Morning: Psalm 84:1-12
2 Samuel 12:1-14
Acts 19:21-41
Mark 9:14-29
Evening: Psalm 25:1-22
I commend Acts reading to you all today. Paul and his companions are preaching the Way of Jesus in Macedonia, against other gods, and business is way down for all the makers of the silver idols of Artemis, a pagan god. And they're not happy. Diverting customers to Jesus away from the worship of Artemis, they've seen their long-standing business go down the tubes. There's a motive for them propping up this religion: money, power and a comfy lifestyle. They take action, hauling the Jesus believers into the consul, and not just a little commotion ensues. The city is "in confusion," over the conflict. "... some were shouting one thing, some another; for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together." (v.32).
I'm sorry, at the risk of getting into the state of affairs in the PC(USA) again, and my own standing in it, this reminds me of the very public wrangling in our denomination, when Presbytery assemblies are thrown into confusion over the issue of business in our denomination. I see this issue rooted in idolatry.
In our presbytery, there are some congregations among us are trying to follow "The Way," a narrow path unencumbered by bureaucracy, religious pluralism, and crumbling standards, to be accused of everything under the sun and outshouted in the assembly by those who are trying to protect the "business" of the denomination. It's all being done under the guise of protecting the peace, unity and purity of the church. Face it, business in the PC(USA) is way down: shrinking numbers and treasuries are a threat to those who have been part of this long-standing business. I'm not saying the business of the PC(USA) is to promote worship of other gods - we are rooted in Christ alone - but other gods seem to have crept into our practices. Property, rules, tradition, polity, positions, the PUP report...are these hand-hewn idols for some?
My congregation could care less about this confusion, as we are a bunch of joyfully undisciplined, disordered, big hearted lovers of Jesus, who are connected with the people Jesus loves and came to serve. They are not connected to the PC(USA) in spirit or heart, which is probably a big disappointment to the denomination's officials, and certainly a threat to me. For I have been told I am to try and make good Presbyterians out of them, and engage them in the Presbytery's assembly, so that they will also come to understand and protect the denomination's peace, unity and purity. But they are indifferent to arguing, and too busy praying, doing ministry, surviving, spreading the good news, doing Bible study, building Habitat houses, finding our missional identity in the greater church. Frankly, I do not want to be part of the diversion away from the "business" of the Spirit's move on us right now. I'm sure I will take some flack for that in the assembly, but I'm tired, and have only so much energy to carry on in my call to follow Jesus at SBPC.
In the meantime, no one from the presbytery has volunteered to come to pray with us, to worship with us, or share Christ with us. To discover the brokenness that exists in our neighborhoods, and ask how can we help you do ministry better? If someone comes, we do not want to talk about the condition of the PC(USA) right now or learn ways to save the business. We will pray and we're open to ways we can truly reach out to the lost in the name of Jesus Christ alone.
As Jesus told the disciples in the gospel today, some evil spirits can only come out through prayer. Let us pray.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
daily scriptures frist thoughts august 7 2007
Morning: Psalm 12:1-8
2 Samuel 7:18-29
Acts 18:12-28
Mark 8:22-33
Evening: Psalm 36:1-12
Works in progress, we are in Christ. Good old Apollos was a work in progress indeed. A bold, eloquent preacher, a charismatic personality it seems. Well meaning, zealous and sincere, effective. But under-informed about Jesus. A work in progress, who was stopped from speaking until he was set straight about the fullness of Christ by companions Priscilla and Aquila about the baptism by the Holy Spirit. "There's more to this gospel than you're preaching, Apollos." He was pulled aside for a time for continuing education, and then off he went again, bolder, more informed. But first he was silenced.
So was Paul. In Acts, Paul was silenced before he could speak before the tribunal (Acts 18:14). In Mark's gospel today, after he healed the blind man, Jesus silenced him, sent him home instead of back out to the village as a witness. He silenced the disciples from talking about him as Messiah. Instead he told them whole truth about himself: suffering and death would follow him - Peter wanted to silence Jesus over that - but Jesus silenced him.
Though it is comforting to know that we still have a witness like they all did in spite of our incomplete knowledge of God, and Jesus, and the power of the Spirit, in spite of the fact that we prefer to avoid the suffering we do for Jesus, in spite of how we charge off willy nilly in our work, there is a time to be silent, and listen. A time to be silent and learn. A time to be silent and let wounds heal. A time to be silent and begin to let our lives be changed. A time to be silent and let the Lord tell us when and where and how we should go with the good news. When to speak and what to say. For the good news is bad news to those who "plot mischief while on their beds;they are set on a way that is not good; they do not reject evil." (Psalm 36:4). We need to be silent sometimes and let the Lord do battle, and pray.
The church is a work in progress, ever since the Spirit came upon the tiny band of under-informed disciples. Today there are so many voices telling us how to be church. I'm quite sure today, Jesus is telling this preacher, and possible to my small band of believers at my church, shut up and go home, rest awhile. Stay out of the public for a time and let me do the work. Let me teach you more and strengthen you and give you wisdom, and I'll move you out when it's time.
The psalmist says it like this: How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
2 Samuel 7:18-29
Acts 18:12-28
Mark 8:22-33
Evening: Psalm 36:1-12
Works in progress, we are in Christ. Good old Apollos was a work in progress indeed. A bold, eloquent preacher, a charismatic personality it seems. Well meaning, zealous and sincere, effective. But under-informed about Jesus. A work in progress, who was stopped from speaking until he was set straight about the fullness of Christ by companions Priscilla and Aquila about the baptism by the Holy Spirit. "There's more to this gospel than you're preaching, Apollos." He was pulled aside for a time for continuing education, and then off he went again, bolder, more informed. But first he was silenced.
So was Paul. In Acts, Paul was silenced before he could speak before the tribunal (Acts 18:14). In Mark's gospel today, after he healed the blind man, Jesus silenced him, sent him home instead of back out to the village as a witness. He silenced the disciples from talking about him as Messiah. Instead he told them whole truth about himself: suffering and death would follow him - Peter wanted to silence Jesus over that - but Jesus silenced him.
Though it is comforting to know that we still have a witness like they all did in spite of our incomplete knowledge of God, and Jesus, and the power of the Spirit, in spite of the fact that we prefer to avoid the suffering we do for Jesus, in spite of how we charge off willy nilly in our work, there is a time to be silent, and listen. A time to be silent and learn. A time to be silent and let wounds heal. A time to be silent and begin to let our lives be changed. A time to be silent and let the Lord tell us when and where and how we should go with the good news. When to speak and what to say. For the good news is bad news to those who "plot mischief while on their beds;they are set on a way that is not good; they do not reject evil." (Psalm 36:4). We need to be silent sometimes and let the Lord do battle, and pray.
The church is a work in progress, ever since the Spirit came upon the tiny band of under-informed disciples. Today there are so many voices telling us how to be church. I'm quite sure today, Jesus is telling this preacher, and possible to my small band of believers at my church, shut up and go home, rest awhile. Stay out of the public for a time and let me do the work. Let me teach you more and strengthen you and give you wisdom, and I'll move you out when it's time.
The psalmist says it like this: How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
Go home, be still and know that God is with you.
Monday, August 6, 2007
daily scriptures first thoughts august 6 2007
Morning: Psalm 62:1-12
2 Samuel 7:1-17
Acts 18:1-11
Mark 8:11-21
Evening: Psalm 73:1-28
As I read Psalm 62, I remember the 15 minutes we took to be alone with God at Wyld Life camp last week with middle schoolers. It happened after all the high energy - ropes course, blobbing, tubing, relays swimming, biking, screaming girls and mischievous boys seeking their attention - you name it. These middle schoolers came to camp full of energy looking for a good time, but many with every sort of trouble, simple and not so simple burdens about identity, belonging, abandonment, full of shame, anger, fear. They couldn't speak it, but they came looking for a sign that there was a God, for a refuge from the pain and craziness of their young lives. To have fun and also find out that they were loved and forgiven. Many had no father, or discipline in their lives.
During the week, many took huge risks doing something they never thought they could do - like going for the trapeze at the end of the rope course, hooked up so they would not fall, but scared to death anyway. Then, on that last night, all of us went into the darkness alone to talk and listen to God. It's just what we needed after a jam packed week of bone-chilling adventure and never knowing what was next. The speaker had told us all week that God loved us, that Jesus was the way to connect to God. I believed it before I went into the night, but in the dark I heard Jesus tell me again, personally. Heard him call me home to quiet and peace and safety. In the quiet came the truth again I need to hear every day as I grab for the bar and hope I won't fall. The psalmist writes:
For God alone my soul waits in silence,
The Pharisees were looking for signs that Jesus was divine, so they could nail him for blasphemy. He refused to give them a sign. But he did give signs to the disciples. Yet it took awhile for them to see and hear and remember. Sound familiar? Loaves and fishes, the feeding of thousands with a little, and they still did not understand everything God is, his power to make a way when there is no way. How soon we all forget.
At camp it could be some missed seeing and hearing the divine in the dark, or on the ropes course, bike trail, or basketball court, around the dining tables. But the signs of the divine were everywhere as after a time we saw smiles break out on the tough guy's face. When after 45 minutes of encouragement from new friends, the small, scared 7th grader finally jumped off the blob. The divine was there as a hug and a kind word from a leader reconciled feuding girls. In this place, they got to hang out with leaders who love Jesus and loved them like Jesus loved. Like Paul loved all the people wherever he went, hanging out with them, making tents and sharing stories about life and God and hope. As they hung out, they were changed. Leaders were modeling God's faithfulness and direction, and embodying God's words we read in 2 Samuel today: I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. 15But I will not take my steadfast love from him...In the darkness they heard God tell them, "I love you." With their leaders they experienced God's care and protection, and guidance. And sometimes, time out!
The divine was present during cabin time, when tears rolled down faces of campers and leaders alike, as they got real with God and each other. Signs were all over the place as the hills and lakes and stars shouted out to city kids who had never been out of the smoky hood. Signs and wonders came as we heard 5 of our young campers share their testimonies on Sunday. "I overcame my fear at camp," said one. "I learned I don't have to please anyone but God," says another. "I grew closer to God," said them all.
If you need a sign - look into the lives of kids who have just said "yes" to Jesus. Then go out into the dark, and listen.
2 Samuel 7:1-17
Acts 18:1-11
Mark 8:11-21
Evening: Psalm 73:1-28
As I read Psalm 62, I remember the 15 minutes we took to be alone with God at Wyld Life camp last week with middle schoolers. It happened after all the high energy - ropes course, blobbing, tubing, relays swimming, biking, screaming girls and mischievous boys seeking their attention - you name it. These middle schoolers came to camp full of energy looking for a good time, but many with every sort of trouble, simple and not so simple burdens about identity, belonging, abandonment, full of shame, anger, fear. They couldn't speak it, but they came looking for a sign that there was a God, for a refuge from the pain and craziness of their young lives. To have fun and also find out that they were loved and forgiven. Many had no father, or discipline in their lives.
During the week, many took huge risks doing something they never thought they could do - like going for the trapeze at the end of the rope course, hooked up so they would not fall, but scared to death anyway. Then, on that last night, all of us went into the darkness alone to talk and listen to God. It's just what we needed after a jam packed week of bone-chilling adventure and never knowing what was next. The speaker had told us all week that God loved us, that Jesus was the way to connect to God. I believed it before I went into the night, but in the dark I heard Jesus tell me again, personally. Heard him call me home to quiet and peace and safety. In the quiet came the truth again I need to hear every day as I grab for the bar and hope I won't fall. The psalmist writes:
For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
8Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
Camp was a refuge.The Pharisees were looking for signs that Jesus was divine, so they could nail him for blasphemy. He refused to give them a sign. But he did give signs to the disciples. Yet it took awhile for them to see and hear and remember. Sound familiar? Loaves and fishes, the feeding of thousands with a little, and they still did not understand everything God is, his power to make a way when there is no way. How soon we all forget.
At camp it could be some missed seeing and hearing the divine in the dark, or on the ropes course, bike trail, or basketball court, around the dining tables. But the signs of the divine were everywhere as after a time we saw smiles break out on the tough guy's face. When after 45 minutes of encouragement from new friends, the small, scared 7th grader finally jumped off the blob. The divine was there as a hug and a kind word from a leader reconciled feuding girls. In this place, they got to hang out with leaders who love Jesus and loved them like Jesus loved. Like Paul loved all the people wherever he went, hanging out with them, making tents and sharing stories about life and God and hope. As they hung out, they were changed. Leaders were modeling God's faithfulness and direction, and embodying God's words we read in 2 Samuel today: I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. 15But I will not take my steadfast love from him...In the darkness they heard God tell them, "I love you." With their leaders they experienced God's care and protection, and guidance. And sometimes, time out!
The divine was present during cabin time, when tears rolled down faces of campers and leaders alike, as they got real with God and each other. Signs were all over the place as the hills and lakes and stars shouted out to city kids who had never been out of the smoky hood. Signs and wonders came as we heard 5 of our young campers share their testimonies on Sunday. "I overcame my fear at camp," said one. "I learned I don't have to please anyone but God," says another. "I grew closer to God," said them all.
If you need a sign - look into the lives of kids who have just said "yes" to Jesus. Then go out into the dark, and listen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
