Hear the words of Jesus:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:2-12 - NRSV
Grace and peace,
Ron
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Reflect the image ...
Today's devotional comes from Josh Birney:
I am sure that we have all heard the story about the little girl, maybe five or six years old, that sneaks into her little brother's room in the middle of the night. The girl wakes her brother up and asks him this question, “Can you tell me what Jesus looks like? Because I am beginning to forget.”
The story is cute and sweet, but it makes me think about the image that I am projecting! When people see me do they see Jesus, that I am created in His image to reflect Him to the world? Have you ever thought about that question? Have you ever thought about what it means to be made in the image of God? I would like to talk briefly about one aspect of our life in which we can reflect the image of God better…our authority.
What is our authority? To find that out we have to look all the way back at the beginning, in the book of Genesis.
Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."
Genesis 1:26-29 – NRSV
The first time ever in the Bible, God had given one part of his creation authority, or rule over another. What does it mean to rule over something? Unfortunately for us and our boys, in life we have had bad examples of what it means to rule in this world: from world leaders, to some of our parents and teachers, some elderships and bosses! Those who “rule” with no regard for the people the rule over, those who seek what is in their best interest, those who always take and almost never give back. Is this what it means to rule?
Maybe a good answer can again be found in the book of Genesis:
When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens — and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground,… The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Genesis 2:4-5,15 – NIV
God placed Adam in the Garden with all the animals all the plants and told him to take care of the land. To cultivate it, make it produce! I am not a very good gardener, but I know this: you have to watch it, water it, and be patient with it, if you want it to produce anything. Adam’s and Eve’s authority was to bring out the best in God’s creation, to live with it and off of it, to bless it, enhance it, strengthen it!
The best example of authority is of course Jesus! Jesus has all power and authority, and how did he use it? He used it to make the world better, he healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, he taught a better way to live, He gave us an example of how to “cultivate the land, and take care of it” by bringing out the best in us, enhancing us, dying for us to restore us back to the image of God.
What do people see when they look at me? What do my boys see?
May God bless you,
Josh
I am sure that we have all heard the story about the little girl, maybe five or six years old, that sneaks into her little brother's room in the middle of the night. The girl wakes her brother up and asks him this question, “Can you tell me what Jesus looks like? Because I am beginning to forget.”
The story is cute and sweet, but it makes me think about the image that I am projecting! When people see me do they see Jesus, that I am created in His image to reflect Him to the world? Have you ever thought about that question? Have you ever thought about what it means to be made in the image of God? I would like to talk briefly about one aspect of our life in which we can reflect the image of God better…our authority.
What is our authority? To find that out we have to look all the way back at the beginning, in the book of Genesis.
Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."
Genesis 1:26-29 – NRSV
The first time ever in the Bible, God had given one part of his creation authority, or rule over another. What does it mean to rule over something? Unfortunately for us and our boys, in life we have had bad examples of what it means to rule in this world: from world leaders, to some of our parents and teachers, some elderships and bosses! Those who “rule” with no regard for the people the rule over, those who seek what is in their best interest, those who always take and almost never give back. Is this what it means to rule?
Maybe a good answer can again be found in the book of Genesis:
When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens — and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground,… The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Genesis 2:4-5,15 – NIV
God placed Adam in the Garden with all the animals all the plants and told him to take care of the land. To cultivate it, make it produce! I am not a very good gardener, but I know this: you have to watch it, water it, and be patient with it, if you want it to produce anything. Adam’s and Eve’s authority was to bring out the best in God’s creation, to live with it and off of it, to bless it, enhance it, strengthen it!
The best example of authority is of course Jesus! Jesus has all power and authority, and how did he use it? He used it to make the world better, he healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, he taught a better way to live, He gave us an example of how to “cultivate the land, and take care of it” by bringing out the best in us, enhancing us, dying for us to restore us back to the image of God.
What do people see when they look at me? What do my boys see?
May God bless you,
Josh
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Rhythm of life ...
Why do we spend so much time in prayer, in devotion, in times of renewal? Consider these words from Christine Pohl:
Because hospitality is so demanding, we must find a renewing rhythm of work, rest, and worship. Without periods of rest and solitude, and without access to spiritual nourishment, we wear out quickly. It is easy to overlook prayer, study, and rest when the demands of hospitality are urgent and overwhelming. It is impossible, however, to sustain hospitality without attention to both the spiritual and physical needs of the practitioners.
Out of his years of experience in offering hospitality, Jean Vanier concludes, “It is easy to be generous for a few months or even years. But to be continually present to others, and not only present but nourishing, to keep going in a fidelity which is reborn each morning, demands a discipline of body and spirit.” Quoting a Franciscan prior who works among the urban poor, Vanier offers an important warning:
“If we do not care for our bodies, and if we do not find a rhythm of life we can sustain in the years to come,” he said, “it is not worth us being here. Our job is to stay. It is too easy to come and live among the poor for the experience, to exploit them for our own spiritual ends and then to leave. What we have to do is stay.”
A distinctive of Benedictine life is their vow of stability – a permanent commitment to a particular monastic community in a particular place. In accepting certain spatial and communal boundaries on their lives, they are able to establish a strong sense of place, which can welcome, anchor, and nourish both monks and guests. Settled boundaries and commitments can provide an environment of rest and freedom that enhances a capacity to offer hospitality.
Most communities and individual practitioners of hospitality have learned the hard way about the necessity of finding time and space for renewal. Communities of hospitality close down periodically to allow workers time to be refreshed. Every person needs some time during the week to get away from his or her regular activities. Persons and families need at least small amounts of personal space. These needs become intensified when people are offering hospitality to a steady flow of strangers who require significant attention and investment.
We nourish our lives with personal prayer and community worship. We are fed through reading and studying Scripture, and we are renewed through serious observance of Sabbaths. Meals, worship, and the [Lord’s Supper] combine together to nourish those who offer hospitality.
May God bless our day with time for these kinds of refreshing,
Ron
Because hospitality is so demanding, we must find a renewing rhythm of work, rest, and worship. Without periods of rest and solitude, and without access to spiritual nourishment, we wear out quickly. It is easy to overlook prayer, study, and rest when the demands of hospitality are urgent and overwhelming. It is impossible, however, to sustain hospitality without attention to both the spiritual and physical needs of the practitioners.
Out of his years of experience in offering hospitality, Jean Vanier concludes, “It is easy to be generous for a few months or even years. But to be continually present to others, and not only present but nourishing, to keep going in a fidelity which is reborn each morning, demands a discipline of body and spirit.” Quoting a Franciscan prior who works among the urban poor, Vanier offers an important warning:
“If we do not care for our bodies, and if we do not find a rhythm of life we can sustain in the years to come,” he said, “it is not worth us being here. Our job is to stay. It is too easy to come and live among the poor for the experience, to exploit them for our own spiritual ends and then to leave. What we have to do is stay.”
A distinctive of Benedictine life is their vow of stability – a permanent commitment to a particular monastic community in a particular place. In accepting certain spatial and communal boundaries on their lives, they are able to establish a strong sense of place, which can welcome, anchor, and nourish both monks and guests. Settled boundaries and commitments can provide an environment of rest and freedom that enhances a capacity to offer hospitality.
Most communities and individual practitioners of hospitality have learned the hard way about the necessity of finding time and space for renewal. Communities of hospitality close down periodically to allow workers time to be refreshed. Every person needs some time during the week to get away from his or her regular activities. Persons and families need at least small amounts of personal space. These needs become intensified when people are offering hospitality to a steady flow of strangers who require significant attention and investment.
We nourish our lives with personal prayer and community worship. We are fed through reading and studying Scripture, and we are renewed through serious observance of Sabbaths. Meals, worship, and the [Lord’s Supper] combine together to nourish those who offer hospitality.
May God bless our day with time for these kinds of refreshing,
Ron
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The new strong ...
Hear the word of the Lord:
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Mt 5:5 – NRSV
We do not live in a meek world. In our world,
if you punch me with your fist,
I come back with a two by four.
If you stab me with a knife,
I come back with a gun.
Governments are no better;
they use their bullets instead of their brains.
No one comes away unhurt, because
we live in violent and vengeful world.
We do not live in a meek world. Even in America
people use fear and force all of the time.
Mess with a bureaucrat, see what happens.
You’ll be filling out forms for no apparent purpose,
none, that is, except to teach you that he can make you do it.
But Jesus calls us to be something different.
Hugely counter-culturally different. Meek.
A meek person is gentle.
A meek servant of God is non-coercive.
A meek soul respects others without
demanding respect back.
They are not in favor of force because
they know that force is the first resort of the fearful.
They are not in favor of force because
they have heard that force should be the very last resort
of the wise person. The problem is,
so many of us get to our last resort not long after the first.
Jesus is not in favor of force at all, whether it is
his disciple’s first or last course of action.
“Turn the other cheek.”
Jesus meant for us to be meek.
Our next to last resort as a meek person is lament.
Our last resort as a meek person is God.
Let God handle it. He will.
For Jesus, meek is the new strong.
Strong enough to let the aggressiveness of others
blow right past us.
Because when we do this it gets people’s attention.
It will get the attention of a troubled child eventually.
He’s used to huffing up and puffing up; she’s seen it all the time;
meekness messes with a mind; it the unexpected move.
If we don’t play into their fear, we may earn the right
to have their ear.
The unexpected result is that the meek will inherit the earth.
How in the world will that happen?
When all of the vengeful have taken each other out,
when all of the fearful have had their fit,
the meek soul is still standing.
Ready to make peace, ready to receive the peace.
The psalmist says, “But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.” Peace.
The shalom of God. Shalom is more than being left alone.
This shalom is the wholeness and completeness of the world.
Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.
Blessings,
Ron
Psalm 37:11, ESV
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Mt 5:5 – NRSV
We do not live in a meek world. In our world,
if you punch me with your fist,
I come back with a two by four.
If you stab me with a knife,
I come back with a gun.
Governments are no better;
they use their bullets instead of their brains.
No one comes away unhurt, because
we live in violent and vengeful world.
We do not live in a meek world. Even in America
people use fear and force all of the time.
Mess with a bureaucrat, see what happens.
You’ll be filling out forms for no apparent purpose,
none, that is, except to teach you that he can make you do it.
But Jesus calls us to be something different.
Hugely counter-culturally different. Meek.
A meek person is gentle.
A meek servant of God is non-coercive.
A meek soul respects others without
demanding respect back.
They are not in favor of force because
they know that force is the first resort of the fearful.
They are not in favor of force because
they have heard that force should be the very last resort
of the wise person. The problem is,
so many of us get to our last resort not long after the first.
Jesus is not in favor of force at all, whether it is
his disciple’s first or last course of action.
“Turn the other cheek.”
Jesus meant for us to be meek.
Our next to last resort as a meek person is lament.
Our last resort as a meek person is God.
Let God handle it. He will.
For Jesus, meek is the new strong.
Strong enough to let the aggressiveness of others
blow right past us.
Because when we do this it gets people’s attention.
It will get the attention of a troubled child eventually.
He’s used to huffing up and puffing up; she’s seen it all the time;
meekness messes with a mind; it the unexpected move.
If we don’t play into their fear, we may earn the right
to have their ear.
The unexpected result is that the meek will inherit the earth.
How in the world will that happen?
When all of the vengeful have taken each other out,
when all of the fearful have had their fit,
the meek soul is still standing.
Ready to make peace, ready to receive the peace.
The psalmist says, “But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.” Peace.
The shalom of God. Shalom is more than being left alone.
This shalom is the wholeness and completeness of the world.
Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.
Blessings,
Ron
Psalm 37:11, ESV
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
No way to return the favor ...
Hear the word of the Lord:
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Matthew 5:7 – NRSV
Lois Barrett connects this scripture with our culture:
The dominant culture teaches that good relationship depend on performance (“I will love you if …”). In the Beatitudes Jesus praises those who are merciful, who give others better than what they deserve. Mercy is one of God’s attributes throughout the Bible. Mercy is often connected with showing favor, being compassionate, being gracious, or demonstrating kindness. God practices mercy by saving people from enemies, rescuing them from trouble, and forgiving their sins. People are also to show mercy, as the parable of the unmerciful servant teaches (Matt. 18:21-35). In Hebrew and Greek, the concept is connected especially with showing mercy to the poor and needy and giving alms. The biblical practice of mercy always means that the one who shows mercy has something to give to another who is unable to pay it back. You ask a creditor to show mercy when you cannot pay what you owe (Matt. 18:26-27). A blind man asks Jesus for mercy through healing, when there is no way for the blind man to return the favor (Luke 18:35-43). The psalmist asks God for mercy when he is totally undeserving of God’s favors (Ps. 51:1-4). In Luke 6:36 Jesus asks the disciples to be merciful as God is merciful by loving one’s enemies, those who do not love in return.
As we deal with the young people in our lives, we need to be a people of mercy. Being a child means making mistakes and learning from those mistakes. The tendency is to jump all over a child if they make a mistake because we think that this will keep them from making more mistakes. But, if we make a child afraid of making mistakes, we will not stop them from making mistakes – what we will do is stop them from trying to do anything at all. Or we will fill them with a deep-seated anger. Or both. This is not the way of grace.
Grace can hold accountable, grace can speak the truth, grace can redirect, grace can save the relationship despite the mistake.
Who knows when our being human will mean that we will make a mistake. Will we want mercy?
Grace, mercy, and peace,
Ron
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Matthew 5:7 – NRSV
Lois Barrett connects this scripture with our culture:
The dominant culture teaches that good relationship depend on performance (“I will love you if …”). In the Beatitudes Jesus praises those who are merciful, who give others better than what they deserve. Mercy is one of God’s attributes throughout the Bible. Mercy is often connected with showing favor, being compassionate, being gracious, or demonstrating kindness. God practices mercy by saving people from enemies, rescuing them from trouble, and forgiving their sins. People are also to show mercy, as the parable of the unmerciful servant teaches (Matt. 18:21-35). In Hebrew and Greek, the concept is connected especially with showing mercy to the poor and needy and giving alms. The biblical practice of mercy always means that the one who shows mercy has something to give to another who is unable to pay it back. You ask a creditor to show mercy when you cannot pay what you owe (Matt. 18:26-27). A blind man asks Jesus for mercy through healing, when there is no way for the blind man to return the favor (Luke 18:35-43). The psalmist asks God for mercy when he is totally undeserving of God’s favors (Ps. 51:1-4). In Luke 6:36 Jesus asks the disciples to be merciful as God is merciful by loving one’s enemies, those who do not love in return.
As we deal with the young people in our lives, we need to be a people of mercy. Being a child means making mistakes and learning from those mistakes. The tendency is to jump all over a child if they make a mistake because we think that this will keep them from making more mistakes. But, if we make a child afraid of making mistakes, we will not stop them from making mistakes – what we will do is stop them from trying to do anything at all. Or we will fill them with a deep-seated anger. Or both. This is not the way of grace.
Grace can hold accountable, grace can speak the truth, grace can redirect, grace can save the relationship despite the mistake.
Who knows when our being human will mean that we will make a mistake. Will we want mercy?
Grace, mercy, and peace,
Ron
Monday, January 5, 2009
They will see ...
Hear the word from the mouth of the Lord:
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8
Lois Barrett explains this beatitude:
The dominant culture today hardly ever uses the word pure, except in a chemical sense. In fact, most people do not see personal purity as a possible or even a desirable goal, everyone is tainted somehow. The beatitude speaks of being “pure” or “clean” in heart. Jewish law described being clean or pure as physical cleanliness (washing hands, being free of disease), ritual cleanliness (washing ceremonies and sacrifices), and practicing justice an mercy toward one’s neighbors. The prophets saw ritual cleanliness as of no value if one were not also practicing justice. In Isaiah 1:10-20 the prophet says that God will not listen to the prayers and sacrifices of those who are doing wrong. But forgiveness, becoming clean, is possible for those who seek justice, encourage the oppressed, and defend the orphan and the widow. Thus in one sense, to be pure in heart is to act justly, to forgive, not to carry resentments, to be in right relationship with others. Such people will also be in right relationship with God.
Isaiah 1:10-20
Hear the word of the Lord …
What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?
says the Lord;
I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
and the fat of fed beasts;
I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
or of lambs, or of goats.
When you come to appear before me,
who asked this from your hand?
Trample my courts no more;
bringing offerings is futile;
incense is an abomination to me…
I am weary of bearing them.
When you stretch out your hands,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even though you make many prayers,
I will not listen;
your hands are full of blood.
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your doings
from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
learn to do good;
seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow.
Come now, let us argue it out,
says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be like snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
you shall eat the good of the land …
Because of your passion for good and justice,
as a consequence of your intervention for the oppressed,
for your advocacy on behalf of the orphan
(whether a physical, emotional, social, or spiritual orphan),
since you care for the widow,
then the mouth of God declares you pure,
even pure in heart.
What does the Lord say?
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!”
Are we prepared to see God?
“Mercy,” we might answer, “Not yet!”
No, I’m serious. Are we prepared to see God?
Because I don’t believe that Jesus meant that
we would have to wait until the day of his last coming.
I’m pretty sure that Jesus meant that if we are pure,
we will see God now.
If we see the things as being important that
God sees as being important,
then we will start to see how
God is moving, in this world, at this very time,
to deal with those important things.
Since we will be pure enough in heart
not to take the credit for ourselves,
we can see the work of God’s hand
and praise him when we do.
Prepare your heart to see God at work today.
Blessings,
Ron
Scriptures are quoted from the NRSV
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8
Lois Barrett explains this beatitude:
The dominant culture today hardly ever uses the word pure, except in a chemical sense. In fact, most people do not see personal purity as a possible or even a desirable goal, everyone is tainted somehow. The beatitude speaks of being “pure” or “clean” in heart. Jewish law described being clean or pure as physical cleanliness (washing hands, being free of disease), ritual cleanliness (washing ceremonies and sacrifices), and practicing justice an mercy toward one’s neighbors. The prophets saw ritual cleanliness as of no value if one were not also practicing justice. In Isaiah 1:10-20 the prophet says that God will not listen to the prayers and sacrifices of those who are doing wrong. But forgiveness, becoming clean, is possible for those who seek justice, encourage the oppressed, and defend the orphan and the widow. Thus in one sense, to be pure in heart is to act justly, to forgive, not to carry resentments, to be in right relationship with others. Such people will also be in right relationship with God.
Isaiah 1:10-20
Hear the word of the Lord …
What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?
says the Lord;
I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
and the fat of fed beasts;
I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
or of lambs, or of goats.
When you come to appear before me,
who asked this from your hand?
Trample my courts no more;
bringing offerings is futile;
incense is an abomination to me…
I am weary of bearing them.
When you stretch out your hands,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even though you make many prayers,
I will not listen;
your hands are full of blood.
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your doings
from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
learn to do good;
seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow.
Come now, let us argue it out,
says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be like snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
you shall eat the good of the land …
Because of your passion for good and justice,
as a consequence of your intervention for the oppressed,
for your advocacy on behalf of the orphan
(whether a physical, emotional, social, or spiritual orphan),
since you care for the widow,
then the mouth of God declares you pure,
even pure in heart.
What does the Lord say?
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!”
Are we prepared to see God?
“Mercy,” we might answer, “Not yet!”
No, I’m serious. Are we prepared to see God?
Because I don’t believe that Jesus meant that
we would have to wait until the day of his last coming.
I’m pretty sure that Jesus meant that if we are pure,
we will see God now.
If we see the things as being important that
God sees as being important,
then we will start to see how
God is moving, in this world, at this very time,
to deal with those important things.
Since we will be pure enough in heart
not to take the credit for ourselves,
we can see the work of God’s hand
and praise him when we do.
Prepare your heart to see God at work today.
Blessings,
Ron
Scriptures are quoted from the NRSV
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