This week's devotions are written by Vicar Steve Bond.
For these next two weeks, we'll be drawing from Marva Dawn's 2001 book, Powers, Weakness, and the Tabernacling of God as a starting point. The central thrust of the selected passages is that God in Christ is most clearly seen in weakness, and that the church-the very body of Christ-is called to embody that weakness for the glory of God. So without further ado, let's jump in…
Through his astheneia [the Greek word for "weakness"] Christ gave himself up to death-totally emptying himself and becoming obedient to the worst of deaths, as the letter to the Philippians asserts (2:5-10). Such a totality of weakness, of perfect submission to the will of the Father (as frequently recorded in the Gospel of John) makes possible the perfection of God's tabernacling in the world through Christ.
The Christian story is in many ways the story of God coming to be with people. The outright absurdity of this story's claim is that God seems to have a penchant for coming to be with people in foolish and weak ways-from dwelling in a movable tent, the tabernacle, in Israel's wilderness days, to roughing it and camping with the dejected and deflated exiles, and then most clearly to pitching that same tent in the fragile human flesh of Jesus. And amazingly, impossibly, God wills to be found not so much in the majestic and pristine heights of heaven or speaking as a muse through beautiful art or music, but in the weakness and ugliness of that human Jesus dying on a cross.
The upshot of this claim - if it is true - is that all our worries that we have to be good enough, all our juggling acts keeping work and family and status up in the air and on track to "success," all our fears that there is a minimum holiness requirement in order to "get in" to meet God, all of those are brought to an end since we have been embraced by God as we are and without pretense. We can be honest about where our limitations and weaknesses are, because ours is a God who seems to find us right there in our failings, dressed up in weakness just like us.
Connection: What if today, I could be honest with myself about my failures and mistakes? What if I were freed from posturing with my peers and pretending that I've got it all together? What if I didn't have to put on a smile for the world today, but could trust that I am loved even in sadness? What if God saw me as I really am-and still loved me? The audacious claim of faith is that those are all realities - no more "what ifs." And that's the gospel truth.
Gracious God, you come to find us in our weakness and fragility. Give us the courage to come and meet you there.
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Friday, October 8, 2004
Friday, 8 October, 2004
This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Judith Bird.
The final indicator of faith maturity according to "Exploring Faith Maturity" addresses sharing the good news.
Using the following scale, score yourself on the following two statements:
1 = Never true
2 = Rarely true
3 = True once in a while
4 = Sometimes true
5 = Often true
6 = Almost always true
7 = Always true
___ I am thrilled when I see a person's life changed because of Jesus Christ.
___ Telling people that Jesus Christ died for their sins is one of the most important things in my life.
Add your scores and divide by two. If your average is higher than five, this dimension of faith is well-developed.
According to the authors, sharing one's faith doesn't necessarily mean preaching. "Rather, it can be a matter of letting others know what values guide your decisions and where those values came from - your faith. It can mean talking about the insights or good feelings you got from Bible study, church activities, prayer or other faith experiences."
Colossians 4:5-6 tells, "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
Connection: Invite someone to an upcoming church activity or worship service.
Prayer: O Lord, help me to remember that faith is assurance not insurance and that faith even the size of a mustard seed can work wonders. Amen.
The final indicator of faith maturity according to "Exploring Faith Maturity" addresses sharing the good news.
Using the following scale, score yourself on the following two statements:
1 = Never true
2 = Rarely true
3 = True once in a while
4 = Sometimes true
5 = Often true
6 = Almost always true
7 = Always true
___ I am thrilled when I see a person's life changed because of Jesus Christ.
___ Telling people that Jesus Christ died for their sins is one of the most important things in my life.
Add your scores and divide by two. If your average is higher than five, this dimension of faith is well-developed.
According to the authors, sharing one's faith doesn't necessarily mean preaching. "Rather, it can be a matter of letting others know what values guide your decisions and where those values came from - your faith. It can mean talking about the insights or good feelings you got from Bible study, church activities, prayer or other faith experiences."
Colossians 4:5-6 tells, "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
Connection: Invite someone to an upcoming church activity or worship service.
Prayer: O Lord, help me to remember that faith is assurance not insurance and that faith even the size of a mustard seed can work wonders. Amen.
Wednesday, October 6, 2004
Thursday, 7 October, 2004
This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Judith Bird.
Today we will explore the eighth indicator of faith maturity according to "Exploring Faith Maturity" which deals with acting and serving.
Using the following scale, score yourself on the following five statements:
1 = Never true
2 = Rarely true
3 = True once in a while
4 = Sometimes true
5 = Often true
6 = Almost always true
7 = Always true
___ I do things to help protect the environment.
___ I go out of my way to show love to people I meet.
___ In my free time, I help people who have problems or needs.
___ I am active in efforts to promote social justice.
___ I am active in efforts to promote world peace.
Add your scores and divide by five. If your average is higher than five, this dimension of faith is well-developed.
According to the authors, acting and serving involves rolling up your sleeves and helping people without expecting anything in return. It is in Matthew 25:31-46 where Jesus talks about feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick and visiting those in prison. "'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'"
Connection: Where might you see Jesus today? What can you do to help?
Prayer: O Lord, send me forth to lovingly and courageously carry out your purposes among the people I meet along the way. Amen.
Today we will explore the eighth indicator of faith maturity according to "Exploring Faith Maturity" which deals with acting and serving.
Using the following scale, score yourself on the following five statements:
1 = Never true
2 = Rarely true
3 = True once in a while
4 = Sometimes true
5 = Often true
6 = Almost always true
7 = Always true
___ I do things to help protect the environment.
___ I go out of my way to show love to people I meet.
___ In my free time, I help people who have problems or needs.
___ I am active in efforts to promote social justice.
___ I am active in efforts to promote world peace.
Add your scores and divide by five. If your average is higher than five, this dimension of faith is well-developed.
According to the authors, acting and serving involves rolling up your sleeves and helping people without expecting anything in return. It is in Matthew 25:31-46 where Jesus talks about feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick and visiting those in prison. "'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'"
Connection: Where might you see Jesus today? What can you do to help?
Prayer: O Lord, send me forth to lovingly and courageously carry out your purposes among the people I meet along the way. Amen.
Wednesday, 6 October, 2004
This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Judith Bird.
According to "Exploring Faith Maturity," the seventh indicator of faith maturity deals with advocating social change.
Using the following scale, score yourself on the following four statements:
1 = Never true
2 = Rarely true
3 = True once in a while
4 = Sometimes true
5 = Often true
6 = Almost always true
7 = Always true
___ I care a great deal about reducing poverty in the United States and throughout the world.
___ I am concerned that our country is not doing enough to help the poor.
___ I think Christians must be about the business of creating international understanding and harmony.
___ I want the churches of this nation to get involved in political issues.
Add your scores and divide by four. If your average is higher than five, this dimension of faith is well-developed.
In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus kicked off his ministry reading the following from Isaiah:
Connection: How would that charge be worded for today's world?
Prayer: O Lord, help me to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with you. Amen.
According to "Exploring Faith Maturity," the seventh indicator of faith maturity deals with advocating social change.
Using the following scale, score yourself on the following four statements:
1 = Never true
2 = Rarely true
3 = True once in a while
4 = Sometimes true
5 = Often true
6 = Almost always true
7 = Always true
___ I care a great deal about reducing poverty in the United States and throughout the world.
___ I am concerned that our country is not doing enough to help the poor.
___ I think Christians must be about the business of creating international understanding and harmony.
___ I want the churches of this nation to get involved in political issues.
Add your scores and divide by four. If your average is higher than five, this dimension of faith is well-developed.
In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus kicked off his ministry reading the following from Isaiah:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.
Connection: How would that charge be worded for today's world?
Prayer: O Lord, help me to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with you. Amen.
Monday, October 4, 2004
Tuesday, 5 October, 2004
This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Judith Bird.
According to "Exploring Faith Maturity," the sixth indicator of faith maturity deals with nurturing faith in community. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Paul describes the church as a body in which each part depends on the other. "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable … If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it."
Using the following scale, score yourself on the following four statements:
1 = Never true
2 = Rarely true
3 = True once in a while
4 = Sometimes true
5 = Often true
6 = Almost always true
7 = Always true
___ I like to worship and pray with others.
___ I talk with other people about my faith.
___ I help others with their religious questions and struggles.
___ I feel God's presence in my relationships with other people.
Add your scores and divide by four. If your average is higher than five, this dimension of faith is well-developed.
As Christians, we need each other, and we need to spend time together. God has created a wonderfully diverse world of people with diverse skills and gifts.
Connection: Identify the part of the body you think fits you best. How does that play out daily?
Prayer: O Lord, help me to remember that you cherish and love each and every other person with whom I come into contact just as you do me. Amen.
According to "Exploring Faith Maturity," the sixth indicator of faith maturity deals with nurturing faith in community. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Paul describes the church as a body in which each part depends on the other. "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable … If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it."
Using the following scale, score yourself on the following four statements:
1 = Never true
2 = Rarely true
3 = True once in a while
4 = Sometimes true
5 = Often true
6 = Almost always true
7 = Always true
___ I like to worship and pray with others.
___ I talk with other people about my faith.
___ I help others with their religious questions and struggles.
___ I feel God's presence in my relationships with other people.
Add your scores and divide by four. If your average is higher than five, this dimension of faith is well-developed.
As Christians, we need each other, and we need to spend time together. God has created a wonderfully diverse world of people with diverse skills and gifts.
Connection: Identify the part of the body you think fits you best. How does that play out daily?
Prayer: O Lord, help me to remember that you cherish and love each and every other person with whom I come into contact just as you do me. Amen.
Sunday, October 3, 2004
Monday, 4 October, 2004
This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Judith Bird.
Last week we began exploring questions about what faith is and how it is demonstrated in everyday life using "Exploring Faith Maturity: A Self-Study Guide," by Eugene Roehlkepartain and Dorothy Williams and published by Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent). We got through four of the nine dimensions of the Christian faith that the book lays out in its "self assessment." Today, we pick up with up with the fifth "indicator" which the authors term "experiencing the fruits of faith."
Using the following scale, score yourself on the following five statements:
1 = Never true
2 = Rarely true
3 = True once in a while
4 = Sometimes true
5 = Often true
6 = Almost always true
7 = Always true
___ My life is filled with meaning and purpose.
___ I don't have a hard time accepting myself.
___ I do not feel overwhelmed by all my responsibilities and obligations.
___ I am confident that I can overcome any problem or crisis, no matter how serious.
___ My life is not filled with stress and anxiety.
Add your scores and divide by five. If your average is higher than five, this dimension of faith is well-developed.
There is an amazing freedom that happens once you understand that you are a child of God - accepted, loved and saved. Psalm 23 talks about what that is like.
Connection: What difference does that freedom make in your actions?
Prayer:
Last week we began exploring questions about what faith is and how it is demonstrated in everyday life using "Exploring Faith Maturity: A Self-Study Guide," by Eugene Roehlkepartain and Dorothy Williams and published by Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent). We got through four of the nine dimensions of the Christian faith that the book lays out in its "self assessment." Today, we pick up with up with the fifth "indicator" which the authors term "experiencing the fruits of faith."
Using the following scale, score yourself on the following five statements:
1 = Never true
2 = Rarely true
3 = True once in a while
4 = Sometimes true
5 = Often true
6 = Almost always true
7 = Always true
___ My life is filled with meaning and purpose.
___ I don't have a hard time accepting myself.
___ I do not feel overwhelmed by all my responsibilities and obligations.
___ I am confident that I can overcome any problem or crisis, no matter how serious.
___ My life is not filled with stress and anxiety.
Add your scores and divide by five. If your average is higher than five, this dimension of faith is well-developed.
There is an amazing freedom that happens once you understand that you are a child of God - accepted, loved and saved. Psalm 23 talks about what that is like.
Connection: What difference does that freedom make in your actions?
Prayer:
Lord,
Make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
-- Francis of Assisi
Monday, 4 October, 2004
This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Judith Bird.
Last week we began exploring questions about what faith is and how it is demonstrated in everyday life using "Exploring Faith Maturity: A Self-Study Guide," by Eugene Roehlkepartain and Dorothy Williams and published by Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent). We got through four of the nine dimensions of the Christian faith that the book lays out in its "self assessment." Today, we pick up with up with the fifth "indicator" which the authors term "experiencing the fruits of faith."
Using the following scale, score yourself on the following five statements:
1 = Never true
2 = Rarely true
3 = True once in a while
4 = Sometimes true
5 = Often true
6 = Almost always true
7 = Always true
___ My life is filled with meaning and purpose.
___ I don't have a hard time accepting myself.
___ I do not feel overwhelmed by all my responsibilities and obligations.
___ I am confident that I can overcome any problem or crisis, no matter how serious.
___ My life is not filled with stress and anxiety.
Add your scores and divide by five. If your average is higher than five, this dimension of faith is well-developed.
There is an amazing freedom that happens once you understand that you are a child of God - accepted, loved and saved. Psalm 23 talks about what that is like.
Connection: What difference does that freedom make in your actions?
Prayer:
Last week we began exploring questions about what faith is and how it is demonstrated in everyday life using "Exploring Faith Maturity: A Self-Study Guide," by Eugene Roehlkepartain and Dorothy Williams and published by Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent). We got through four of the nine dimensions of the Christian faith that the book lays out in its "self assessment." Today, we pick up with up with the fifth "indicator" which the authors term "experiencing the fruits of faith."
Using the following scale, score yourself on the following five statements:
1 = Never true
2 = Rarely true
3 = True once in a while
4 = Sometimes true
5 = Often true
6 = Almost always true
7 = Always true
___ My life is filled with meaning and purpose.
___ I don't have a hard time accepting myself.
___ I do not feel overwhelmed by all my responsibilities and obligations.
___ I am confident that I can overcome any problem or crisis, no matter how serious.
___ My life is not filled with stress and anxiety.
Add your scores and divide by five. If your average is higher than five, this dimension of faith is well-developed.
There is an amazing freedom that happens once you understand that you are a child of God - accepted, loved and saved. Psalm 23 talks about what that is like.
Connection: What difference does that freedom make in your actions?
Prayer:
Lord,
Make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
-- Francis of Assisi
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