11/30 - Luke 1:5-25

Luke 1:5-25

If you were in worship yesterday, this is the passage from which I spoke. The passage speaks a great deal about our relationship with God. On one hand we want God to act for us, like giving a child, on the other hand we struggle to believe when God answers our prayer. We want God but we want God on our own terms. Scripture teaches us that "our terms" are not helpful for us. Scripture invites us to trust God even more than we trust ourselves. Such trust is a very hard act.

November 28

Psalm 119:1-24

There are always forces that seek to shape our lives. Whether it is our culture, our desires or faith, our lives are being shaped. The choice that we have is whether or not we are intentional about determining what is shaping us. In this Psalm, the Psalmist wants scripture to be that which is shaping is life. He wants to "walk in the law of the Lord" and be shaped in the type of person God wants him to be.

November 27

Psalm 1

The Psalmist uses a wonderful image of a tree planted by streams of water. We have trees in our backyard that have grown around a small stream. The trees are massive and dominate our backyard. Everytime there is a wind storm, we have small branches all over our backyard. But the trees remain strong. Ths Psalmist uses of trees planted by a stream as an image of our spiritual lives. When our lives are planted in God's word, our lives are a steady and strong a massive tree.

November 26

Joshua 3

This is one of the biblical stories where God directly intervenes. Direct intervention is not the normal behavior of God. We ask God to directly intervene quite often but the way God normally acts is through the lives of people. But as Israel crosses the River Jordan into the promised land, God directly intervenes and parts the waters.

I am very thankful today that we have a God who has directly intervened into human history by taking the form of a human being to live in our midst. I can't imagine what life would be like without the coming of Jesus.

November 25

Deuteronomy 4:1-15

The writer is exhorting the people of Israel to obey the commands of God. He recalls how the people received the 10 commandments on stone tablets, He reminds them how they were taught the statutes and judgements of God. However, the easy part is learning, the hard part is obeying. Obedience to the ways of God often shifts us away from how we want to live. It forces us into decisions of trust. Who do we trust more, ourselves or God? Obviously, we are not the first people to struggle with this. The reason it is in scripture is that the people who received the commandments directly struggled with this. This is an ancient struggle that we live out every day.

11/24 - Exodus 20

Exodus 20

A couple of questions for you to consider:

Can you name all 10 commandments?
We talk about how important they are, yet we struggle to remember all 10.

Which is the hardest for you to obey?
As Americans I think there are a couple we struggle to follow.
- "the seventh day is a sabbath" Keeping a day of Sabbath, rest, is almost impossible for us. We believe that unless we are always doing, we will somehow miss life. The irony is that we create an incredibly fast pace of life then wonder where life went.
-"You shall not covet" It would seem that our economy is built on us never being satisfied and coveting what we do not have. The consequence is that in the midst of incredible abundance, we are in debt and wanting more.
- "You shall not take the Lord's name in vain" Taking the Lord's name in vain is so common we don't even pause when we hear God's name used in that manner.

November 23

Genesis 1

"Then God said, 'Let there be light', and there was light."

The Bible begins with the power of God's word to shape all of creation. There are many arguments over how the universe was created. The arguments of creationism, evolution, or the big bang are areas of discussion among people. The Bible does not try to enter those arguments, it simply states that the word of God is responsible. The scripture teaches that God is so powerful, that by speaking light came into being.

Yesterday in worship, Pastor Catherine Mutua spoke of the power of God's word, scripture, to shape our lives. The power of God's word to shape our lives is the reason we are encouraged to read scripture on a daily basis. As she said yesterday, there are many voices in our lives. We want the most influential voice to be the voice of scripture.

November 20

1 Peter 4:1-11

"Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins."

When I read this passage I remembered a saying from many years ago. The saying went like this, "Every day in every marriage there are a multitude of reasons for divorce". I don't think that is literally true, but the concept that in every marriage there are a many reasons to be angry and upset with your spouse is true. What makes a marriage strong, is when the couple allow their love for each other to overlook the offenses. This is true not only marriage but of all relationships. Love is willing to look beyond the immediate action and forgive.

November 19

1 John 4:7-21

Thanks to Randy for writing the blog for the last month. He has really helped me out by doing so. Ken

"And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also."

John draws this section to a clear conclusion. If we love God, "we should love our brother". He doesn't say we should love our brother if our brother is nice, kind, giving or even lovable. Those are expectations we place on those we love. He doesn't give exemptions to loving if your brother is mean, unthinking or irresponsible. Those are justifications we use to not love. He simply understands that God loves us without qualifications and we should do the same.

November 18th

James 2: 1-13. In these verses James asks a question: 'Listen, dear brothers! Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to those who love him?' But I am remembering a James who, only a few years earlier, was astonished at this notion: when Jesus informed his disciples that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, James shouted out in disbelief, along with the others, 'Then who can be saved!' They all believed that, without question, to be rich was a sign of God's blessing, not vice versa. Jame's admonishment, here in chapter 2, against showing favoritism is not a moralistic finger-shaking on how things ought to be, but is more a finger-pointing, based more on a glad new knowledge of how things actually are in the reality of God. Christ has turned the tables of this world upside down; we live in a new day, a new reality, and James points to it. Can I live in that reality today, I wonder? RS.

November 17th

Matthew 5:38-48. Jesus reminds his hearers of what they have been taught, and then takes them beyond that. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth is actually a part of God's law, and a civilized teaching that is meant to limit retaliation. If someone pokes out your eye, you are entitled only to poke out his (or her) eye--not to kill him, stomp on his dead body, enslave his family and burn his farm, as was the previous primitive custom: total anhilalation of the person who takes your parking space, or the last chocolate out of the candy bowl, or who votes for the wrong candidate; it's a good thing we've grown beyond that!

Jesus is not, it seems to me, reversing God's old barbaric law here, but is saying rather that his hearers need not be enslaved by eye for eye when it comes to matters of personal honor. They need not spend their lives giving tit for tat, trying to get even with persons who seek to drop them down a notch and put them in their place. They are, rather, the light of the world and the salt of the earth, second to no one; Jesus gives them ways to live that make this apparent. RS

November 16th

Deuteronomy 6. 'Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.'

A few days ago my son, Nathan, was showing me a copy of the 10 commandments--they were learning the commandments in Sunday School and he, I am proud to say, was wanting to put them on his wall. But Egad-Bad-Dad noticed that the commandments were on both the front and back of the sheet, so I told him that if he put them on his wall he would not see half of them.
'Oh' he said. But then I immediately thought of these few verses and realized how cold counsel was checking a warm heart. These did need to go up on his wall, and if, when I check this evening they are not, he and I will have some good time talking together about them and putting them up in a good place. But perhaps where they really need to go is on my wall! RS.

November 14th

Mark 6: 30-44. The story about Jesus feeding the five-thousand appears in all four gospels. In three of them it is also preceded by an account of the death of John the Baptist. Here in Mark (and in Luke), there is also the note that the disciples had just returned from their mission to tell Jesus all the things they had done and witnessed. But also on Jesus' mind is the death of John. Matthew lets us know that Jesus, on hearing the gruesome story of John's beheading, left with the disciples to get away to the desert. So, while it may be that Jesus wanted to reward his disciples for their work by giving them some needed rest and alone time, it seems to me that he also needed to get away to grieve the loss of his friend. This is something I really appreciate in a messiah! For him to carry on without a hiccup after such a loss would have taken him down several pegs on my messiah pole.

But there is no getting away just yet! The people, a large crowd, have followed Jesus on foot. Jesus and the disciples (more reluctantly) will get their rest later. I would do well to remember this story more often when I am tired and wanting only a refreshing beverage and my recliner! RS

November 13th!

Mark 5:21-43. Interrupting the story of Jairus and his daughter is the account of the woman with the flow of blood who snuck a touch of Jesus' robe and was healed of her condition after twelve years of illness and attempted treatments that left her worse off, not better. Something that has not occured to me before with this story is to wonder what would have happened had the woman not come forward when Jesus, sensing that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, 'Who touched my clothes?' It was a large crowd, with many pressing round; she likely could have easily slunk away, healing in hand. Would Jesus have stopped right there, made everyone sit down, until he had found her out? And what if she had not admitted what she'd done? Would she have had peace?

There are a great many people these days who dabble in Jesus, who may read a bit about him or encounter him in some other passing way that leaves them truly impressed and having received some real benefit. However, until we come 'face to face' with Jesus, so to speak, and tell him the truth about our lives, it is likely that we will not be at peace. RS

November 12th

Mark 3:1-6. Since Jesus seems to have been aware, in all of their other meetings, of the inner thoughts of the Pharisees, it seems likely that here, too, on his return to the synagogue, he is aware of the hostile intentions of those in the room; and he asks his question accordingly.
He calls up a member of the synagogue who has a withered hand--we'll call him 'dear old Mr. Smith', for he and his condition have likely been a fixture of that congregation's life for years. His question to all present is not an innocent one, and it calls to mind some of his other poke-the-ant-hill-with-a-stick questions later on, for instance: 'The baptism of John--was it from God or from man?' 'What does our law allow us to do on the Sabbath?' he asks. 'To help or to harm?' Instead of the interesting and vigorous debate that normally would have ensured there is an obstinate silence.

Everyone is looking completely past Mr. Smith and his condition, showing no compassion, holding out no hope that here before them, perhaps, was the opportunity for his healing. If you want to know how to stir up the wrath and grief of God, here is your formula. RS

November 11th

Mark 2:13-17. While who can say for sure, it seems likely to me that Jesus knew the tax collector, Levi, the son of Alpheus, before he called him to 'follow me', and vice versa; it is likely that Levi also at least knew who Jesus was, had perhaps talked with him before, or had at least formed some kind of opinion of him, a favorable one no doubt. It also seems likely that he followed Jesus not because he hated his life as a tax collector and thought that Jesus could restore his reputation--for later on, when he is having Jesus to dinner at his house, all of his rowdie friends are still with him.

As in the previous verses, the Pharisees grouse about Jesus actions, again not to his face; and addressing them directly Jesus says to them that he has not come to call respectable people but those who outcasts--who are sick. Matthew knows that, even if it means leaving his lucrative tax office, he needs what Jesus has to offer; the pharisees don't think they need Jesus. Am I really aware, as Matthew was, of my need for Jesus? RS

November 10th

Mark 2:1-12. Due to the large crowd surrounding Jesus, four friends haul their paralysed friend up on the roof above Jesus, bust a hole in it, and through the hole lower their friend into the presence of Jesus, whereupon, seeing the faith of the four friends, Jesus turns to the paralysed man and says: 'My son, your sins are forgiven'--the very thing I would have said myself! No, it seems like an odd thing for Jesus to say.

No, I would not have said that; had I the confidence and ability to do so (and who says we should not have both of those things--not Jesus), I would have gone right to the 'I tell you, get up, pick up you mat and go home' part. And were I the paralysed man, I think I would have been happy to forego the 'Miss Congeniality' prize of having my sins forgiven; I would have wanted the grand prize of being healed of my paralysis! Jesus was apparently willing to leave it at the forgiveness part, healing the man only to prove that the had 'authority to forgive sins on earth.' Is having one's sins forgiven a bigger thing than being healed of whatever? Perhaps forgiveness is, indeed, a more powerful thing than we normally think it is. Perhaps it is really everything. RS

November 9th

Mark 1: 40-45. There is much to consider in these five short verses. A man with a dreaded skin disease comes to Jesus and says to him, 'If you want to, you can make me clean.' Jesus does heal the man and then sends him away with instructions not to tell anyone but to go to the priests so that the cure can be certified and so that he can have dealings with his community again. Depending on the bible you are reading, Jesus, as he encounters the man, is either moved with pity, compassion, anger or some other emotion. Also unclear are the reasons for his emotion and the meaning and circumstances surrounding the man's statement to Jesus. What does seem clear, at least from the Greek (which I am unable to read very well--acually not at all anymore--I have to rely on the commentators), is that Jesus emotions were very strong emotions--gut emotions. Jesus was not just mildly affected or interested in the man's plight--Jesus was engaged physically, spirtually and emotionally; and that, as far as I am concerned, is a requirement for any messiah in whom I would want to place my faith. RS

November 7th

Philippians 1. Paul writes his letter to the Philippians while in prison. His son in the faith, Timothy, is with him. But the Philippians are also with him: 'You are always in my heart,' Paul tells them in chapter 1. They are connected in the love and service of Jesus. This is a real connection, a real presence, accesed by the remembrance and thanksgiving of prayer. When we pray with remembrance and thanksgiving, we discover that our hearts are not empty. RS

November 6th

Galatians 2. While Acts paints a picture of Paul and the apostles in relative harmony, Paul's own letters, especially Galatians, suggest that his relationship with the twelve was strained at best. His encounter with Peter, in Galatians 2, probably did not help matters; it is hard to imagine Peter and Paul as 'pals' shooting pool and going to Cowboy games together!

In this exchange Paul, it seems to me, accuses Peter of forgetting who he is: he has been freed by Jesus but wants to go back to Egypt, to the slavery of the law. (I would be interested to hear Peter's take on this exchange but, unfortunately, we don't have that.) It is easy to forget who we are; it is easy to forget the water of our baptism, God calling our name, setting us free. It is easy to fall back into old patterns. No matter how far we think we have come along the road of freedom and transformation, sometimes all it takes is a trip back to a family reunion to make us realize how powerful the old behavior patterns are! Often we snap right back to our old roles without thinking. Perhaps if I focus on today--rembering today who I am--it will be enough. RS

November 5th

Luke 23: 32-43. Two criminals were crucified with Jesus, one on his right, one on his left. To the one who asked Jesus to remember him Jesus replies, 'I promise you that today you will be in paradise with me.' I notice that he does not turn to the other, the one who mocked him, and say, 'And you, buddy, this very day, will be getting the ol' knuckle sandwich!' It is important to remember that Jesus has just prayed concerning all those present who were mocking him, 'Forgive them, Father; they don't know what they are doing.' It is dicey to think that the 'nice' criminal was able to wrest from Jesus some privileged treatment for himself by paying Jesus a compliment at the last minute.

And when this criminal talks to Jesus about remembering him, he likely is hoping for more than a fond recall on Jesus' part. He does not want Jesus in heaven to say one day, 'O yes, I remember that guy; nice fellow!' He wants Jesus' to re-member him--to put him back together happy and whole; to do something on his behalf; to save him. The remembering of Jesus is far more than a 'calling to mind.' Yes, it is much more than that. RS

November 4th

Luke 22:14-23. All of the scripture passages chosen for this week have to do with remembrance. This account of Jesus sharing a last Passover meal with his disciples is told also in Matthew and Mark, and in all three accounts there are Jesus' words, at the breaking of the bread, that his disciples are to 'do this in rembrance' of' him. Only in Luke do we have Jesus also saying 'I have wanted so much to eat this Passover meal with you before I suffer.' Jesus' was not simply going through the motions, crossing all the t's and dotting all the i's of his Father's Messiah program on his way to saving the world. The disciples were his dear friends, and had become his family. Just as we might look forward with longing and anticipation to a Thankgiving dinner with loved ones, Jesus has looked forward to this Passover meal with his disciples, his friends. That is the thing I remember most about his last Passover. RS

November 3

1 Chronicles 16:8-36. It is a good thing to remember and give thanks, the more often the better! This psalm of David in, 1 Chronciles, marks the occasion of the return to Jerusalem of the Ark of the Covenant from the land of the Philistines; it is part of a great celebration of all the people. It is more than a good thing, however, to remember and give thanks; it is also a responsibility and a privilege. One of the first things David does upon the ark's return is to spread the wealth of privilege and responsibilty to others, that they might have ownership and leadership in remembering and giving thanks to God.

David does more, however, than ordain and delegate remembrance and thanksgiving: he leads by example, and a startling one at that. In the verses previous we see him gyrating around in a linen ephod (read G-string!), much to the consternation of his wife, Mical. No one, looking at the king, would doubt that he practiced what he preached when it came to giving thanks to and remembering God for all the things that God had done. Can others look at me, I wonder, and say the same? RS

November 2nd

Genesis 9. I notice an interesting thing in this chapter that I all too easily forget: that when God establishes the coveneant with Noah, it is with Noah and all that came with him out of the ark, animals included, and that the 'every living thing on earth' phrase is used not just once in passing but several times, as if to emphasize the point in Noah's mind so that he, and we, will remember it. This, it seems to me, is a very timely word for us all--that God's covenant relationship is not just with the human creation; the birds, animals, fish, and even the glistening sea monsters we read about earlier in the first chapter are also addressed by God and given responsibilities to fulfil. When we fail to remember the other living things that are a part of God's covenant with us, we ourselves become fragmented and forgetful of who we are. By and large, I would say that the animals have kept up their end of the covenant bargain! RS