us to see what
is not able to be seen - yet. There is the darkness is the beginning of that for
which we hope. That is the stuff we cannot see and yet it is there. The light helps
us see some of the shape of what we cannot yet see. God as light is like hope. Yes,
there is not much vision or perception now - but there will always be some light.
When light shines, darkness is seen anew. Shine the light under the bed and we find
out that there are things under the bed and none of them are the monsters we once
thought were there waiting for our feet to touch the floor. In fact, beneath the
bed - in that darkness is - that one lost sock that now gives us a new pair to
wear - that missing piece of the puzzle we almost threw away.
Sometimes in the darkness of our lives we stumble across treasures that make us
a bolder and stronger people. Light enables us to lift them out and pull them up
to light so that we can share with others the reality that is not yet seen by the
world. It is in that sharing of darkness with light that we all begin to enter into
more and more truthfulness.
O God of love and new life, as we walk in times of darkness and experience life
that is often ignored, we pray that your Spirit will bring light that opens up the
darkness and opens up lives that are not yet fully available. Amen.
Moving from here to there yesterday I realized that light and darkness are not opposites.
Rather, they are always in close relationship. Within the dark days of our lives
- in those moments when we feel as though we are not able to see anything more
in life - God as Light allows us to see what is there in the darkness. It is not
as though light creates something new. It is more like light allows us to see what
is not able to be seen - yet. There is the darkness is the beginning of that for
which we hope. That is the stuff we cannot see and yet it is there. The light helps
us see some of the shape of what we cannot yet see. God as light is like hope. Yes,
there is not much vision or perception now - but there will always be some light.
When light shines, darkness is seen anew. Shine the light under the bed and we find
out that there are things under the bed and none of them are the monsters we once
thought were there waiting for our feet to touch the floor. In fact, beneath the
bed - in that darkness is - that one lost sock that now gives us a new pair to
wear - that missing piece of the puzzle we almost threw away.
Sometimes in the darkness of our lives we stumble across treasures that make us
a bolder and stronger people. Light enables us to lift them out and pull them up
to light so that we can share with others the reality that is not yet seen by the
world. It is in that sharing of darkness with light that we all begin to enter into
more and more truthfulness.
O God of love and new life, as we walk in times of darkness and experience life
that is often ignored, we pray that your Spirit will bring light that opens up the
darkness and opens up lives that are not yet fully available. Amen.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 28, 2013
Nothing like waking up and having to deal with unknown water running through the
house - thus the delay. Today I want to move to God as Light.
There are many images in Scripture that take note of the power of light - the mere
presence of light. When the God of Love and Justice Rolling and All Power finds
expression within the world, there is light. It is the story telling of the people
of Israel who were to be a light to the nations. That is, their life together -
their life as the living expression of the image of God - would be a light providing
direction, guidance, example, and witness. God as Light is the wholeness of God's
presence that can take the brutality of the world and show God's beloved community
another way to go. Usually we say it is light in the midst of darkness. It does
not take much light to turn a room trapped in darkness one in which we begin to
see what is all around us. Light uncovers what is taking place around us - both
the evil and the good. The light comes in many ways. Sometimes it is the question
that is asked that exposes a lie. Sometimes it is truthfulness that is put up alongside
what is and therefore, gives us a bit of a fix on whether we live within truth or
non-truth. Sometimes it is the acts of mercy and forgiveness that reveals our God
in the middle of a dis-ease and vengeance filled world.
O God of love and new life, be the light that guides us this day. Amen.
house - thus the delay. Today I want to move to God as Light.
There are many images in Scripture that take note of the power of light - the mere
presence of light. When the God of Love and Justice Rolling and All Power finds
expression within the world, there is light. It is the story telling of the people
of Israel who were to be a light to the nations. That is, their life together -
their life as the living expression of the image of God - would be a light providing
direction, guidance, example, and witness. God as Light is the wholeness of God's
presence that can take the brutality of the world and show God's beloved community
another way to go. Usually we say it is light in the midst of darkness. It does
not take much light to turn a room trapped in darkness one in which we begin to
see what is all around us. Light uncovers what is taking place around us - both
the evil and the good. The light comes in many ways. Sometimes it is the question
that is asked that exposes a lie. Sometimes it is truthfulness that is put up alongside
what is and therefore, gives us a bit of a fix on whether we live within truth or
non-truth. Sometimes it is the acts of mercy and forgiveness that reveals our God
in the middle of a dis-ease and vengeance filled world.
O God of love and new life, be the light that guides us this day. Amen.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 25, 2013
As this is the week we remember the life of the follower of Jesus who is known to
us as Martin Luther King, Jr., I have been thinking about God as justice rolling.
Is there room within a creation that is shaped by God as justice for me to sit back
and go along for the ride? When the Spirit of God pulls at us to move us into the
fullness of our humanity, is it possible to stay put - to be only as I want to be
and do only what I want to do?
Not if the fullness of that humanity is the image of our God. This God of ours pulls
at us - endlessly. Pulling at us to come together with the rest of humanity as a
witness to a power that is greater than all other powers - love. The love of God
- the love that pulls at us - is eternally active - moving - seeking to bring to
an end the powers that work to divide and conquer. In the midst of that loving
power we become engaged with others - that's life caught up in the Spirit of God.
When we are engaged - when we enter into dialogue - when we step from our boxes
and face our neighbor (friend or enemy), I think there is that great 'now what?'
Now what do we do? Now who are we to be? Now what happens when gather together?
This is where God as Justice shapes us again. This is where we learn to seek the
welfare of the other and maintain our own voice in the middle of all the conversations.
This is where the infant Church needed to have people pulled by the Spirit of God
so that each turned-in-on-self would become an open life willing to step forward
as me-with-you and then we-with-them. The cost of that move can be great. It can
me death. It also always means life. No one can predict what will come from living
within the realm of God as Justice. It will be a ride - always a ride we have yet
to take. And yet, in the midst of the acts of justice among God's people there is
promise - there is hope - there is the amazing adventure for life.
O God of love and new life, it is too easy to stay shut up and armed against what
might be. And then there is our Lord, Jesus, the Christ, hanging on the cross -
arms wide open - eternally. Free us to open our lives as we follow this one we boldly
call Lord - the Lord of all - of all - of all. Amen.
us as Martin Luther King, Jr., I have been thinking about God as justice rolling.
Is there room within a creation that is shaped by God as justice for me to sit back
and go along for the ride? When the Spirit of God pulls at us to move us into the
fullness of our humanity, is it possible to stay put - to be only as I want to be
and do only what I want to do?
Not if the fullness of that humanity is the image of our God. This God of ours pulls
at us - endlessly. Pulling at us to come together with the rest of humanity as a
witness to a power that is greater than all other powers - love. The love of God
- the love that pulls at us - is eternally active - moving - seeking to bring to
an end the powers that work to divide and conquer. In the midst of that loving
power we become engaged with others - that's life caught up in the Spirit of God.
When we are engaged - when we enter into dialogue - when we step from our boxes
and face our neighbor (friend or enemy), I think there is that great 'now what?'
Now what do we do? Now who are we to be? Now what happens when gather together?
This is where God as Justice shapes us again. This is where we learn to seek the
welfare of the other and maintain our own voice in the middle of all the conversations.
This is where the infant Church needed to have people pulled by the Spirit of God
so that each turned-in-on-self would become an open life willing to step forward
as me-with-you and then we-with-them. The cost of that move can be great. It can
me death. It also always means life. No one can predict what will come from living
within the realm of God as Justice. It will be a ride - always a ride we have yet
to take. And yet, in the midst of the acts of justice among God's people there is
promise - there is hope - there is the amazing adventure for life.
O God of love and new life, it is too easy to stay shut up and armed against what
might be. And then there is our Lord, Jesus, the Christ, hanging on the cross -
arms wide open - eternally. Free us to open our lives as we follow this one we boldly
call Lord - the Lord of all - of all - of all. Amen.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 24, 2013
As this is the week we remember the life of the follower of Jesus who is known to
us as Martin Luther King, Jr., I have been thinking about God as justice rolling.
Seeing the wounds of our world is a blessing because we will never move out of our
own world if we do not see the need of others. The Spirit of our God move us toward
healing. When we do not or cannot or will not see the brokenness of our world -
a wounded world - will we ever reach out and become a part of the power that brings
forth healing? When I am caught up in my own world - my own condition - my own wealth
- my own troubles, my energy will be used up within a constant whirl of self-consumption.
I will not take time or have time for others. God as justice gives God's people
the eyes to see beyond ourselves. It is then that our God empowers us to step into
a world outside of our own making and wanting. That is what becomes justice - a
part of the essential character of our God and of all of us who claim to be in the
image of God.
When we are able to break free of lives that are self-consuming and self-focused
and self-indulgent, we do so under the power of God's Spirit. Our God is always
pulling us out from behind the walls we create to separate us from others - walls
that also limit who we see and who it is we will encounter. As God's Spirit tickles
us so that we lose focus on ourselves, we begin to see the whole world - maybe for
the first time - maybe in a way we do not want to see. And yet, the Spirit keeps
up the tickle - keeps on pulling us - keeps on inviting us to take the risk to
engage the wounds of the world and become like a healing balm.
O God of love and new life, roll us up within your never-failing love so that we
are free to see the world as it is and become a part of your healing presence for
all. Amen.
us as Martin Luther King, Jr., I have been thinking about God as justice rolling.
Seeing the wounds of our world is a blessing because we will never move out of our
own world if we do not see the need of others. The Spirit of our God move us toward
healing. When we do not or cannot or will not see the brokenness of our world -
a wounded world - will we ever reach out and become a part of the power that brings
forth healing? When I am caught up in my own world - my own condition - my own wealth
- my own troubles, my energy will be used up within a constant whirl of self-consumption.
I will not take time or have time for others. God as justice gives God's people
the eyes to see beyond ourselves. It is then that our God empowers us to step into
a world outside of our own making and wanting. That is what becomes justice - a
part of the essential character of our God and of all of us who claim to be in the
image of God.
When we are able to break free of lives that are self-consuming and self-focused
and self-indulgent, we do so under the power of God's Spirit. Our God is always
pulling us out from behind the walls we create to separate us from others - walls
that also limit who we see and who it is we will encounter. As God's Spirit tickles
us so that we lose focus on ourselves, we begin to see the whole world - maybe for
the first time - maybe in a way we do not want to see. And yet, the Spirit keeps
up the tickle - keeps on pulling us - keeps on inviting us to take the risk to
engage the wounds of the world and become like a healing balm.
O God of love and new life, roll us up within your never-failing love so that we
are free to see the world as it is and become a part of your healing presence for
all. Amen.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 23, 2013
As this is the week we remember the life of the follower of Jesus who is known to
us as Martin Luther King, Jr., I have been thinking about God as justice rolling.
Once we are aware of the need for taking on the journey of looking after the welfare
of all - justice - it is as though our eyes open and cannot completely shut any
more. Once we see the wounds within our society - once we see the brutality of injustice
- once we see the devastation of warfare - once we see the poor left out and the
rich often let off the hook, our eyes will not shut. Some may think that is a curse.
It is a blessing. It is a blessing because we are then able to step up and begin
to use our individual lives to be a part of the healing balm that is so greatly
needed in and through all the days of our lives.
When God's justice is rolling among us, we are turned to see the world not as we
want but how it is. There are systems - of which we are a part - that do not want
to consider the welfare of all. In fact, many of our systems that we hold so close
to us want to keep people divided and wounded and within the realm of what is -
never looking to what the Beloved Community may be like. We cannot be so foolish
to think that the way things happen are to be are the way things must be. No. Even
the most well-thought out, well-worded, well-intended rules and regulations and
articles of incorporation, eventually will fight against the rolling of justice
for all. The system - no matter what it may be - is always consumed by its own self-preservation.
Therefore, vision may be grand - but it is always less than the life that comes
within the domain of God's Reign. So, we must continue to question the best intentions
that are thrown out onto the floor. We must continue to see our part in all of those
best intentions that limit the well-being and power of others. We must continue
to repent - turn around - and start rolling along with God's ever-flowing Reign
of love that will keep pulling us together for the well-being of all God's beloved.
That is power - that is love - that is justice for all.
O God of love and new life, keep the big wheel of justice rolling among us. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
us as Martin Luther King, Jr., I have been thinking about God as justice rolling.
Once we are aware of the need for taking on the journey of looking after the welfare
of all - justice - it is as though our eyes open and cannot completely shut any
more. Once we see the wounds within our society - once we see the brutality of injustice
- once we see the devastation of warfare - once we see the poor left out and the
rich often let off the hook, our eyes will not shut. Some may think that is a curse.
It is a blessing. It is a blessing because we are then able to step up and begin
to use our individual lives to be a part of the healing balm that is so greatly
needed in and through all the days of our lives.
When God's justice is rolling among us, we are turned to see the world not as we
want but how it is. There are systems - of which we are a part - that do not want
to consider the welfare of all. In fact, many of our systems that we hold so close
to us want to keep people divided and wounded and within the realm of what is -
never looking to what the Beloved Community may be like. We cannot be so foolish
to think that the way things happen are to be are the way things must be. No. Even
the most well-thought out, well-worded, well-intended rules and regulations and
articles of incorporation, eventually will fight against the rolling of justice
for all. The system - no matter what it may be - is always consumed by its own self-preservation.
Therefore, vision may be grand - but it is always less than the life that comes
within the domain of God's Reign. So, we must continue to question the best intentions
that are thrown out onto the floor. We must continue to see our part in all of those
best intentions that limit the well-being and power of others. We must continue
to repent - turn around - and start rolling along with God's ever-flowing Reign
of love that will keep pulling us together for the well-being of all God's beloved.
That is power - that is love - that is justice for all.
O God of love and new life, keep the big wheel of justice rolling among us. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 21, 2013
As this is the week we remember the life of the follower of Jesus who is known to
us as Martin Luther King, Jr., I have been thinking about God as justice rolling.
When we are looking after the well-being of the other, we are looking to build them
up and honor them and hold them and - at time admonish them. That's right. Sometimes
we must say wait - not that. In that spirit, it is also part of the work of the
other to say the same to us. All of that is part of the work of justice within the
Beloved Community. There is to be no 'gotcha' in that admonition. There is no 'let's
get the bastards' in that admonition. There is no 'let's bring them down' in that
admonition. When there is such a motive, we have lost the wonder and beauty of the
power of God's love that seeks a just world and a healing of all things.
In some ways, this is why I know that I am not worthy to ever say that I am involved
in justice ministry. I too easily tear down rather than build up. I too easily forget
about the welfare of the other and seek the welfare of that which I condone and
want.
And yet, our God is the God of justice rolling right over us and carrying us along
for the ride. That is, God is always rolling into us with a love that will not let
us go and when that love will not let us go, Good God we must have that love with
us always. When that love is with us - always - we could say that God's power shapes
us - and when that power shapes us - we will be pulled to see the worth of those
we previously could only hate or ignore or avoid. So, even for me there is the
hope that the full image of God will be seen even within my life and you may be
the one that helps bring that out of me as I might do the same for you. I think
that is the rolling nature of God's justice.
O God of love and new life, keep rolling over us. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
us as Martin Luther King, Jr., I have been thinking about God as justice rolling.
When we are looking after the well-being of the other, we are looking to build them
up and honor them and hold them and - at time admonish them. That's right. Sometimes
we must say wait - not that. In that spirit, it is also part of the work of the
other to say the same to us. All of that is part of the work of justice within the
Beloved Community. There is to be no 'gotcha' in that admonition. There is no 'let's
get the bastards' in that admonition. There is no 'let's bring them down' in that
admonition. When there is such a motive, we have lost the wonder and beauty of the
power of God's love that seeks a just world and a healing of all things.
In some ways, this is why I know that I am not worthy to ever say that I am involved
in justice ministry. I too easily tear down rather than build up. I too easily forget
about the welfare of the other and seek the welfare of that which I condone and
want.
And yet, our God is the God of justice rolling right over us and carrying us along
for the ride. That is, God is always rolling into us with a love that will not let
us go and when that love will not let us go, Good God we must have that love with
us always. When that love is with us - always - we could say that God's power shapes
us - and when that power shapes us - we will be pulled to see the worth of those
we previously could only hate or ignore or avoid. So, even for me there is the
hope that the full image of God will be seen even within my life and you may be
the one that helps bring that out of me as I might do the same for you. I think
that is the rolling nature of God's justice.
O God of love and new life, keep rolling over us. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday, January 21, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 21, 2013
As this is the week we remember the life of the follower of Jesus who is known to
us as Martin Luther King, Jr., I have been thinking about God as justice rolling.
We are all created by this All Powerful God. It is in that image - an image of power
that we come into being. The power is the power of being. It is the power to be
me and for you to be you. It is the worth that helps us stand up each day and thrive.
Too often, power is seen as power over others. That is one way to look at power.
The power offered to us by the God of creation who is all powerful is the power
to have a place in life and the power to give a place to others. It is the power
I like to describe as the power to 'bow and bend' as is described in the Shaker
song 'Simple Gifts.' It is the power that does not damage the weak or frail. It
is the power that listens and learns and then - for the well being of the other
- will shelter and preserve the worth of the other. Some may call that action simple
servanthood. I call that power in the image of God. Such power is the beginning
of the march for justice. For within that power we each become aware of the needs
and condition of the other. That other may be our friend and that other may be our
enemy. We become aware of their needs and condition and we become a part of the
power that will seek the welfare of all. Power will be exercised as power on behalf
of the other - power to stand with - power to speak up for the other - power to
step in and take on a life that will not allow for the wounding of the other. That
- is power I can only imagine. That - is power I long to share with others. I think
that is the power of what King would call the Beloved Community and we have come
to call the Reign of God - alive.
O God of love and new life, let your love inform our living and let your power teach
us the way to heal and bring all people together as one. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
us as Martin Luther King, Jr., I have been thinking about God as justice rolling.
We are all created by this All Powerful God. It is in that image - an image of power
that we come into being. The power is the power of being. It is the power to be
me and for you to be you. It is the worth that helps us stand up each day and thrive.
Too often, power is seen as power over others. That is one way to look at power.
The power offered to us by the God of creation who is all powerful is the power
to have a place in life and the power to give a place to others. It is the power
I like to describe as the power to 'bow and bend' as is described in the Shaker
song 'Simple Gifts.' It is the power that does not damage the weak or frail. It
is the power that listens and learns and then - for the well being of the other
- will shelter and preserve the worth of the other. Some may call that action simple
servanthood. I call that power in the image of God. Such power is the beginning
of the march for justice. For within that power we each become aware of the needs
and condition of the other. That other may be our friend and that other may be our
enemy. We become aware of their needs and condition and we become a part of the
power that will seek the welfare of all. Power will be exercised as power on behalf
of the other - power to stand with - power to speak up for the other - power to
step in and take on a life that will not allow for the wounding of the other. That
- is power I can only imagine. That - is power I long to share with others. I think
that is the power of what King would call the Beloved Community and we have come
to call the Reign of God - alive.
O God of love and new life, let your love inform our living and let your power teach
us the way to heal and bring all people together as one. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday, January 18, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 18, 2013
More on God as all powerful.
When I think about God as all powerful, I hear this verse from Romans. It is thrown
out into discussion about when good things happen and when bad things happen. It
is used by many folks as a praise to the All Mighty God who they hold responsible
for making their life go well - a nice home - a touchdown - a good day. The text:
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called
according to his purpose.
The text is powerful - but is it to be used by us to support that which we want
and have and are wanting to secure? Often, it sounds like good things are secured
for folks because God is good. Duh. A good God is good even as the world is falling
apart around us. It is not an all powerful God who brings wealth and health and
success into our lives. It is the all powerful God who enables us to love like the
all powerful God. That is, the God who makes us take up the benevolent, loving,
barrier-crossing witness of God's way of life that often brings quite the opposite
of the 'success' we want.
Things working together for good may be that my big ego gets deflated and I face
the brokenness of my humanity. That may lead to a new way of being me that fits
into the servant Reign of our God. Good may be the fumbling that keeps me able
to appreciate others and stop making an idol of accomplishments and claiming that
God is my God when really - my actions and my success and my wealth and my health
really have become the gods of my life to which I give endless praise - until things
fall apart. The god of marketing and consumerism and appearance will always try
to tell us that what we like and want is the good that this god will give us. I
still think there is a lie in what these gods say to us. But note - we still all
say In God We Trust. It is just that many refer to the god who always tries to move
us away from God as all powerful.
O God of love and new life, bring questions into our lives and help us to look beyond
ourselves to see the purpose of your love for the world and our place within that
embracing love. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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When I think about God as all powerful, I hear this verse from Romans. It is thrown
out into discussion about when good things happen and when bad things happen. It
is used by many folks as a praise to the All Mighty God who they hold responsible
for making their life go well - a nice home - a touchdown - a good day. The text:
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called
according to his purpose.
The text is powerful - but is it to be used by us to support that which we want
and have and are wanting to secure? Often, it sounds like good things are secured
for folks because God is good. Duh. A good God is good even as the world is falling
apart around us. It is not an all powerful God who brings wealth and health and
success into our lives. It is the all powerful God who enables us to love like the
all powerful God. That is, the God who makes us take up the benevolent, loving,
barrier-crossing witness of God's way of life that often brings quite the opposite
of the 'success' we want.
Things working together for good may be that my big ego gets deflated and I face
the brokenness of my humanity. That may lead to a new way of being me that fits
into the servant Reign of our God. Good may be the fumbling that keeps me able
to appreciate others and stop making an idol of accomplishments and claiming that
God is my God when really - my actions and my success and my wealth and my health
really have become the gods of my life to which I give endless praise - until things
fall apart. The god of marketing and consumerism and appearance will always try
to tell us that what we like and want is the good that this god will give us. I
still think there is a lie in what these gods say to us. But note - we still all
say In God We Trust. It is just that many refer to the god who always tries to move
us away from God as all powerful.
O God of love and new life, bring questions into our lives and help us to look beyond
ourselves to see the purpose of your love for the world and our place within that
embracing love. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Thursday, January 17, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 17, 2013
More on God as all powerful.
I fall down. Do you? I don't make deadlines. Do you? I say I will do something and
then do not really execute as I said I would. Do you? I say we must love our neighbors
and our enemies and then - well - my love is limited and timed 'just so.' And you?
Then in the midst of all this ordinary way of being me - that is less than what
I say and less than what think or wish - I am pulled forward by a God who promises
to forever be God with me - and God with you. That is a powerful God. To hang out
with loser and less than the best and the foolish and the lame and the despised
and the goof balls and the ones who fall down - takes a power that allow love despite
the things that go on all around us. God as all powerful inspires the one who fumbles
to go ahead and praise and give thanks to God even when other say "what are you
nuts?!?" Remember, God as all powerful is Jesus stopping to heal - stopping to touch
- stopping to engage the lowest and the least. That is power - the kind of power
that is the ground of hope and love and the Reign of God.
O God of love and new life, keep us grounded in your powerful love. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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I fall down. Do you? I don't make deadlines. Do you? I say I will do something and
then do not really execute as I said I would. Do you? I say we must love our neighbors
and our enemies and then - well - my love is limited and timed 'just so.' And you?
Then in the midst of all this ordinary way of being me - that is less than what
I say and less than what think or wish - I am pulled forward by a God who promises
to forever be God with me - and God with you. That is a powerful God. To hang out
with loser and less than the best and the foolish and the lame and the despised
and the goof balls and the ones who fall down - takes a power that allow love despite
the things that go on all around us. God as all powerful inspires the one who fumbles
to go ahead and praise and give thanks to God even when other say "what are you
nuts?!?" Remember, God as all powerful is Jesus stopping to heal - stopping to touch
- stopping to engage the lowest and the least. That is power - the kind of power
that is the ground of hope and love and the Reign of God.
O God of love and new life, keep us grounded in your powerful love. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 16, 2013
More on God as all powerful.
I have come to dislike watching football as much as I love to watch it - especially
as the season comes to an end. What do I dislike about football? The fact that these
big, athletic guys mock the power of God. God is a god for winners - a god for guys
with good hands - a god who scores and scores again - a god who keeps me from being
injured. That god we hear being praised at football games is more the god of the
underworld - death - division - duh, the evil one. That's right, all that pointing
into the air with the index finger high simply shows the values of the world that
wants winners according to how winners rule. Interesting how the evil one always
wants us to think as though s/he is God. Oh - the small 'g' on this god is intended.
To praise God for a touchdown or a victory is to praise a limited god - a false
god. It is to make what we call God Almighty into god of the powers of the world
- nothing more. God as all powerful is the God who is to be praise after a pass
is dropped - a game is lost - a career ends on a bad note. Then, God is all powerful
and is not merely aligned with what we consider 'winners'. When God is the maker
of winners, this god has nothing to do with the power of forgiveness - serving
others - standing with and being on the side of the least - the lowest - the lost
- the left out - the fumblers.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. That is - all
things - all that will be - all that has ever been - even the losers and the ones
who fall short and blow it. There is no other God but this God - of all creation.
O God of love and new life, you are the one who sustains us and nurtures us and
moves us to live beyond our wants so that you face will shine among us in all that
times of our lives. We praise, O God, Almighty. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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I have come to dislike watching football as much as I love to watch it - especially
as the season comes to an end. What do I dislike about football? The fact that these
big, athletic guys mock the power of God. God is a god for winners - a god for guys
with good hands - a god who scores and scores again - a god who keeps me from being
injured. That god we hear being praised at football games is more the god of the
underworld - death - division - duh, the evil one. That's right, all that pointing
into the air with the index finger high simply shows the values of the world that
wants winners according to how winners rule. Interesting how the evil one always
wants us to think as though s/he is God. Oh - the small 'g' on this god is intended.
To praise God for a touchdown or a victory is to praise a limited god - a false
god. It is to make what we call God Almighty into god of the powers of the world
- nothing more. God as all powerful is the God who is to be praise after a pass
is dropped - a game is lost - a career ends on a bad note. Then, God is all powerful
and is not merely aligned with what we consider 'winners'. When God is the maker
of winners, this god has nothing to do with the power of forgiveness - serving
others - standing with and being on the side of the least - the lowest - the lost
- the left out - the fumblers.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. That is - all
things - all that will be - all that has ever been - even the losers and the ones
who fall short and blow it. There is no other God but this God - of all creation.
O God of love and new life, you are the one who sustains us and nurtures us and
moves us to live beyond our wants so that you face will shine among us in all that
times of our lives. We praise, O God, Almighty. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 14, 2013
More on God as all powerful.
If God is all-powerful, why did God allow this or that? We have all heard a question
shaped like that in one form or another. Usually it is a question in the middle
of trauma and loss and anger and hopelessness. Usually the person who is doing the
asking - wants things to be different. Would not God want my son to be healed -
my mother not suffer - war to come to an end? Many times this leads folk to question
the goodness and the power of God. Some will even 'give-up' on God for not exercising
power as we most often see power displayed in the real world or fiction or a good,
action movie.
God as all-powerful is present in the middle of the valley of death - that is a
show of power. When the world turns to run and hide or run to some form of security
that often mean the annihilation of others (and therefore more cries that wonder
about God's impotence), God sets out a picnic right in the face of death's power.
God reminds us that the power of this world - no matter what form it takes or how
real it is - will not stop God from abiding with us and showing us a new life that
death's power cannot control. The valley of death and the power that tries to rule
will not control life as long as God as the all-powerful one exhibits love that
is not converted to violence or the power of death.
Our God promises to deliver us into the realm of God's love - the forgiveness that
subverts hate and the power that usually keeps the world under its thumb. God as
all-powerful invites us to rest, eat, breathe, and be reassured that love will
not be overruled by the usual suspects that attempt to rule by fear and anxiety
and sadness.
O God of love and new life, abide with us in our questions and in our attempts to
run from you. Abide with us so that we will take another look at what it is to be
alive within your loving domain that is spread out before us today. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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If God is all-powerful, why did God allow this or that? We have all heard a question
shaped like that in one form or another. Usually it is a question in the middle
of trauma and loss and anger and hopelessness. Usually the person who is doing the
asking - wants things to be different. Would not God want my son to be healed -
my mother not suffer - war to come to an end? Many times this leads folk to question
the goodness and the power of God. Some will even 'give-up' on God for not exercising
power as we most often see power displayed in the real world or fiction or a good,
action movie.
God as all-powerful is present in the middle of the valley of death - that is a
show of power. When the world turns to run and hide or run to some form of security
that often mean the annihilation of others (and therefore more cries that wonder
about God's impotence), God sets out a picnic right in the face of death's power.
God reminds us that the power of this world - no matter what form it takes or how
real it is - will not stop God from abiding with us and showing us a new life that
death's power cannot control. The valley of death and the power that tries to rule
will not control life as long as God as the all-powerful one exhibits love that
is not converted to violence or the power of death.
Our God promises to deliver us into the realm of God's love - the forgiveness that
subverts hate and the power that usually keeps the world under its thumb. God as
all-powerful invites us to rest, eat, breathe, and be reassured that love will
not be overruled by the usual suspects that attempt to rule by fear and anxiety
and sadness.
O God of love and new life, abide with us in our questions and in our attempts to
run from you. Abide with us so that we will take another look at what it is to be
alive within your loving domain that is spread out before us today. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Monday, January 14, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 14, 2013
God as love has been the direction I have been going - what about God as all powerful.
Here we go:
In some ways, everything I have written that puts Jesus up on the cross as an act
of love and an act of all hopefulness and an act of imagination has something to
do with God as all powerful. I heard someone commenting about all the craziness
in congress over the many items concerned with money and even the confirmation
hearings. The person said it had to do with power - not the good of the country
or real action on the issues at hand. People - individual politicians want to be
able to be seen as people who have power and can command respect and attention
by exercising their notion of power.
Well, within the faithful imagination of God's people, this is everything but power.
It is all an act of maintaining a facade so that others can be over ruled or put
down or used in order for the 'powerful' one to gain more power. God as all powerful
becomes visible among us as one who serves - one who gives up life in order to bring
life - one who sides with the least but lives a life that is so authentically human
it is filled with power beyond the comprehension of the world.
This kind of power - that transcends the images of power that is so often accepted
as power - comes from a center filled with nothing but love. The truly human one
is born into the domain of God as love and becomes a part of that love that is
able to be expressed and shared within ordinary human relationships. And yet, most
folks would acknowledge that love - self-giving love - love that let's no one go
- doesn't often feel like power. It often feels like the beginning of death or
the loss of control. Power wants and needs to control - unless it is power that
comes from love. The power here is a power that becomes known as we enter the act
of love. There, power become a sense of wholeness - not a way to defeat or overcome
or rule others. Power becomes an ability to take a breath and rest and allow vulnerability
to help shape the moment at hand. That is a power-filled moment of love.
O God of love and new life, fill us with the power of your Spirit that is always
able to transform us into your loving presence for one another. We long to be known
by such power. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Here we go:
In some ways, everything I have written that puts Jesus up on the cross as an act
of love and an act of all hopefulness and an act of imagination has something to
do with God as all powerful. I heard someone commenting about all the craziness
in congress over the many items concerned with money and even the confirmation
hearings. The person said it had to do with power - not the good of the country
or real action on the issues at hand. People - individual politicians want to be
able to be seen as people who have power and can command respect and attention
by exercising their notion of power.
Well, within the faithful imagination of God's people, this is everything but power.
It is all an act of maintaining a facade so that others can be over ruled or put
down or used in order for the 'powerful' one to gain more power. God as all powerful
becomes visible among us as one who serves - one who gives up life in order to bring
life - one who sides with the least but lives a life that is so authentically human
it is filled with power beyond the comprehension of the world.
This kind of power - that transcends the images of power that is so often accepted
as power - comes from a center filled with nothing but love. The truly human one
is born into the domain of God as love and becomes a part of that love that is
able to be expressed and shared within ordinary human relationships. And yet, most
folks would acknowledge that love - self-giving love - love that let's no one go
- doesn't often feel like power. It often feels like the beginning of death or
the loss of control. Power wants and needs to control - unless it is power that
comes from love. The power here is a power that becomes known as we enter the act
of love. There, power become a sense of wholeness - not a way to defeat or overcome
or rule others. Power becomes an ability to take a breath and rest and allow vulnerability
to help shape the moment at hand. That is a power-filled moment of love.
O God of love and new life, fill us with the power of your Spirit that is always
able to transform us into your loving presence for one another. We long to be known
by such power. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Redeemer Lutheran Church | 1555 S. James Road | Columbus | OH | 43227
Friday, January 11, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 11, 2013
Today I will not be including past readings. The reason is simple. In a short time,
the devotions will be posted on Redeemer's new website and there will be a stream
of the past 20 devotions. So from now on one at a time. I will make note when the
website changes.
For today I want to go back up onto the cross. It does look and it does feel like
the place of utter powerlessness and hopelessness. Wrong on all counts. It is the
position from which we are invited to look into God's future. In most ways it is
a position of powerlessness. There is not much a person could do when you have
been nailed to that would a literally left up on the cross to dry out until you
die. If it take too long - a soldier will assist with the end of a spear. But in
that hopelessness is the creation of a new life. There when the world is ready
to fight back and seek revenge, Jesus forgives. Now, it still looks like it is over
and his adventure was throw on the trash heap, but there is then that rolled back
stone - there is the life that comes back to play after death has had its way for
the moment. When we are on the cross - when we have been dumped into the dark tomb,
there is no way to see resurrection. There is no way to see resurrection when we
enter the adventure of forgiveness. And yet, in our story telling it comes - rest,
be patient. Hope begins when nothing else can be seen. Therefore, the cross is
brimful of hope as it is the way of forgiveness is shown to be the power that takes
us right through what appears to be the end. As I've noted previously, I don't like
this story at this point because I am not one who readily hold onto the gift of
forgiveness. I want revenge. I want my anger to take on the day. But, then there
are those words again - from the cross - from the depths of all that is brutal
and violent and broken: Father forgive them, they know not what they do. What argument
do I have for holding onto my fear and anger and hatred when I am reminded of this
act that I am to follow?!?
O God of love and new life, we have so much need of your Spirit of truth and courage
and forgiveness. Come and stir us up to a faithfulness that reflects your love.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Redeemer Lutheran Church | 1555 S. James Road | Columbus | OH | 43227
the devotions will be posted on Redeemer's new website and there will be a stream
of the past 20 devotions. So from now on one at a time. I will make note when the
website changes.
For today I want to go back up onto the cross. It does look and it does feel like
the place of utter powerlessness and hopelessness. Wrong on all counts. It is the
position from which we are invited to look into God's future. In most ways it is
a position of powerlessness. There is not much a person could do when you have
been nailed to that would a literally left up on the cross to dry out until you
die. If it take too long - a soldier will assist with the end of a spear. But in
that hopelessness is the creation of a new life. There when the world is ready
to fight back and seek revenge, Jesus forgives. Now, it still looks like it is over
and his adventure was throw on the trash heap, but there is then that rolled back
stone - there is the life that comes back to play after death has had its way for
the moment. When we are on the cross - when we have been dumped into the dark tomb,
there is no way to see resurrection. There is no way to see resurrection when we
enter the adventure of forgiveness. And yet, in our story telling it comes - rest,
be patient. Hope begins when nothing else can be seen. Therefore, the cross is
brimful of hope as it is the way of forgiveness is shown to be the power that takes
us right through what appears to be the end. As I've noted previously, I don't like
this story at this point because I am not one who readily hold onto the gift of
forgiveness. I want revenge. I want my anger to take on the day. But, then there
are those words again - from the cross - from the depths of all that is brutal
and violent and broken: Father forgive them, they know not what they do. What argument
do I have for holding onto my fear and anger and hatred when I am reminded of this
act that I am to follow?!?
O God of love and new life, we have so much need of your Spirit of truth and courage
and forgiveness. Come and stir us up to a faithfulness that reflects your love.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forward email
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Thursday, January 10, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 10, 2013
Love as God and the forgiving power of God being actualized among humanity may be
the foundation of mission.
Monday
When we are pulled into the life of forgiveness that is built upon the rock that
is God as love, watch out. The life that comes may not make the kind of sense we
have thought should be the foundation of our every move. Forgiveness takes what
we have planned out so well and inspires us to risk to live outside the bounds of
well-planned drawings and lines. Forgiveness means that failure and the horrible
prospect of 'falling short' may well be a part of what will come. But do we fear
that. No. We are a people already wrapped up by this God as love. When we fall short,
we are invited to get back up and boldly go forward again. Most often, that means
forgiveness is in the mix.
This does not mean that forgiveness is a 'free pass' that is cheaply handed out
without any new life. Forgiveness does count on God as love to work to heal and
reconcile and wonder about how we will risk another move and another day. When our
world does not have room for life that may need to be met with forgiveness, we dare
not risk. This is especially the case with love. If our world must be well-calculated
and precise how will be ever let their be love alive. Rather then embracing the
moments of brokenness and miscalculations, we cut them off and dare not work toward
the healing of all things - love in action. Mission within the body of Christ moves
out embraced by God as love and nurtured by the deep well of forgiveness that will
always open the day with what is possible within the loving creativity of our God.
Control must be left behind as long as control prohibits the power of God as love
among us.
Tuesday
Forgiveness takes us into another land. It is another world. It is the domain of
the Reign of God. It is not the same as our everyday world that does not now how
to forgive nor will it really tolerate forgiveness. Forgiveness risks being eliminated
- discounted - ridiculed. Why? At the very foundation of forgiveness is the love
we say is the character of our God. That kind of love will move from here to there
in order to make peace even when the things that make for peace may mean we are
thrown down and our own power dismantled. That is what love does - it makes for
peace - it is the power that re-unites the separated - it is that strange actualization
of forgiveness so that what has created the separation can be re-viewed. That reviewing
is a never-ending conversation that is being pulled into God's loving embrace. We
are invited to re-view our brokenness and separation so that something new will
have the opportunity to come alive among us. That something new is the land of the
domain of God as love. It is there thatwe face both the alpha and the omega - and
both are elements of God's love.
Thursday
On the cross, we see a Jesus who sees the fullness of God's Reign. It is a reality
in which violence does not have the last say. It is a reality that is full of promise
even when promise appears to be meaningless. It is a reality that is not ruled by
revenge or the temptation to give back to the world the same messy brokenness that
defines the world. Jesus up on the cross does not take the bait and call down 'the
angels' to rescue him from the brutality of the day. That would be nothing new -
nothing creative - nothing redeeming. Instead, Jesus is after more than the power
to conquer others. Jesus is about the reshaping of the power of the cosmos - all
that is. He does that with his request for forgiveness. This is not merely a forgiveness
for a few individuals, it is forgiveness for the whole systemic lot of us. It is
forgiveness for each and every element of a world that is fear-filled, self-centered,
hungry for power and sold on the lie that it is the violent powers of the world
that can win the day. To all that there is that simple 'forgive them.' Nothing will
change the events of the day. Jesus will breathe his last. Jesus will be put into
a tomb. It will be over. That is how violence works. That is the real world filled
with more and more reasons to blame and brutalize one another. And then, there is
forgiveness. This is the step beyond the grave - beyond what is expected - beyond
that which everyone fears. Forgiveness leads to resurrection - new life - promises
fulfilled - non-violence.
In the middle of all the talk of forgiveness and God as love, there is the reality
of the day that will greet us. It is not a forgiving world and it is not a world
ruled by our God as love. So therefore, we cannot count on a sweet welcome when
we act in the ways of Jesus. In fact, it is not all that easy to turn the other
cheek and deal with the world around us in a way that is quite contrary to the
prevailing winds of violence and revenge and pay-backs. Forgiveness is often left
out to dry - or even die. It is too easy to pick up a false accusation and throw
it - too easy to call 'them' names - too easy to turn a slight into a declaration
of war against those 'bastards' - too easy to want the world to go in our favor
and hate everyone who gets in the way. So expect to be greeted by the world as it
is - you and me as we are. But then, expect God's promise to be the power of the
day that opens up new avenues to live that may indeed take us beyond our comfort
zone and into a pattern of life we have not made our everyday practice. That promise
of God is as real as all the stories we hear from Scripture. You know, those wild
and crazy stories that many folks cannot or will not swallow. But remember, those
stories - factual or not - are the told because this power of the Holy Spirit to
bring the love of God alive really is a power that has changed lives and the witnesses
wanted to pass that along to us.
O God of love and new life, take our hands and lead us again today - we need to
hear and see and feel your presence. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Redeemer Lutheran Church | 1555 S. James Road | Columbus | OH | 43227
the foundation of mission.
Monday
When we are pulled into the life of forgiveness that is built upon the rock that
is God as love, watch out. The life that comes may not make the kind of sense we
have thought should be the foundation of our every move. Forgiveness takes what
we have planned out so well and inspires us to risk to live outside the bounds of
well-planned drawings and lines. Forgiveness means that failure and the horrible
prospect of 'falling short' may well be a part of what will come. But do we fear
that. No. We are a people already wrapped up by this God as love. When we fall short,
we are invited to get back up and boldly go forward again. Most often, that means
forgiveness is in the mix.
This does not mean that forgiveness is a 'free pass' that is cheaply handed out
without any new life. Forgiveness does count on God as love to work to heal and
reconcile and wonder about how we will risk another move and another day. When our
world does not have room for life that may need to be met with forgiveness, we dare
not risk. This is especially the case with love. If our world must be well-calculated
and precise how will be ever let their be love alive. Rather then embracing the
moments of brokenness and miscalculations, we cut them off and dare not work toward
the healing of all things - love in action. Mission within the body of Christ moves
out embraced by God as love and nurtured by the deep well of forgiveness that will
always open the day with what is possible within the loving creativity of our God.
Control must be left behind as long as control prohibits the power of God as love
among us.
Tuesday
Forgiveness takes us into another land. It is another world. It is the domain of
the Reign of God. It is not the same as our everyday world that does not now how
to forgive nor will it really tolerate forgiveness. Forgiveness risks being eliminated
- discounted - ridiculed. Why? At the very foundation of forgiveness is the love
we say is the character of our God. That kind of love will move from here to there
in order to make peace even when the things that make for peace may mean we are
thrown down and our own power dismantled. That is what love does - it makes for
peace - it is the power that re-unites the separated - it is that strange actualization
of forgiveness so that what has created the separation can be re-viewed. That reviewing
is a never-ending conversation that is being pulled into God's loving embrace. We
are invited to re-view our brokenness and separation so that something new will
have the opportunity to come alive among us. That something new is the land of the
domain of God as love. It is there thatwe face both the alpha and the omega - and
both are elements of God's love.
Thursday
On the cross, we see a Jesus who sees the fullness of God's Reign. It is a reality
in which violence does not have the last say. It is a reality that is full of promise
even when promise appears to be meaningless. It is a reality that is not ruled by
revenge or the temptation to give back to the world the same messy brokenness that
defines the world. Jesus up on the cross does not take the bait and call down 'the
angels' to rescue him from the brutality of the day. That would be nothing new -
nothing creative - nothing redeeming. Instead, Jesus is after more than the power
to conquer others. Jesus is about the reshaping of the power of the cosmos - all
that is. He does that with his request for forgiveness. This is not merely a forgiveness
for a few individuals, it is forgiveness for the whole systemic lot of us. It is
forgiveness for each and every element of a world that is fear-filled, self-centered,
hungry for power and sold on the lie that it is the violent powers of the world
that can win the day. To all that there is that simple 'forgive them.' Nothing will
change the events of the day. Jesus will breathe his last. Jesus will be put into
a tomb. It will be over. That is how violence works. That is the real world filled
with more and more reasons to blame and brutalize one another. And then, there is
forgiveness. This is the step beyond the grave - beyond what is expected - beyond
that which everyone fears. Forgiveness leads to resurrection - new life - promises
fulfilled - non-violence.
In the middle of all the talk of forgiveness and God as love, there is the reality
of the day that will greet us. It is not a forgiving world and it is not a world
ruled by our God as love. So therefore, we cannot count on a sweet welcome when
we act in the ways of Jesus. In fact, it is not all that easy to turn the other
cheek and deal with the world around us in a way that is quite contrary to the
prevailing winds of violence and revenge and pay-backs. Forgiveness is often left
out to dry - or even die. It is too easy to pick up a false accusation and throw
it - too easy to call 'them' names - too easy to turn a slight into a declaration
of war against those 'bastards' - too easy to want the world to go in our favor
and hate everyone who gets in the way. So expect to be greeted by the world as it
is - you and me as we are. But then, expect God's promise to be the power of the
day that opens up new avenues to live that may indeed take us beyond our comfort
zone and into a pattern of life we have not made our everyday practice. That promise
of God is as real as all the stories we hear from Scripture. You know, those wild
and crazy stories that many folks cannot or will not swallow. But remember, those
stories - factual or not - are the told because this power of the Holy Spirit to
bring the love of God alive really is a power that has changed lives and the witnesses
wanted to pass that along to us.
O God of love and new life, take our hands and lead us again today - we need to
hear and see and feel your presence. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forward email
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Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 9, 2013
Love as God and the forgiving power of God being actualized among humanity may be
the foundation of mission.
Monday
When we are pulled into the life of forgiveness that is built upon the rock that
is God as love, watch out. The life that comes may not make the kind of sense we
have thought should be the foundation of our every move. Forgiveness takes what
we have planned out so well and inspires us to risk to live outside the bounds of
well-planned drawings and lines. Forgiveness means that failure and the horrible
prospect of 'falling short' may well be a part of what will come. But do we fear
that. No. We are a people already wrapped up by this God as love. When we fall short,
we are invited to get back up and boldly go forward again. Most often, that means
forgiveness is in the mix.
This does not mean that forgiveness is a 'free pass' that is cheaply handed out
without any new life. Forgiveness does count on God as love to work to heal and
reconcile and wonder about how we will risk another move and another day. When our
world does not have room for life that may need to be met with forgiveness, we dare
not risk. This is especially the case with love. If our world must be well-calculated
and precise how will be ever let their be love alive. Rather then embracing the
moments of brokenness and miscalculations, we cut them off and dare not work toward
the healing of all things - love in action. Mission within the body of Christ moves
out embraced by God as love and nurtured by the deep well of forgiveness that will
always open the day with what is possible within the loving creativity of our God.
Control must be left behind as long as control prohibits the power of God as love
among us.
Tuesday
Forgiveness takes us into another land. It is another world. It is the domain of
the Reign of God. It is not the same as our everyday world that does not now how
to forgive nor will it really tolerate forgiveness. Forgiveness risks being eliminated
- discounted - ridiculed. Why? At the very foundation of forgiveness is the love
we say is the character of our God. That kind of love will move from here to there
in order to make peace even when the things that make for peace may mean we are
thrown down and our own power dismantled. That is what love does - it makes for
peace - it is the power that re-unites the separated - it is that strange actualization
of forgiveness so that what has created the separation can be re-viewed. That reviewing
is a never-ending conversation that is being pulled into God's loving embrace. We
are invited to re-view our brokenness and separation so that something new will
have the opportunity to come alive among us. That something new is the land of the
domain of God as love. It is there thatwe face both the alpha and the omega - and
both are elements of God's love.
On the cross, we see a Jesus who sees the fullness of God's Reign. It is a reality
in which violence does not have the last say. It is a reality that is full of promise
even when promise appears to be meaningless. It is a reality that is not ruled by
revenge or the temptation to give back to the world the same messy brokenness that
defines the world. Jesus up on the cross does not take the bait and call down 'the
angels' to rescue him from the brutality of the day. That would be nothing new -
nothing creative - nothing redeeming. Instead, Jesus is after more than the power
to conquer others. Jesus is about the reshaping of the power of the cosmos - all
that is. He does that with his request for forgiveness. This is not merely a forgiveness
for a few individuals, it is forgiveness for the whole systemic lot of us. It is
forgiveness for each and every element of a world that is fear-filled, self-centered,
hungry for power and sold on the lie that it is the violent powers of the world
that can win the day. To all that there is that simple 'forgive them.' Nothing will
change the events of the day. Jesus will breathe his last. Jesus will be put into
a tomb. It will be over. That is how violence works. That is the real world filled
with more and more reasons to blame and brutalize one another. And then, there is
forgiveness. This is the step beyond the grave - beyond what is expected - beyond
that which everyone fears. Forgiveness leads to resurrection - new life - promises
fulfilled - non-violence.
O God of love and new life, we know that there is another way to walk into the day
at hand. And yet, we too often only know the way that we have walked many time before
this moment. It is the way of a violence that turns from the path of forgiveness
and new life you have prepared for all your people. Encourage us to follow your
way. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Redeemer Lutheran Church | 1555 S. James Road | Columbus | OH | 43227
the foundation of mission.
Monday
When we are pulled into the life of forgiveness that is built upon the rock that
is God as love, watch out. The life that comes may not make the kind of sense we
have thought should be the foundation of our every move. Forgiveness takes what
we have planned out so well and inspires us to risk to live outside the bounds of
well-planned drawings and lines. Forgiveness means that failure and the horrible
prospect of 'falling short' may well be a part of what will come. But do we fear
that. No. We are a people already wrapped up by this God as love. When we fall short,
we are invited to get back up and boldly go forward again. Most often, that means
forgiveness is in the mix.
This does not mean that forgiveness is a 'free pass' that is cheaply handed out
without any new life. Forgiveness does count on God as love to work to heal and
reconcile and wonder about how we will risk another move and another day. When our
world does not have room for life that may need to be met with forgiveness, we dare
not risk. This is especially the case with love. If our world must be well-calculated
and precise how will be ever let their be love alive. Rather then embracing the
moments of brokenness and miscalculations, we cut them off and dare not work toward
the healing of all things - love in action. Mission within the body of Christ moves
out embraced by God as love and nurtured by the deep well of forgiveness that will
always open the day with what is possible within the loving creativity of our God.
Control must be left behind as long as control prohibits the power of God as love
among us.
Tuesday
Forgiveness takes us into another land. It is another world. It is the domain of
the Reign of God. It is not the same as our everyday world that does not now how
to forgive nor will it really tolerate forgiveness. Forgiveness risks being eliminated
- discounted - ridiculed. Why? At the very foundation of forgiveness is the love
we say is the character of our God. That kind of love will move from here to there
in order to make peace even when the things that make for peace may mean we are
thrown down and our own power dismantled. That is what love does - it makes for
peace - it is the power that re-unites the separated - it is that strange actualization
of forgiveness so that what has created the separation can be re-viewed. That reviewing
is a never-ending conversation that is being pulled into God's loving embrace. We
are invited to re-view our brokenness and separation so that something new will
have the opportunity to come alive among us. That something new is the land of the
domain of God as love. It is there thatwe face both the alpha and the omega - and
both are elements of God's love.
On the cross, we see a Jesus who sees the fullness of God's Reign. It is a reality
in which violence does not have the last say. It is a reality that is full of promise
even when promise appears to be meaningless. It is a reality that is not ruled by
revenge or the temptation to give back to the world the same messy brokenness that
defines the world. Jesus up on the cross does not take the bait and call down 'the
angels' to rescue him from the brutality of the day. That would be nothing new -
nothing creative - nothing redeeming. Instead, Jesus is after more than the power
to conquer others. Jesus is about the reshaping of the power of the cosmos - all
that is. He does that with his request for forgiveness. This is not merely a forgiveness
for a few individuals, it is forgiveness for the whole systemic lot of us. It is
forgiveness for each and every element of a world that is fear-filled, self-centered,
hungry for power and sold on the lie that it is the violent powers of the world
that can win the day. To all that there is that simple 'forgive them.' Nothing will
change the events of the day. Jesus will breathe his last. Jesus will be put into
a tomb. It will be over. That is how violence works. That is the real world filled
with more and more reasons to blame and brutalize one another. And then, there is
forgiveness. This is the step beyond the grave - beyond what is expected - beyond
that which everyone fears. Forgiveness leads to resurrection - new life - promises
fulfilled - non-violence.
O God of love and new life, we know that there is another way to walk into the day
at hand. And yet, we too often only know the way that we have walked many time before
this moment. It is the way of a violence that turns from the path of forgiveness
and new life you have prepared for all your people. Encourage us to follow your
way. Amen.
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Redeemer Lutheran Church | 1555 S. James Road | Columbus | OH | 43227
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 8, 2013
Love as God and the forgiving power of God being actualized among humanity may be
the foundation of mission.
Monday
When we are pulled into the life of forgiveness that is built upon the rock that
is God as love, watch out. The life that comes may not make the kind of sense we
have thought should be the foundation of our every move. Forgiveness takes what
we have planned out so well and inspires us to risk to live outside the bounds of
well-planned drawings and lines. Forgiveness means that failure and the horrible
prospect of 'falling short' may well be a part of what will come. But do we fear
that. No. We are a people already wrapped up by this God as love. When we fall short,
we are invited to get back up and boldly go forward again. Most often, that means
forgiveness is in the mix.
This does not mean that forgiveness is a 'free pass' that is cheaply handed out
without any new life. Forgiveness does count on God as love to work to heal and
reconcile and wonder about how we will risk another move and another day. When our
world does not have room for life that may need to be met with forgiveness, we dare
not risk. This is especially the case with love. If our world must be well-calculated
and precise how will be ever let their be love alive. Rather then embracing the
moments of brokenness and miscalculations, we cut them off and dare not work toward
the healing of all things - love in action. Mission within the body of Christ moves
out embraced by God as love and nurtured by the deep well of forgiveness that will
always open the day with what is possible within the loving creativity of our God.
Control must be left behind as long as control prohibits the power of God as love
among us.
Forgiveness takes us into another land. It is another world. It is the domain of
the Reign of God. It is not the same as our everyday world that does not now how
to forgive nor will it really tolerate forgiveness. Forgiveness risks being eliminated
- discounted - ridiculed. Why? At the very foundation of forgiveness is the love
we say is the character of our God. That kind of love will move from here to there
in order to make peace even when the things that make for peace may mean we are
thrown down and our own power dismantled. That is what love does - it makes for
peace - it is the power that re-unites the separated - it is that strange actualization
of forgiveness so that what has created the separation can be re-viewed. That reviewing
is a never-ending conversation that is being pulled into God's loving embrace. We
are invited to re-view our brokenness and separation so that something new will
have the opportunity to come alive among us. That something new is the land of the
domain of God as love. It is there that we face both the alpha and the omega - and
both are elements of God's love.
O God of love and new life, sometimes we only want to view the land of forgiveness
and yet you continue to bid us to come and live there within your loving embrace.
Grant us the courage to step forward and walk the land you have called promised.
Amen.
the foundation of mission.
Monday
When we are pulled into the life of forgiveness that is built upon the rock that
is God as love, watch out. The life that comes may not make the kind of sense we
have thought should be the foundation of our every move. Forgiveness takes what
we have planned out so well and inspires us to risk to live outside the bounds of
well-planned drawings and lines. Forgiveness means that failure and the horrible
prospect of 'falling short' may well be a part of what will come. But do we fear
that. No. We are a people already wrapped up by this God as love. When we fall short,
we are invited to get back up and boldly go forward again. Most often, that means
forgiveness is in the mix.
This does not mean that forgiveness is a 'free pass' that is cheaply handed out
without any new life. Forgiveness does count on God as love to work to heal and
reconcile and wonder about how we will risk another move and another day. When our
world does not have room for life that may need to be met with forgiveness, we dare
not risk. This is especially the case with love. If our world must be well-calculated
and precise how will be ever let their be love alive. Rather then embracing the
moments of brokenness and miscalculations, we cut them off and dare not work toward
the healing of all things - love in action. Mission within the body of Christ moves
out embraced by God as love and nurtured by the deep well of forgiveness that will
always open the day with what is possible within the loving creativity of our God.
Control must be left behind as long as control prohibits the power of God as love
among us.
Forgiveness takes us into another land. It is another world. It is the domain of
the Reign of God. It is not the same as our everyday world that does not now how
to forgive nor will it really tolerate forgiveness. Forgiveness risks being eliminated
- discounted - ridiculed. Why? At the very foundation of forgiveness is the love
we say is the character of our God. That kind of love will move from here to there
in order to make peace even when the things that make for peace may mean we are
thrown down and our own power dismantled. That is what love does - it makes for
peace - it is the power that re-unites the separated - it is that strange actualization
of forgiveness so that what has created the separation can be re-viewed. That reviewing
is a never-ending conversation that is being pulled into God's loving embrace. We
are invited to re-view our brokenness and separation so that something new will
have the opportunity to come alive among us. That something new is the land of the
domain of God as love. It is there that we face both the alpha and the omega - and
both are elements of God's love.
O God of love and new life, sometimes we only want to view the land of forgiveness
and yet you continue to bid us to come and live there within your loving embrace.
Grant us the courage to step forward and walk the land you have called promised.
Amen.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 7, 2013
I want to continue with God as love being made flesh as forgiveness - salvation
for the world.
Wednesday
Someone quoted Rene Girard who noted that the first definition of the unconscious
is "Forgive them for they know not what they do." I looked at that for a while.
I wasn't so sure about calling that the first definition of the unconscious but
I sat with it and continued reading and thinking about the sermon. Trying to put
some more meaning behind the word 'salvation' so that it wasn't something that
had to do with what happens after death, I think Girard's statement hit me. Salvation
is about life. Salvation is about bringing to humankind the life that is meant to
be for all of us. It is the life that we have dropped in pursuit of other life -
life that is (as Luther notes) turned-in-on-self. That is life that is sin - broken.
Salvation is the power that breaks the cycle that keeps us spinning in our violence
and our hatred and our envy and our jealousy and our (continue forever with the
many sides of sin). From the cross - not as a piece of jewelry or a sign traced
on our body or a processional-like banner - we see the way of salvation. We do not
embrace the cross, we embrace the life that is up on the cross and the life that
God raises up from the cold, dark, grasp of death. Imagine this - all the power
of death and sin having to hear Jesus' last words. They were probably waiting for
him to say "Just wait, my Father will destroy you." And yet, the final line - the
final delivery is - a delivery. Father forgive them. Forgive them - forgive all
of humanity for 'they know not what they are doing.' All we can do at that point
is stutter. No power is left - save flat out forgiveness. Humanity is handed the
way of salvation - the way to transform life - the way to resurrect death and brokenness
- forgiveness.
Thursday
What do you do when you have been hurt by another - put down by another - disrespected
by another - shut out by another - insulted by another - treated like nobody at
all by another - falsely accused by another - lied to by another?
Oh, this list can go on and on. This list is one we each know. This is also a list
we may hate to embrace because it sounds quite horrible to see it written out. Add
to all this the descriptions that are used by someone like the Apostle Paul when
he is trying to remind a community of the way not to be - that is the way not to
be 'of the flesh' - that is, ruled by brokenness. He throws in envy - jealousy
- fornication (you know the lists). It is a list of actions - a list of thoughts
that bring about actions - a list of attitudes that bring about actions - a list
of perceptions that bring about actions. When we are honest, the actions are no
nice - they are not loving - they are not creative. In fact, it is as though we
forget about being children of this God of love. This week I have been made to wonder
if forgiveness is the power that breaks this endless cycle of sin. I wonder if forgiveness
- even when we have all the arguments in the world to not forgive and even more
arguments to hate and fight and work for retribution and revenge - stops it all.
What can continue beyond forgiveness? Isn't that always meant to be a new beginning?
Yes, it may be the end of us - but it is a reinstatement of the beginning - salvation
- right in the face of the power of humanity's broken and turned-in-on-self.
What I wrote yesterday caused me to shutter. I thought it just made me stutter,
but no, it hit me much more deeply. Salvation is the power for new life that is
meant to reach in and own our hearts. That causes the world to shudder because it
means the end of all things and the beginning of all that can be new. I cannot promise
to be ready for that. I hang on to anger and fear and hatred and envy (the long
list again) too readily. If God was anything other than love - there would be no
power to overcome the brokenness that is each of us. When Simeon sings that he
has seen salvation in the baby Jesus, he saw that all the power of God's Reign is
here - in the wide, open, expanses of our humanity. In that child - as that child
grows - there will be the salvation of our God - available and known through a vulnerability
that makes us all shutter because it will be so real for each and every day of our
lives. It is available and it is at hand, but I know myself and I often do not want
anything to do with it. I want warfare. I want one-upmanship. I want you to pay
for what you said or did and I want to be a part of the power that makes you pay
- somehow. So, to have this God as love pull at me from the cross during a last
breath of life - a life that is all forgiveness - makes me shudder. So what happens
next?
O God of love and new life, wrap us up with the power of your never-failing love
so that we can face the coldness of the power of death and turn to you alone.
Amen.
for the world.
Wednesday
Someone quoted Rene Girard who noted that the first definition of the unconscious
is "Forgive them for they know not what they do." I looked at that for a while.
I wasn't so sure about calling that the first definition of the unconscious but
I sat with it and continued reading and thinking about the sermon. Trying to put
some more meaning behind the word 'salvation' so that it wasn't something that
had to do with what happens after death, I think Girard's statement hit me. Salvation
is about life. Salvation is about bringing to humankind the life that is meant to
be for all of us. It is the life that we have dropped in pursuit of other life -
life that is (as Luther notes) turned-in-on-self. That is life that is sin - broken.
Salvation is the power that breaks the cycle that keeps us spinning in our violence
and our hatred and our envy and our jealousy and our (continue forever with the
many sides of sin). From the cross - not as a piece of jewelry or a sign traced
on our body or a processional-like banner - we see the way of salvation. We do not
embrace the cross, we embrace the life that is up on the cross and the life that
God raises up from the cold, dark, grasp of death. Imagine this - all the power
of death and sin having to hear Jesus' last words. They were probably waiting for
him to say "Just wait, my Father will destroy you." And yet, the final line - the
final delivery is - a delivery. Father forgive them. Forgive them - forgive all
of humanity for 'they know not what they are doing.' All we can do at that point
is stutter. No power is left - save flat out forgiveness. Humanity is handed the
way of salvation - the way to transform life - the way to resurrect death and brokenness
- forgiveness.
Thursday
What do you do when you have been hurt by another - put down by another - disrespected
by another - shut out by another - insulted by another - treated like nobody at
all by another - falsely accused by another - lied to by another?
Oh, this list can go on and on. This list is one we each know. This is also a list
we may hate to embrace because it sounds quite horrible to see it written out. Add
to all this the descriptions that are used by someone like the Apostle Paul when
he is trying to remind a community of the way not to be - that is the way not to
be 'of the flesh' - that is, ruled by brokenness. He throws in envy - jealousy
- fornication (you know the lists). It is a list of actions - a list of thoughts
that bring about actions - a list of attitudes that bring about actions - a list
of perceptions that bring about actions. When we are honest, the actions are no
nice - they are not loving - they are not creative. In fact, it is as though we
forget about being children of this God of love. This week I have been made to wonder
if forgiveness is the power that breaks this endless cycle of sin. I wonder if forgiveness
- even when we have all the arguments in the world to not forgive and even more
arguments to hate and fight and work for retribution and revenge - stops it all.
What can continue beyond forgiveness? Isn't that always meant to be a new beginning?
Yes, it may be the end of us - but it is a reinstatement of the beginning - salvation
- right in the face of the power of humanity's broken and turned-in-on-self.
What I wrote yesterday caused me to shutter. I thought it just made me stutter,
but no, it hit me much more deeply. Salvation is the power for new life that is
meant to reach in and own our hearts. That causes the world to shudder because it
means the end of all things and the beginning of all that can be new. I cannot promise
to be ready for that. I hang on to anger and fear and hatred and envy (the long
list again) too readily. If God was anything other than love - there would be no
power to overcome the brokenness that is each of us. When Simeon sings that he
has seen salvation in the baby Jesus, he saw that all the power of God's Reign is
here - in the wide, open, expanses of our humanity. In that child - as that child
grows - there will be the salvation of our God - available and known through a vulnerability
that makes us all shutter because it will be so real for each and every day of our
lives. It is available and it is at hand, but I know myself and I often do not want
anything to do with it. I want warfare. I want one-upmanship. I want you to pay
for what you said or did and I want to be a part of the power that makes you pay
- somehow. So, to have this God as love pull at me from the cross during a last
breath of life - a life that is all forgiveness - makes me shudder. So what happens
next?
O God of love and new life, wrap us up with the power of your never-failing love
so that we can face the coldness of the power of death and turn to you alone.
Amen.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 4, 2013
I want to continue with God as love being made flesh as forgiveness - salvation
for the world.
Wednesday
Someone quoted Rene Girard who noted that the first definition of the unconscious
is "Forgive them for they know not what they do." I looked at that for a while.
I wasn't so sure about calling that the first definition of the unconscious but
I sat with it and continued reading and thinking about the sermon. Trying to put
some more meaning behind the word 'salvation' so that it wasn't something that
had to do with what happens after death, I think Girard's statement hit me. Salvation
is about life. Salvation is about bringing to humankind the life that is meant to
be for all of us. It is the life that we have dropped in pursuit of other life -
life that is (as Luther notes) turned-in-on-self. That is life that is sin - broken.
Salvation is the power that breaks the cycle that keeps us spinning in our violence
and our hatred and our envy and our jealousy and our (continue forever with the
many sides of sin). From the cross - not as a piece of jewelry or a sign traced
on our body or a processional-like banner - we see the way of salvation. We do not
embrace the cross, we embrace the life that is up on the cross and the life that
God raises up from the cold, dark, grasp of death. Imagine this - all the power
of death and sin having to hear Jesus' last words. They were probably waiting for
him to say "Just wait, my Father will destroy you." And yet, the final line - the
final delivery is - a delivery. Father forgive them. Forgive them - forgive all
of humanity for 'they know not what they are doing.' All we can do at that point
is stutter. No power is left - save flat out forgiveness. Humanity is handed the
way of salvation - the way to transform life - the way to resurrect death and brokenness
- forgiveness.
Thursday
What do you do when you have been hurt by another - put down by another - disrespected
by another - shut out by another - insulted by another - treated like nobody at
all by another - falsely accused by another - lied to by another?
Oh, this list can go on and on. This list is one we each know. This is also a list
we may hate to embrace because it sounds quite horrible to see it written out. Add
to all this the descriptions that are used by someone like the Apostle Paul when
he is trying to remind a community of the way not to be - that is the way not to
be 'of the flesh' - that is, ruled by brokenness. He throws in envy - jealousy
- fornication (you know the lists). It is a list of actions - a list of thoughts
that bring about actions - a list of attitudes that bring about actions - a list
of perceptions that bring about actions. When we are honest, the actions are no
nice - they are not loving - they are not creative. In fact, it is as though we
forget about being children of this God of love. This week I have been made to wonder
if forgiveness is the power that breaks this endless cycle of sin. I wonder if forgiveness
- even when we have all the arguments in the world to not forgive and even more
arguments to hate and fight and work for retribution and revenge - stops it all.
What can continue beyond forgiveness? Isn't that always meant to be a new beginning?
Yes, it may be the end of us - but it is a reinstatement of the beginning - salvation
- right in the face of the power of humanity's broken and turned-in-on-self.
What I wrote yesterday caused me to shutter. I thought it just made me stutter,
but no, it hit me much more deeply. Salvation is the power for new life that is
meant to reach in and own our hearts. That causes the world to shudder because it
means the end of all things and the beginning of all that can be new. I cannot promise
to be ready for that. I hang on to anger and fear and hatred and envy (the long
list again) too readily. If God was anything other than love - there would be no
power to overcome the brokenness that is each of us. When Simeon sings that he
has seen salvation in the baby Jesus, he saw that all the power of God's Reign is
here - in the wide, open, expanses of our humanity. In that child - as that child
grows - there will be the salvation of our God - available and known through a vulnerability
that makes us all shutter because it will be so real for each and every day of our
lives. It is available and it is at hand, but I know myself and I often do not want
anything to do with it. I want warfare. I want one-upmanship. I want you to pay
for what you said or did and I want to be a part of the power that makes you pay
- somehow. So, to have this God as love pull at me from the cross during a last
breath of life - a life that is all forgiveness - makes me shudder. So what happens
next?
O God of love and new life, wrap us up with the power of your never-failing love
so that we can face the coldness of the power of death and turn to you alone.
Amen.
for the world.
Wednesday
Someone quoted Rene Girard who noted that the first definition of the unconscious
is "Forgive them for they know not what they do." I looked at that for a while.
I wasn't so sure about calling that the first definition of the unconscious but
I sat with it and continued reading and thinking about the sermon. Trying to put
some more meaning behind the word 'salvation' so that it wasn't something that
had to do with what happens after death, I think Girard's statement hit me. Salvation
is about life. Salvation is about bringing to humankind the life that is meant to
be for all of us. It is the life that we have dropped in pursuit of other life -
life that is (as Luther notes) turned-in-on-self. That is life that is sin - broken.
Salvation is the power that breaks the cycle that keeps us spinning in our violence
and our hatred and our envy and our jealousy and our (continue forever with the
many sides of sin). From the cross - not as a piece of jewelry or a sign traced
on our body or a processional-like banner - we see the way of salvation. We do not
embrace the cross, we embrace the life that is up on the cross and the life that
God raises up from the cold, dark, grasp of death. Imagine this - all the power
of death and sin having to hear Jesus' last words. They were probably waiting for
him to say "Just wait, my Father will destroy you." And yet, the final line - the
final delivery is - a delivery. Father forgive them. Forgive them - forgive all
of humanity for 'they know not what they are doing.' All we can do at that point
is stutter. No power is left - save flat out forgiveness. Humanity is handed the
way of salvation - the way to transform life - the way to resurrect death and brokenness
- forgiveness.
Thursday
What do you do when you have been hurt by another - put down by another - disrespected
by another - shut out by another - insulted by another - treated like nobody at
all by another - falsely accused by another - lied to by another?
Oh, this list can go on and on. This list is one we each know. This is also a list
we may hate to embrace because it sounds quite horrible to see it written out. Add
to all this the descriptions that are used by someone like the Apostle Paul when
he is trying to remind a community of the way not to be - that is the way not to
be 'of the flesh' - that is, ruled by brokenness. He throws in envy - jealousy
- fornication (you know the lists). It is a list of actions - a list of thoughts
that bring about actions - a list of attitudes that bring about actions - a list
of perceptions that bring about actions. When we are honest, the actions are no
nice - they are not loving - they are not creative. In fact, it is as though we
forget about being children of this God of love. This week I have been made to wonder
if forgiveness is the power that breaks this endless cycle of sin. I wonder if forgiveness
- even when we have all the arguments in the world to not forgive and even more
arguments to hate and fight and work for retribution and revenge - stops it all.
What can continue beyond forgiveness? Isn't that always meant to be a new beginning?
Yes, it may be the end of us - but it is a reinstatement of the beginning - salvation
- right in the face of the power of humanity's broken and turned-in-on-self.
What I wrote yesterday caused me to shutter. I thought it just made me stutter,
but no, it hit me much more deeply. Salvation is the power for new life that is
meant to reach in and own our hearts. That causes the world to shudder because it
means the end of all things and the beginning of all that can be new. I cannot promise
to be ready for that. I hang on to anger and fear and hatred and envy (the long
list again) too readily. If God was anything other than love - there would be no
power to overcome the brokenness that is each of us. When Simeon sings that he
has seen salvation in the baby Jesus, he saw that all the power of God's Reign is
here - in the wide, open, expanses of our humanity. In that child - as that child
grows - there will be the salvation of our God - available and known through a vulnerability
that makes us all shutter because it will be so real for each and every day of our
lives. It is available and it is at hand, but I know myself and I often do not want
anything to do with it. I want warfare. I want one-upmanship. I want you to pay
for what you said or did and I want to be a part of the power that makes you pay
- somehow. So, to have this God as love pull at me from the cross during a last
breath of life - a life that is all forgiveness - makes me shudder. So what happens
next?
O God of love and new life, wrap us up with the power of your never-failing love
so that we can face the coldness of the power of death and turn to you alone.
Amen.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 3, 2013
I want to continue with God as love being made flesh as forgiveness - salvation
for the world.
Wednesday
Someone quoted Rene Girard who noted that the first definition of the unconscious
is "Forgive them for they know not what they do." I looked at that for a while.
I wasn't so sure about calling that the first definition of the unconscious but
I sat with it and continued reading and thinking about the sermon. Trying to put
some more meaning behind the word 'salvation' so that it wasn't something that
had to do with what happens after death, I think Girard's statement hit me. Salvation
is about life. Salvation is about bringing to humankind the life that is meant to
be for all of us. It is the life that we have dropped in pursuit of other life -
life that is (as Luther notes) turned-in-on-self. That is life that is sin - broken.
Salvation is the power that breaks the cycle that keeps us spinning in our violence
and our hatred and our envy and our jealousy and our (continue forever with the
many sides of sin). From the cross - not as a piece of jewelry or a sign traced
on our body or a processional-like banner - we see the way of salvation. We do not
embrace the cross, we embrace the life that is up on the cross and the life that
God raises up from the cold, dark, grasp of death. Imagine this - all the power
of death and sin having to hear Jesus' last words. They were probably waiting for
him to say "Just wait, my Father will destroy you." And yet, the final line - the
final delivery is - a delivery. Father forgive them. Forgive them - forgive all
of humanity for 'they know not what they are doing.' All we can do at that point
is stutter. No power is left - save flat out forgiveness. Humanity is handed the
way of salvation - the way to transform life - the way to resurrect death and brokenness
- forgiveness.
What do you do when you have been hurt by another - put down by another - disrespected
by another - shut out by another - insulted by another - treated like nobody at
all by another - falsely accused by another - lied to by another?
Oh, this list can go on and on. This list is one we each know. This is also a list
we may hate to embrace because it sounds quite horrible to see it written out. Add
to all this the descriptions that are used by someone like the Apostle Paul when
he is trying to remind a community of the way not to be - that is the way not to
be 'of the flesh' - that is, ruled by brokenness. He throws in envy - jealousy
- fornication (you know the lists). It is a list of actions - a list of thoughts
that bring about actions - a list of attitudes that bring about actions - a list
of perceptions that bring about actions. When we are honest, the actions are no
nice - they are not loving - they are not creative. In fact, it is as though we
forget about being children of this God of love. This week I have been made to wonder
if forgiveness is the power that breaks this endless cycle of sin. I wonder if forgiveness
- even when we have all the arguments in the world to not forgive and even more
arguments to hate and fight and work for retribution and revenge - stops it all.
What can continue beyond forgiveness? Isn't that always meant to be a new beginning?
Yes, it may be the end of us - but it is a reinstatement of the beginning - salvation
- right in the face of the power of humanity's broken and turned-in-on-self.
O God of love and new life, please pull us into that life for we will listen only
to the life we think we can rule and we do not remember that such a life like that
is always made of the power of death. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
for the world.
Wednesday
Someone quoted Rene Girard who noted that the first definition of the unconscious
is "Forgive them for they know not what they do." I looked at that for a while.
I wasn't so sure about calling that the first definition of the unconscious but
I sat with it and continued reading and thinking about the sermon. Trying to put
some more meaning behind the word 'salvation' so that it wasn't something that
had to do with what happens after death, I think Girard's statement hit me. Salvation
is about life. Salvation is about bringing to humankind the life that is meant to
be for all of us. It is the life that we have dropped in pursuit of other life -
life that is (as Luther notes) turned-in-on-self. That is life that is sin - broken.
Salvation is the power that breaks the cycle that keeps us spinning in our violence
and our hatred and our envy and our jealousy and our (continue forever with the
many sides of sin). From the cross - not as a piece of jewelry or a sign traced
on our body or a processional-like banner - we see the way of salvation. We do not
embrace the cross, we embrace the life that is up on the cross and the life that
God raises up from the cold, dark, grasp of death. Imagine this - all the power
of death and sin having to hear Jesus' last words. They were probably waiting for
him to say "Just wait, my Father will destroy you." And yet, the final line - the
final delivery is - a delivery. Father forgive them. Forgive them - forgive all
of humanity for 'they know not what they are doing.' All we can do at that point
is stutter. No power is left - save flat out forgiveness. Humanity is handed the
way of salvation - the way to transform life - the way to resurrect death and brokenness
- forgiveness.
What do you do when you have been hurt by another - put down by another - disrespected
by another - shut out by another - insulted by another - treated like nobody at
all by another - falsely accused by another - lied to by another?
Oh, this list can go on and on. This list is one we each know. This is also a list
we may hate to embrace because it sounds quite horrible to see it written out. Add
to all this the descriptions that are used by someone like the Apostle Paul when
he is trying to remind a community of the way not to be - that is the way not to
be 'of the flesh' - that is, ruled by brokenness. He throws in envy - jealousy
- fornication (you know the lists). It is a list of actions - a list of thoughts
that bring about actions - a list of attitudes that bring about actions - a list
of perceptions that bring about actions. When we are honest, the actions are no
nice - they are not loving - they are not creative. In fact, it is as though we
forget about being children of this God of love. This week I have been made to wonder
if forgiveness is the power that breaks this endless cycle of sin. I wonder if forgiveness
- even when we have all the arguments in the world to not forgive and even more
arguments to hate and fight and work for retribution and revenge - stops it all.
What can continue beyond forgiveness? Isn't that always meant to be a new beginning?
Yes, it may be the end of us - but it is a reinstatement of the beginning - salvation
- right in the face of the power of humanity's broken and turned-in-on-self.
O God of love and new life, please pull us into that life for we will listen only
to the life we think we can rule and we do not remember that such a life like that
is always made of the power of death. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for January 2, 2013
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
================================================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In preparation for the sermon last Sunday I read something that disturbed me and
made me much more away of the profound impact of seeing our God as love.
Someone quoted Rene Girard who noted that the first definition of the unconscious
is "Forgive them for they know not what they do." I looked at that for a while.
I wasn't so sure about calling that the first definition of the unconscious but
I sat with it and continued reading and thinking about the sermon. Trying to put
some more meaning behind the word 'salvation' so that it wasn't something that
had to do with what happens after death, I think Girard's statement hit me. Salvation
is about life. Salvation is about bringing to humankind the life that is meant to
be for all of us. It is the life that we have dropped in pursuit of other life -
life that is (as Luther notes) turned-in-on-self. That is life that is sin - broken.
Salvation is the power that breaks the cycle that keeps us spinning in our violence
and our hatred and our envy and our jealousy and our (continue forever with the
many sides of sin). From the cross - not as a piece of jewelry or a sign traced
on our body or a processional-like banner - we see the way of salvation. We do not
embrace the cross, we embrace the life that is up on the cross and the life that
God raises up from the cold, dark, grasp of death. Imagine this - all the power
of death and sin having to hear Jesus' last words. They were probably waiting for
him to say "Just wait, my Father will destroy you." And yet, the final line - the
final delivery is - a delivery. Father forgive them. Forgive them - forgive all
of humanity for 'they know not what they are doing.' All we can do at that point
is stutter. No power is left - save flat out forgiveness. Humanity is handed the
way of salvation - the way to transform life - the way to resurrect death and brokenness
- forgiveness.
O God of love and new life, we are too weak to carry out such a task. Empower us
again by your Spirit that we will see your salvation coming among us. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adventures... in Hope - Redeemer Devotions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
================================================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In preparation for the sermon last Sunday I read something that disturbed me and
made me much more away of the profound impact of seeing our God as love.
Someone quoted Rene Girard who noted that the first definition of the unconscious
is "Forgive them for they know not what they do." I looked at that for a while.
I wasn't so sure about calling that the first definition of the unconscious but
I sat with it and continued reading and thinking about the sermon. Trying to put
some more meaning behind the word 'salvation' so that it wasn't something that
had to do with what happens after death, I think Girard's statement hit me. Salvation
is about life. Salvation is about bringing to humankind the life that is meant to
be for all of us. It is the life that we have dropped in pursuit of other life -
life that is (as Luther notes) turned-in-on-self. That is life that is sin - broken.
Salvation is the power that breaks the cycle that keeps us spinning in our violence
and our hatred and our envy and our jealousy and our (continue forever with the
many sides of sin). From the cross - not as a piece of jewelry or a sign traced
on our body or a processional-like banner - we see the way of salvation. We do not
embrace the cross, we embrace the life that is up on the cross and the life that
God raises up from the cold, dark, grasp of death. Imagine this - all the power
of death and sin having to hear Jesus' last words. They were probably waiting for
him to say "Just wait, my Father will destroy you." And yet, the final line - the
final delivery is - a delivery. Father forgive them. Forgive them - forgive all
of humanity for 'they know not what they are doing.' All we can do at that point
is stutter. No power is left - save flat out forgiveness. Humanity is handed the
way of salvation - the way to transform life - the way to resurrect death and brokenness
- forgiveness.
O God of love and new life, we are too weak to carry out such a task. Empower us
again by your Spirit that we will see your salvation coming among us. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
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