2 Corinthians 5:17
New Living Translation (NLT)
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
As a kid, I was awkward at best in sports. So I loved it whenever someone would yell, "Do-over!" because it meant I got a second chance at whatever it was I had failed at the first time.
Many of us view the new year as a sort of cosmic "do-over;" a chance to start with a clean slate, a fresh page to write a new chapter of our lives upon. We write resolutions to get out of debt, lose weight or stop some bad habit. Interesting that most resolutions are negative in nature, statistically speaking. Very few people resolve to be more joyous or to laugh more.
As Paul tells the church at Corinth, we Christians can enjoy a sort of "do-over" every day, indeed, every minute of every day in Christ. For though the old has passed away, and a new creation is in its place, I find in my life something old in me crops up from time to time that has to pass away and be recreated again. Old traditions I have to let go of. Old ideas that have to give way to new creativity. As I watched a movie on TV this week one of its characters said "If you hold on to something old and dear too tightly you just might choke it to death." A part of being reborn is the ability to let go. A part of welcoming in the new is releasing the old. A part of becoming the new creation is dying. The old must pass away that the new might live. Just as the barren landscape around us reminds us that winter gives way to spring, the barrenness of our souls languishing in the wilderness gives way to resurrection and new life.
So as you say good bye to 2011 and hello to 2012, claim the new creation God intends you to be and allow the old to truly pass away in you as Christ forms in you the newness of life. Peace, health and happiness to you in 2012!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Light Shines
"In him was life, and the life was the light of the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overtake it...And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth." (John 1:4-5, 14)
This Friday I will turn 54 years old! Unbelievable! I am now officially old! Next year I can join AARP! One of the "gifts" of growing older (wonder why they call it growing?) is that you can't see a thing! You need more and more and more light!
When I was younger my grandfather used to tell me to turn on the lights or I'd ruin my eyes. He must have been right, 'cause my eyes are definitely ruined! It takes so much light for me to read, I feel like I need to walk around with one of those miner's helmets!
We need a great deal of light to see spiritually, as well. Light that will shine into the dark places of our lives. Light that isn't afraid to move among the shadowy places we keep hidden. We keep them hidden from others out of fear and shame. We may even keep them hidden from ourselves, afraid to face the unknown, afraid to face the consequences of our actions, or just plain afraid of what we might find. We may even deceive ourselves that we've hidden those deep dark places from God.
How foolish we must seem to the all-knowing One! When His heartlight searches our innnermost darkness, He fills us with grace and mercy, peace and forgiveness, warmth and light. He knows EXACTLY what is in our hearts and in our minds. Yet, He waits for us to yield to His warm embrace. He will not force His way into our hearts anymore than His son forced His way into an inn in Bethlehem. He enters only where we make room for Him.
Every home that shines with lights this Christmas, turn on the light in your hearts first! Every time you plug up the tree or light the candles, pause to look within at the places you hold back from Him and let go. Turn on the lights. The darkness of jobs lost, families split, substance abuse, fear, loneliness and economic burdens cannot overcome the light of Life found in the Prince of Peace. May the Word become flesh be born in your hearts anew this day. Merry Christmas! Pastor Caren
This Friday I will turn 54 years old! Unbelievable! I am now officially old! Next year I can join AARP! One of the "gifts" of growing older (wonder why they call it growing?) is that you can't see a thing! You need more and more and more light!
When I was younger my grandfather used to tell me to turn on the lights or I'd ruin my eyes. He must have been right, 'cause my eyes are definitely ruined! It takes so much light for me to read, I feel like I need to walk around with one of those miner's helmets!
We need a great deal of light to see spiritually, as well. Light that will shine into the dark places of our lives. Light that isn't afraid to move among the shadowy places we keep hidden. We keep them hidden from others out of fear and shame. We may even keep them hidden from ourselves, afraid to face the unknown, afraid to face the consequences of our actions, or just plain afraid of what we might find. We may even deceive ourselves that we've hidden those deep dark places from God.
How foolish we must seem to the all-knowing One! When His heartlight searches our innnermost darkness, He fills us with grace and mercy, peace and forgiveness, warmth and light. He knows EXACTLY what is in our hearts and in our minds. Yet, He waits for us to yield to His warm embrace. He will not force His way into our hearts anymore than His son forced His way into an inn in Bethlehem. He enters only where we make room for Him.
Every home that shines with lights this Christmas, turn on the light in your hearts first! Every time you plug up the tree or light the candles, pause to look within at the places you hold back from Him and let go. Turn on the lights. The darkness of jobs lost, families split, substance abuse, fear, loneliness and economic burdens cannot overcome the light of Life found in the Prince of Peace. May the Word become flesh be born in your hearts anew this day. Merry Christmas! Pastor Caren
Monday, December 12, 2011
Back to Bethlehem
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
lights, colors, inflatables jolly.
I wonder if my dollar store decorations
are a good enough celebration
for the Savior of all the nations...
But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I can see the only decor
is a star in the sky and a dirt floor.
There's hay on the ground;
and the glory of the Lord shines all around.
And it's the best celebration of all!
There's no place like home for the holidays -
if you can figure out where home is these days.
Is it mom's or dad's?grandma's? Or the streets?
A place I stuff my face with goodies and sweets?
Is it the place I pray for enough to eat or drink?
Or where family dysfunctions drive me to the brink?
But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I see home is where Jesus is.
No room in the inn, still Jesus lives!
Where hearts receive and seek to be filled,
The Christ-child enters still.
And it's the best home of all!
I'll have a blue Christmas without you.
I'll feel empty inside when I think of you.
The traditions we built together.
The storms we weathered.
The bonds we tethered.
All gone now that you aren't here.
There's no spirit of Christmas cheer.
But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I am surrounded by loving hearts.
I don't feel pulled apart.
I feel a part of -
Changed by love -
And it's the best love of all!
Santa Baby, slip a sable under the tree for me,
an X-box, iPad or maybe a Wii;
don't they grow on trees?
Credit now, worry later, it's the American way,
until the reckoning day
THEN I remember to pray.
I forget God's name and God's will
until I'm covered up in bills.
But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I see the gifts are simple and real.
A touch, an embrace, shepherds kneel,
Incense, perfume, gold,
A warm blanket in the cold,
And they're the best gifts of all!
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
in a winter wonderland,
I wish you a Merry Stress-mas
as I worry and over plan.
Mistletoe kisses and the jingliest of bells -
even Santa's letters
can't make me feel better.
Rudolph can't lead me through this dark night
to find my purpose
and make me feel right
Will someone just clean up the mess
and turn out the lights?
But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I see a bright star.
It tells me where we are.
Mary, Joseph, shepherds, kings, and I,
if we look to the sky,
see the clearest of guideposts
placed there by the one who loves us most -
A brilliant light calling to me
Come back to Bethlehem and see
It's Jesus - the best of all - and all you need.
lights, colors, inflatables jolly.
I wonder if my dollar store decorations
are a good enough celebration
for the Savior of all the nations...
But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I can see the only decor
is a star in the sky and a dirt floor.
There's hay on the ground;
and the glory of the Lord shines all around.
And it's the best celebration of all!
There's no place like home for the holidays -
if you can figure out where home is these days.
Is it mom's or dad's?grandma's? Or the streets?
A place I stuff my face with goodies and sweets?
Is it the place I pray for enough to eat or drink?
Or where family dysfunctions drive me to the brink?
But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I see home is where Jesus is.
No room in the inn, still Jesus lives!
Where hearts receive and seek to be filled,
The Christ-child enters still.
And it's the best home of all!
I'll have a blue Christmas without you.
I'll feel empty inside when I think of you.
The traditions we built together.
The storms we weathered.
The bonds we tethered.
All gone now that you aren't here.
There's no spirit of Christmas cheer.
But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I am surrounded by loving hearts.
I don't feel pulled apart.
I feel a part of -
Changed by love -
And it's the best love of all!
Santa Baby, slip a sable under the tree for me,
an X-box, iPad or maybe a Wii;
don't they grow on trees?
Credit now, worry later, it's the American way,
until the reckoning day
THEN I remember to pray.
I forget God's name and God's will
until I'm covered up in bills.
But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I see the gifts are simple and real.
A touch, an embrace, shepherds kneel,
Incense, perfume, gold,
A warm blanket in the cold,
And they're the best gifts of all!
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
in a winter wonderland,
I wish you a Merry Stress-mas
as I worry and over plan.
Mistletoe kisses and the jingliest of bells -
even Santa's letters
can't make me feel better.
Rudolph can't lead me through this dark night
to find my purpose
and make me feel right
Will someone just clean up the mess
and turn out the lights?
But if I go back to Bethlehem,
I see a bright star.
It tells me where we are.
Mary, Joseph, shepherds, kings, and I,
if we look to the sky,
see the clearest of guideposts
placed there by the one who loves us most -
A brilliant light calling to me
Come back to Bethlehem and see
It's Jesus - the best of all - and all you need.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Waiting
We are currently in the season of the church year known as Advent. The Advent countdown begins with the four Sundays leading up to Christmas day. Some churches light one candle each week in Advent marking the time as we wait for Christ to come. Advent is all about the waiting. The scriptures talk about the second coming of Christ and how the church waits in anticipation of that event. The story of John the Baptist is told, and how he prepared the way for Christ's public ministry by telling the people to repent while they waited for Christ to come. The stories of Mary, Elizabeth and Joseph are told. And still we wait. We wait until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to hear of the birth of Christ, and the dawn of a new day of hope and love.We as a people don't like to wait. This year, I was hearing Christmas music on the radio before Halloween - I kid you not! In this day of instant gratification, we want what we want and we want it NOW, so why wait? In fact, I would submit, we've forgotten what it is to wait; especially to wait upon the Lord.
Last Tuesday, my husband was in surgery in CMC Main for 5 hours. The surgery was supposed to take 3 hours. He was in recovery for 3 hours. I was supposed to be able to see him in recovery after 2 hours. After two and a half hours I went to the desk in the waiting room. I chatted with the staff I have seen many, many times in my capacity as a pastor. Only this time, I wasn't there as a pastor. This time it was my John. All day long friends and family were facebooking and tweeting prayers and support for us. I knew we were covered in prayer.
Finally, I told my friend at the desk that my anxiety level was getting a little high. He looked at his little screen and promised to let me know something "soon." I returned to my corner of the waiting room. And I continued to wait. And wait. Finally, I was called up to the desk and told I could go to my husband's room on the 10th floor. Confused, relieved, and exhausted, I gathered my things and headed for the elevators. Finally, after 12 hours, I walked into his room and saw my husband smile at me. The wait was over, and worth every minute to know he was cancer free.
The Hebrew people had waited a long time to be free. Jesus was worth the wait. The prophet Isaiah said "The people who lived in darkness have seek a great light." We can wait, too, for things that are worth it. We can take an extra 30 minutes before leaving the house to pray and get balance for the day. We can wait for God to give us direction before making major decisions in our lives.
We can wait deliberately, creatively, and purposefully. We can make a daily ritual of stopping and waiting to hear the voice of God by lighting and Advent wreath, or creating a home altar, or going on a devotional walk each day.
Because some things are just worth the wait.....
Last Tuesday, my husband was in surgery in CMC Main for 5 hours. The surgery was supposed to take 3 hours. He was in recovery for 3 hours. I was supposed to be able to see him in recovery after 2 hours. After two and a half hours I went to the desk in the waiting room. I chatted with the staff I have seen many, many times in my capacity as a pastor. Only this time, I wasn't there as a pastor. This time it was my John. All day long friends and family were facebooking and tweeting prayers and support for us. I knew we were covered in prayer.
Finally, I told my friend at the desk that my anxiety level was getting a little high. He looked at his little screen and promised to let me know something "soon." I returned to my corner of the waiting room. And I continued to wait. And wait. Finally, I was called up to the desk and told I could go to my husband's room on the 10th floor. Confused, relieved, and exhausted, I gathered my things and headed for the elevators. Finally, after 12 hours, I walked into his room and saw my husband smile at me. The wait was over, and worth every minute to know he was cancer free.
The Hebrew people had waited a long time to be free. Jesus was worth the wait. The prophet Isaiah said "The people who lived in darkness have seek a great light." We can wait, too, for things that are worth it. We can take an extra 30 minutes before leaving the house to pray and get balance for the day. We can wait for God to give us direction before making major decisions in our lives.
We can wait deliberately, creatively, and purposefully. We can make a daily ritual of stopping and waiting to hear the voice of God by lighting and Advent wreath, or creating a home altar, or going on a devotional walk each day.
Because some things are just worth the wait.....
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
We Forgot to Remember
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward,
Secretary of State
Source: Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by Roy P. Basler
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward,
Secretary of State
Source: Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by Roy P. Basler
Monday, November 7, 2011
Tattletale
If I had a penny for every time my little sister said, "I'm gonna tell!" when we were growing up, I could retire a bazillionaire right now. We couldn't wait to tell mom or dad what we saw the other one do when we were kids! It was also carried over into school! There was always a tattletale in every class. They couldn't wait to tell the teacher what their classmates had done. Even now in the pastorate, I find there are adults that want to tell me what someone else in the parish has done wrong in order to make themselves look better.
Yet, somehow it doesn't translate over into our public witness for Christ. Jesus tells us to "go and tell". "Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick." Luke 9:2 We see the goodness of God everyday. We catch Him doing something all the time. Yet we do not feel compelled to run and tell someone!
If we were called to the witness stand for Jesus, would we make a convincing witness for the faith? How would we answer the questions?
- Did you see the incident in question with your own eyes?
- What were you doing at the time?
- How sure are you that you are a witness?
- Are you sure you aren't just imagining things?
What have you witnessed God doing in your life? Have you told anyone about it? It may be just what they need to hear. It may seem commonplace to you, these God-sightings, but to those who live in darkness, light is extraordinarily beautiful. Sharing in this way will open your eyes to see the beauty around you that you have come to take for granted, and will enlighten someone else's world as well. Win-win!
Yet, somehow it doesn't translate over into our public witness for Christ. Jesus tells us to "go and tell". "Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick." Luke 9:2 We see the goodness of God everyday. We catch Him doing something all the time. Yet we do not feel compelled to run and tell someone!
If we were called to the witness stand for Jesus, would we make a convincing witness for the faith? How would we answer the questions?
- Did you see the incident in question with your own eyes?
- What were you doing at the time?
- How sure are you that you are a witness?
- Are you sure you aren't just imagining things?
What have you witnessed God doing in your life? Have you told anyone about it? It may be just what they need to hear. It may seem commonplace to you, these God-sightings, but to those who live in darkness, light is extraordinarily beautiful. Sharing in this way will open your eyes to see the beauty around you that you have come to take for granted, and will enlighten someone else's world as well. Win-win!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
7 Billion Neighbors
The United Nations estimates that sometime this week, probably on Halloween, the world's population will reach seven billion people. Now, THAT'S scary! It makes you stop and think. The God of all creation, the God of 7 BILLION people, is also the God who cares for each and every one of us individually. That makes me grateful.
Gratitude is a big word for a little concept that makes a big change in the way we see life. Jesus tells a story about gratitude. Luke 17:12-19 "As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!' He looked at them and said, 'Go show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, 'Praise God!' He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, 'Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?' And Jesus said to the man, 'Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.'"
The man's leprosy was already gone. So why did Jesus say "Your faith has healed you"? I have a feeling it's because there's more to the man than his physical illness. His praise of Christ showed a healing of a different type. An emotional, spiritual healing exemplified in a life lived in gratitude. There's a saying I find helpful in my times of trial and healing - You can get bitter or you can get better. Perhaps this leper had already begun the process of healing by working on his attitude while he was yet suffering from the dreaded disease. We don't know. All we DO know is that he found in his cleansing a cause to celebrate and praise God. Nine others did not. A tithe of those healed returned thanks for the gift they received.
As we enter one of the most materialistic times of our cultural year, let us remember first to say thanks. Thanks that though we are but one in a billion, God loves us still. Thanks that He came to bring Good News to the last, the least, the lost. Thanks that we are forgiven and can forgive. Thanks that we are loved and can love. Thanks for who we are and whose we are. And let us give God the glory.
Gratitude is a big word for a little concept that makes a big change in the way we see life. Jesus tells a story about gratitude. Luke 17:12-19 "As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!' He looked at them and said, 'Go show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, 'Praise God!' He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, 'Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?' And Jesus said to the man, 'Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.'"
The man's leprosy was already gone. So why did Jesus say "Your faith has healed you"? I have a feeling it's because there's more to the man than his physical illness. His praise of Christ showed a healing of a different type. An emotional, spiritual healing exemplified in a life lived in gratitude. There's a saying I find helpful in my times of trial and healing - You can get bitter or you can get better. Perhaps this leper had already begun the process of healing by working on his attitude while he was yet suffering from the dreaded disease. We don't know. All we DO know is that he found in his cleansing a cause to celebrate and praise God. Nine others did not. A tithe of those healed returned thanks for the gift they received.
As we enter one of the most materialistic times of our cultural year, let us remember first to say thanks. Thanks that though we are but one in a billion, God loves us still. Thanks that He came to bring Good News to the last, the least, the lost. Thanks that we are forgiven and can forgive. Thanks that we are loved and can love. Thanks for who we are and whose we are. And let us give God the glory.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Pray for Mutual Respect & Dignity
When did religion bashing become a part of our political process? I feel more like Andy Rooney than a religion columnist, but I feel I must speak out against this insanity! Maybe my readers are as fed up as I am. What is up with this? Where is our civility? Where is our integrity? Where is our dignity? Where is our respect for ourselves and others? Where is our humanity?
When the disciples came to Jesus wanting to intimidate and/or ignore the Samaritans, a sect of Judaism that worshipped differently than the predominant one, he would have nothing of it. When he spoke out against the pharisees, he only objected to the fact that they were hypocrites, not their religion per se. In the Old Testament, laws admonish the Hebrews to be kind to the strangers and foreigners among them, even equating them with widows and orphans for special care. In the book of Hebrews, Christians are instructed to welcome those who are different from themselves because they may have been messengers sent from God. The prophet Jeremiah says, "This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! ...Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows." Jer. 22:3 NLT Yet on television, radio and any venue they can find, politicians are parading about making fun of the foreigners, those with different religions, and those who have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, which, in case they may have forgotten, IS EVERY LAST ONE OF US ON THE PLANET! (paraphrase of Romans 3:23) When did it become their job to sit in judgment on someone else's sin?
As Christ-followers, we are resident aliens in this world anyway. We are working to bring about heaven on earth, but our citizenship is in heaven. In the Bible he instructs us clearly to treat even strangers and foreigners with the utmost respect, and each other with even more respect.
“For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt." Deuteronomy 10:17-19 NLT. How then can we treat people of a different race or creed like they were somehow inferior to our race or creed? If God shows no partiality, how dare we? So what if Romney is Mormon? So what if Cain is African American? So what if there's a one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater running for office? They're all children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and worthy to be treated with respect and dignity. When did it become en vogue to be potty-mouthed smarty pants and come out of it looking holier than thou?
I'm saddened by the muck-raking, mud-slinging that passes for debates these days. I'm praying for transparency and honesty. I'll settle for tolerance and respect. Hopefully the Women's League of Voter's "Meet the Candidates" Forum here in Waxhaw will be just that next Thursday. Join me in praying for our local, state and national elections and all the rigamarole leading up to them. It's enough to make you lose your ....religion.
When the disciples came to Jesus wanting to intimidate and/or ignore the Samaritans, a sect of Judaism that worshipped differently than the predominant one, he would have nothing of it. When he spoke out against the pharisees, he only objected to the fact that they were hypocrites, not their religion per se. In the Old Testament, laws admonish the Hebrews to be kind to the strangers and foreigners among them, even equating them with widows and orphans for special care. In the book of Hebrews, Christians are instructed to welcome those who are different from themselves because they may have been messengers sent from God. The prophet Jeremiah says, "This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! ...Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows." Jer. 22:3 NLT Yet on television, radio and any venue they can find, politicians are parading about making fun of the foreigners, those with different religions, and those who have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, which, in case they may have forgotten, IS EVERY LAST ONE OF US ON THE PLANET! (paraphrase of Romans 3:23) When did it become their job to sit in judgment on someone else's sin?
As Christ-followers, we are resident aliens in this world anyway. We are working to bring about heaven on earth, but our citizenship is in heaven. In the Bible he instructs us clearly to treat even strangers and foreigners with the utmost respect, and each other with even more respect.
“For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt." Deuteronomy 10:17-19 NLT. How then can we treat people of a different race or creed like they were somehow inferior to our race or creed? If God shows no partiality, how dare we? So what if Romney is Mormon? So what if Cain is African American? So what if there's a one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater running for office? They're all children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and worthy to be treated with respect and dignity. When did it become en vogue to be potty-mouthed smarty pants and come out of it looking holier than thou?
I'm saddened by the muck-raking, mud-slinging that passes for debates these days. I'm praying for transparency and honesty. I'll settle for tolerance and respect. Hopefully the Women's League of Voter's "Meet the Candidates" Forum here in Waxhaw will be just that next Thursday. Join me in praying for our local, state and national elections and all the rigamarole leading up to them. It's enough to make you lose your ....religion.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Cleanliness Really is Godly
"Cleanliness is next to godliness." These words are usually spoken to me when I am being neither clean nor godly. Usually by some parental figure. Usually when I am least responsive to hearing it. However, the other day as I cleaned house, I found myself thinking it through for the first time. And theologizing about the whole concept of cleaning.
I clean house on Fridays, my day off from the church. I have a routine. It's a discipline. And for me, when I don't keep to my discipline, I feel out of sorts and overwhelmed. I even clean house before I leave on vacation because I like to come home to a clean house. My friends and family find this rather OCD. I find it comforting.
You see, in this chaotic, helter-skelter world, it's nice to know that all the dust can be conquered, if only for a day. All the dog hair can be overcome, if only for a few hours. Everything can be in its place. And my little world can smell fresh and clean, feel safe and secure, and I find great comfort in that.
It's the same way in my spiritual disciplines. In my chaotic inner self, it's nice to know that all the cobwebs can be cleared out, if only while I focus on the Word. All the insanity can be stilled, if only while in prayer. And my interior world can feel renewed and clean, forgiven and reassured.
"Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and put a new and right spirit within me." Psalm 51:9-11, NLT. This Psalm reminds us that we need to clean our hearts on a regular basis, and we need God's help to do so. Our spirits get dingy and dirty, and we need help getting them "right" again. Only God can do this for us. He's the sacred Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! There's no heart-stain he can't remove, and no heart-pain he can't heal. But we have to be willing to submit ourselves to his discipline to receive this cleaned-up, healed-up heart. And that's when we find ourselves right next to God himself. And THAT'S how cleanliness IS next to Godliness!
I clean house on Fridays, my day off from the church. I have a routine. It's a discipline. And for me, when I don't keep to my discipline, I feel out of sorts and overwhelmed. I even clean house before I leave on vacation because I like to come home to a clean house. My friends and family find this rather OCD. I find it comforting.
You see, in this chaotic, helter-skelter world, it's nice to know that all the dust can be conquered, if only for a day. All the dog hair can be overcome, if only for a few hours. Everything can be in its place. And my little world can smell fresh and clean, feel safe and secure, and I find great comfort in that.
It's the same way in my spiritual disciplines. In my chaotic inner self, it's nice to know that all the cobwebs can be cleared out, if only while I focus on the Word. All the insanity can be stilled, if only while in prayer. And my interior world can feel renewed and clean, forgiven and reassured.
"Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and put a new and right spirit within me." Psalm 51:9-11, NLT. This Psalm reminds us that we need to clean our hearts on a regular basis, and we need God's help to do so. Our spirits get dingy and dirty, and we need help getting them "right" again. Only God can do this for us. He's the sacred Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! There's no heart-stain he can't remove, and no heart-pain he can't heal. But we have to be willing to submit ourselves to his discipline to receive this cleaned-up, healed-up heart. And that's when we find ourselves right next to God himself. And THAT'S how cleanliness IS next to Godliness!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
The Times, They are A-Changin'
I've heard it said that the only thing constant in this world is change. My life certainly proves that to be true. I'm typing this column on a laptop, using a blog, and submitting it by email to my editor. Laptops, blogs and email have all come into being since I graduated from college (and, no, I'm not THAT old). Cell phones, blu-rays, cds, and DVDs - all happened in my lifetime.
You'd think we'd all get better, then, at embracing change. Yet, most seem to oppose it with every fiber of their being. I'm finding that the more rapidly things change around me, the more I seem to resist. Yahoo! changed my mailbox. Internet Explorer changed and I still can't figure out how to do half the things I used to do! What I used to find exciting and challenging is now sometimes overwhelming and tiresome.
God is all about change. God looked into the void, envisioned creation, spoke a Word, and it came to be. God's son shook up the whole religious and political order of His time, and changed the world forever. The Spirit moves among us and through us and changes our hearts and lives, empowering us to be the change that brings about the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
God's presence changes despair into hope. God's love changes enemies into friends. God's economy changes swords into plowshares. God's politics changes sinners into saints. God changes the world one person, one heart, one life at a time.
And we humans, we resist - kicking and screaming, digging our heels into the muck and mire we've made of our lives. We forget or don't care or don't get it. We miss the point - that God is changing us for the better. That each time we put God in charge we change - and it is very, very good. We are the eighth day of God's creative Word at work in the world. God's original blessing continues on each time we submit to be changed.
It's always seemed so strange to me that we will go out and buy the latest gadget and technology and make ourselves learn to use it, no matter how much we have to change our way of living. Yet, the tried and tested, true and reliable means of grace, like prayer and fasting, we cannot learn or master because it's just too hard to change...
You'd think we'd all get better, then, at embracing change. Yet, most seem to oppose it with every fiber of their being. I'm finding that the more rapidly things change around me, the more I seem to resist. Yahoo! changed my mailbox. Internet Explorer changed and I still can't figure out how to do half the things I used to do! What I used to find exciting and challenging is now sometimes overwhelming and tiresome.
God is all about change. God looked into the void, envisioned creation, spoke a Word, and it came to be. God's son shook up the whole religious and political order of His time, and changed the world forever. The Spirit moves among us and through us and changes our hearts and lives, empowering us to be the change that brings about the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
God's presence changes despair into hope. God's love changes enemies into friends. God's economy changes swords into plowshares. God's politics changes sinners into saints. God changes the world one person, one heart, one life at a time.
And we humans, we resist - kicking and screaming, digging our heels into the muck and mire we've made of our lives. We forget or don't care or don't get it. We miss the point - that God is changing us for the better. That each time we put God in charge we change - and it is very, very good. We are the eighth day of God's creative Word at work in the world. God's original blessing continues on each time we submit to be changed.
It's always seemed so strange to me that we will go out and buy the latest gadget and technology and make ourselves learn to use it, no matter how much we have to change our way of living. Yet, the tried and tested, true and reliable means of grace, like prayer and fasting, we cannot learn or master because it's just too hard to change...
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