We continue today with our journey through Psalm 139.
(3) You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. (4) Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely. (5) You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. (6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it.
As we plod through the paths of our lives, it is comforting to know that we are not alone. Our experiences, both good and bad, are not just our own. God walks with us. God's hand is there on our backs encouraging us when we don't want to go on, holding us back when we want to foolishly rush forward, and reaching out to share our greatest joys and sorrows. Yet God is present in our lives in more than just a metaphorical sense. God surrounds us, behind and before, with people and other wonders of creation so that we might know of God's nearness. That great cloud of witnesses to God's love always surrounds us, and sometimes we cannot help but simply marvel at how near God truly is.
Connection: Keep your eyes open for moments when God's goodness and nearness comes over you, whether it's in the sight of falling snow, conversation with a loved one, or spending time with the people who share their daily lives with you. Sometimes these moments don't need any analysis, but are best spent simply in awe of God.
Wondrous God, we know that you show your love for us in so many ways. Thank you for sticking with us through the good and the bad and for showing your love to us through all that you have placed around us. Use us also to surround others with your love. Amen.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Monday 12 February 2007
While Pastor Al is away on vacation this week and part of the next, I (Vicar Mike) have the opportunity to share my thoughts with you through these devotions. Instead of taking over Pastor Al's series from Colossians, I thought I might share my favorite psalm with you, Psalm 139. We begin today with the first few verses of the psalm . . .
(1) O LORD, you have searched me and known me. (2) You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. (3) You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. (4) Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely.
When I hear these words of the psalm, I think about God knowing me in ways that I can only wish that other people would know me, ways I wish that even I could know myself. God cares about more than just which paths we take; God knows and cares why we do the things we do. God sees the inner tensions going on in our thoughts, our emotions, and our bodies that guide us in this direction or that direction. While I imagine God wants us to take the right paths, we can be sure that God understands why we don't always take them, sure that God understands it is easier said than done. I find comfort in recalling that God knows that our sometimes foolish actions do not mean that we are totally self-absorbed, completely misguided, and entirely uncaring about what God wants for us and for this world. I'm also glad that God knows the love inside of us as we happen to plod along the right paths.
Connection: As you find yourself going down one path or another today, take a moment to consider what it means that God is just as much concerned with what led you in that direction as God is concerned about where you are headed. Remember that God cares to know you because God loves you.
God of wisdom, you know where we are headed and all those things that have lead us down this path. Thank you for coming this far with us and caring to know us so well. Walk with us and use that knowledge to guide us in your ways. Amen.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Friday 9 February 2007
The week ends with another piece from Colossians.
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (3:12) Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. (3:13) Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (3:14) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. (3:15) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Well, the Christ is the reality into which we have been placed as the baptized. Therefore, let that One who rescues and delivers and bring life out of death live within us as though we are a part of his glory. The way to do that is as a community. One to the other...we take care to bring each of us into the fullness of the promise of God. When I have the opportunity to look out over the congregation as we sing in worship, I find myself encouraged as I view others singing. It is as though through the words of those hymns, the melodies, the harmonies, and the hearts of those who are singing or listening, we "admonish one another in all wisdom." When we use the word admonish it often is in the spirit of correcting in a harsh way. But I find that in our singing we give each other vision and encouragement and hope as we each become mindful of the Christ who dwells in us. I've seen people cry...sing with broad smiles...belt it out as though they want all creation to hear the news...and some who simply listen to the whole witness of those hymns. We encourage one another and that is so very important.
Connection: We have with us one who will not forsake us and one who will continue to bring us more fully into the Reign of our God. Today watch to see who will be a part of that Spirit of life for you.
Blessed Lord, how wonderful it is that you bring us others to bear witness to your presence. How wonderful it is that in such simple actions as our singing your Reign pours down around us and on us to carry us into a new dimension of your beloved community. Amen.
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (3:12) Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. (3:13) Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (3:14) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. (3:15) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Well, the Christ is the reality into which we have been placed as the baptized. Therefore, let that One who rescues and delivers and bring life out of death live within us as though we are a part of his glory. The way to do that is as a community. One to the other...we take care to bring each of us into the fullness of the promise of God. When I have the opportunity to look out over the congregation as we sing in worship, I find myself encouraged as I view others singing. It is as though through the words of those hymns, the melodies, the harmonies, and the hearts of those who are singing or listening, we "admonish one another in all wisdom." When we use the word admonish it often is in the spirit of correcting in a harsh way. But I find that in our singing we give each other vision and encouragement and hope as we each become mindful of the Christ who dwells in us. I've seen people cry...sing with broad smiles...belt it out as though they want all creation to hear the news...and some who simply listen to the whole witness of those hymns. We encourage one another and that is so very important.
Connection: We have with us one who will not forsake us and one who will continue to bring us more fully into the Reign of our God. Today watch to see who will be a part of that Spirit of life for you.
Blessed Lord, how wonderful it is that you bring us others to bear witness to your presence. How wonderful it is that in such simple actions as our singing your Reign pours down around us and on us to carry us into a new dimension of your beloved community. Amen.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Thursday 8 February 2007
And again, we continue our movement on through the third chapter of Colossians.
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (3:12) Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. (3:13) Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (3:14) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. (3:15)
The life of the body of Christ is one of healing wholeness. It is a peace that goes beyond our understanding and yet it is a promise of what will be. When we are baptized in Christ, Jesus, we entered into a life through death. Part of that dying was and is a dying to the warring madness that so often serves to separate and break us apart. Even though we so often and so willingly go that warring way, we are reminded of the creative and reconciling power of the Christ who seeks to make us people who overcome our divisions rather than make for new ones or deepen old one. Probably a good first step in that journey of peace ruling among us is to be thankful for this life that is open to us. I love how we have moved through these verses and here at the end of verse 15 there is the simple reminder: be thankful. Yes, the world and our lives may be on the bring of war and brokenness but we have been called to be a part of a new body - a new reality - a new life. You and I have been called into this existence that is continually being made whole in the midst of our brokenness. Nothing can be better for us than to simply be thankful. Giving thanks to our God helps us to remember the gift given to us and the part we play in the world as that gift continues to be unfolded.
Connection: Here's something to think about - be thankful. Who knows what that will turn into as we go through the ordinary events along the way.
Blessed Lord, make us a thankful people through the power of your Spirit. There are so many times that we forget to give thanks or to even see a reason to be thankful. When we come to see how you give us this day as a gift, no matter how it goes, there is always a beginning point for our thanks and it is you promise that you abide with us. Thanks be to you, O God. Amen.
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (3:12) Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. (3:13) Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (3:14) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. (3:15)
The life of the body of Christ is one of healing wholeness. It is a peace that goes beyond our understanding and yet it is a promise of what will be. When we are baptized in Christ, Jesus, we entered into a life through death. Part of that dying was and is a dying to the warring madness that so often serves to separate and break us apart. Even though we so often and so willingly go that warring way, we are reminded of the creative and reconciling power of the Christ who seeks to make us people who overcome our divisions rather than make for new ones or deepen old one. Probably a good first step in that journey of peace ruling among us is to be thankful for this life that is open to us. I love how we have moved through these verses and here at the end of verse 15 there is the simple reminder: be thankful. Yes, the world and our lives may be on the bring of war and brokenness but we have been called to be a part of a new body - a new reality - a new life. You and I have been called into this existence that is continually being made whole in the midst of our brokenness. Nothing can be better for us than to simply be thankful. Giving thanks to our God helps us to remember the gift given to us and the part we play in the world as that gift continues to be unfolded.
Connection: Here's something to think about - be thankful. Who knows what that will turn into as we go through the ordinary events along the way.
Blessed Lord, make us a thankful people through the power of your Spirit. There are so many times that we forget to give thanks or to even see a reason to be thankful. When we come to see how you give us this day as a gift, no matter how it goes, there is always a beginning point for our thanks and it is you promise that you abide with us. Thanks be to you, O God. Amen.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Wednesday 7 February 2007
Today we continue our movement on through the third chapter of Colossians.
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (3:12) Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. (3:13) Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (3:14)
As you can see, we are slowly moving through these verses. Each verse adds a new page to a book about who we are to be with one another. That may be one of the most important aspects about being a follower of Jesus - we are people involved with other people - we are called into community - we live as though the living dynamics of the community are as vital as the dynamic way our individual bodies work. Love is what brings unity to the whole. Love as one person notes re-unites the separated and brings back into living form relationships that once were dead or disabled. Once there is the miracle of forgiveness alive within the community, love presses on so that we now move closer to one another. Love makes us available even when we do not want to be. Love move us into a position of vulnerability because we risk opening up to the other as though the other will do the same. That isn't always the case. But when people who are separated are re-united, it makes for "beautiful music." Whenever two voices can come together to sing the same song - even though the voices differ and the parts differ also - we begin to hear how differences that risk to be together create a harmony that we may never have believed could exist. So, we are invited to put on this love - show it - have it be out there - let it be seen without partiality. When that happens, the great possibility of lives being bound to one another -re-united- becomes a reality and the community enters a newness of life.
Connection: We have to wear that love in order for people to see that we are open to new relationship or that we are open to new pathways within a relationship. This is not a simple smile. It is a willingness to risk ourselves in the relationships of our lives with such a commitment that the other can see our intentions and our hope.
Lord of Love, by your grace you show us love that is beyond us and love that is always for us. Though we have many ways of living outside of this realm of life, we all still long to find space within our lives to begin to love again and again. By the power of your Spirit, increase in us the courage to reach out to those around us and begin to overcome the powers that work so hard to keep us separated. Amen.
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (3:12) Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. (3:13) Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (3:14)
As you can see, we are slowly moving through these verses. Each verse adds a new page to a book about who we are to be with one another. That may be one of the most important aspects about being a follower of Jesus - we are people involved with other people - we are called into community - we live as though the living dynamics of the community are as vital as the dynamic way our individual bodies work. Love is what brings unity to the whole. Love as one person notes re-unites the separated and brings back into living form relationships that once were dead or disabled. Once there is the miracle of forgiveness alive within the community, love presses on so that we now move closer to one another. Love makes us available even when we do not want to be. Love move us into a position of vulnerability because we risk opening up to the other as though the other will do the same. That isn't always the case. But when people who are separated are re-united, it makes for "beautiful music." Whenever two voices can come together to sing the same song - even though the voices differ and the parts differ also - we begin to hear how differences that risk to be together create a harmony that we may never have believed could exist. So, we are invited to put on this love - show it - have it be out there - let it be seen without partiality. When that happens, the great possibility of lives being bound to one another -re-united- becomes a reality and the community enters a newness of life.
Connection: We have to wear that love in order for people to see that we are open to new relationship or that we are open to new pathways within a relationship. This is not a simple smile. It is a willingness to risk ourselves in the relationships of our lives with such a commitment that the other can see our intentions and our hope.
Lord of Love, by your grace you show us love that is beyond us and love that is always for us. Though we have many ways of living outside of this realm of life, we all still long to find space within our lives to begin to love again and again. By the power of your Spirit, increase in us the courage to reach out to those around us and begin to overcome the powers that work so hard to keep us separated. Amen.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Tuesday 6 February 2007
Again we move on through the third chapter of Colossians.
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (3:12) Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. (3:13)
This is getting tough. Forgiveness means we are a part of a new reality. And yet, I know too many cases when I will not venture into the "land of forgiveness." I can come up with any number of reasons why I will not go in that "land" with some people. Unfortunately, it is always nothing more than a good excuse to make me feel good about what I have or have not done - why I stay out of the fullness of the life within the realm of forgiveness. If this forgiveness was like forgiveness as I know it, then it can be limited and divided into categories based on how much forgiveness is enough to offer to this person or that one. In this text for today, the qualifier about forgiving each other is the manner in which the Lord has forgiven me.....ahhhhhhhhhh! To be quite frank, I won't go there. I cannot let myself go to such a loving length to forgive and begin the day as though the offense that leads into a need for forgiveness is gone. Wow! I don't know about you, but I have a bag full of these offenses. I also know that I let them limit my life with some people. Therefore, I persist in my separation from some folks. Having said that, I have just defined sin - separation from one another. I'm in the middle of it...sometimes I'm just fine with it...sometimes I know it is a crushing blow to me and you. But rather than forgive and dwell in the strange beauty of forgiveness and the life that comes when the separated are united, I...hold back. What's that all about!?! Am I afraid of what could become of a relationship? Am I afraid of the vulnerability that is demanded of those who forgive? Am I so protective of the controls I want in my life that forgiveness seems to threaten to tip me and the controls on our heads? Yes...probably all this and more. And yet...we are told that forgiveness is a part of the "holy and beloved" people. Finally, it must be pointed out that within the community of God's people, the vulnerability and risk of living within the domain of forgiveness must be a part of each of our lives - it is not just me who forgives....we forgive. Within that sense of community, forgiveness really is a shared adventure.
Connection: A question to bring into this day may simply be: how can we help each other live within this "land of forgiveness" as we move along the way. How do we help one another be courageous and bold within the presence of our Lord's gift of new life?
How precious is the forgiveness that is showered upon us, O God. When there is nothing else we can see within our lives and we have stumbled more than we can bear, we are lifted up by your grace and you begin again to shape us a people born again into the land of your promises for new life. Thank you for the daily reminders of your love and the power to be refreshed and renewed. Amen.
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (3:12) Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. (3:13)
This is getting tough. Forgiveness means we are a part of a new reality. And yet, I know too many cases when I will not venture into the "land of forgiveness." I can come up with any number of reasons why I will not go in that "land" with some people. Unfortunately, it is always nothing more than a good excuse to make me feel good about what I have or have not done - why I stay out of the fullness of the life within the realm of forgiveness. If this forgiveness was like forgiveness as I know it, then it can be limited and divided into categories based on how much forgiveness is enough to offer to this person or that one. In this text for today, the qualifier about forgiving each other is the manner in which the Lord has forgiven me.....ahhhhhhhhhh! To be quite frank, I won't go there. I cannot let myself go to such a loving length to forgive and begin the day as though the offense that leads into a need for forgiveness is gone. Wow! I don't know about you, but I have a bag full of these offenses. I also know that I let them limit my life with some people. Therefore, I persist in my separation from some folks. Having said that, I have just defined sin - separation from one another. I'm in the middle of it...sometimes I'm just fine with it...sometimes I know it is a crushing blow to me and you. But rather than forgive and dwell in the strange beauty of forgiveness and the life that comes when the separated are united, I...hold back. What's that all about!?! Am I afraid of what could become of a relationship? Am I afraid of the vulnerability that is demanded of those who forgive? Am I so protective of the controls I want in my life that forgiveness seems to threaten to tip me and the controls on our heads? Yes...probably all this and more. And yet...we are told that forgiveness is a part of the "holy and beloved" people. Finally, it must be pointed out that within the community of God's people, the vulnerability and risk of living within the domain of forgiveness must be a part of each of our lives - it is not just me who forgives....we forgive. Within that sense of community, forgiveness really is a shared adventure.
Connection: A question to bring into this day may simply be: how can we help each other live within this "land of forgiveness" as we move along the way. How do we help one another be courageous and bold within the presence of our Lord's gift of new life?
How precious is the forgiveness that is showered upon us, O God. When there is nothing else we can see within our lives and we have stumbled more than we can bear, we are lifted up by your grace and you begin again to shape us a people born again into the land of your promises for new life. Thank you for the daily reminders of your love and the power to be refreshed and renewed. Amen.
Monday 5 February 2007
This week we continue in chapter 3 of Colossians.
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. (3:12)
As is always the case with those who follow Jesus, we begin with that which is true and unseen and eternal. Our beginning point for life is the God who calls us into new life. We are God's chosen ones because it is what God does. We are God's chosen ones and with that goes the descriptive words holy and beloved. There may be many days when we do not feel holy or beloved and there may be days when we look at our actions and they are any but holy and beloved. And yet, in Christ, our God makes us just as this - holy and beloved. That is at the center of the new life that is handed to us. If that is the reality in which we enter this day, then our lives are able to be opened up in a new way. We will not have to face today afraid, protected, guarded, and self-absorbed. Rather, we are able to be seen by those around us as compassionate, kind, humble, meek, and patient. Paul says it so well as he uses the image of being clothed in such character traits. These are not always traits we fit into easily when we are living a life that is turned-in-on-self. In fact when our brokenness and separation from God and one another rules us, we are too busy participating in the idolatry of self - that we cannot even think of life that is compassionate. And yet, as God's chosen, we draw from the clothing of the Reign of God. This image becomes life that is available to us whenever we dress up.
Connection: So, dress up today. Dress up in the wardrobe that is available to us for it has been given to us - a no cost and within the hope that we will boldly wear in out into this day.
When you dress us up in the clothing of your Reign, O God, our lives become a living witness to the great gift of life that you have in store for all your people. Give us the courage to dress up and live anew. Amen
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. (3:12)
As is always the case with those who follow Jesus, we begin with that which is true and unseen and eternal. Our beginning point for life is the God who calls us into new life. We are God's chosen ones because it is what God does. We are God's chosen ones and with that goes the descriptive words holy and beloved. There may be many days when we do not feel holy or beloved and there may be days when we look at our actions and they are any but holy and beloved. And yet, in Christ, our God makes us just as this - holy and beloved. That is at the center of the new life that is handed to us. If that is the reality in which we enter this day, then our lives are able to be opened up in a new way. We will not have to face today afraid, protected, guarded, and self-absorbed. Rather, we are able to be seen by those around us as compassionate, kind, humble, meek, and patient. Paul says it so well as he uses the image of being clothed in such character traits. These are not always traits we fit into easily when we are living a life that is turned-in-on-self. In fact when our brokenness and separation from God and one another rules us, we are too busy participating in the idolatry of self - that we cannot even think of life that is compassionate. And yet, as God's chosen, we draw from the clothing of the Reign of God. This image becomes life that is available to us whenever we dress up.
Connection: So, dress up today. Dress up in the wardrobe that is available to us for it has been given to us - a no cost and within the hope that we will boldly wear in out into this day.
When you dress us up in the clothing of your Reign, O God, our lives become a living witness to the great gift of life that you have in store for all your people. Give us the courage to dress up and live anew. Amen
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