Daily Readings First Thoughts June 21 2007

Daily Lectionary:
Morning: Psalm 97:1-12
1 Samuel 2:27-36
Acts 2:22-36
Luke 20:41-21:4
Evening: Psalm 16:1-11

I promise this will be short. I put to the readers the challenge to read all the scriptures today, and then ask yourselves - you Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalians, and all members of Christian institutions, covenant communities, or whatever you might call your overseeing body - "Who do you say is Lord?"

Is it your governing bodies? is it the ones who speak for you as you assemble, and in the marketplaces, media? Is it your pastor, or your Sunday school teacher, your professor, your Senator, your boss, your spouse? Who do you say knows all there is to know about everything, that you can throw your life on his/her cause and be saved?

The scribes and priests of Madison Avenue, Hollywood, Wall Street, Washington, and I daresay, Louisville, are not Lord. They sound good and may sometimes mean well, but bottom line is to gain, not to lose. And none of them can save you from pain, suffering, sin, or deceit. Please - please - please - read the word, pray, and let God guide you in faith and life, wisdom and discernment, letting the Holy Spirit give you the boldness to know the truth in all things, rooted in the One Lord of all - Jesus Christ. And follow him alone.