"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy, compassion and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, cynicism, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Psalm 139:16-18
16 Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.
In your book were written
all the days that were formed for me,
when none of them as yet existed.
17 How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 I try to count them—they are more than the sand;
I come to the end*—I am still with you.
1) "...beheld my unformed substance;" "...vast;" "...I am still with you;" "...weighty;" "...your eyes;" "...your eyes beheld;" "...more than the sand;" "...still with you."
2) "Vast." I've been thinking on that word much the last week. God is vast. If God is, God is vast. If God is, God is more vast than we can imagine. God's thoughts would not only be more than the sand on this beach, but more than the sand on every beach, every desert, every ocean floor, on every planet, in every star system, in every galaxy, in every cluster of galaxies. God is vast. And yet, here we are in intimate relationship, eyes beholding one another, in the sand, in the sea, in the stars, in the eyes of others. How can we even call God's thoughts "thoughts" when the only thoughts I have are my own, which, are relatively small in relation to creation that includes supper clusters of galaxies. It is a weak metaphor comparing human thoughts to God's. God is vast. God beholds our unformed substance, a reminder that we are made in the image and likeness of God. Something of that vastness is captured in this small creature. I myself am a supper cluster of particles, forces, and super strings. From yesterday, "I am fearfully wonderfully made." I am being fearfully, wonderfully made.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To live up to that image. To be worthy. And never mind about trying to be vast myself, but to focus on being present and graceful here and now: being present to someone here, today; an intentional act of kindness, maybe even forgiveness.
"Holy One, behold our unformed substance, we are still in the making. Make of us something worthy to weigh and count your thoughts. Be with us."
Breathprayer: "Beheld... still with you."
Wednesday 31 May 2017
Tuesday 30 May 2017
"Fearfully... Wonderfully"
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy, compassion and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, cynicism, discouragement, and self importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Psalm 139:13-15
13 For it was you who formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
1) "Inward parts;" "...knit me together in my mother's womb;" "...I am fearfully and wonderfully made;" "...wonderful are your works;" "...intricately woven in the depths of the earth;"
2) I just love this passage. As an avid knitter, God as artisan appeals to me. I know the love and attention that goes into creating a work. Recently, a colleague was using the back side of a cross stitch contrasted to the right side to illustrate the difference between what we see, or what we show everyone about ourselves, vs. what we hide away, but is still there in our hearts. But I observed, that when I knit, I put as much love and care into the "wrong side" of a garment as the "right side," as that's the side that will be next to my skin, and for those in the know, the "wrong side" of a work is the side that reveals the artisan's skill. You'll never mistake the "write side" for the "wrong side", but the "wrong side" is still worked with love and attention. I also think of how ever fiber of yarn goes through my fingers a dozen times when I'm making something: from winding and rewinding the yarn, to knitting, "tinking" back and reknitting the work, soaking, wringing, blocking... every inch of fiber goes through my hands multiple times. There is no dark part in me that has not also been through the loving hands of the Artisan. "Fearfully," "Wonderfully" indeed.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To let God be God in every strand of creation, especially when encountering that person with whom I'm experiencing tension and conflict, or who makes me particularly uncomfortable.
Breathprayer: "Fearfully... Wonderfully."
Psalm 139:13-15
13 For it was you who formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
1) "Inward parts;" "...knit me together in my mother's womb;" "...I am fearfully and wonderfully made;" "...wonderful are your works;" "...intricately woven in the depths of the earth;"
2) I just love this passage. As an avid knitter, God as artisan appeals to me. I know the love and attention that goes into creating a work. Recently, a colleague was using the back side of a cross stitch contrasted to the right side to illustrate the difference between what we see, or what we show everyone about ourselves, vs. what we hide away, but is still there in our hearts. But I observed, that when I knit, I put as much love and care into the "wrong side" of a garment as the "right side," as that's the side that will be next to my skin, and for those in the know, the "wrong side" of a work is the side that reveals the artisan's skill. You'll never mistake the "write side" for the "wrong side", but the "wrong side" is still worked with love and attention. I also think of how ever fiber of yarn goes through my fingers a dozen times when I'm making something: from winding and rewinding the yarn, to knitting, "tinking" back and reknitting the work, soaking, wringing, blocking... every inch of fiber goes through my hands multiple times. There is no dark part in me that has not also been through the loving hands of the Artisan. "Fearfully," "Wonderfully" indeed.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To let God be God in every strand of creation, especially when encountering that person with whom I'm experiencing tension and conflict, or who makes me particularly uncomfortable.
Breathprayer: "Fearfully... Wonderfully."
Monday 29 May 2017
"Darkness... Is as Light."
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, gentleness, tolerance, empathy, and compassion. I ask to abstain from anxiety, anger, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, cynicism, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Psalm 139:11-12
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night."
12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.
1) "even the darkness is not dark to you;" "darkness is as light to you."
2) Today, the sun is shining, hot and bright, after a long, long, long season of cold, grey and wet. It is easy to affirm these words. These words have been a comfort when the sun hasn't been out, proverbially and literally. I feel these words affirmed when I sit on my balcony in the morning, listening to the birds, and the little water fountain, observing the growth, the green, the blooms, breathing in the crisp air. Even when it is grey and raining... especially when it rains hard. I love sitting there in my covered shelter when the sky is forebodingly dark, and rain is pelting down, cleaning the earth. In the last couple weeks, I've had some time under dark night skies to the north where Jupiter is now so bright and the stars cast shadows. The darker the moon, the brighter the stars and planets. Darkness is as light. There are many things we can see in darkness that can't be witnessed in the broad daylight.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To remember when I'm experiencing darkness to look for what I might need to see that can't be seen in the light. What does God want me to witness in the darkness?
"Holy One, thank you for darkness that is as light."
Breathprayer: "Darkness... is as light."
Psalm 139:11-12
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night."
12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.
1) "even the darkness is not dark to you;" "darkness is as light to you."
2) Today, the sun is shining, hot and bright, after a long, long, long season of cold, grey and wet. It is easy to affirm these words. These words have been a comfort when the sun hasn't been out, proverbially and literally. I feel these words affirmed when I sit on my balcony in the morning, listening to the birds, and the little water fountain, observing the growth, the green, the blooms, breathing in the crisp air. Even when it is grey and raining... especially when it rains hard. I love sitting there in my covered shelter when the sky is forebodingly dark, and rain is pelting down, cleaning the earth. In the last couple weeks, I've had some time under dark night skies to the north where Jupiter is now so bright and the stars cast shadows. The darker the moon, the brighter the stars and planets. Darkness is as light. There are many things we can see in darkness that can't be witnessed in the broad daylight.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To remember when I'm experiencing darkness to look for what I might need to see that can't be seen in the light. What does God want me to witness in the darkness?
"Holy One, thank you for darkness that is as light."
Breathprayer: "Darkness... is as light."
Wednesday 24 May 2017
"Go out in Joy... Burst into Song."
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy, compassion and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Isaiah 55:12-13
12 For you shall go out in joy,
and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall burst into song,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
1) "...burst into song;" "...clap their hands;" "...Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress."
2) First, I hear the sung version we do regularly in worship: "You shall go out with joy/be led forth with peace/the mountains and hills will break forth before you/there'll be shouts of joy and all the trees of the field/will clap, will clap their hands!" I love these words. The natural world participates in singing exultation. "Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress." I think of the Rumi poem "Choose Love," in which we are told, "in order to enter your rose garden, the soul makes peace with the thorns." Is it possible that the cypress could grow instead of thorns? I've been doing shadow work for what feels like an exceedingly long time and I've struggled to make peace with the thorns. Is it possible that there will come a time when the thorns will be more like the cypress? Cypress trees are often used to line lanes and roads, they establish order, giving the landscape a manicured look. They grow tall and straight.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To continue making peace and pray for the cypress to come up instead of the thorns.
"Holy One, send us out, and lead us back. Replace the thorn with the cypress and the brier with the myrtle. Make a memorial for yourself, an everlasting sign of your promise."
Breathprayer: "Go out in joy... burst into song."
Isaiah 55:12-13
12 For you shall go out in joy,
and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall burst into song,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
1) "...burst into song;" "...clap their hands;" "...Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress."
2) First, I hear the sung version we do regularly in worship: "You shall go out with joy/be led forth with peace/the mountains and hills will break forth before you/there'll be shouts of joy and all the trees of the field/will clap, will clap their hands!" I love these words. The natural world participates in singing exultation. "Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress." I think of the Rumi poem "Choose Love," in which we are told, "in order to enter your rose garden, the soul makes peace with the thorns." Is it possible that the cypress could grow instead of thorns? I've been doing shadow work for what feels like an exceedingly long time and I've struggled to make peace with the thorns. Is it possible that there will come a time when the thorns will be more like the cypress? Cypress trees are often used to line lanes and roads, they establish order, giving the landscape a manicured look. They grow tall and straight.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To continue making peace and pray for the cypress to come up instead of the thorns.
"Holy One, send us out, and lead us back. Replace the thorn with the cypress and the brier with the myrtle. Make a memorial for yourself, an everlasting sign of your promise."
Breathprayer: "Go out in joy... burst into song."
Friday 19 May 2017
"Bring forth... and Sprout."
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, compassion, empathy, and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Isaiah 55:10-11
10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
1) "...watered the earth;" "...it shall accomplish that which I purpose;" "...come down from heaven;" "...the rain and the snow;" "...come down from heaven... water the earth;" "...making it bring forth and sprout
2) We know a lot of about rain (and snow) coming down from heaven here in Vancouver...especially this year. And the earth is bringing forth and sprouting. It is very green. Would that the word God sends down do to us... bring forth and sprout. Bring forth and sprout the fruits of the spirit. May what we produce be green and verdant, "giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater." There is a visualization in these words. To imagine the rain and the snow coming down and covering us and imagining our bodies, words and actions bringing forth and sprouting, producing seed and bread for others.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To sit with the visual mediation of God sending down rain and snow on me, receiving the rain and snow, Letting the rain and snow sink into my body and attending as my body brings forth and sprouts and finally produces seed and bread to offer to others.
"Holy One, send down your word, bring forth and sprout, accomplish that which you purpose."
Breathprayer: "Bring forth... and sprout."
NB: I will be away off grid for the Victoria Day Weekend. I should be back by Tuesday.
NB: I will be away off grid for the Victoria Day Weekend. I should be back by Tuesday.
Thursday 18 May 2017
"Seek the Lord... He Is Near."
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy, compassion, and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly.
Isaiah 55:6-9
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found,
call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake their way,
and the unrighteous their thoughts;
let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
1) "..call upon him;" "...return to the Lord;" "...my thoughts are not your thoughts;" "...my ways higher than you ways;"
2) Context and perspective. Whatever I mean by "God" accounts for supper string, dark matter, and uncounted super clusters of galaxies, what is. What Is. What could I possibly understand of that? Isaiah describes "The heavens are higher than the earth," but we know that the heavens aren't just higher, they reach out in every direction, infinitely. God is big. I don't thing we can even refer to what God "does" as "thought" since out notion of "thought" is a relatively small notion bound to this tiny planet and our diminutive context. And yet, my "ways" can be placed in God's ways. I can fight God's ways, or I can seek and receive God's ways. God's ways completely engulf me, I can't find my way out of them. But I can try swimming upstream, or going at cross purposes. It would be easier to go with the flow.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To contemplate the heavens and my small, but significant place in them.
"Holy One, be near."
Breathprayer: "Seek the Lord... he is near."
Isaiah 55:6-9
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found,
call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake their way,
and the unrighteous their thoughts;
let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
1) "..call upon him;" "...return to the Lord;" "...my thoughts are not your thoughts;" "...my ways higher than you ways;"
2) Context and perspective. Whatever I mean by "God" accounts for supper string, dark matter, and uncounted super clusters of galaxies, what is. What Is. What could I possibly understand of that? Isaiah describes "The heavens are higher than the earth," but we know that the heavens aren't just higher, they reach out in every direction, infinitely. God is big. I don't thing we can even refer to what God "does" as "thought" since out notion of "thought" is a relatively small notion bound to this tiny planet and our diminutive context. And yet, my "ways" can be placed in God's ways. I can fight God's ways, or I can seek and receive God's ways. God's ways completely engulf me, I can't find my way out of them. But I can try swimming upstream, or going at cross purposes. It would be easier to go with the flow.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To contemplate the heavens and my small, but significant place in them.
"Holy One, be near."
Breathprayer: "Seek the Lord... he is near."
Wednesday 17 May 2017
"Listen... He Has Glorified You."
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, gentleness, compassion, and empathy. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Isaiah 55:3-5
Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
and nations that do not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.
1) "Incline your ear;" "...come to me;" "...so that you may live;" "...everlasting covenant;" "...glorified you;" "...listen so that you may live;" "...steadfast, sure love;"
2) Isaiah speaks for God saying that the same love God had for David, God will have for the people Israel. As David was a witness of that love, so Israel will witness that love to the nations. "...listen so that you may live," I wonder how many people hear that as a threat... what happens if I don't live? Death? Doom? Destruction? Rather, I hear that when I listen, living becomes greater. How good are we at "inclining our ears" and listening? Do we really trust that "steadfast, sure love," the "everlasting covenant"? How has God glorified us? What is it to be glorified? Do we see evidence of it? What does "glorified" look like? Do we expect to shine like Moses coming down from the mountain, or Jesus in the Transfiguration? We live. We breathe. We laugh and sing. We experience joy. We aren't alone when we are in pain or suffering. We serve and help to improve the conditions of others.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To be more intentional about acknowledging that we have been glorified. It is so much easier to acknowledge that we are still sinning against each other, but here is the other side of The Way: we have been glorified... past tense.
"Holy One, reveal your steadfast, sure love for us that we may witness it to the peoples, because you have glorified us."
Breathprayer: "Listen... He has glorified you."
Isaiah 55:3-5
Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
and nations that do not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.
1) "Incline your ear;" "...come to me;" "...so that you may live;" "...everlasting covenant;" "...glorified you;" "...listen so that you may live;" "...steadfast, sure love;"
2) Isaiah speaks for God saying that the same love God had for David, God will have for the people Israel. As David was a witness of that love, so Israel will witness that love to the nations. "...listen so that you may live," I wonder how many people hear that as a threat... what happens if I don't live? Death? Doom? Destruction? Rather, I hear that when I listen, living becomes greater. How good are we at "inclining our ears" and listening? Do we really trust that "steadfast, sure love," the "everlasting covenant"? How has God glorified us? What is it to be glorified? Do we see evidence of it? What does "glorified" look like? Do we expect to shine like Moses coming down from the mountain, or Jesus in the Transfiguration? We live. We breathe. We laugh and sing. We experience joy. We aren't alone when we are in pain or suffering. We serve and help to improve the conditions of others.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To be more intentional about acknowledging that we have been glorified. It is so much easier to acknowledge that we are still sinning against each other, but here is the other side of The Way: we have been glorified... past tense.
"Holy One, reveal your steadfast, sure love for us that we may witness it to the peoples, because you have glorified us."
Breathprayer: "Listen... He has glorified you."
Tuesday 16 May 2017
"Everyone Who Thirsts... Come to the Waters."
"I ask for the graced to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, gentleness, empathy, and compassion. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Isaiah 55:1-2
55Ho, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labour for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
1) "...come to the waters;" "...come, buy and eat!" "...without money;" "...without price;" "...that which does not satisfy?" "...eat what is good;" "delight yourselves in rich food;"
2) Yes, is spend too much time indulging in things that do not satisfy. Why do we do that? Time spent grinding away on thoughts that just make me feel worse; energy wasted on worrying about things I have absolutely no control over; effort trying to change things that can't be changed, or wishing things were different than they are; in my case, literally eating food that is neither satisfying, nor good for me. And yet, there is plenty bread, water, wine, and milk that is without price and abundantly satisfying. It is so easy to buy into a little distraction. Of course, we have entire industries whose entire purpose is to generate distraction, anxiety, insecurity, and an overall sense of scarcity and dissatisfaction. After all, if I was satisfied, why would I buy anything? "...eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food." There are a delightful number of possible breathprayers in this passage: "Everyone who thirst... come to the waters;" "Come... buy and eat;" "delight yourselves... in rich food;" "Come... delight yourselves;" "Come... eat what is good..."
3) What is the invitation in all this? To let go of the distractions and focus on what is good, nourishing, satisfying. I will walk; I will eat right; I will see delight; I will be grateful for enough.
"Holy One, help us to eat what is good and delight in rich food, the nourishment you offer."
Breathprayer: "Everyone who thirsts... come to the waters."
Isaiah 55:1-2
55Ho, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labour for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
1) "...come to the waters;" "...come, buy and eat!" "...without money;" "...without price;" "...that which does not satisfy?" "...eat what is good;" "delight yourselves in rich food;"
2) Yes, is spend too much time indulging in things that do not satisfy. Why do we do that? Time spent grinding away on thoughts that just make me feel worse; energy wasted on worrying about things I have absolutely no control over; effort trying to change things that can't be changed, or wishing things were different than they are; in my case, literally eating food that is neither satisfying, nor good for me. And yet, there is plenty bread, water, wine, and milk that is without price and abundantly satisfying. It is so easy to buy into a little distraction. Of course, we have entire industries whose entire purpose is to generate distraction, anxiety, insecurity, and an overall sense of scarcity and dissatisfaction. After all, if I was satisfied, why would I buy anything? "...eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food." There are a delightful number of possible breathprayers in this passage: "Everyone who thirst... come to the waters;" "Come... buy and eat;" "delight yourselves... in rich food;" "Come... delight yourselves;" "Come... eat what is good..."
3) What is the invitation in all this? To let go of the distractions and focus on what is good, nourishing, satisfying. I will walk; I will eat right; I will see delight; I will be grateful for enough.
"Holy One, help us to eat what is good and delight in rich food, the nourishment you offer."
Breathprayer: "Everyone who thirsts... come to the waters."
Monday 15 May 2017
"He Rejoices over... These Little Ones."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy, compassion, and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
Matthew 18:12-14
12What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14So it is not the will of your* Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
1) "...gone astray;" "...went astray;" "...he rejoices;" "...went astray;" "...these little ones;"
2) I think the shepherd is nuts. Who risks 99% of their investment to go chasing after 1%. If there were no risk to the 99%, then it would be worth going off for the 1%. How do we engage the 1%? Those who tend to forget who it is we are called to serve? Those who tend to put self-interest ahead of the larger community? Those who just drift away, losing the "habit" of coming to church? Those who get "burnt out," or who "take some distance" to deal with other pressing matters, and never find their way back? How do we as a community really care for one another? How do we care for each other in little ways, that make us know we are loved and missed? We have more than a few members loosing vision. One woman has started coming to church, her clothing soiled because she can't see that she's spilled something down the front. It breaks my heart. No one says anything to her because they don't want to embarrass her. But wouldn't it be more loving to help her tend to it? What about the woman who comes to church with her hair in disarray. She's always been meticulous about her appearance, and once again would be embarrassed to realize she's out in public with a serious case of 'bedhead.' Is it more loving to not say anything, saving her the embarrassment? or to simply say, "Love, can I help you with your hair?" How do we love each other in the small ways? How do we love each other in intimate ways that say "you matter to us"?
3) What is the invitation in all this? Do I have the courage to ask if I can help X with her hair? or to gently inform Y that her blouse is soiled? Or that Z is alienating the very people who love him most by his bluster?
"Holy One, help us to care for one another in little ways. Help us to risk deeper intimacy with those we profess to love."
Breathprayer: "He rejoices over... these little ones."
Matthew 18:12-14
12What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14So it is not the will of your* Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
1) "...gone astray;" "...went astray;" "...he rejoices;" "...went astray;" "...these little ones;"
2) I think the shepherd is nuts. Who risks 99% of their investment to go chasing after 1%. If there were no risk to the 99%, then it would be worth going off for the 1%. How do we engage the 1%? Those who tend to forget who it is we are called to serve? Those who tend to put self-interest ahead of the larger community? Those who just drift away, losing the "habit" of coming to church? Those who get "burnt out," or who "take some distance" to deal with other pressing matters, and never find their way back? How do we as a community really care for one another? How do we care for each other in little ways, that make us know we are loved and missed? We have more than a few members loosing vision. One woman has started coming to church, her clothing soiled because she can't see that she's spilled something down the front. It breaks my heart. No one says anything to her because they don't want to embarrass her. But wouldn't it be more loving to help her tend to it? What about the woman who comes to church with her hair in disarray. She's always been meticulous about her appearance, and once again would be embarrassed to realize she's out in public with a serious case of 'bedhead.' Is it more loving to not say anything, saving her the embarrassment? or to simply say, "Love, can I help you with your hair?" How do we love each other in the small ways? How do we love each other in intimate ways that say "you matter to us"?
3) What is the invitation in all this? Do I have the courage to ask if I can help X with her hair? or to gently inform Y that her blouse is soiled? Or that Z is alienating the very people who love him most by his bluster?
"Holy One, help us to care for one another in little ways. Help us to risk deeper intimacy with those we profess to love."
Breathprayer: "He rejoices over... these little ones."
Sunday 14 May 2017
"A Cornerstone... Chosen and Precious."
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy, compassion and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
1 Peter 2:2-6
2Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5like living stones, let yourselves be built* into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it stands in scripture:
‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious;
and whoever believes in him* will not be put to shame.’
1) "...long for the pure, spiritual milk;" "...grow into salvation;" "...the Lord is good;" "...come to him;" "...a living stone;" "...chosen and precious;" "...like living stones;" "...a spiritual house;" "...a holy priesthood;" "...spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ;" "...chosen and precious;"
2) a rich text. Once again, full of possible breathprayers: "Long for ...spiritual milk;" "grow... into salvation;" "taste... the Lord is good;" "Come to him... a living stone;" "come to him... chosen and precious;" "a cornerstone... chosen and precious;" I could go on with several combinations: texts to sit with and absorb in their own merit. "Chosen and precious" is not a statement of exclusion ("WE" are chosen and "THEY" are not), it is a statement of affirmation to those who are outcast from their communities of origin because of their sense of call to follow Christ (you ARE chosen; you ARE precious). And every member is chosen, a holy priesthood. The author is speaking to the whole community here, all are to long for the pure, spiritual milk; all are to grow into salvation; all are living stones - rejected; all are to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God; all are chosen and precious.
3) What is the invitation here? To choose to act as though I am chosen and precious, and the person or persons with whom I am interacting is chosen and precious. To honour my subject-hood and the subject-hood of the "other."
"Holy One, teach me to treat those 'rejected by mortals' as chosen and precious in your sight, like living stones to be built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to you through Christ Jesus."
Breathprayer: "A cornerstone... chosen and precious."
1 Peter 2:2-6
2Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5like living stones, let yourselves be built* into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it stands in scripture:
‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious;
and whoever believes in him* will not be put to shame.’
1) "...long for the pure, spiritual milk;" "...grow into salvation;" "...the Lord is good;" "...come to him;" "...a living stone;" "...chosen and precious;" "...like living stones;" "...a spiritual house;" "...a holy priesthood;" "...spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ;" "...chosen and precious;"
2) a rich text. Once again, full of possible breathprayers: "Long for ...spiritual milk;" "grow... into salvation;" "taste... the Lord is good;" "Come to him... a living stone;" "come to him... chosen and precious;" "a cornerstone... chosen and precious;" I could go on with several combinations: texts to sit with and absorb in their own merit. "Chosen and precious" is not a statement of exclusion ("WE" are chosen and "THEY" are not), it is a statement of affirmation to those who are outcast from their communities of origin because of their sense of call to follow Christ (you ARE chosen; you ARE precious). And every member is chosen, a holy priesthood. The author is speaking to the whole community here, all are to long for the pure, spiritual milk; all are to grow into salvation; all are living stones - rejected; all are to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God; all are chosen and precious.
3) What is the invitation here? To choose to act as though I am chosen and precious, and the person or persons with whom I am interacting is chosen and precious. To honour my subject-hood and the subject-hood of the "other."
"Holy One, teach me to treat those 'rejected by mortals' as chosen and precious in your sight, like living stones to be built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to you through Christ Jesus."
Breathprayer: "A cornerstone... chosen and precious."
Saturday 13 May 2017
"The Lord God... Called."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, compassion, empathy, and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Genesis 3:9-14
9But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ 10He said, ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.’ 11He said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?’ 12The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.’ 13Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this that you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent tricked me, and I ate.’ 14The Lord God said to the serpent,
‘Because you have done this,
cursed are you among all animals
and among all wild creatures;
upon your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.
1) "...called to the man;" "...I was naked;" "...I hid myself;" "...gave to be with me;" "...and I ate;" "...I was afraid;" "...afraid... naked... hid;" "...
2) It is a rich story. First, I notice that the snake is given no opportunity to respond as the man and the woman were. The snake is the only one who hasn't blamed someone else for his own action. There is no mention of the snake eating from the tree. But the snake gets the curse. More often than not, in ancient literature, the snake is a symbol of wisdom and awakening. And that's what happens here. The man and woman become aware of their nakedness and that's what makes them fearful. What makes us so fearful that we are compelled to hide even from God? I wonder if we could imagine this story turning out very differently if the man and woman hadn't hidden, but had simply stood before God knowing their fear and shame? God didn't just expel them from the garden, the man and woman chose to hide from God's presence once they became aware of their nakedness. They failed to be aware that they'd always been naked in God's presence and God hadn't had a problem with that before. What do I try to hide from God?
3) what is the invitation in all this? Stop trying to hide what makes me fearful and shameful from God. God already sees, knows, and loves it. And only in God's presence can I be reconciled.
"Holy One, call to me, see my nakedness, correct my attempt to hide from you and bring me back into your presence."
Breathprayer: "The Lord God... called."
Genesis 3:9-14
9But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ 10He said, ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.’ 11He said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?’ 12The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.’ 13Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this that you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent tricked me, and I ate.’ 14The Lord God said to the serpent,
‘Because you have done this,
cursed are you among all animals
and among all wild creatures;
upon your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.
1) "...called to the man;" "...I was naked;" "...I hid myself;" "...gave to be with me;" "...and I ate;" "...I was afraid;" "...afraid... naked... hid;" "...
2) It is a rich story. First, I notice that the snake is given no opportunity to respond as the man and the woman were. The snake is the only one who hasn't blamed someone else for his own action. There is no mention of the snake eating from the tree. But the snake gets the curse. More often than not, in ancient literature, the snake is a symbol of wisdom and awakening. And that's what happens here. The man and woman become aware of their nakedness and that's what makes them fearful. What makes us so fearful that we are compelled to hide even from God? I wonder if we could imagine this story turning out very differently if the man and woman hadn't hidden, but had simply stood before God knowing their fear and shame? God didn't just expel them from the garden, the man and woman chose to hide from God's presence once they became aware of their nakedness. They failed to be aware that they'd always been naked in God's presence and God hadn't had a problem with that before. What do I try to hide from God?
3) what is the invitation in all this? Stop trying to hide what makes me fearful and shameful from God. God already sees, knows, and loves it. And only in God's presence can I be reconciled.
"Holy One, call to me, see my nakedness, correct my attempt to hide from you and bring me back into your presence."
Breathprayer: "The Lord God... called."
Friday 12 May 2017
"The Love of God... in Christ Jesus."
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, gentleness, empathy, and compassion. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Romans 8:31-39
31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.* 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written,
‘For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1) "...God is for us;" "...who is against us?" "...give us everything else;" "...who indeed intercedes for us;" "...Who will separate us from the love of Christ?" "...more than conquerors through him who loved us;" "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
2) I love that last line. But are we convinced? "We are more than conquerors." Who are the conquerors that we are more than? I feel this has often been read that "we Christians" are better conquerors than any other conquerors. But actually, here, it means we are more than whatever would conquer us. And it is a comprehensive list of things that might conquer us! It is a beautifully convincing argument, Is God for us or against us? Given the history recorded in the scriptures, and human inclination to reflect what is worse rather than what is best in the world, its a good question. But our faith story affirms that if we choose to follow the way of justice, kindness, and humility, then God's love is inseparable from us. And we will receive whatever we need to do what we need to do.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To sit with the love of God, knowing it to be inseparable.
"Holy One, help us to trust that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from your love in Christ Jesus. And let us act so in the world as we seek to reveal that love."
Breathprayer: "The love of God... in Christ Jesus."
Romans 8:31-39
31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.* 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written,
‘For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1) "...God is for us;" "...who is against us?" "...give us everything else;" "...who indeed intercedes for us;" "...Who will separate us from the love of Christ?" "...more than conquerors through him who loved us;" "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
2) I love that last line. But are we convinced? "We are more than conquerors." Who are the conquerors that we are more than? I feel this has often been read that "we Christians" are better conquerors than any other conquerors. But actually, here, it means we are more than whatever would conquer us. And it is a comprehensive list of things that might conquer us! It is a beautifully convincing argument, Is God for us or against us? Given the history recorded in the scriptures, and human inclination to reflect what is worse rather than what is best in the world, its a good question. But our faith story affirms that if we choose to follow the way of justice, kindness, and humility, then God's love is inseparable from us. And we will receive whatever we need to do what we need to do.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To sit with the love of God, knowing it to be inseparable.
"Holy One, help us to trust that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from your love in Christ Jesus. And let us act so in the world as we seek to reveal that love."
Breathprayer: "The love of God... in Christ Jesus."
Thursday 11 May 2017
"Go... I Will Show You."
Just a couple more days until study leave and then Conference. Breathe and type. Breathe and type...
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy, compassion, and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, arrogance, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Genesis 12:1-4
12Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’*
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
1) "...I will bless you;" "...make your name great;" "...you will be a blessing;" "...all the families of the earth shall be blessed;" "...seventy-five years old;"
2) My first thought is to when I first decided to try seminary. I was NOT going to be a minister. Neither was I going to be gay or live in rural Canada ever again, Edmonton had been more rural than enough rural experience for me. I remember sitting in the middle of my apartment in Cloverdale, where I lived at the time and sorting through all my worldly goods, which were few enough at the time, deciding what was going with me to live in a bedroom just off campus. I remember a great heap of paper that I'd hauled with me from Edmonton where I'd done my undergrad studies. I sorted every piece of paper from every file. I got my entire undergraduate degree down to a single box for storage. That box went with me to a small village of 325 people in rural Saskatchewan after I was ordained as a minister, and then to Brandon, Manitoba. But there it remained. It got sorted again when I picked up my life from Brandon to return to the coast to be closer to my queer community. I think I have a single file folder left. I even left most of my library in Brandon. Over and over again, I've heard a call to leave everything behind. It doesn't get any easier. What am I being called to leave behind now so I can "Go from my country?"
3) What is the invitation in all this? To remember that I've "gone from my country" before, and I'm so grateful that I did. I'm so grateful for who and what I've become by going "to the land God has shown me." God leads me exactly to where I lease want to be and yet to where I am most happy and fulfilled!
"Holy One, thank you."
Breathprayer: "Go... I will show you."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy, compassion, and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, arrogance, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Genesis 12:1-4
12Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’*
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
1) "...I will bless you;" "...make your name great;" "...you will be a blessing;" "...all the families of the earth shall be blessed;" "...seventy-five years old;"
2) My first thought is to when I first decided to try seminary. I was NOT going to be a minister. Neither was I going to be gay or live in rural Canada ever again, Edmonton had been more rural than enough rural experience for me. I remember sitting in the middle of my apartment in Cloverdale, where I lived at the time and sorting through all my worldly goods, which were few enough at the time, deciding what was going with me to live in a bedroom just off campus. I remember a great heap of paper that I'd hauled with me from Edmonton where I'd done my undergrad studies. I sorted every piece of paper from every file. I got my entire undergraduate degree down to a single box for storage. That box went with me to a small village of 325 people in rural Saskatchewan after I was ordained as a minister, and then to Brandon, Manitoba. But there it remained. It got sorted again when I picked up my life from Brandon to return to the coast to be closer to my queer community. I think I have a single file folder left. I even left most of my library in Brandon. Over and over again, I've heard a call to leave everything behind. It doesn't get any easier. What am I being called to leave behind now so I can "Go from my country?"
3) What is the invitation in all this? To remember that I've "gone from my country" before, and I'm so grateful that I did. I'm so grateful for who and what I've become by going "to the land God has shown me." God leads me exactly to where I lease want to be and yet to where I am most happy and fulfilled!
"Holy One, thank you."
Breathprayer: "Go... I will show you."
Wednesday 10 May 2017
"Heed... Such a Prophet."
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, gentleness, empathy, and compassion. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
15 The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet* like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet.* 16This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: ‘If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.’ 17Then the Lord replied to me: ‘They are right in what they have said. 18I will raise up for them a prophet* like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet,* who shall speak to them everything that I command. 19Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet* shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. 20But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.’
1) "that prophet shall die"
2) If only false prophets did die. If only those who claim to speak for God, but only speak for their own greed and welfare actually fell over dead when the words left their mouths. But then, I guess, at some point or another, we'd all be dead. How often do I speak with an authority I think I have but don't. How often am I wrong in my assumptions, or information or a situation has changed without my realizing it and my words are no longer true? How often have I simply failed to check facts? Truly, I only want to speak truth, even if I don't like the truth. I actually trust the truth, if indeed the truth is true. But there is so much misinformation out there. Some is honest mistaken information, but so much is down right dishonesty in the name of self-interest and greed. I pray for a humility that when I speak out of turn, it is because I am genuinely mistaken, and not blinded by my self-interest. Self-interest does make it more difficult to see. I really hate being wrong. And I hate when my being wrong is pointed out in front of other people. I feel profound shame when corrected publicly, why would anyone else be different?
3) What is the invitation in all this? humility and gentleness when I think I'm speaking the truth. Humility and gentleness when I'm corrected. Humility and gentleness when I'm correcting someone else.
"Holy One, Let us speak your truth with humility and stand patiently to be corrected."
Breathprayer: "Heed... such a prophet."
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
15 The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet* like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet.* 16This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: ‘If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.’ 17Then the Lord replied to me: ‘They are right in what they have said. 18I will raise up for them a prophet* like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet,* who shall speak to them everything that I command. 19Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet* shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. 20But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.’
1) "that prophet shall die"
2) If only false prophets did die. If only those who claim to speak for God, but only speak for their own greed and welfare actually fell over dead when the words left their mouths. But then, I guess, at some point or another, we'd all be dead. How often do I speak with an authority I think I have but don't. How often am I wrong in my assumptions, or information or a situation has changed without my realizing it and my words are no longer true? How often have I simply failed to check facts? Truly, I only want to speak truth, even if I don't like the truth. I actually trust the truth, if indeed the truth is true. But there is so much misinformation out there. Some is honest mistaken information, but so much is down right dishonesty in the name of self-interest and greed. I pray for a humility that when I speak out of turn, it is because I am genuinely mistaken, and not blinded by my self-interest. Self-interest does make it more difficult to see. I really hate being wrong. And I hate when my being wrong is pointed out in front of other people. I feel profound shame when corrected publicly, why would anyone else be different?
3) What is the invitation in all this? humility and gentleness when I think I'm speaking the truth. Humility and gentleness when I'm corrected. Humility and gentleness when I'm correcting someone else.
"Holy One, Let us speak your truth with humility and stand patiently to be corrected."
Breathprayer: "Heed... such a prophet."
Tuesday 9 May 2017
"God... Is Really among You."
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, compassion, empathy, and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, discouragement, compulsive behaviour, arrogance, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
1 Corinthians 14:20-25
20 Brothers and sisters,* do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults. 21In the law it is written,
‘By people of strange tongues
and by the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people;
yet even then they will not listen to me,’
says the Lord. 22Tongues, then, are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24But if all prophesy, an unbeliever or outsider who enters is reproved by all and called to account by all. 25After the secrets of the unbeliever’s heart are disclosed, that person will bow down before God and worship him, declaring, ‘God is really among you.’
1) "...in thinking be adults;" "...called to account;" "...out of you mind."
2) Wow... hard text. An admonition for "believers" to speak in a language understood by "outsiders or unbelievers" lest unbelievers consider us "out of your mind." So many Christians that get so much press these days seem "out of their minds" to me. It is a voting day today, so politics is on my mind. How can so many so-called Christians identify with political parties that are selfish, self-centered, totally lacking in respect for the earth, for the people with whom we share the planet, and a common level of empathy for those who live at the margins? They are simply out of their mind. Our prophecy, our good news, needs to be good news to everyone or it is good news to no one. I was thinking this morning that spirituality must be political, if it isn't political, it isn't spiritual. The state of our souls impacts how we treat the people around us and if the state of our souls is a state of love and compassion, how we treat other people needs to reveal love and compassion. Love in the world looks like social justice, equity, community. If a person thinks they are following Christ, but has nothing bus disdain and scorn for "outsiders and unbelievers," then indeed, they must be out of their minds. And the truth is, people who are out of their minds are frequently the ones in power ruling the world.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To seek integrity, to let my actions be motivated by the love, empathy, compassion and joy that I receive from God, offering love, empathy and compassion to everyone I meet.
"Holy One, let us not be out of our minds, but let our actions declare that you are really among us."
Breathprayer: "God... is really among you."
1 Corinthians 14:20-25
20 Brothers and sisters,* do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults. 21In the law it is written,
‘By people of strange tongues
and by the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people;
yet even then they will not listen to me,’
says the Lord. 22Tongues, then, are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24But if all prophesy, an unbeliever or outsider who enters is reproved by all and called to account by all. 25After the secrets of the unbeliever’s heart are disclosed, that person will bow down before God and worship him, declaring, ‘God is really among you.’
1) "...in thinking be adults;" "...called to account;" "...out of you mind."
2) Wow... hard text. An admonition for "believers" to speak in a language understood by "outsiders or unbelievers" lest unbelievers consider us "out of your mind." So many Christians that get so much press these days seem "out of their minds" to me. It is a voting day today, so politics is on my mind. How can so many so-called Christians identify with political parties that are selfish, self-centered, totally lacking in respect for the earth, for the people with whom we share the planet, and a common level of empathy for those who live at the margins? They are simply out of their mind. Our prophecy, our good news, needs to be good news to everyone or it is good news to no one. I was thinking this morning that spirituality must be political, if it isn't political, it isn't spiritual. The state of our souls impacts how we treat the people around us and if the state of our souls is a state of love and compassion, how we treat other people needs to reveal love and compassion. Love in the world looks like social justice, equity, community. If a person thinks they are following Christ, but has nothing bus disdain and scorn for "outsiders and unbelievers," then indeed, they must be out of their minds. And the truth is, people who are out of their minds are frequently the ones in power ruling the world.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To seek integrity, to let my actions be motivated by the love, empathy, compassion and joy that I receive from God, offering love, empathy and compassion to everyone I meet.
"Holy One, let us not be out of our minds, but let our actions declare that you are really among us."
Breathprayer: "God... is really among you."
Monday 8 May 2017
"And He Said... Follow Me."
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, compassion, empathy, and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, arrogance, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
Matthew 9:9-13
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
10 And as he sat at dinner* in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting* with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ 12But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’
1) "Follow;" "...those whoa re well, have n o need of a physician;" "...I desire mercy, not sacrifice;" "...I have come to call... sinners;"
2) My first observation is that it says Matthew [the tax-collector] "got up and followed him," not, "Matthew believed," or "his faith made him understand/see," just "he got up and followed him." Bonhoeffer argues that belief and obedience are two sides of the same coin, "The one who believes obeys, the one who obeys believes." These two sentences are qualitatively different, yet cannot be separated one from the other. In separating them, the result is either a cheap grace or no grace at all. Can we identify a desire to just get up and follow? What holds me back from following immediately? Where is my treasure? What keeps me from identifying my freedom and satisfaction with what God calls me to do? Do I trust that God wants only the best for me and that what God desires for me is in fact better than whatever I want for myself? My ability to know what I want and what is best for myself is impeded by my nature as a creature, I am not the creator. I'm a sinner. It's terrible how we contrast "sinner" with "saint" when saints are not different in kind, but only in degree. Saints are the same as sinners, they've just made some better choices along the way, maybe had a little more practice trusting God. It breaks my heart to contemplate how many "believers" out there make little or no effort to "seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with their God." Do I?
3) What is the invitation in all this? to question less and follow more. I keep coming back to the invitation to trust that if I get up and follow, what God will provide will be better than what I currently want for myself.
"Holy One, give me whatever it is I need to get up and follow."
Breathprayer: "And he said... follow me."
Matthew 9:9-13
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
10 And as he sat at dinner* in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting* with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ 12But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’
1) "Follow;" "...those whoa re well, have n o need of a physician;" "...I desire mercy, not sacrifice;" "...I have come to call... sinners;"
2) My first observation is that it says Matthew [the tax-collector] "got up and followed him," not, "Matthew believed," or "his faith made him understand/see," just "he got up and followed him." Bonhoeffer argues that belief and obedience are two sides of the same coin, "The one who believes obeys, the one who obeys believes." These two sentences are qualitatively different, yet cannot be separated one from the other. In separating them, the result is either a cheap grace or no grace at all. Can we identify a desire to just get up and follow? What holds me back from following immediately? Where is my treasure? What keeps me from identifying my freedom and satisfaction with what God calls me to do? Do I trust that God wants only the best for me and that what God desires for me is in fact better than whatever I want for myself? My ability to know what I want and what is best for myself is impeded by my nature as a creature, I am not the creator. I'm a sinner. It's terrible how we contrast "sinner" with "saint" when saints are not different in kind, but only in degree. Saints are the same as sinners, they've just made some better choices along the way, maybe had a little more practice trusting God. It breaks my heart to contemplate how many "believers" out there make little or no effort to "seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with their God." Do I?
3) What is the invitation in all this? to question less and follow more. I keep coming back to the invitation to trust that if I get up and follow, what God will provide will be better than what I currently want for myself.
"Holy One, give me whatever it is I need to get up and follow."
Breathprayer: "And he said... follow me."
Sunday 7 May 2017
"The Lord Is Faithful... Satisfying."
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy, compassion, and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, self-importance, and arrogance. I ask the know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Psalm 145:13b-16
The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.*
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
1) "...faithful;" "...gracious;" "...upholds;" "...raises up;" "...give them their food;" "...open your hand;" "...satisfying the desire of every living thing;" "...every living thing;" "...all his words;" "...all his deeds;"
2) This psalmist seems ignorant of some of the events in Israel's history that seem less than gracious. Or this psalmist has a different way of explaining atrocity than the authors of some of the other parts of Israel's history. I prefer the latter. I like this psalmist's universalist approach. God is gracious in all God's deeds, satisfying the desire of every living thing. Too often we attribute to God what doesn't belong to God. When and where is God satisfying this living thing? How am I satisfied? When? By what? This morning it is easy to feel satisfied with the sun shining and the world in bloom. Would that I could feel the same satisfaction on days that are less ideal. But it was a very satisfying morning sitting on the balcony. If only I could trust that it is God's will to satisfy, even when the challenges are before me, before us.
3) What is the invitation in all this? to sit receptively in satisfaction, perhaps, even to be grateful for what does satisfy.
"Holy One, indeed, you are faithful and gracious, satisfying the desire of every living thing. Teach me also to be faithful and gracious that I may satisfy you in my words and deeds."
Breathprayer: "The Lord is faithful... satisfying."
Psalm 145:13b-16
The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.*
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
1) "...faithful;" "...gracious;" "...upholds;" "...raises up;" "...give them their food;" "...open your hand;" "...satisfying the desire of every living thing;" "...every living thing;" "...all his words;" "...all his deeds;"
2) This psalmist seems ignorant of some of the events in Israel's history that seem less than gracious. Or this psalmist has a different way of explaining atrocity than the authors of some of the other parts of Israel's history. I prefer the latter. I like this psalmist's universalist approach. God is gracious in all God's deeds, satisfying the desire of every living thing. Too often we attribute to God what doesn't belong to God. When and where is God satisfying this living thing? How am I satisfied? When? By what? This morning it is easy to feel satisfied with the sun shining and the world in bloom. Would that I could feel the same satisfaction on days that are less ideal. But it was a very satisfying morning sitting on the balcony. If only I could trust that it is God's will to satisfy, even when the challenges are before me, before us.
3) What is the invitation in all this? to sit receptively in satisfaction, perhaps, even to be grateful for what does satisfy.
"Holy One, indeed, you are faithful and gracious, satisfying the desire of every living thing. Teach me also to be faithful and gracious that I may satisfy you in my words and deeds."
Breathprayer: "The Lord is faithful... satisfying."
Saturday 6 May 2017
"Make Known... the Glorious Splendour of Your Kingdom."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy, compassion, and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, self-importance, and arrogance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Psalm 145:10-13
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your faithful shall bless you.
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to all people your* mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendour of your* kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
1) "...the glory of your kingdom;" "...the glorious splendour of your kingdom;" "...endures;" "...endures throughout all generations;"
2) Everything speaks of the glory of God's kingdom. I sit on the balcony each morning and hear humming birds, robins, crows, pigeons, flickers and squirrels, the occasional eagle, and even less often the geese. I watch the clouds roll, the trees wave, the sky brighten, the stars and moon fade. I feel the cold, wet bite of the air and breath in its crispness. I hold my cat on my lap as she purrs and buts my hand with her head for more attention. I study the blooms on the bleeding hearts, the columbine and the remaining impatiens, the green sprouts of the nasturtiums, the recovering thyme, the dwindling tulips, narcissi, and hyacinth. I try to set up each day so that I have a few minutes when it is easy to hear "the glorious splendour of [God'] kingdom. It isn't always as easy the rest of the day.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To try to stay present to the everlasting nature of the glorious splendour, and not lose it through the distracted busy-ness of the day.
"Holy One, speak of the glory of your kingdom."
Breathprayer: "Make known... the glorious splendour of your Kingdom."
Psalm 145:10-13
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your faithful shall bless you.
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to all people your* mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendour of your* kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
1) "...the glory of your kingdom;" "...the glorious splendour of your kingdom;" "...endures;" "...endures throughout all generations;"
2) Everything speaks of the glory of God's kingdom. I sit on the balcony each morning and hear humming birds, robins, crows, pigeons, flickers and squirrels, the occasional eagle, and even less often the geese. I watch the clouds roll, the trees wave, the sky brighten, the stars and moon fade. I feel the cold, wet bite of the air and breath in its crispness. I hold my cat on my lap as she purrs and buts my hand with her head for more attention. I study the blooms on the bleeding hearts, the columbine and the remaining impatiens, the green sprouts of the nasturtiums, the recovering thyme, the dwindling tulips, narcissi, and hyacinth. I try to set up each day so that I have a few minutes when it is easy to hear "the glorious splendour of [God'] kingdom. It isn't always as easy the rest of the day.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To try to stay present to the everlasting nature of the glorious splendour, and not lose it through the distracted busy-ness of the day.
"Holy One, speak of the glory of your kingdom."
Breathprayer: "Make known... the glorious splendour of your Kingdom."
Friday 5 May 2017
"Called... according to his purpose."
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy, compassion, gentleness and to be more steadfast in love. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, self-importance and arrogance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Romans 8:28-30
28 We know that all things work together for good* for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.* 30And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
1) "...work together for good;" "...called according to his purpose;" "...conformed to the image of his Son;" "...called... justified... glorified;"
2) Lots has been done with "predestined." Doesn't scripture bear an argument that God "foreknew" all creation? So is there an argument here for all creation to be "predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son?" I'm not big on "predestination" myself. The resurrected Christ is the firstborn of a large family. I do like the succession of actions: called, justified, glorified. "Called according to his purpose," how do we discern that for ourselves, for our communities? Can we trust that "all things work together for good?" Do I trust that "all things work together for good?" No always... not even often! It's an ideal I try to return to. "And all shall be well" and all that. But my perspective needs to be very large to truly trust that, like on the cosmic scale. Can I learn to live into the cosmic scale of things? Then what matters is if I'm doing what I can here and now, not necessarily to make all things good, but to make this piece better. I am confident in my call, but I do not always feel so justified, and glorified least of all. That is probably as it should be. Can I trust those things even though I do not experience them for myself?
3) What is the invitation in all this? To trust the call, to seek to serve, and give the rest over.
"Holy One, help me to trust that all things work together for good."
Breathprayer: "Called... according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28-30
28 We know that all things work together for good* for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.* 30And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
1) "...work together for good;" "...called according to his purpose;" "...conformed to the image of his Son;" "...called... justified... glorified;"
2) Lots has been done with "predestined." Doesn't scripture bear an argument that God "foreknew" all creation? So is there an argument here for all creation to be "predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son?" I'm not big on "predestination" myself. The resurrected Christ is the firstborn of a large family. I do like the succession of actions: called, justified, glorified. "Called according to his purpose," how do we discern that for ourselves, for our communities? Can we trust that "all things work together for good?" Do I trust that "all things work together for good?" No always... not even often! It's an ideal I try to return to. "And all shall be well" and all that. But my perspective needs to be very large to truly trust that, like on the cosmic scale. Can I learn to live into the cosmic scale of things? Then what matters is if I'm doing what I can here and now, not necessarily to make all things good, but to make this piece better. I am confident in my call, but I do not always feel so justified, and glorified least of all. That is probably as it should be. Can I trust those things even though I do not experience them for myself?
3) What is the invitation in all this? To trust the call, to seek to serve, and give the rest over.
"Holy One, help me to trust that all things work together for good."
Breathprayer: "Called... according to his purpose."
Thursday 4 May 2017
"All of Them Ate... and Were Filled."
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, gentleness, empathy, and compassion. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, arrogance, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Matthew 15:32-39
32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.’ 33The disciples said to him, ‘Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?’ 34Jesus asked them, ‘How many loaves have you?’ They said, ‘Seven, and a few small fish.’ 35Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 38Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39After sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.*
1) "...compassion for the crowd;" "...three days;" "...have nothing to eat;" "...enough;" "...bread in the desert;" "...giving thanks... broke... and gave;" "...crowds;" "...Jesus called;" "...bread in the desert;" "...so great a crowd;" "...four thousand men, besides women and children;"
2) The words, "giving thanks... broke... and gave," are the same words used in the institution of communion. Matthew has made a parallel here. "bread in the desert" is clearly a reference to "manna in the wilderness" of Exodus. If the disciples knew their scripture, they might have seen the set up. The desert is an unlikely place to eat one's fill, let alone some 10,000 people, men, women and children. Yet, it is asserted, they ate and were filled. This account does not say they were satisfied, only that they were filled. Can I trust that we have enough? Some days it is difficult when work gets stacked up and everyone has a need at the same time. But God provides in the wilderness and the desert, why wouldn't there be enough here in the middle of the rainforest?
3) What is the invitation in all this? To trust that there is indeed enough, even when it feels like we are in a dry place.
"Holy One, let me trust and obey, even when I doubt."
Breathprayer: "All of them ate... and were filled."
Matthew 15:32-39
32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.’ 33The disciples said to him, ‘Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?’ 34Jesus asked them, ‘How many loaves have you?’ They said, ‘Seven, and a few small fish.’ 35Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 38Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39After sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.*
1) "...compassion for the crowd;" "...three days;" "...have nothing to eat;" "...enough;" "...bread in the desert;" "...giving thanks... broke... and gave;" "...crowds;" "...Jesus called;" "...bread in the desert;" "...so great a crowd;" "...four thousand men, besides women and children;"
2) The words, "giving thanks... broke... and gave," are the same words used in the institution of communion. Matthew has made a parallel here. "bread in the desert" is clearly a reference to "manna in the wilderness" of Exodus. If the disciples knew their scripture, they might have seen the set up. The desert is an unlikely place to eat one's fill, let alone some 10,000 people, men, women and children. Yet, it is asserted, they ate and were filled. This account does not say they were satisfied, only that they were filled. Can I trust that we have enough? Some days it is difficult when work gets stacked up and everyone has a need at the same time. But God provides in the wilderness and the desert, why wouldn't there be enough here in the middle of the rainforest?
3) What is the invitation in all this? To trust that there is indeed enough, even when it feels like we are in a dry place.
"Holy One, let me trust and obey, even when I doubt."
Breathprayer: "All of them ate... and were filled."
Wednesday 3 May 2017
"Swallow up Death... forever."
I take a few deep breaths and feel my weigh sink into the chair. I continue to breath as I am typing. I let my thoughts gather to be present to this moment.
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, gentleness, empathy, and compassion. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, arrogance, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Isaiah 25:6-8
6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear.
7 And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations;
8 he will swallow up death for ever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
1) "...all peoples;" "...a feast of rich foods;" "...he will destroy...the shroud... over all people;" "...swallow up death forever;" "...the disgrace of his people he will take away;"
2) My first thought is, "I'm looking forward to Trump and his followers being taken way from all the earth." I'm aware of the discouragement I've felt the last couple days. Last night we heard from a colleague who traveled with our Mission and Service unit to Kenya. There's some context. Where people have stopped talking about the famine/drought, and just call it "the hunger" now. Women who need safe houses against genital mutilation. LGBT people who can only meet with our church representatives late at night after dark because if they are caught by their own government, they risk losing appendages. In the day to day of our church board life, it's too easy to lose sight of why we do what we do and that we are doing important things. We are, in fact, saving lives. I don't need to look to Africa to see life saving work going on. Today down the hall, hungry people are being fed, brought in from the wet for a few hours, taking home hampers of food for a couple weeks, receiving clothing and household items. I've already heard of three people saved from fentanyl because we've hosted naloxone training sessions. A refugee family from Syria will be arriving any week now. Little by little, we participate in removing disgrace.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To stay focused on the mission and do what needs to be done to achieve the mission.
"Holy One, help us to help you wipe away the tears from all faces and the disgrace of your peoples."
Breathprayer: "Swallow up death... forever."
"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, gentleness, empathy, and compassion. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, arrogance, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Isaiah 25:6-8
6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear.
7 And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations;
8 he will swallow up death for ever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
1) "...all peoples;" "...a feast of rich foods;" "...he will destroy...the shroud... over all people;" "...swallow up death forever;" "...the disgrace of his people he will take away;"
2) My first thought is, "I'm looking forward to Trump and his followers being taken way from all the earth." I'm aware of the discouragement I've felt the last couple days. Last night we heard from a colleague who traveled with our Mission and Service unit to Kenya. There's some context. Where people have stopped talking about the famine/drought, and just call it "the hunger" now. Women who need safe houses against genital mutilation. LGBT people who can only meet with our church representatives late at night after dark because if they are caught by their own government, they risk losing appendages. In the day to day of our church board life, it's too easy to lose sight of why we do what we do and that we are doing important things. We are, in fact, saving lives. I don't need to look to Africa to see life saving work going on. Today down the hall, hungry people are being fed, brought in from the wet for a few hours, taking home hampers of food for a couple weeks, receiving clothing and household items. I've already heard of three people saved from fentanyl because we've hosted naloxone training sessions. A refugee family from Syria will be arriving any week now. Little by little, we participate in removing disgrace.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To stay focused on the mission and do what needs to be done to achieve the mission.
"Holy One, help us to help you wipe away the tears from all faces and the disgrace of your peoples."
Breathprayer: "Swallow up death... forever."
Tuesday 2 May 2017
"They Shall Eat... and Have Some Left."
I'm feeling very discouraged this morning. It feels like a particular committee keeps replaying the same meeting month after month and we seldom see any change, movement or improvement in our situation. We are working a process, but the process is taking time and in the mean time things need to happen, decisions need to be made. Sometimes I wish I had a job that didn't require two weeks of prep and two weeks of catch up for every week I spend away.
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate regularly. I ask for patience, tolerance, gentleness, empathy and compassion. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, arrogance, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly. I need encouragement today."
2 Kings 4:42-44
A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, ‘Give it to the people and let them eat.’ 43But his servant said, ‘How can I set this before a hundred people?’ So he repeated, ‘Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, “They shall eat and have some left.” ’ 44He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.
1) "...first fruits;" "...loaves of barley;" "...fresh ears of grain;" "...Give it to the people and let them eat;" "...They shall eat and have some left;" "...they ate, and had some left;"
2) The "man of God" is Elisha. 20 loaves of bread and so much corn, feed 100 people and there is some left over. The "first fruits" ae meant for the temple as part of the thanksgiving offering, set aside for the use of the priests. Elisha gives it to the people gathered. Once again, a "miracle" of Jesus is acted out first by Elisha (or Elijah), but when the story is told of Jesus its bigger. I'm not feeling the abundance this morning. I'm definitely pre-feast. I can't imagine where resources are going to come from. I've been away for a week and I feel as exhausted as when I left despite the fact that returning from my retreat on Sunday I felt renewed. But I come in the door of the office and within minutes I'm overwhelmed with requests, high expectations, and discouraging news. And I still had to drive all the way back to the retreat center to retrieve the keys I'd left behind!
3) What is the invitation in all this? To remember the promise that "they ate, and had some left," is a constant in the story. And that most of the time I experience that abundance. To wait patiently for the one "bringing food from the first fruits."
"Holy One, show me what is left."
Breathprayer: "They shall eat... and have some left."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate regularly. I ask for patience, tolerance, gentleness, empathy and compassion. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, arrogance, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly. I need encouragement today."
2 Kings 4:42-44
A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, ‘Give it to the people and let them eat.’ 43But his servant said, ‘How can I set this before a hundred people?’ So he repeated, ‘Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, “They shall eat and have some left.” ’ 44He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.
1) "...first fruits;" "...loaves of barley;" "...fresh ears of grain;" "...Give it to the people and let them eat;" "...They shall eat and have some left;" "...they ate, and had some left;"
2) The "man of God" is Elisha. 20 loaves of bread and so much corn, feed 100 people and there is some left over. The "first fruits" ae meant for the temple as part of the thanksgiving offering, set aside for the use of the priests. Elisha gives it to the people gathered. Once again, a "miracle" of Jesus is acted out first by Elisha (or Elijah), but when the story is told of Jesus its bigger. I'm not feeling the abundance this morning. I'm definitely pre-feast. I can't imagine where resources are going to come from. I've been away for a week and I feel as exhausted as when I left despite the fact that returning from my retreat on Sunday I felt renewed. But I come in the door of the office and within minutes I'm overwhelmed with requests, high expectations, and discouraging news. And I still had to drive all the way back to the retreat center to retrieve the keys I'd left behind!
3) What is the invitation in all this? To remember the promise that "they ate, and had some left," is a constant in the story. And that most of the time I experience that abundance. To wait patiently for the one "bringing food from the first fruits."
"Holy One, show me what is left."
Breathprayer: "They shall eat... and have some left."
Monday 1 May 2017
"Celebrate... Sincerity and Truth."
I spent the weekend doing shadow work with a group of men at Stillwood Retreat Centre, lead by Scott Swanson. The other side of grace is painful work. As Bonhoeffer says, "The man [sic] who has grace is obedient; the man [sic] who is obedient has grace."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate regularly. I ask for patience, tolerance, compassion, gentleness, and empathy. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, arrogance, and self-centeredness. I ask to know and follow Christ more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
1 Corinthians 5:6-8
6 Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. 8Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1) "... sincerity and truth;" "...boasting is not a good thing;" "...a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough;" "...clean out the old;" "...be a new;" "...the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth;"
2) "a little yeast leavens the whole batch," one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. The part in me that cannot have compassion and empathy for the part of me that gives me shame is enough to make my life entirely unbearable. That small part that cannot find empathy for that one person in a community who pushes all my buttons is enough to sour the whole community. How do we stand fast when someone is clearly harming themselves and the community? How do we separate compassion and enabling? How do we have empathy without consenting to alienating behaviour? In ourselves and others? How do we call one accountable but stay loving? of ourselves and others? Especially when they are causing harm to the community at large? Wasn't Bonhoeffer executed for being complicit in an assassination plot against Hitler? I've no plans to assassinate anyone, but how do we stop behaviour that is leavening division? What is the true cost of grace?
3) What is the invitation in all this? To be very weary of my own boasting. To be more attentive to that part of me that is short on empathy and compassion. To be more constant in making sure my own needs for empathy and compassion are met. To be on guard against my own malice and evil and to live for sincerity and truth.
"Holy One nourish us with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
Breathprayer: "Celebrate... sincerity and truth."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate regularly. I ask for patience, tolerance, compassion, gentleness, and empathy. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, arrogance, and self-centeredness. I ask to know and follow Christ more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
1 Corinthians 5:6-8
6 Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. 8Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1) "... sincerity and truth;" "...boasting is not a good thing;" "...a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough;" "...clean out the old;" "...be a new;" "...the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth;"
2) "a little yeast leavens the whole batch," one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. The part in me that cannot have compassion and empathy for the part of me that gives me shame is enough to make my life entirely unbearable. That small part that cannot find empathy for that one person in a community who pushes all my buttons is enough to sour the whole community. How do we stand fast when someone is clearly harming themselves and the community? How do we separate compassion and enabling? How do we have empathy without consenting to alienating behaviour? In ourselves and others? How do we call one accountable but stay loving? of ourselves and others? Especially when they are causing harm to the community at large? Wasn't Bonhoeffer executed for being complicit in an assassination plot against Hitler? I've no plans to assassinate anyone, but how do we stop behaviour that is leavening division? What is the true cost of grace?
3) What is the invitation in all this? To be very weary of my own boasting. To be more attentive to that part of me that is short on empathy and compassion. To be more constant in making sure my own needs for empathy and compassion are met. To be on guard against my own malice and evil and to live for sincerity and truth.
"Holy One nourish us with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
Breathprayer: "Celebrate... sincerity and truth."
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