Daily Scriptures First Thoughts June 7 2007

Morning: Psalm 143:1-12
Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 17:14-20
2 Corinthians 8:1-16
Luke 18:1-8
Evening: Psalm 81:1-16

We have a charismatic pastor of a mega church in town who is front page news. He's under investigation for his questionable money handling of the church's resources. Now the feds are on him, and some of his former members have been publicly critical of his "empire," while he emphatically denies any wrongdoing. It seems he's failed to disclose the books, accused of diverting money from one ministry to another, while driving fancy cars and living in a fine home. You know the drill. We read about this kind of financial misconduct all the time with corporations. But it's sad when a Christian leader is caught with his hand in the cookie jar of "creative accounting." And it's sadder yet, that the church has let it happen; some members are still defending the behavior - or at least denying that justice has been thwarted. Members who like the poor churches in Macedonia (2 Corinthians reading today) gave in generosity from their poverty. This is a justice issue, big time.

From my point of view, a mainline, female pastor, this church has other justice issues as well - barring women from leadership, and blasting the mainline churches from the pulpit - and their pastors by name - for being "apostate." It goes on from here - spiritual pride and arrogance, ego, power. Sad thing is, the man can preach. And he often gets it right about Jesus. But the behavior doesn't match up. We are called to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in word and deed, folks.

The Deuteronomy reading today anticipates the possibility that there will be unjust leaders, and so the law is clear. Read it for yourself:

⁸You shall appoint judges and officials throughout your tribes, in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall render just decisions for the people. ¹⁹You must not distort justice; you must not show partiality; and you must not accept bribes, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of those who are in the right. ²⁰Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, so that you may live and occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

^17:14When you have come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, "I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me," ¹⁵you may indeed set over you a king whom the LORD your God will choose. One of your own community you may set as king over you; you are not permitted to put a foreigner over you, who is not of your own community. ¹⁶Even so, he must not acquire many horses for himself, or return the people to Egypt in order to acquire more horses, since the LORD has said to you, "You must never return that way again." ¹⁷And he must not acquire many wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; also silver and gold he must not acquire in great quantity for himself. ¹⁸ When he has taken the throne of his kingdom, he shall have a copy of this law written for him in the presence of the levitical priests. ¹⁹It shall remain with him and he shall read in it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, diligently observing all the words of this law and these statutes, ²⁰neither exalting himself above other members of the community nor turning aside from the commandment, either to the right or to the left, so that he and his descendants may reign long over his kingdom in Israel.

Ongoing accountability is crucial in the life of a leader, lest "his heart will turn away" from justice for all. This is the inevitable path of lust and desire that gets the best of even good humans: sin reigns and we become numb and blind to it. It becomes the reality, and we do everything to protect the gold and silver we have hoarded for ourselves. This is idolatry. It is rooted in pride and arrogance, and a belief that we are above God.

Contrast Paul who like Jesus, lived a poor life, humbled and generous in spirit - Paul writes, For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:9)

Rich in faith and justice and service and love, compassion and good works. With open books and open arms. Let it be with us who call on the Lord and are called by the Lord to lead to justice and prosperity for all.

Daily Scriptures, First Thoughts June 5 2007

Morning: Psalm 54:1-7
Deuteronomy 12:1-12
2 Corinthians 6:3-13 (14-7:1)
Luke 17:11-19
Evening: Psalm 28:1-9

I've missed blogging this past week as I returned to another era void of electronics for a few days: I took my 89 year old uncle and his new bride of 8 days, along with my mother, to Branson, Missouri. It was Uncle Bill and Rhoda's honeymoon trip. Their recent nuptials were a testimony to God's love and faithfulness, for at 89 years of age, my Uncle found love again after his wife of over 50 years died of Alzheimer's. Same with Rhoda - they met in a support group. It was also an encouragement for me to be with this man of God, who spoke often of the work of the Holy Spirit in his life and in the world. Though Branson may not be the promised land God promised Israel in Deuteronomy 12, it was a mecca for rejoicing, for God had brought us together there to celebrate love that surpasses understanding with this Abraham and Sarah of a couple, cooing in the back seat of our car, and kissing every chance they could get. The writer of Deuteronomy says it well: And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you together with your sons and your daughters...

Rejoice we did indeed.

My new Aunt Rhoda is a special treasure, getting to know me graciously and accepting us unconditionally. She has learned about grace in her life - she was frank about the addictions she overcame in her life, and like Paul writes in Corinthians: she spoke with frankness that conjured honesty and forthrightness in us all - no games or pretenses. She and Uncle Bill share a simple and gentle faith - easily lived out before us with affection toward us, as they gave God the glory for their love. And also like Paul, ²There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. ¹³In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.

This was the lesson God revealed to this child of God in Branson through their proclamation of Jesus: love never fails. Love rooted in Jesus is gentle and kind and overcomes all obstacles. Had Uncle Bill found a non-believer, perhaps they would not have shared God's part in their marriage - this is the consequence of unyoked marriages, that do not proclaim God.

Of the 10 lepers who received healing form Jesus, only one gave God the glory. In Branson, I imagine there are other honeymooners - but I was grateful to be with this one couple who gave God the glory. With every kiss resounding from the back seat, I thanked God for his love.